Color of Snow: The Process in Photos

With some projects, it's easier to show than tell, and our current lesson, The Color of Snow by Birgit Snodgrass, is one of those. Here are the steps in photos--it's absolutely no substitution for the workshop, and the actual lesson is much richer, but maybe the photos can serve as reminders of the sequence.

1. Draw in simple trees with pencil and fill in the trees with Maskoid:Remember to say it clearly: Maskoid is the product we're using. "Mastoid" is a part of your skull. ;)

2. After the Maskoid has dried a minute or two, wet your whole page with a sponge, quickly add watercolor (be sure to leave some lighter "misty" spaces), and before that has a chance to dry, add a generous amount of coarse salt:

3. Let that dry a little (time will depend on how wet the paper is). Then (this is the fun part) peel off the Maskoid:

4. Next, use brown watercolor on a dry brush or old gift card to make the tree-bark texture, and to make the trees more dimensional. Birch trees have horizontal dark marks in their pale bark:5. All done! The salt should stay on the painting until it falls or shakes off--don't try to wipe off the salt or you may smear the painting:

Support your fellow docents this weekend!

Some ways you can support other Hands on Art docents in their various artistic pursuits--we're not just teachers, many of us are also musicians, dancers, crafters, and visual artists too. Why not learn more about them?

Erika Snow Robinson (docent at Tulita, a past project presenter, and a Chalk it Up co-chair this year) will be performing with the Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra this Friday, November 6, in a FREE concert at El Camino College ($2 parking). Every ten years, the orchestra performs Beethoven's 9th (Ode to Joy) with full chorus--so this is your last chance to see it before 2019! Kids are absolutely welcome. Concert starts at 8:15pm at the Marsee Hall auditorium.

Works by several Hands on Art docents, present and past, will be for sale at an Artists Holiday Boutique, to be held Saturday, November 7, from noon to 9pm at the home of Georgette Gantner, 327 North Gertruda Avenue, Redondo Beach. If you attended the Power of Art, you know there are some wonderful local artists, and this boutique gives you a chance to buy local and buy direct. Good stuff you can't get at the mall!

Got more announcements? This is a good place for them. We love to support our docents, but we also like our workshops to run on schedule, so we're encouraging more online notes for outside activities.

Workshop #1: Myth and Mystery

What happens at our workshops? Well.... About 180 docents are assembled in one room:
And we eat brunch (but it went so fast I didn't get a chance to photograph the coffee, the quiches, the croissants, the fruit, the flan...). And there are announcements, and helpful displays related to the project of the day:
Want to buy a t-shirt or apron? The merchandise table is waiting for you:

Now it's time to get down to the art.... The presenter says, hands in the gesso!

And TAAAH-DAAAAH! Happy docents with their finished works, ready to teach the lesson to their students.

October 11: "Where the Wild Things Are" Day at the Skirball

Because our last project of this school year is based on Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," we thought Hands on Art docents, families, and friends would be interested in the Skirball's upcoming Family Day, "Where the Wild Things Are," to be held on October 11, 10am-4:30pm. It'll feature a craft center, live music, readings, and an exhibit of illustrations and props from the movie (due out soon). It's free with museum admission and no reservations needed. Check it out at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles (just off the 405).

More Dates to Save

South Bay Hands on Art docents have opportunities to do a lot of community activities and fundraisers beyond the classes we teach in local and outreach schools. Some you can put on the calendar right now....

The Power of Art
16-18 October
655 North Harbor Drive, RB
A three-day cultural arts celebration sponsored by the Redondo Beach Art Group. SBHOA docents will be teaching a workshop at this event, "How Sweet It Is."

Grow Well-Explore Art
12 December - 22 February
Beach Cities Health District
A major exhibit of Hands on Art projects, with displays created by each school's docents. The opening reception will feature a silent auction, and prizes for the best displays. Don't miss it!

Chalk It Up
1 May
(Location to be confirmed soon)
A chalk art fundraiser for South Bay Hands on Art. Docents will be involved in planning this event and making it happen; buy a square or a pair, or a great big square for a great group activity.