awesome accordion books from potato hill poetry's creative summer writers

For the past few summers I have had the joy of being the guest artist at Potato Hill Poetry's summer writing program and last week I lead my first activity. This summer I decided to try something new so we made accordion books and the end result was truly inspiring.

After we each made a basic accordion book, I gave very loose instructions about filling their newly created book. I pointed out the unique element that an accordion book offers which is the option to use each separate page or to use all the pages for a long or tall design and many campers did just that.

And as is common with most of my art lessons, I brought my endless supply of materials and supplies for the campers to use in their books!! 

And even though I appreciate that too many choices can be overwhelming, these kids weren't intimidated one bit and each created a lovely and unique book. It was a truly inspiring morning!

Please enjoy these treasures of creativity.  And I will be working with Potato Hill Poetry's Summer Writing Program a few more times this summer, so if you are interested make sure to check out the information at potatohill.com/summer-writing-program/.  

peace

It is summertime and that means .... ART time!!!!

Last year I had the pleasure of being one of the guest artists for Potato Hill Poetry's Creative Writing Kids program,

 here in Natick, and I had so much fun.  

And I guess the kids had fun too as I have been invited back to do art with the kids this summer!!! 

WOOHOO!!!

Andrew Green in a school

The program is run by poet Andrew Green, 

the talent and inspiration of Potato Hill Poetry! 

"Andrew Green is a poet, writer, and teacher who works with students and teachers in schools throughout New England, offering writing and poetry workshops. He founded Potato Hill Poetry in 1995." 

'such a good thing . . .' Collage from bits & piece found on my kitchen table ©2015

Last year I lead the group in creating collage. I showed them some of my collage work, my 'home, sweet, home' series as well as some of my collages from my #ICAD2015 project. 

I explained the similarities of collage and writing, each taking parts (writing/words, collage images) how, to create a new worlds, emotions, in fact stories. 

'there is no place like home, andy ...' ©2016 

They created some wonderful pictures using my basket of tricks ... catalogs, magazines and other detritus of the day. 

collage from last year's program

This summer I plan to mix it up a bit!!! 

Definitely do the magazine based collage!

 

Eric Carle inspired dress ©2013

But we will also doing creating a tissue paper based collage ~ a nod to the amazing Eric Carle.  

While I was visiting the The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art  I learned how to do these collages and i am excited to share.

And I also want to explore the amazing world of Zentangle with the group.  New to it myself, I find it a wonderful meditative practice which I find very inspiring!!! 

I believe there are still some spots available, depending on the week.  

I have included the sign-up form below or you can click here: 

http://www.potatohill.com/files/2016-camp-flier.pdf

And check back here to see what these creative kiddos create, 

I plan to take more pictures this year.  

Come spend five fabulous mornings discovering the creative writer within. You will work with one or two fantastic teachers who will encourage and inspire you to write as never before. Mornings will be devoted to a variety of genres: nature writing, poetry, fiction, and journaling. There will be group exercises as well as individual guidance during the week. A reading for parents will occur on the final morning.

PEACE