Ella not attending a public school means that the only thing I miss is a traditional art class. She is an outstanding artist. I know there are art classes outside of the area we live in, and we’ve tried some of them. One she really enjoyed went out of business, another was too expensive, a third was too far away to travel frequently, and then COVID struck.
So I’ve tried to make do with little things here and there over the last two years, but it hasn’t always been easy. Thankfully, her artistic side has not suffered, but I have learned over the last two years that if you want to be an artist, you will be an artist.
Ella has grown into a vibrant, almost-teenager who enjoys drawing, painting, cosplay, anime, and all things artistic. So this summer, I was looking for activities to keep her artistically engaged for homeschooling this fall, which meant looking for classes in unusual places, like Coursera.
I recently came across an apartment belonging to a supermodel on Instagram. I’m not sure how I came across it because I don’t follow her account, but when I saw this sign on the wall in her house, I knew I had to make it:
Eamon Harrington created the artwork, and when I looked it up, it was $1,500.
But I think I can make it for a little less.
I decided it would make a great homeschool art project.
The inspiration piece is larger than we intended (36 x 60), but I knew we could still make a cool statement piece for our home and appreciated the fact that we had some inspiration from a genuine artist.
But I am crediting Eamon Harrington for the design, so be clear that we in no way came up with this idea.
THIS WAS NOT OUR IDEA. EAMON ALL THE WAY!
If you want to pay $1,500 for an original piece of art, please support him. I am all for artistic interpretation and supporting artists, so please don’t think we aren’t doing so by saying we are doing this for less.
But here’s the thing: I had no idea how I was going to approach this because I am neither an artist nor a teacher of art. So, one day, I sent a picture of this to my friend Kristen because I knew she’d love it (and she did), and I said to her, essentially: S.O.S. I don’t know how to proceed.
She said she’d get me the supplies I needed from the craft store, and all I had to do was Venmo her, and then one lovely Friday afternoon we sat on her patio and she social distance taught me how to be an art teacher while we sipped Starbucks that SHE had bought me.
Ever have a friend like that?
Sigh.
Soul family, indeed.
That day, I went home with a belly full of chai latte, a head full of artwork and ideas, and soul full of friendship. That day will carry me all the way until November.
Ella and I took on this art project during our second week of homeschooling.
We started with a blank canvas that you can get at any craft store, but Kristen had one in her craft room already, so ours is an 8 x10.
So, you are going to take white acrylic paint and cover the entire surface of your white canvas with white paint (I know, trust me).
Then, while the white paint is still wet, take a bunch of different color acrylic paints and do brush strokes in different cross patterns on the canvas, blotting in a bowl of water in between strokes.
This was so relaxing for the week of tension that was going on in our world, let me tell you. I feel like I want to do a weekly art project from now on.
It will look like this when you are done or during it. The beauty of this project is that it is YOUR project, so do however many brush strokes you would like. After you are done, let it dry for a couple of hours or overnight.
The next day, we added painter’s tape (or any type of larger tape) in large enough strips to write the words on top of your painting. You are going to need nine pieces of tape.
After you are done laying the tape over the canvas in the middle, you are going to paint over the tape with red paint. The entire canvas is getting painted, so lay down a tarp under your canvas, or if it’s a nice day, do it in the yard.
Then let that dry for a good 24 hours.
When you pull the tape? Magic…
I love art.
Now the beautiful part.
We discussed inclusivity and how everyone has the right to feel safe.
We talked about her concerns about being a woman in the world and on social media.
About feeling insignificant as a 12-year-old in the grand scheme of things.
We discussed our friends from other cultures and how they might feel when visiting places where they may not be embraced.
We talked about our friends of different colors and how they might feel when they visit places where they may not be welcomed.
We added WELCOME at the top in a salmon color and SAFE HERE at the bottom in the same salmon color, similar to Eamon’s inspiration piece.
It turned out even better than we imagined.
I told Ella that, aside from our family photos, it’s my favorite thing on our wall.
I figured someone out there would enjoy making this in their home this year for homeschooling or as a weekend project.
As I stated on my Instagram page when I first shared it:
“This is our home. It’s not only a safe place to land for our own family, but for those around us as well. You will never be judged here. I will, however, share this on the blog because so many of you are homeschooling now and I think a lot of you may love to have this inside of your home. Because we all just want to feel safe and loved for who we are.”
A Grace Full Life 
That turned out great! Out of my three boys only one considers himself artsy but since I DID want to be an art teacher I made them tackle art projects at least weekly. We found so many great tutorials on line and on Youtube.
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I have found a lot too. I think the biggest obstacle for us are supplies. They can be very pricey at times but if she plans to use them for a long time, it is definitely worth it.
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Mini is also very artistic. She took her first art class in high school last semester. When it was cut short due to covid, she did stuff at home – but it wasn’t the same. She can’t fit another art class into her high school career. Bummer. Ella is quite the artist. I loved art classes when I was in school. Glad you are finding projects for her. I imagine with the internet’s help there must be a bunch of ideas and examples and suggestions about tools and techniques. This wall-hanging is super cool. It turned out beautifully!
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This is the one thing I wish they had with homeschool. I hate that there aren’t more art shops near us, or art classes available. I feel like that is something you need to live closer to the city for, which stinks.
Mini is lucky to have you since you are artistic. 🙂
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I love this! So cool and the colors are so cool too.
Ella is an amazing artist!
I think she definitely got it from you being a writer. Writing is definitely an art form. ❤️
Your friend Kristen is definitely soul family.
Now I want chai tea lol.
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I love the colors too. That red with the other colors peeking out makes me so happy.
And yes, writing is an art form and I don’t think we think in those terms enough. Well at least I don’t think in those terms enough LOL.
She is soul family completely. She has been a gift to me for the past few years that is for sure. ❤️
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It’s beautiful! And I love that it opened up honest and deep conversations about big issues. Ella is a lucky, lucky girl to have you for her mom.
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You are so sweet to say this. Thank you for that. It’s been a crummy day, so I needed to hear this. ❤️
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Well, I don’t even know who that Gigi is, so no judgement here on that. And I so second you on doing art once a week. I want to do more of that here. It’s harder for me once school starts, but I want to make time for that.
I’m glad you two had such a successful project (in all the ways it was). I would never have figured out how to make those layers. It’s so cool, and I can see lots of ways to adapt this in different ways.
Also, I love that art line. I don’t know if IKEA still makes it, but we used to have one in our kitchen. (You can see it here: https://images.app.goo.gl/8RKWU9p3V5GZtXhC6. Our old blog isn’t live any more, but the images live on in the internets.) I was sad that my new house didn’t really have a space big enough for an art line.
I hope your week picks up. And that you’ve got enough friends as you need to get through it.
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It was fun to do together and I do want to do more projects together if only to spend time doing FUN projects together.
Ella draws when she is stressed out or when she wants to just relax and I love that. Sometimes when she is on the phone with a friend, she is drawing while she is talking. I love that so much.
I wonder if I got that art line idea from your old blog?? I had seen it somewhere years ago and knew it existed and loved it but couldn’t place it. Then when I clicked on the picture, it seemed familiar.
My menopause brain has turned me into someone I don’t even know anymore.
I went to bed sad last night and I hate that and today, I woke up to yet another gloomy day, so we will see.
I hope your week is good too. Sending you love.
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I’m sorry you are struggling. Gloomy days make it even harder. We are now having smoke from wildfires like I’ve never seen because of high winds like I’ve never seen (at least at this time of year), so we’re having our own hellish version of the derecho, with hot gloom. It’s so weird. I am missing the years when it made sense to write a whole post about nothing more substantial than an art line.
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I’m sorry you’re having smoke there too on top of everything else. It seems like this year won’t seem to give us a break.
I am missing those years too. I see bloggers who are in a sense of oblivion still writing about those things. But at the same time, it’s nice to have something else to read that takes me away from the gritty reality. For even a couple of minutes.
Sending you a hug even though I know it’s not enough to make it better.
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Hiii…I am feeling kinda crappy too, if that makes you feel any better. For me, it’s mostly the weather. I feel very down when it’s cold and gray. This winter ought to be a blast. (Said very sarcastically.) Anywho, Ella’s art project turned out awesome. I love how you discussed these issues with her as she was working on the project. Oh, and like Rita, I have no idea who that supermodel is. Glad I’m not the only one. 😉
xoxo
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I’m the same way. I think everyone is the same way this week. We all had such a good weekend here in the Midwest with the beautiful weather and then THUD, crummy November-like crap.
But it looks like next week is supposed to be gorgeous.
I only know her because of the show. You’re not missing anything. 😂
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Ok, I love love love this piece, and while I haven’t pulled out my paints and brushes in ages, this might get me to try (and definitely on an 11×17 as I can’t write neatly in paint so small. I’m impressed. )
You’re not on Facebook so you aren’t getting the gazillion ads I am for art classes, but the next time one pops up I’ll send you the link. I’ve looked at them before and I don’t think they were expensive.
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Are they doing them in person any more, though? I know some are but a lot aren’t.
I found two art classes online that are free and a ton that give you ideas but then you have to buy the supplies. I am just not that independently creative. But I am in LOVE with the process of actually doing the art. The slowness of it is so therapeutic. While we were painting side by side, I told her how much I was enjoying it and I could understand why she loved to draw and paint. It really was healing.
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They were online, so you would have to get supplies but I’m thinking if you’re like me you probably have a stock of art supplies in place. I’ve been so stuck that I’m at a point where I need some direction (not independently creative is actually a good descriptor for me too…I bough new watercolors at the beginning of the pandemic.
And then a book on painting just to give me direction. Both are untouched lol)
have an art school here in town that is amazing (and a little expensive) and I should sign myself up.
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That is a good idea. I need to ramp up my home art collection because we are going to be home more this winter anyway.
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I love the shit out of that! ❤
Also, what talent. I can't believe she drew that in 2nd grade. I hope she sticks with it, because she's going places.
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I couldn’t draw that NOW! LMAO. I love her talent too. She is pretty cool. I can’t wait to see what she does with it.
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I love that you realized that yes, YOU are artistic. I too can not draw, but I have other talents that I consider artistic.
I LOVE all of Ella’s drawings; hers and her G’pa’s portraits: AMAZING.
She certainly does have the gift of hand/pencil/paper.
The finished art piece is amazing and I do have friends as you do; they’re the best.
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I love that we have soul family. Soul family is THE best.
I love her artistic talent. Last night she said to me before she fell asleep, I think I want to be an artist when I grow up.
I love her so much and love her spirit too. I hope she always believes in herself as much as she does right now. 🙂
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I love that you saw a piece of art that you liked and then created a version of it for your space from your daughter. What a beautiful way to appreciate something. Also, I think this is better than what she would have been inspired to do in school. If she doesn’t already have it, I would encourage her to start an Instagram account of just her art. That will inspire her to do more and create in a different space. I know we are supposed to make art just for ourselves, but sometimes having an audience pushes us more than we can push ourselves.
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That is a good idea to keep her motivated although I am not ready for her to be on social media yet, even just for art. Sigh. Just trying to keep her little for as long as possible.
But she is so amazingly artistic. You would love her, I know you would. 🙂
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