Our Blog
Are you looking to further your artistic knowledge or become a better art teacher? Our blog posts are well researched and based on facts for students, teachers, parents or anyone looking to further their artistic knowledge. Put on the kettle and enjoy the reading...
Culinary Art is food art - preparing and presenting it in creative ways. Many of us enjoy watching MasterChef and other food-related programs on TV, or searching for video clips to learn more about presenting food. Could fun with food presentation, using art, encourage a better understanding and...
The tooth fairy has been busy recently in the homes of many 6 year olds - one, I know well! Made me think about fairies and how we know what they look like - through artwork, of course, in many classical stories.
Fairies in the garden. The tooth fairy. Tinker bell. Fairy godmother. Fairies can be...
‘Art’ you ready…!?
Art can play such an important role in education but let's start at the beginning!
Five and in Foundation
In Australia, children start school at about the age of 5: maybe not quite, or already 5. This first year of school is nationally...
So this is Christmas and what do we know…
Who was Saint Nick and why Santa in snow?
So many stories, songs, images. Even if you’ve heard these stories before, I like to revisit them at this time of the year and perhaps pick up a new little insight.
From the secret gift-giver in...
Why do we bring a tree inside our house at Christmas time and hang things on it…? Do you use a real fir or spruce tree or a fake one?! Some Christmas trees used in stores, and in homes, are huge! Then there are all the choices for decorations - merchandising gone mad. I start to think...
Floral, fauna, bird, mammal, fish, fossil… The states and territories of Australia have each selected emblems in these various categories. Why did they do this? Why were the symbols they selected, chosen? And what’s the difference between the terms fauna, animal, and mammal?
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Capturing ‘on canvas’ the changes around us as our world warms and cools can help us understand and appreciate the science behind the seasons. Looking around, what elements can we add to an artwork that represent what’s happening in nature because of the changes in weather...
Taking time to remember our dad, spend time with our pop or create something a bit special for the father-figure in our lives can help show we love and appreciate them. Maybe you’re a mum looking for ideas for your kids to do something to celebrate this day, a teacher planning creative...
The fantasy world of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan and Wendy in Neverland; the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and Paddington Bear; the escapades of Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor’s garden and Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad in The Wind...
Image incorporated above sourced from ABC
"I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present." These are the words often used now when people in Australia hold official meetings. The land I...
Kids art, craft and activities for Mothers' Day
How amazing are mothers!
Leading into Mothers' Day, the last thing mothers want to do is think about planning more activities for kids to do. You want to hope that dads or partners are going to step up and organise something special just for...
Easter eggs, Easter bunny, Easter hunt, Easter buns, Easter pyjamas, Easter stories, Easter Sunday...! It’s nearly upon us. A time that means different things in different cultures, religions, and families. In a time where so much is now different with Coronavirus effecting the world, how...
Having to keep kids at home can happen for many reasons. Homeschooling is not new or extraordinary. For many around the world, educating and engaging children at home has been a choice. Parents choose not to send their children to the local school, for many reasons. Others live in remote areas...
Camping is an awesome experience to give to all kids. Here are 5 things we did over the weekend with our kids while camping to keep them busy:
1. Collect fire wood(Check your local fire ban rules/restrictions.) Throw on some shoes to protect from scratches and watch out for snakes (if you're...
Involving kids or groups of people in artworks can bring communities together and give children a sense of being part of something 'bigger' than themselves. It's one of my favourite things to do: get participants to create their own drawings or paintings and then bring...
You might be surprised to find that art and maths actually have a lot in common. For instance, angles and patterns are found in both art and maths. Measurements are necessary in both art and maths too, but maybe they are a little bit obvious. The following list of five things you’ll find in...
How to help a child with disabilities enjoy their art
In my post of 'Do’s and Don’ts' the other week, one of the things I said was "Don’t draw for the child". I then received an email from Sally in the UK whose 10 year old daughter, Jessica, has severe disabilities. Sally wrote,...
I was doing an Artist in Residence program this month as part of the SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival which happens each year. We set up on King William Road and it was a beautiful sunny day in Adelaide. The kids came for the art classes and yet again I found 'that one...
Here it is, my first blog. I may as well start at the very beginning (a very good place to start!)...
Art has always been a part of who I am. When I was a kid I always wanted to draw. I am the middle child of 3 girls so my way of getting attention was to say “look what I drew!” and it...