Matisse Stocking

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    "Creativity takes courage."

    - Henri Matisse

    Matisse is the artist who made me want to be an artist. I was in fourth grade and we had to write a report on a famous painter. My classmates were all choosing the usual suspects--Monet, Van Gogh. Da Vinci, and Picasso. In fourth grade you play it safe and blend in, so I went to the library to find a book on Monet. As luck would have it, they were all checked out so the librarian handed me a book on Matisse instead. I felt an immediate connection to his work. His use of color and pattern and his free-form spontaneity were unlike anything I had ever seen. His paintings were fun and free and I didn't know colors could evoke feelings like lyrics to a song, but his did. They inspired me and I wanted in. It was the first hint I had that maybe I was part of the tribe. Maybe I was a color-loving, rule-breaking, free-form artist too.

    I have been holding onto a large sheet of thick styrofoam for a little over a month. It's about 4 feet by 3 feet and every time I find a temporary home for it, one of the girls pulls it out to play with it. It is light because it is made of styrofoam, which looks a lot like snow and it doesn't snow in California, so........... kids. I have been strangely protective over this sheet of styrofoam. I find myself saying "you are going to break it, be careful!" as if it were heirloom China. Why? I just knew it was going to become something great. Like maybe an oversized Matisse stocking or something. 

    Materials:

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    1. Trace your stocking shape on your white sheet

    2. Use an appropriate cutting tool for your material. For thick styrofoam you will need a utility knife

    3. Gather your colored paper and start cutting organic shapes. Think: coral, leaves, seaweed, stars. Remember to save the pieces of remaining paper. If you look at Matisse's work you will see that he often used the remains of his cut-outs in his work

    4. Play with color, start laying out your shapes, and experiment with different color combinations.

    5. Start piecing together your collage like a quilt. Work out your composition before you glue it down.

    6. Glue down your composition and add a felt boarder at the top of your stocking.

    7. Add the finishing touches--pompoms and a hanging loop out of yarn

    As H would say in a French/Italian/Spanish accent, "Voila! A masterpiece!" (now kiss your fingers and fling them)

     

    xx

    a.


    ART CAMP Pro

    Are you a private studio owner, art educator, or kids art business?

    We are building an online community that offers ongoing professional training and project licensing for commercial use.

    This new platform will allow us to serve our Pro community members at a more accessible price point.

    Your sign-up will give you access to all the first come first serve perks. Exclusive content, Live sessions, Q+A opportunities, and you will be at the front of the line when doors open for enrollment!


      We won't send you spam. Just the good stuff!