Art With Mr.E: Starting a Circle Weaving Part 1

Come weave with me! Here is the being steps for how to do a circle weaving. The video will take you through the process, but I will also have written directions and pictures to help you out as much as possible. Once you get it...you won’t want to stop! Please feel free to comment or contact me if you have any questions.

SUPPLIES:  paper plate or cardboard cut in a circle, 

pencil, scissors, yarn, and tape

VOCABULARY: loom- the structure you weave on (the plate/cardboard in this case),  warp- the string you weave through, weft- the string you weave with

On the back of your circle, make 11 marks evenly spaced around the rim, and label them 1-11. Try your best to have them an equal distance apart. 

Next you will “warp” your “loom”. You will want to have just a small tail of yarn hanging on the back at the 1 spot.  The majority of your yarn for the warp will be on the front of the circle. Follow the formula below to finish warping your loom. 

Here is the "formula" for warping your loom!

1 to 6 (across the loom)

6 to 7(hello neighbor)

7 to 2(across the loom)

2 to 3(hello neighbor)

3 to 8(across the loom)

8 to 9(hello neighbor)

9 to 4(across the loom)

4 to 5(hello neighbor)

5 to 10(across the loom)

10 to 11(hello neighbor)

11 to 5

(the number 5 will have to strings sharing the space) 

After you have warped your loom, tape down the ends on the back so they do not come out of their spots.

Feed your “weft“ string underneath the warp strings from the 3ish to the 9ish place. You want to capture all the warp strings in the middle with the smallest knot possible. Cut off the small “extra” piece of string from your knot....but be careful to not cut the knot or any warp strings. 

NOW TO START THE ACTUAL WEAVING

Begin by going around the circle (I go counter clock wise..not sure why?).  OVER UNDER OVER UNDER. I will go over/under about half of the stings and then pull my yarn all the way through.  If you do not do this...it can get tangled up, and cause some problems for you.

At the end of each string tie the new one to the old one. You can trim the "bunny ears" off at the end.   Tying knots & double(triple..or more) jumping is the biggest problem young artists have once they get started.  They just have to make sure to go over or under each of the warp strings...they can not go over over..or under under.  

To finish the weavings, artists can create a pattern in pencil on the rest of the plate(the background...not the back) & then use the same color of markers (as their yarn) to color their pattern.  

I WILL MAKE A PART 2 TO CIRCLE WEAVING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE "GETTING IT"! 

The finished product can look something like this! 

#artedportraits challenge

Have you seen the art teachers posting portraits of famous works of art? The art teachers in VA started it....and I was excited to join in the fun!! 

”Mr.E Holding On To Toilet Paper For Dear Life” by Mr.E & ”Nobleman With His Hand On His Chest” by El Greco

Art With Mr.E: Tissue Paper Color Transfer

OH MY GOODNESS?!?! My video quality is getting worse instead of better?!?!  I've tried some different things the past two videos....and they obviously are not good things! ha ha WHAT IS THAT THING IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER?!?! I didn't know it was obstructing the view till after I did the whole video and went to play it back.  It is what it is friends...hopefully you can still get something from it even though that thing is in the way! ha ha  

This is a tissue paper color transfer.  You will need paper, pencil, sharpie, bleeding tissue paper , brush, and water(a spray bottle works GREAT!). Later you will need crayons, markers, or colored pencils. 

If you don't have bleeding tissue paper....you will need to use a watered down glue, mod podge, or liquid starch to attach the regular tissue paper down(as flat & smooth as possible).  

Art With Mr.E: Water Color Techniques for Painted Paper Collages

Here are some fun techniques to add texture to your painted paper! 

Sunday School With Mr.E

For those of you new to Art With Mr.E ....I usually do a faith based post connecting art and faith each Sunday. If that is not your thing...skip my Sunday posts! The rest of the week is art & art education.

Hey friends...doing something different this week because it has been a different kind of week. Thought you might be missing Sunday School since most of our churches are not open for services. I know my voice is low/soft, but it was 2am & i didnt want to wake my family being loud! Haha So gather near & crank the volume!!!

Art With Mr.E: Make a Collagraph With Me

This project will give you a couple cool works of art! Have fun creating a collagraph with me! 

You will need.... cardboard(like cereal box), scissors, glue, crayons, 

acrylic paint, brush, water, and paper. 

Do a Wax Resist With Me

For this lesson you will need pencil, paper, crayons, watercolor, water, and a brush! 

Come on and create with me!! 

Art Prompts For Art at Home

Pick-a-Prompt gives a bit more guidance as to what the young artist will be creating. They are set up in thematic columns. As students create they can cross off the prompt. That will give them a goal to complete the list.

Word-spiration is more open. The word acts like a muse & can be interpreted in numerous ways. 

I hope these can be of use for you! 

Draw A Fish With Me

DRAW WITH ME!! If you are at home and needing some lessons for the kids(or you)...stay tuned for more videos!! This one goes along with the books I've been reading. Hope you enjoy. 

Story Time With Mr. E: The Pout Pout Fish

As school systems across the United States are closing because of COVID-19, we are faced with developing different ways to reach our students.  I read to my kindergarten students every time they come to art.  I wanted them to be able to still have story time with Mr. E.  So I'm going to start recording videos of some of my favorite books to share with my students (and whoever else would like to watch/listen!).  I had to start with one of my "new" favorite books. 

THE POUT POUT FISH by Deborah Diesen & illustrated by Dan Hanna

Story Time with Mr.E: The Pout Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean

This is my newest Pout Pout Fish book!! 

I hope you enjoy! 

 by Deborah Diesen & illustrated by Dan Hanna

Story Time With Mr. E: Fish is Fish

This book is beautiful visually, but also has a beautiful message.

Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Up Close

 I have countless books at home and in my classroom containing amazing works of art from around the world and throughout time.  As much as I enjoy looking through the pages of these books, it does not compare to seeing the work in person.  Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite artists.  His work masterfully employs color, texture, and composition to evoke such strong emotional responses. Though I gained a love and appreciation or his work through looking at books, it was not till I saw his work face to face that I truly understood its impact.  Seeing his work up close allowed me to observe the very marks he made.  I tried to take in as much as I could in those fleeting moments.  I truly was overwhelmed by the experience.  It was like being on "holy ground".  As I left the museum, I knew I wanted to learn even more about Van Gogh and discover images of his work that I had never seen before.  Getting to see his work up close made my appreciation for his work even greater. 

Do we know what it means to earnestly seek God?  Maybe we've grown up going to church, knowing the "stories", and passively participating in things of faith.  There may have been a time where you might have said you were passionate about your relationship with God.  You may have had a "mountain top" experience that fanned the flames of your faith for a period of time.  However, now there is just a flicker or smoldering ember remaining.  How do we get to the point where we are earnestly seeking God....thirsting for Him...longing for Him?  We must get up close to God.  We can't set passively by and expect things to change.  Being in prayer, reading our Bible, spending time with other people of faith allows us to get up close (and personal) with God.  We will begin to see the masterful plan He has for our life and for the lives of those around us.  We must be able to draw close, to study, and to experience first hand the things of faith so that our lives are impacted by it. It is one thing to know it "second hand".....but when you have an up close experience....it will cause you to seek Him all the more! 

Dollar Tree Hacks: Tempera Cakes Container

I love Dollar Tree!  So many great things that can be used in the art room.  I think my Cumberland University students think I'm secretly working for Dollar Tree because I'm a walking advertisement! You share what you love, right?!?! 

I purchased these muffin tins from Dollar Tree about 2 yrs ago.  They are the perfect size for the tempera cakes I have in my classroom.  I have one for primary & one for secondary colors.  They are compact in size.  Both trays will fit in the center of their table, and still leave plenty of room for students to work. The trays I saw online for the tempera cakes was much more expensive, and my school budget would not allow me to purchase those. 

5th Annual Art With Mr.E Summer Workshop

Looking for a fun summer PD? This summer will be the 5th Annual Art With Mr.E Summer Workshop!! We have a blast every summer, and would love for you to join us!!

E-mail for more information! tededinger@gmail.com

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Encourage

It is amazing how much something as simple as encouragement
 can change one's entire perspective.

The artist can be extremely critical of their own work.  Because so often they create in isolation...they begin to believe their inner dialog of negativity. They have no one to stop the wrong thinking. Though they must have an honest & critical eye, be able to self reflect, and edit their own work....negativity rarely yields the positive results that are needed to build momentum in creative pursuits. Internalized negativity stunts one's ability to progress fluidly. Self doubt, frustration, and dissatisfaction are stumbling blocks.  The stereotypical self deprecating, angsty artist is not the picture of health & productivity.

 As in all areas, the artist needs to have individuals in their life that will be honest, yet provide encouragement. No one needs someone lying to them or throwing out worthless platitudes. A person who can give honest feedback and at the same time  encourages the positive in their work is a treasure.  They help the artist to see the good, and help to prevent them from going down a destructive path of negativity.  We all need encouragement as we step out, try new things, and desire to better ourselves.  Words of affirmation go a long way in changing our perspective.  

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Our world has become obsessed with negativity. Spewing hate, hurling insults, and divisiveness creates a toxic environment where no one wins. People feel more disconnected, dissatisfied, and disenchanted. Growth & progress are hard to come by in such an environment.  Love, kindness, connection, and encouragement are needed so desperately. 

 As believers, we must live differently. We have been called to be & do not as the "world".  We need to look at situations & individuals through the eyes of Christ. Our response should be one of love & compassion. 

How would things change around you if you made the choice to encourage someone, make mention of the good you see them doing, take a moment to listen to them(without offering your opinion), or ask if they need help with anything(All the while refusing to participate in fruitless negative talk!)? 

 Could your encouragement show others the love of Christ during these dark times? Could your attitudes and actions help to turn someone's day around?  Could your refusal to participate in the negative help someone else get out of that vicious &  destructive cycle? What has God called you to do? How is He going to use you to encourage others? 

Stop Motion App: The "E"dition

With my school system & my kids' school system out because of the tornado...I'm trying to keep them occupied!! I showed them how to use the Stop Motion App, and this is what the three of them came up with (5, 8, and 10 yr old).  It is pretty odd/twisted/weird....but they are my kids (so it is to be expected! ha ha).  

Another Tornado...

If you have not seen/heard on the news, in social media, in the news paper...

Middle Tennessee experienced another major tornado. The number of deaths was much higher...with Putnam County experiencing the greatest loss.  Though my school did not suffer any damage (unlike when I lost my classroom in the 98 tornado), some of the neighborhoods our students live in experienced extreme devastation.  At least 5 families from our school lost their homes, and many more suffered significant damage.  Thankfully no one was injured. 

Please send your thoughts/prayers....and if you feel led to....give.  

I'll share more later. 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: What Are You Known For?

Artists are often portrayed as melancholy, aloof, and raging against conventional thoughts & norms. Movies, television, and comics perpetuate these characteristics. The portrayal is incomplete.  There are times those things are true of artists (as with all people). However, the dominant characteristic I see in artists that might challenge the stereotype is.....HOPEFUL!  I believe artists are some of the most hope filled people you will ever meet.  They hope to convey their ideas, opinions, dreams, and beliefs through their work.  They hope that they will be able to share these works with others in a variety of settings.  They hope that others will "get" their point of view.  They hope that they can make a living doing what they love.  They hope that they will be respected for their work.  They hope that they will be able to continue to grow & develop as artists.  They hope their work will be known.  They hope they will be known.  They hope they will live long enough to see all these hopes come to fruition.  

Hope is at the core of an artist. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   Romans 15:13

As believers, we should be known for our hope.  If anyone had a reason for hope...it should be those of us who have a personal relationship with the Lord.  Unfortunately, I often find that many believers are known for their worries, stress, and negativity.  Hope can not thrive in an environment of worries/stress/negativity.  The hope we have does not exist because we will get everything we want, avoid facing trials and troubles, or live a life void of stress.  Our hope is in knowing God. Our hope is in trusting God. Our hope is in the love of God.  If this is true, only will we have hope in Him, but our hope will OVERFLOW by the power of the Holy Spirit.  If we can overflow with hope, those around us will be impacted by that hope!  Haven't you known people that you just love to be around because of their positive outlook on life & their ability to speak positivity to those around them? Don't we want that?  Don't we want to be that?  Shouldn't our lives be different because o the hope we have?  Shouldn't our life make a difference because of the hope that we have?  Hope is at the core of the believer. 

 What are you known for?

Mondrian: Kindergarten

Ms. Witt (my student teacher) wanted to introduce basic ruler skills to kindergarten.  She used an oldie but a good lesson:  MONDRIAN!  It is a great way to have students use rulers, be successful, and end with a beautiful piece of art.  (AND THEY LOVED IT!)

She started by talked to them about the uses of a ruler, how to hold a ruler still, and things to avoid when using a ruler.  They students then created a grid across their paper.  She used tempera cakes(love the color) for them to paint their work.  Once again, she went over the basic skills of painting....how to hold a brush, how to rinse the brush, how to "use" the brush appropriately. This lesson has so many great skills to review and reinforce!! This is a great time of the year to make sure your kinders have a good foundation in the skills you want to build upon in coming lessons...and in coming years.

4th Grade Dino Narrative Stop Motion: Ice Cream

This Stop Motion App video was created by one of yesterday's groups! They were extremely successful in telling a story. I'm so super proud of my amazing young artists!!! 

Check out the other stop motion videos my students have created on my new student focused YouTube channel: Art With Mr.E  (My other one is a mix of student and teacher content). 

Stop Motion: 4th Grade

As part of a grant our district was awarded for Art & Music...we received 3 iPads for our art room.  Technology has been hard to implement well in my classroom before because I only had a Fire to use.  I'm excited to try more projects that incorporate technology, and have a Tech Station set up in my classroom for student to utilize. We required as a part of this grant to have the students create using the Stop Motion app.  THEY LOVE IT!! I'm excited to try it for other projects in the future.  Go to my new student project YouTube channel to see other examples!! 

Art With Mr. E YouTube

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Laziness

 

Art is a discipline.  Art requires discipline.  Like an athlete training to become the best at their sport, art requires practice/training to advance personally and professionally.  I'm not necessarily saying that it has to be "formal".  For some, it is simply pursing their art on a consistent basis.  Too often we allow days or weeks to pass without creating.  We, at times, halfheartedly work on our art. We become lazy.  Choosing not to challenge ourselves, being willing to try new materials, or not seeking out new skill sets are some of the other signs of laziness. There are consequences to not doing what you know you should be doing.Resting on previous work or ways of working will slowly erode what once was able to be accomplished.  

I don't know if I've ever used Judges in my Sunday Devotionals?!? ha ha  This section of scripture truly baffled me at first.  A person who ruled Israel for twenty-two years & had thirty sons (riding thirty donkeys?) you would think was extremely successful.  However, why would Israel once again do evil in the eyes of the Lord when their leader died? Things were happening during Jair's leadership that led Israel to this outcome.  Laziness.  Israel did not just decide to turn their back on God because Jair died.  They began allowing things in their lives that slowly eroded their foundation in the Lord.  They became too comfortable. Remember that weird factoid about Jair's sons riding donkeys?  Well, the fact that they were riding donkeys was a sign that they were in a time of peace.  Things were "easy".  Sometimes when things are easy & comfortable....we allow things to creep into our lives that we might not normally.  Before you start shaking your head or wagging your finger at Israel....make sure you are looking at your own life.  Have you ever let things slide in your life that maybe shouldn't?  We all have become lazy & allowed things into our heart, mind, and life that once would have never had a chance.  It is a good reminder that we must be diligent, hard working, and ever mindful.  If we are not going & growing in God.....that we might fall into trap of laziness. 

I always feel like.....

I always feel like ....some dino's watching me! 

(If you don't know this reference....just move along to the pictures?!)

My student teacher did this lesson with my 3rd graders.  The kids LOVED this project!! Even though this COULD be a lesson that yielded look-a-like/copy cat art.....the students really created unique works that expressed personal style & choice.  Ms. Witt started the lesson by looking at images of reptile eyes & artist renderings of dinosaur eyes. They discussed the parts of the eye & texture of the surrounding skin.  Students started by drawing the eye and scales. They then used tempera cakes to begin painting their projects.  This was a two week lesson(our classes are an hour in length).

SIDE NOTE:  I have a student that rarely gets into her art, but this time did not want to stop! She came back during her free time to finish it.  It is such a joy to find something that sparks the imagination, heart, and interest of a student! 

The Frist Museum: Eric Carle

My family ventured out to The Frist Museum to see the Eric Carle exhibit. It is coming to a close this weekend....so you do not have much time left if you want to go see it. The show was wonderfully done, and it was so wonderful to see his work in person.  The Frist created a wonderful environment that encouraged museum goers to become a part of the world Eric Carle created through his beautiful children's books.

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: More Than Talk

There is an extremely callous statement volleyed around art educators far too often... "Those who can't....teach."  Some of the most gifted artists I know are also educators.  They do not teach because they are unable to create masterful works.  They teach because their passion for the visual arts compels them to train up the next generation of artists.  They will not be happy just talking about art.  They will not be happy just creating their own work.  Their happiness comes from helping students see their potential or grasp a skill/concept that has eluded them.  They are more than talk.  They make a difference through their art in action.  

The Christian community is often viewed as hypocrites.  When did we become a people of words and not actions?  Is that even biblical? No wonder those outside of the faith are confused and at times repulsed by those who claim Christianity.  No wonder they do not have a clear picture of God when they look at those who say they know him.  Those who claim faith in God must put into action the teachings they have learned.  If our life is not impacted, guided, and motivated by the love of the Lord....we have missed the heart of the message we say we believe.  Our life should be a reflection of that love so graciously given to us.  Our life should be about the doing...because that is what was shown us.  It is more than talk. It is action. It is love.  

Happy Valentine's Day! You are loved. You are valued. Your life makes a difference. I am glad you are in the world!