Making Art on Tuesdays

Some of the children's art from my Tuesday class this term. Grades 1-4.

The Smiths

I had so much fun with the Smith family. It was such an honour to be invited into their home and to roll around on the fresh lawn following the fun. We drank tea in beautiful mugs and nibbled freshly made caramel slice. Chrissie even offered me the very best piece - a little blackened and beautifully caramelised from the side of the tin. It's always the little things. I snapped away while everyone played; lego, dinosaurs, trampolining, soccer and piggy back races - It was beautiful to see mum and dad getting stuck right in with the boys. I'm sure you'll agree what are an incredibly gorgeous bunch these four are - a definite treat for me.

*If you are interested in family portraits like this I'm now taking bookings. I can come to you or meet you at your local hangout. You guys do your thing, and I'll be there to capture it. $150 and a one week turn around with high-res JPEG's on a dvd. Email sharolyn(dot)joy@gmail.com*

Noisy moon

We moved to this cosy little home a few months ago now, just as as spring was beginning. There were a few cool nights, but it wasn't long until spring seemed to give way to summer. Two year old Ignatius' explanation of the cicada song that started up as the evenings grew warmer (as he points out the door): "it's a noisy moon". Sunset streams onto a messy table/ Ignatius' two favourite things at the moment - trucks and flowers/ Roses from our garden - such a gift to inherit a lovely garden to tend and nurture/ Beautiful wisteria hangs over the neighbour's fence to us/ Neighbours on the west and our shade house/ Ignatius on his bike/ A lone, handsome palm tree/ November Lilies flowering in October/ Roses through the fence/ Jacarandas and Silky Oaks in bloom together/ Sweaty curls after a nap.

Weaving and light

I sometimes teach an afternoon art class for children. It is in a dark, cold, concrete room. I love the way the winter sun shines in through the high windows. I want to soak up all the sun I can on these days. But it shone into eyes, and so we climbed up onto tables and used swimming towels from the lost property, hung to keep it out. The light still glows but the girls are no longer blinded by it's strength. We weaved wool. Perfect for a wintry Brisbane day.

red

A sunset walk in search of red. We found a Moreton Bay Fig tree catching the last of the light; hibiscus; bougainvillea; mysterious passion flower vine; a little boy watching the rising moon; poinsettias. I am on an ongoing journey to find ways of appropriating the liturgical calendar to my southern hemisphere, sub-tropical hometown of Brisbane. Although they are associated with Christmas in the Americas, poinsettias flower at Pentecost time here - very fitting for a celebration of tongues of fire wouldn't you say?