Paper Dress: Little E with Manila Shawl

During the holidays, my sis-in law got the nearly perfect gift for me: a Matisse book from Taschen Basic Art Series. 

I was flipping through the book on my day off today. Matisse's oil canvas painting "Madame Matisse in Manila Shawl" caught my eye. It reminded me how it was featured the exhibition "China: Through the Looking Glass" at MET last year. To me the exhibition was a representation of Chinese cultural influence through high fashion/apparel + film/music clips + objects of art. Despite the different critics reviews of the exhibition, I did enjoy the beauty and creativity of the so-called "Orientalism".

I used a couple of  free tissue paper from clothing stores and kids' paint to make a paper version of the dress and shawl from Matisse' painting. 

As Amelie, Madame Matisse, patiently wore the costume as a model for the artist in 1911, little E wore the paper version gracefully as my little model today : )

Tissue Paper Art: Oriental Poppies 1928

Tissue paper and kids' paint #3

Tissue Paper Art: Two Calla Lilies on Pink 1928

Still reading through the book about O'Keeffe from the Taschen Basic Art Series.

This is another relaxing afternoon playing with tissue paper and kids' paint.

Tissue Paper Art: Single Lilly with Red 1928

After 4 years being a full time mom, I've made the decision to be an elementary school teacher again. School has just started and it has been an exciting new beginning for the whole family. All of us are adjusting to a different routine.

In the process of setting up the classroom, getting familiar with the curriculum and colleagues, arranging after school program for Big E and Little E, I started to feel a bit overwhelmed and needed to catch my breath.

In lieu of my weekly acrylic painting class, I sat down one afternoon to flip through the O'Keeffe book by Taschen Basic Art Series. Little E was making a project next to me. I borrowed her kids' paint and made a tissue paper version of the "Single Lilly with Red."

The colors aren't as vibrant. But my version of the art therapy works in a magical way : )

Veggie Stamps #2 - Birthday bouquet for Great Grandpa

Kids' great grandpa is celebrating his 91 birthday this weekend. The family is gathering to have lunch together. Big E and Little E wanted to make a birthday card for great grandpa. Little E also suggested to buy a beautiful bouquet for great grandpa.

I thought, wouldn't it be great if we combine the card and flowers together? We had a Mexican style BBQ party at home yesterday. There are still fresh bell peppers, onions and lemon left in the fridge, We should try the veggie stamps project again!

Easy steps:

1. Cut the ends of fresh veggies

2. Apply kids' paint 

3. Stamp and create!

I love how the kids added the stems in different ways!

Happy Birthday to Great Grandpa!