Art from recycled materials

A trip to the local scrap metal yard and recycling the old backyard fence can create something quite unique! Inspired by the wonderful artist Rosalie Gascoigne my son created this masterpiece. Why not search your backyard shed, collect otherwise discarded materials and make something special. Actually, I scour secondhand stores for ceramics to smash and use in my mosaics. Barely costs a thing!

Ken Robinson...well worth listening to

British education expert and author Ken Robinson believes schools should place greater value on children's creativity and their capacity for innovation. “We don't grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather we are educated out of it,” he says in the TED 2006 talk. In his speech he called for creativity to be given the same status in education as literacy. “We have to rethink the fundamental principles on which we are educating our children.” I think we have come a long way since 2006, but still have a journey ahead of us. 

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Sunday night inspiration...

Sunday night inspiration!!!! Another week, new challenges, new ideas!!!!!! Sydney....what an amazing city to live in :) This photo was taken from Goldfields House, Circular Quay on New Year's Eve. Stunning view. I am sure this image will be inspirational!

Make creativity happen!

I was at the Bowral Markets in the NSW Southern Highlands recently and bought some gorgeous hand made cards. So imaginative that I had to pin them to the wall of my classroom for the students to view. Likewise I have miniature art canvases and easels, streamers, miniature pencil sets, specialty papers, glitter, rainbow textas, stickers etc etc. I am currently teaching students with learning needs and weave my creativity into each and every lesson. I can't recommend more highly the the importance of stocking your classroom and home with materials conducive to creativity. Keep things like clay, googly eyes, paddlepop sticks, feathers, confetti, pine cones, coloured papers, tape, glue, scissors etc on hand and readily available. If you can provide the materials then creativity will naturally follow. Not only does this encourage creativity and abstract thinking, but it also provides opportunities for promoting teamwork through working collaboratively. 

Brilliant Barcelona

Barcelona in the Summer...wonderful art and architecture! Endless possibilities to be inspired :)

Museum of Contemporary Art Brisbane

Love this indigenous mask. Great to kick start an inquiry into mask making. Always a hit!