SMocK Challenge!

A Creative Challenge

Part of what stumps people from creating something is what to do.  As an art teacher I hear this quite often in my art room. "I don't know what do to!!!!", said, of course with a passionate whine.  Currently, my 6th grade students are designing and executing independent projects.  A bit of a selfish act, I must confess.  After 6 years of teaching them all they need to know about art (well, as much as can be squeezed into an hour a week), I decided to put myself in "time out".  I declared my students' independence in their art making and my liberation of telling them what do to.  Incredibly enough, 6th grade students do not like either option. 

For the amount of work they are responsible for completing, they are taking this creative challenge quite well.  Even expressing enthusiasm and personal investment.

Now, I challenge you, your students, your children and your friends....
make something everyday.

Step ONE: One sketch, doodle, drawing a day.....spend 10 minutes, 30 minutes...5 hours.  Just draw....on a napkin, on a piece of paper, in you daily a calendar, in a meeting ;-)

Step TWO: take a snapshot

Step THREE: share your drawing.  Post your artwork on the SMocK Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/smockgetiton

Take the challenge and see what you discover.

xoxo, SMocK you.

The tree of life.....or something close...

SMocK Party

Theme:  Trees

In the middle of January a friend decided to have a SMocK party just for the fun of it!  It was a splendid idea to help ward off the winter blues and just do something different on a weekend.  There were about eight friends who gathered in the basement, drinking wine, eating appetizers and gossiping about who did what.  OH! and they did a little bit of painting!

The theme was trees and every SMocKer used their own abilities and infused their own character into their interpretation of a tree.  It was really awesome to see everyone's personalities come through in the branches of a tree!

What is really interesting is capturing the progress of each SMocKer.  The featured SMocKer started off incredibly hesitant, with the "I can't paint a tree" attitude.  As the evening progressed, she was the only one who really became invested in the process.  You didn't hear a peep.  All along, she was 'playing' around with the paint and even flipped her canvas over.

There were two techniques that I demonstrated.  The most popular was applying a background was of color, to simulate a sky and then adding the shadowy tree.  The most challenging part of painting a tree was controlling the brush to achieve those tiny branches at the end of a limb.  I termed the technique "twiddling" the brush.

In the end, a tree is a tree is a tree is a tree.  

Beautiful and unique.

Check out all SMocKers paintings and party photos at 

our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/smockgetiton

xoxo, SMocK you.

SMocKing!!!

This wonderful SMocKer thought she could not paint a tree....WRONG!

Pajamas, polish and painting....just what a girl wants

Julie's Pajama and Painting Birthday Party!

Sometimes girls just wanna have fun! What better way than partying in your pajamas and painting your favorite nail polish.
Birthday girl Julie chose just the perfect theme to celebrate with 10 of her dearest friends.  Lots of giggling and talking about the latest news at the elementary school.  

 Of course, the festivities would not have been complete without birthday cupcakes, frosted with the most hot pink on the planet! The girls did an awesome job and had a lot of fun.

 

For more snapshots, visit SMocK on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/smockgetiton

see you back in the

SMocKroom!

 

SMocKboxes....

A wonderful way to say "I SMocK you".

SMocKing with the Lovies

On a brisk fall morning, Ashley and her friends were celebrating her birthday with cake, juice and a little SMocK. According to Ashley's mom, Ashley knew exactly how she wanted to spend her big day.  Ashley wanted to spend the day painting with her friends.  She wanted someone, like a teacher, to come and paint with them.  And her mom knew exactly how to make this wonderful idea happen :) 

After much deliberation, and some sleepless nights, Ashely decided that the best thing to paint would be 'Lovies'.  Now, I had no idea what that meant, and soon came to realize how simply wonderful this idea was.  Painting a portrait of the one thing you can't live without.  Day or night....illness or wellness....tears or laughter....these little cherished stuffed companions are a little girl's lifeline.

After a quick demonstration about sketching your lovie, the kids used crayons and simple shapes to draw bodies, arms, legs, ears and whatever they needed to begin their portraits.

Then the painting began!

The progression of these paintings were really amazing and each expressed a little bit of character from each SMocKer.  The most wonderful moment is when there is silence.  SERIOUSLY! Silence at a little girl's birthday party.  Each SMocKer's concentration was amazing.  After a little break for lunch, some cake and birthday games, the SMocKers returned to finish their paintings with a little detail.

Their 'lovies' came to life and the final results were these wonderful smiles and a glow of pride!  And this is what SMocKing is all about....  

The excitement and birthday cheer did not end for Ashley quite there.  As the honorary SMocKer, Ashley received her own SMocKbox!

This little white box contained a small canvas, paints, brushes, instructions and guide to create another great masterpiece all on her own.  And to my surprise, she did not waste minute!  It was awesome to see Ashley open the SMocKbox on her own and just.....SMocK!  AWESOME.   

Contact me to find out how to buy, send or pick up a SMocKbox for you or your kid!  Each SMocKbox has it's own surprise theme and....in all honesty...it's all ages. 

For 20 dollars, they are a perfect gift for any occasion.
C'mon, SMocK someone you love!

xoxo, SMocK you!

SMocKbox

Little birthday girl Ashley could not wait to open up her SMocKbox!  Ask about how you can get one.....