Painting on the Go - Flora's Art Adventures

Mom was feeling a little better so I set her up with watercolors at the hospital ©CindyRippe2014

I was thinking that the title of this post "Painting on the Go" should probably be "Painting when you're stuck in Bed" but it works for both I guess. I've spent so much time away from the studio lately that I started figuring out ways to bring a few creative tools with me.  I had my book of Peerless Water Color Sheets, a brush and one sheet of watercolor paper with me while visiting Mom at the hospital yesterday.  She started feeling better so I drew a quick vine on the paper, set her up with a paper cup, water, brush and the design.

She really enjoyed painting for a while.  Flora helped by hold the water color book and Mom thought that was pretty funny. She has "busy hands" syndrome now with her Dementia and this will help.  There are a few other things that she can do but both Flora and I are partial to this one!  I bought her a set of Crayola watercolors today (washable) that she can use at home. I wish I would have thought about bringing one of my Aquash™ Water Brushes with.  That would have been even easier for her to use.   No worries about knocking over the cup of water.

I have another kit set up for painting acrylic washes with pen and ink.  I'll show you that one later.  

Flora wants to know what is in YOUR travel art kit?

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. Thomas Merton

Intro to Watercolors - Flora's Art Adventure

Samantha and Flora learn to mix watercolors ©CindyRippe2014

We celebrated Samantha's birthday last night.  She's a budding artist and wants to use "real" art supplies now.  I don't get to see this part of our family very often so last night was a special treat for me.  Flora came along for the fun too!  We gave Samantha a set of watercolors for her birthday present and I brought the rest of the supplies for the kids to play with.

Nolan, Samantha, Cash and Flora mix watercolors and we have a great time! ©CindyRippe2014

During our Art Time I told them all about Flora, how to use watercolors; along with the reason for the special palette, brushes, papers and mixing the colors to make new ones.  They are all so smart!  They shared their own insights and things they've already learned with me.  We had several discussions about pigments and how crayons have pigment in a wax base, oil pastels are pigment in an oil base, watercolors are water based, etc.  They already have a basic understanding of the color wheel but were eager to learn more.  I can't wait to have more mini art lessons with them and hope to continue with the rest of my nieces and nephews, and of course my granddaughter, Bella, very soon through the magic of the internet.  We have been crafting together since they were babies but now that they are growing up we're ready to move on to "real" art!

I've been playing with watercolors again in my sketchbook and Drawing Devotions project and this was a way for me to share my inspiration with them.  I had a wonderful time and we imagined that Flora did too!

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. Pablo Picasso

Mystery Painting with Bella - Halloween project for children

Painting with watercolor over crayons with Bella - ©CindyRippe2013

Bella came for a visit last weekend and loves the new "crafting room".   The studio has two desks. One is for computer and paperwork and the other for painting, drawing and other creative endeavors.  When she walked in she was thrilled that "we both have a painting table now!"  My sentiments exactly, Bella. 

We painted several pumpkins and spiders, cut them out and taped them all over the house with Washi Tape.  Then while she was busy decorating the windows I quickly drew a few ghosts with white crayons on bright white bristol board.  (a little heavier than card stock)  The whites were a  perfect match and you could hardly see the ghosts.  Then I drew a few stars and the moon in yellow.  When she came back in to the studio we mixed up some Cobalt Blue watercolor paint and I suggested she color in the night sky. (I covered the ghosts a little so she wouldn't notice them right away).  As soon as the loaded brush went across the page she saw the ghosts!  She had so much fun filling the page and revealing the rest of the hidden picture.  We blotted extra paint off of the wax as she worked.

NOTE:  We used my professional watercolors to make this but there are child friendly, (less chance of staining), products out there.  We work on a silicone mat and Bella wears her painting shirt to avoid messes. 

“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso