Mexican Round Mirrors Art Project

This is an art project which was taught to several of the We Care Arts classes including Memory Units, Special Needs High Schools and Developmental Disabilities Centers. 

Mexican Round Mirrors is a mixed media project and a fun way to introduce students to Mexican designs, working in the round and metal embossing. A big thank you to Dynamic Senior Solutions in Beavercreek, Ohio Seniors and their Care Partners for the great art work!

The round design is drawn on a thicker paper, such as bristol board, tagboard or poster board. Find 3 circles that fit nicely with each other. You need 3 round objects such as plates or bowls in three sizes or use a compass. 

Trace around the three round shapes with a black Sharpie. In the center circle, write the words, "no color" in the smallest circle so the student will not make a design where the aluminum will be glued. The drawing of the circles was done by a We Care Arts Instructor beforehand, but older students could do it on their own.

Mexican designs can be found in textiles - clothing and molas and in mexican tile design. Samples of Mexican designs will help the students come up with their own.

In the first and second circle border, have the studet draw some 

 simple designs with black Sharpie.  More detailed black designs can be drawn now, or after the color is put in as is the next picture.

The colors used are bright and bold to mimic the feel of the Mexican designs. Use watercolor markers, such as Crayola brand to color the borders so the black line does not smear. Teach your students to use the side of the marker for faster coloring rather than using just the tip. The watercolor markers will not smear the black line design as permanent markers would.

 

 The center of the design is a round piece of 36 guage of alumminum. Trace the size of circe wanted on the alumunin with black Sharpie, then cut out with heavy duty scissors. 

With a sharpened dowel rod or a pencil draw a line design on the aluminum. Place the aluminum on a padded surface to achieve the embossing. Folded newspaper is a easy solution for the padding. The design can be embossed from the back, or just colored with the Sharpie colored markers.  Watercolor markers will just wipe off of the metal.

After both designs are done, use a hot glue with care to glue the metal circle to the base. Put the glue onto the poster board, then stick the metal circle to it. Quickly turn the whole circle over and press down. Be careful because the metal will get hot due to the hot glue applied.

Many of the artists chose to put their name of initial in the center.

These round Mexican "Mirrors" can be placed a wall for bright decoration.

Easy Animal Drawings

 

 

Do you have a hard time drawing animals? Many of Diane's students do and she came up with a solution. She found large pictures of dogs from a book on dog breeds. Using heavy vellum paper, the photo was taped to the underside of the vellum.

 

 The students then drew an outline of the dog's features with a black Sharpie.  The rest of the picture was filled in with water soluble markers as Crayola.

 

 

 

 The students were encouraged to have fun with the colors and to put in an environment so the viewer would know where the dog was - inside or outside. Some students named their dogs and added their favorite dog dish and bone.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                      The finished art work can be displayed in a window since it is translucent or on a wall with white paper behind it.

Supplies needed:

 

        Heavy translucent vellum paper

Tape

   Black Sharpie

   Crayola markers

 Animal book or calendar



Our Intern Mallory Paints with a Brush Visor!

One of the We Care Arts interns, Mallory from Wright State, painted with the use of a brush taped to a visor. She brought joy to herself, her staff and all of us at We Care Arts! Way to go Mallory!

 

 

 

 

 

Visit Our We Care Arts Gift Shop!

Did you know that we have a wonderful gift shop full of unique one-of-a-kind handmade gifts at We Care Arts
created by our clients?

 

 

Here are a few items that are in our Gift Shop now - our inventory changes frequently, so stop by often!

 

Here are some of Sam Carpenter's beautiful silk paintings, many outlined with metallic gold.

We have several adult clothing protectors to keep you or your love one's clothes clean sewn by Ruth.

Here are some of our necklaces in the popular larger sizes.

 

 

Our fused glass blocks with lights will brighten up a dark table or shelf.

 

 

These hand painted wood puzzles would be a fun addition to any child's room as a toy or decoration.

 

These unique, large and colorful hand built clay bowls by Kathleen would be a perfect artsy centerpiece for your table.

 

In our gallery you will find fine art and fine crafts such as the mosaic sun above and the tiger painting below. 

 

 

This just a small selection of artwork and gifts from the We Care Arts Gift Shop. Plan to stop by soon to shop for a gift for

yourself or others.  

 

Our location is at 3035 Wilmington Pike, just south of Dorothy Lane with a huge parking lot behind the building. Go through the left hand door under the awning to enter the Gallery and Gift Shop.

 

We are open Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, Tuesday until 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Simple Weaving for Special Needs

This is a simple weaving project for special needs students, seniors or anyone who wants to experience the technique of weaving. Several of the art instructors at We Care Arts have used cardboard looms with their students to create a weaving.

 
Diane recently led a class of Independent Living and Assisted Living residents at 10 Wilmington place in a weaving project.. She used mat board for the loom.  Many frame shops have a few scraps that they may let you have. Cardboard from a cereal box or a packing box can also be used.
 
The pictures are from the ladies at 10 Wilmington Place. Diane had the warp thread all wound so the residents just started weaving with the yarn. They had worked an hour and 15 minutes when the pictures were taken.
 
1. For the looms, Diane used a 12x9" piece of mat board. Especially for kids, the card board loom can be smaller. Mat Board is easily cut on a paper cutter.
 
2. On each end, Diane cut a one inch slit with scissors around every inch. Make an even number of slits. She said that she would cut the slits every 1/2 - 2/3" next time for a denser warp. She used Aunt Lydia's crochet string. Any non stretch string will work.
 

3. The string is started on the back and taped down. It will be straight on the front and look diagonal across the back. Tape down the end of the string on the back. For the seniors, she use medium to dark board for contrast to the white string.
 
4. To make the whole weaving process easier, Diane used tongue depressor with a hole drilled in one end. The yarn goes into the hole and is knotted. The wide tongue depressor is easy to move through the warp strings.
 
5. On the front, the weaving is started at the bottom. tie on the string to the first warp thread.
 
6. The tongue depressor then goes over a string and under the next string then over the next repeating until the row is done.
 
7. All the thread is pulled through, then the next row is started with the opposite motion. If the last string went over the last thread, the next row is started by going under the same thread, over the next thread and so on.  If the last string went under the last thread, it will go over the same thread, then under the next following the pattern of over, under, over, under.
 
8. To make it easier for your students, when wrapping the warp ( up and down string) you can wrap a light thread on every other slit, then a dark thread on the remaining slits. then the students could be told to put the tongue depressor under all the dark threads on one row, then over the dark threads on the next row.
 
9. To prevent the warp threads from binding in, the yarn can be pulled through at an angle, then brought down to the next row using the fingers. This concept is usually hard for specials needs so the weaving will most likely be drawn in at the sides which is fine.
 
10. Be sure at the end of the row, the student use their fingers to bring the rows of yarn together.
 
11. Diane used yarn to weave through the warp. The weaving is made interesting with different colors and thicknesses of yarn. Be sure the hole in the tongue depressor is big enough to easily put the yarn through.
 
12. When a different color or more yarn is needed, tie the end of the old yarn to the new yarn. Cut the old yarn from the tongue depressor and replace it with the new yarn.  Diane usually cuts around 1 yard lengths.

13. Have the students keep weaving until the top of the loom is reached. Remember that thicker yarn will make the weaving go much faster! The weaving can be continued in other class periods or extra yarn can be given to the student to work on their own.

 
14. To finish the weaving cut the warp strings on the back of the cardboard across the middle.  Carefully take the strings off the weaving in twos.  The first two strings are tied together next to the weaving, then strings 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and so on till the end is reached. The loom is then turned around for the other side.
 
15. If you want to put a twig or dowel rod through the top to hold it, leave some room when you tie the strings. Or the twig can be placed next to weaving when you are in the process of tying it.

16. Realize that mistakes will be made and many times will not be seen when all the rows are done. Instead of tearing out rows, it is better to just have the student continue weaving.
 


 
 
 

Mod Podge Bottles

Do you have bottles left over from the holidays? A easy craft for snow days is to cover the bottles with paper and Mod Podge. Any glass bottle or container can be used.

 

Diane, one of We Care Art's instructors, created this craft with a memory group and special needs artists.

 

1. First, the label needs to be taken off. Soak your bottles in a sink of warm water with vinegar and baking powder added.

 

2. When the labels have softened - peel or scrape off the paper. The glue residue can be scrubbed off or left on.  It really will not show under the papers.

The top label of the bottle can be left on for color, or taken off with scissors. (It can be metal, so watch for sharp edges)

 

 

3. Using a foam brush, cover an area of the bottle with watered down Elmer's glue or Mod Podge. This will dry clear - The bottles in the pictures were still wet.

 

Your first layer can be tissue paper or decorative napkins (peel so the napkin is one ply). Repeat this step until the whole bottle is covered. Put a layer of the glue carefully over the first layer. If the tissue starts tearing, let it dry some.

 

4. Cut out some images that you like. These images were glossy and taken from a Victorian clip art book. It is nice to pick out a theme such as the flowers shown above or the animals shown below.

 

5. To add the pictures, brush a layer of the glue on the back of the picture and place it on the bottle. Place a layer of the glue on top of the pictures. You may have to hold the edges of the pictures flat for a few minutes to stick.

 

6. Keep adding the pictures until it is finished.

 

7. On the top neck, you can wrap ribbon, small pearls, raffia, yarn, sequins or anything that will stick. As in the first picture, a bow can be made for decoration.

 

8. Lights can be added to the inside of the bottle for a beautiful light. There are many examples on Pinterest.

 

9. When making this project with special needs, it is easier to use pieces of napkins or tissue around 3 - 4". This helps the artist to handle the tissue easier and allows the paper to be put on without the glue drying out.

 

10. This project can done within an hour if the labels are taken off ahead of time. Be sure to cover the tables and let the students wash their hands during the project if needed

 

 

 



Holiday Open House at We Care Arts

 

You are invited to attend our We Care Arts "Holiday Open House" Saturday,

November 8th from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm!

 

 

 

Our gift shop is decorated for the holidays and is full of gifts for everyone from infants to seniors! Shop for one of a kind handmade gifts made by our artists at reasonable prices!

 

  We will have a Make it/Take it where kids of all ages can make 3 different gifts or ornaments for a donation of $5.00. All craft supplies will be furnished and instruction given.

 

You can drop off your kids or grandkids to make crafts while you shop at our gift shop. Leave the glitter on our floor, not yours!

 

You can shop at our gift shop all the holiday season.

 

Our hours are:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 4 pm

Tuesday from 9 am - 8:00 pm and Saturday from 10 am - 2:00 pm

We are closed on Sundays.

 

 

 

 

Wine and Art Painting Class - October 27

There will be another Wine and Art Painting Class on October 27 starting at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at We Care Arts. The class will be taught by Terry Schalnat. The picture below, painted by Diane Zubrick, will be the artwork taught.

 

You do not need to have any painting experience to join the class. The painting will be taught step by step. Water, coffee and tea will be provided and you can bring your own wine. Come with a group for lots of fun! The time is from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at We Care Arts at 3035 Wilmington Pike in Kettering. The cost is $35.00 to be paid at registration. To register, call Terry at 252-3937 or email Terry at tschalnat@wecarearts.org.

Wine and Art Class at We Care Arts June 25

Come and paint an acrylic picture on canvas at
We Care Arts! 

 

The instructor is our director, Terry Schalnat. You will be painting the Red Poppies pictured below.

 

You can bring your own wine. Water, coffee and tea will be provided. The class is taught step-by-step, so no painting experience is necessary!

 

 The cost is $35.00 and the proceeds will benefit We Care Arts. The class will be held at June 25 at 3035 Wilmington Pike in Kettering, Ohio.

The class will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 P.M.

Here are the proud artists and their paintings from Terry's April class!
Bring a group for lots of fun!

RSVP Terry Schalnat at 252-3937 or tschalnat@wecarearts.org.

Annual Garden Party

 

We  Care Arts will be holding their annual Garden Party on Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be at the We Care Arts Berkeley Center at 3035 Wilmington Pike in Kettering.

 

Knollwood Garden Center will be sponsoring the event providing soil, beautiful flowers and gift cards.

 

 

We will have many hand painted pots for sale and we will  plant your choice of flowers into them.  You can also bring your own containers, buy the plants and volunteers will plant them for you!

 

May 11 is Mother's Day and our gift shop is full of garden art, birdhouses, and wind chimes and other lovely and useful items for you and mom!

 

 

 

Wine and Art Painting Class for Everyone!

We Care Arts is now offering painting classes for EVERYONE! Bring some wine (or not) and come and enjoy an evening of fun and painting! You don't need to have any previous knowledge or skill in painting. We will provide all you need to make the evening loads of fun!

The classes will be taught by our own talented Terry Schalnat in a step by step painting method. We will provide all the painting supplies including a canvas and you will go home with a painting you will be proud to hang on your wall! 

 

Every other month there will be a class with a new painting. This April painting is in the Spring theme of red tulips. The class is the evening of April 16th from 6-8 p.m. RSVP to tschalnat@wecarearts.org to let us know how many fellow artists will be coming with you!

The cost of the class is $35.00 and all the proceeds will help support our mission at We Care Arts. For more information on We Care Arts upcoming events, visit our website by clicking here.

Printing with Fairborn and Beavercreek High School Students

We Care Arts has a large outreach art program. Our art instructors go to schools, nursing homes, senior centers, adult disability day programs, and wherever there is a need for the magic of art.

 

These students are from Fairborn and Beavercreek High Schools. They receive art classes each week from We Care Arts. Most of these students do not have regular art classes.

 

In this printing experience, they are creating a monoprint background with Gelli Plates and acrylic paint. Next a Thermofax silkscreen was used to print a pattern over the background.

 

 

Austin and Hailey are using bubble wrap, foam stamps and found objects to make textures on the Gelli Plates.

 

 

Austin is using a brayer to roll out the paint on the Gelli Plate.

 

 

Gretchen is helping Hailey spread the paint on the Gelli plate. Hailey silkscreened butterflies over her monoprint.

 

 

Michael and his peer helper are using a Thermofax screen to print a dragon

onto his Gelli print background.

 

 

Abbi is printing with a complimentary color scheme of purple and yellow.

 

 

Here are two examples from the art teacher of monoprints with a silkscreen design.

 

All the artists are amazed and proud of their prints! They are displayed in their rooms and in their annual art show. The teacher, aides and peer helpers at each location are an important part to the success of this program and we thank you all!