Third Graders, a Peace Pole and Rocks

I  admire teachers.  I don't envy teachers.  They are overworked and underpaid and I was a (very willing) witness and participant today!  I do know I'm not worthy!  They deserve many more kudos than they probably get!  I come from a family of public school  educators/administrators.  Thank you.  You don't get enough credit!

Wow!  What a day!  I had the honor to spend the day at Ridglea Hills Elementary with awesome third graders, staffers, volunteers and my buddy!  Not only that, but we were creating ... really!  We did a collaborative art project which will become a permanent fixture at this school.  Some day, these third graders will bring their children and show them, with pride, what they did as a child!

This is an awesome event and this was my second year to participate ... an HONOR!

Last year the theme was from The Lorax. My friend, Ann Winkler, painted the fun graphics on the windows last year.  She and I each had a class last year with the kids and we had a blast!  We were all too glad to say yes when we were asked to participate again this year.

Kim and Ann, 2013 Ridglea Hills Elementary Fine Arts Day

The parent's group goes all out - beyond what you can imagine!  What a Fine Arts Day Committee!  What great Parents and Grandparents!  There are SO MANY volunteers!  The work behind the scenes goes on for months before the actual event.  The day of the event the entire school, inside and outside, is transformed and decorated.  There are special tee shirts for the event, worn by the staff and volunteers.  As the kids arrive in the morning they are greeted by the high school's drum line and cheerleaders, making sure the excitement grows and grows!  It is very contagious, and the smiles pass around endlessly and easily!

This year, the theme is "Candy Land" - a fun idea!  Again this year, Ann Winkler was asked, and of course, volunteered here time to paint the front entrance to the school in the Candy Land theme, and the result was fabulous!  Ann is such a talented muralist and her artistry was much appreciated and loved by all!

 

2014 Candy Land Front Mural by Ann Winkler

This year, there was a twist for me!  I asked my friend and studio-mate, Brandi, if she was interested in participating with me.  I had been told by the parent group that they were interested in having something done that could become a  "permanent" piece of donated art for the school.  Brandi was quick with the idea of a "peace pole" ... a project that she had choreographed with a children's group in the past.

The idea ... obtain a rescued architectural piece ... a column that used to be a front porch feature.  Construct it in a way that the kids could paint, and then make the piece a featured permanent art piece for the school.  A cool idea, right?  But a bit complex in the "getting it all together" part of the equation! 

No worries ... Brandi took the bull by the horns, secured a column and a willing Dad (thanks J.R.) who put the column together for the class.  Fast forward many phone conversations, planning meetings, list making sessions, loading of tools and products and double checking of said lists, and voila ... it all came together perfectly!

This is a picture of the peace pole, with rough sketches.  The idea is for the kids to come to the pole in small groups.  No rules, just pick up a brush and put your love and ideas in paint on the pole.  While the others are waiting, they had river rocks at their stations, which they painted and turned into Friendship Stones.  Keep the special stone and think about your friends.  Or, give it to a friend.  A "special", "magic" stone.

 

Peace Pole, ready for Artists

 

We had four groups of third graders.  A VERY high point for me was the number of kids coming up to tell me that they still had their project from last year on their dresser, or their Mom's dresser, or something similar to that.  It was special to me that they valued their talents and experience like I did!  I teared up - have to say.  

 It was interesting to be with each group as they went through the process.  There were those that were slow to start as though they needed to process and plan before they started on their rocks or the pole.  Others were quick to pick up a brush, dip in in paint and plow through the process!  Each group had just 20ish students, each an individual.  Each a pleasure and a special opportunity to connect.

It's been awhile since I was in grade school ... just sayin'.  The interactions of humanity, however, are still there.  There was the rush to come in to the room as they were asked to take a seat at a table, which were set up in groups of four.  They all rushed the chairs like a game of Musical Chairs.  Posturing ... "I got there first".  Bargaining ... "I want to sit by my friend".  It is still happening.   It was all pretty innocent and no blood was drawn!  However, it does take me back!  Each group of four was ... attentive, chatty, indifferent, polarized, focused ... an opportunity to view the world, one small table at a time!  Did we all have fun?  Indeed!

So, valuable?  Beyond!  These kiddos are the future.  Each individual is shaped by their world ... our world.  Was this a special day?  I know it was!

A special day in for the adults, and we all hope, a special day for the kids.  Art, in whatever shape it takes, is a gift.  A comfortable spot in a day of stress.  A connection for people who might not ever have another connection.  An opportunity to connect, for a brief second collaborating on a piece, or as an ongoing piece of the relationship puzzle.  The pride in a job well done ... the opportunity to be a part of history ... a participant in a permanent piece of art.

What memories will each of us take in our hearts?  My hope is that all who came into our peaceful world, will take a piece of it and remember it from time to time.  I hope that our love of each child and our desire to make it a positive experience will give them a tool to give their children a positive and creative experience.

Will our art ... our rocks and our peace pole ... make it into some famous art exhibit?  Maybe, maybe not.  But the value of it certainly is equal to any piece of art in any gallery!

One little girl told me in the beginning of our session ... "I'm not really very good at art".    She was working on her stone.  I told her to pick her favorite colors of paint, and just be free to put beautiful colors on her stone and it would be perfect!  At the end of the class, I felt a tug.  It was this precious girl.  She asked whether I wanted to see her completed project ... the painted stone.  Of course I said yes!  It was beautiful ... she had done a nice job ... very delicate strokes of the brush and the overall effect was lovely!  I danced a little and told her how beautiful it was.  She said to me, "I didn't know I could do something so pretty".  That is what it is all about!  Imagine each child having the knowledge that what they did was good, great and more than enough to be a factor ... a FACTOR.   We all have that "I'm not good enough" syndrome.  The ability to know that you matter in the scheme of things ... that is what I would wish for all of our third graders!  And our first through twelve graders!

J.R and Brandi

J.R. and Brandi

Ann, Kim and Brandi

Kim and Brandi

Luv U.  U R Nice.  Sweet.  R.H. Mustangs.

Blessed.  Thank you.

Elephant Hide Furniture Finish and Thoughts of Love on Valentine's Day

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude.” - Dennis Waitley

I love that quote!  It's Valentine's Day, the sun is shining and I'm a happy camper today!  I started off the day on a run with my Bestie Workout Pal!  I made my hubby smile with a card and a silly book.  I'm looking forward to a nice dinner this evening with said hubby and planning rounds of golf on Saturday and Sunday!


Blessings abound and although there are a couple of items looming which need my consideration and attention, right now I'm very content to sit for a few minutes and ponder the good stuff.

 

 So ... today I'm going to share a "how-to" of one of my favorite finishes ... Elephant Hide.  I've done this finish in many locations and have applied it to walls, niches and furniture.  Have used many different products and colors ... the one I'm sharing today is one of my favorite color combos!  Recently, we had the chance to re-do a Butler's Pantry.  The finish was originally painted, glazed and top-coated and the finish had yellowed over the years.    I prefer to bring doors and drawers to the studio to finish whenever possible.  The first picture left shows the original cabinet finish all laid out and ready to start!  We've removed the hardware ... pulls and hinges and of course, marked each door/drawer with their corresponding number so the original hinges are installed and the doors and drawers go back to their original spot.  This is important ... remember to do this if you are re-doing cabinets and if you don't know why ... then contact me and we can talk about it!

Original Cabinets, ready to start

Since I'm using Maison Blanche Furniture Paint, the need to sand, prime or prep isn't always necessary.  The paint itself acts like a primer and paint in one.  These cabinets were "well loved" and had much peeling and chipping, so the first thing that I did was to wash them well with a mixture of TSP and water since they had a lot of "drippy" stuff!  Then I lightly sanded all surfaces to give it some tooth and to get rid of the chipping topcoat.

The next step was to paint all surfaces with Maison Blanche's Chocolat.  This was a thin, quick coat to be a "primer". Once I was done with that the first pieces were dry and ready for the next step.

 First, I taped off all of the center sections where the elephant hide will go.  Using an old chip brush, I stippled Maison Blanche's Glacage Embossing Creme in the Walnut color.  When doing this, apply heavier areas and thinner areas, with 100% coverage.  When you are done with each piece, pull the tape while the Glacage is still wet.  To get a nice crisp line  pull the tape "away" from the Glacage towards the center of the cabinet and you will get a perfect line.  Don't forget to pull while wet!  After the Glacage dries you will have some difficulty pulling the tape and may not get your perfect line.

Center taped, applying Walnut Glacage to all other surfaces.

Applying the Walnut Glacage

Pull the tape while Glacage is wet, on a 90 degree angle away from the wet Glacage.

I don't have pictures for the next couple of steps!  After the Glacage is completely dry, paint the entire cabinet surface, all areas, with two coats of Maison Blanche Wrought Iron Paint and allow to dry completely.  I let everything dry overnight.

Now you are ready to start the elephant skin process.  Glacage is a beautiful product to use.  However, in this case, I chose to use Modern Masters' Metallic Plaster in the color Aged Gold ... one of my FAVORITE colors!

The first step is to tape around the center section where the plaster will be applied.  I take extra time to do this, making sure I have good adhesion as well as perfect lines.  We will be using cheesecloth to make the design, so take the pieces of cheesecloth and stretch them out to give some nice organic openings.  I like to do this by stretching the cheesecloth out over countertops.  Lay the cheesecloth over the center of the cabinet piece.  Using a small plastic trowel (hotel room keys are perfect for this size of area) load the metallic plaster and "ice the cake".  Start in the center, working your way out towards the edges.  Apply a nice even, not too thick layer.  Be sure to hold the plastic trowel pretty flat, not up on its edge.  

Metallic Plaster Applied through the Cheesecloth.

Here the cheesecloth has been pulled.

The cheesecloth is pulled, and the blue tape is pulled.  This must be done while the Metallic Plaster is still wet.

No picture, but after the MM Metallic Plaster dried, I sanded all the areas with sanding blocks and sandpaper.  This exposes the Glacage beneath and makes the surface yummy smooth!  Wipe those areas to remove the dusty stuff.  Then, take the tape and tape off the center Elephant Hide, like the following picture.  Again, pay attention to make sure you have good adhesion and good, solid edges.

 

Next, I mixed Faux Effects Venetian Gem Clear Gloss Coat with Faux Effects Faux Creme Color Black.  When you mix, you will use less color than you think ... the wet mixture will be "pastel".  Once dried, the finish will dry glossy, clear and much darker than the wet mixture.  This picture shows where I am "icing" with the VG CGC, again, with my plastic trowel laying pretty flat and not up on edge.  This will back fill the metallic plaster.  Try to have a nice smooth backfill with no application marks.  When you have backfilled the area, PULL THE TAPE WHILE WET!!!!  AGAIN, THIS IS IMPORTANT!

 

After this had dried, the center Elephant Hide is done!  Allow to dry overnight.

Next, you will want to topcoat the outside areas.  I chose to wax it, using Mason Blanche's Antique Wax, color Dark.  The wax is applied to the outside areas only, not the Elephant Hide.  If you feel you need to tape off the center, then do it.  If you can be careful with the application of wax, then that is okay, also.  The wax needs to sit and cure before polishing.  This can be accomplished in about an hour.  You will want to use less wax than you think.  I prefer to apply the wax and let it sit overnight.  This really allows the wax to dry completely and can be polished very easily.  To polish, you can use about anything ... soft cloth like t-shirt or diaper material, terry cloth anything than can polish the surface.  When polished, you are done!  You MUST topcoat Maison Blanche Paint ... with wax, hand varnish, rubbed poly ... something.  The paint will remain very porous without topcoating.

These pictures are cabinet doors, complete done.

 

I chose the paint the backs of the cabinets with Sherwin Wiliams

Emerald™ Interior Acrylic Latex

Sherwin-Williams Emerald™ paint and primer in one with advanced stain blocking technology delivers best-in-class overall performance.   

• Paint and primer in one with advanced stain blocking technology.
• Exceptional hide, coverage, durability and washability.
• Outstanding scrub, stain, water spotting and burnish resistance.
• Anti-microbial agents inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the paint surface.
• Meets the most stringent VOC regulations.
• Creates/delivers a smooth, uniform appearance.
• Available in all Sherwin-Williams colors and custom tints in matte, satin and semi-gloss.

It's really hard to get an "after" picture of this project  because of the area. 

 

This is the best picture of the area that I have.  The upper cabinets were treated the same way (with the Glacage and Maison Blanche Wrought Iron and Dark Antique Wax.  I wish you could see these cabinets .. to touch them!  They're smooth, rich and beautiful!  

(And yes, we did the walls, as well ... another fabulous technique).

If you are interested in learning this technique in a workshop, email me at:

kim@elegantdesign-dfw.com

This is one of many finishes you can learn in our classes and workshops.

I've said it before, and I will say it again.  I love my life, I love my job.

I love my customers and I love making beautiful furniture and rooms ... MORE beautiful!

 

Focus On The Word

My word for the year is "design".  If you read my previous post, you know that I'm focusing on living by "elegant design" in 2014, or living "purposely" as I define it.  That being said, I attended a fun class, hosted by my artist friend Brandi.  (www.http://brandicottingham.com/author/brandicottingham/).  Really, Brandi gave me the idea to focus on a word - to really contemplate each day on it and make it part of my reality.

Brandi's class gave each of those in attendance the opportunity to chat, laugh, debate, focus and play around with paint and canvas to try and make our word come alive on the canvas.

While we were playing around, we each also had the opportunity to collaborate on a piece.  This piece of cardboard, retrieved from the trash by Brandi, came alive as we each added our little touches.   This cardboard was retrieved at the Tarrant County Food Bank location, which Brandi supports with much of her time and efforts.   As we thought about what we wanted to add to the cardboard canvas we thought about the beneficiaries of the Food Bank, and what thoughts we wanted to give them in a visual way.  What came through were bright colors and words of encouragement and love.

Working on the Cardboard Collaboration

Working on our individual canvas

This is how the cardboard canvas looked at the end of the night.  Thoughts of finishing it and framing it for the Tarrant County Food Bank bring lots of creativity from the group.

We're done and supposed to look stern and driven.  Isn't Brandi cute?

There is my little painting, depicting my word "design".  I'm trying to look stern per the photographer's instruction, but I look pretty silly instead!  Can't pose like today's "selfies" and look cool, I guess!

Thanks, Brandi, for your inspiration!  A fun night.  Check out Brandi's Blog for information about future class opportunities!   http://brandicottingham.com/author/brandicottingham/