researching shapes in the garden

Here's the Thursday class of 4th and 5th graders getting inspriation from nature in the garden at Escondido Children's Museum. I love seeing the kids in the garden, really looking and then drawing.

finding shapes in the garden

The kids spent about 15 minutes in the garden creating little sketches of shapes based on the plants. Sixteen kids in class today. It was was of those great 'moments' when the kids really looked at the details in the garden--the leaf shapes, the tiny flowers, never-before-noticed ground cover.

nature shapes

Using the shapes she created to make a repeating pattern.

why do the boys always sit together?

kid's artwork

kid's artwork

kid's artwork

Shameless Commerce!!

'Mundo LIndo' merchandise is for sale at
www.cafepress.com/janeville
Shown here is the dark t-shirt in blue.

nature shapes

This weeks project. I'm calling it "Nature Shapes."
The bottom image: is a series of doodles based on nature. I chose two of the shapes (outlined darker), then traced and cut out those shapes from stiff paper (they are on the table at the left). Middle pic: is the repeated shapes, outlined in marker. Top pic: finished piece, painted with watercolor.

nature shapes project

This week's project--My version.

Mundo Lindo Thursday class

Sixteen kids at the first Thursday class. Fourth and fifth graders intent on creating.

house finch with 'tude

bird pages

Pages are drying before they assemble them into books.

birds

scrub jay

Tuesday's Mundo Lindo begins!

The kids drew and painted birds from both pictures and artificial birds. Anna's Hummingbird.

Bird book

Each children created their own book of bird illustrations using watercolor.

Tuesday's class

Here's our first session of kids on June 12, 2007

New logo!

Next week I start teaching this art-based, grant funded program for low income kids at Escondido Children's Museum and I just created this logo for it!!

bird book

I always do the project first, before I teach it to the kids. We'll creating our own little books of bird paintings, similar to this.

inside bird book

Wood art project

Here's the finished project for an upcoming session that I'll be teaching to 4th and 5th grade kids. You can see here, how it started. I cut shapes from plywood, then painted them with acrylic paints depicting the state flower, the California Poppy. And I labeled the cities of SF, LA and San Diego.

first grader does Gee's Bend

I showed the kids pics of the quilts of Gee's Bend. Here was a first grader's interpretation. I just finished up teaching at Los Penasquitos Elementary School. Mundo Lindo starts June 12th!

Press release announcing Mundo Lindo!

Artist Receives Grant to teach 4th & 5th grade kids at
Escondido Children’s Museum

Who: Jane LaFazio partners with Escondido Children’s Museum to teach 4th and 5th graders from the underserved population of San Diego North.

What: Free Weekly 2-hour creative classes based on the exhibits at the Escondido Children’s Museum.

Jane’s program is called
“Mundo Lindo ~ Beautiful World”
Where kids discover the joy and power of creativity…
The classes are taught by Jane LaFazio, professional artist. Jane will help kids discover the joy and power of creativity through hands-on art-based projects. Each session, the children will learn art skills and problem solving along with learning about the world we live in through natural sciences and international culture.

The classes are FREE to qualified, low income 4th and 5th grade kids. All supplies are free. At the end of the 8 week session, each child will receive a certificate of completion and his or her artwork will be part of a professional exhibition at ECM.

Where: Escondido Children’s Museum 380 N. Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, CA 92025. 760-233-7755. Register by contacting Escondido Children’s Museum Tricia James 760-739-9513 tjames@escondidochildrensmuseum.org

When: Ongoing 8 week after school sessions begin Tuesday, June 12 and Thursday June 14 and 3:30-5:30pm.
Continuing 8 week sessions will run through May 2008.

Why: Jane LaFazio is a recipient of a grant from the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation, and she has created this program to share her passion for art and creativity with kids.

Me and the first graders

Here's me guiding the first graders in their 'tree of life' paintings.

first grader at work

I taught a delightful 1st Grade class at a small private school in Solana Beach yesterday. They were a talented group of kids, and we did Klimt's 'tree of life' and here's an artist at work.

California!

I'm cutting out wooden shapes of California, in preparation for a lesson for the kids.

I'm going to cut a shape for each kid.

Me and Katie Ragazzi

Jane [on the left] with Katie, Executive Director of the Esconidido Children's Museum. The Mundo Lindo program will take place at ECM and is financially supported by the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation.

Birds!

I love birds! I'm working on the first lesson and it will be about the birds of ECM. The ones in the exhibit are the Wrentit, Orange Crowned Warbler, Scrub Jay, Anna's Hummingbird, Mockingbird, Bushtit, Hermit Thrush and I'm going to add the California state bird, the Quail.