Finshed Clay Gremlins

Clay Gremlins - Monday Group

Our clay Gremlins are finished.....
To see how they were created, go to my previous post 'Naughty & Nice Gremlins.'

Silhouettes on Soft Pastel 'Marbled' Paper

I was looking for a different application for soft pastels - and a way to creatively use all the little left over bits and pieces that seem to accumulate at an astonishing rate! On Pinterest I stumbled upon this great lesson from artisan des arts, using a technique I had never seen before - using soft pastels almost like a marbling medium! I'm not really sure how to label this one - it's not exactly marbling, but it's not a painting either. Either way, it's great fun and very effective - these on-line photos really don't do them justice!

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains are the remains of volcanoes, the central core or plug exposed through gradual weathering, rising from the coastal plain of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. They were formed more than 26 million years ago. There are 11 mountains in the group, the largest three being Tibrogargan, Mount Beerwah and Mount Coonowrin (often referred to as Crookneck). They have great cultural significance to their traditional owners, the Gubbi Gubbi people.

"In aboriginal legend, the mountains are members of a family with the father being Mount Tibrogargan and the mother Mount Beerwah. All of the other mountains are sons and daughters with the eldest being Mount Coonowrin.

Tibrogargan, the father, observed that the sea was rising and asked that Coonowrin the eldest son help their pregnant mother to safety. Terrified, Coonowrin instead fled. Infuriated by his sons cowardice Tibrogargan pursued him and struck him so hard that he dislocated Coonowrin's neck.

Once the danger passed Coonowrin felt tremendous guilt for his actions and asked his father, brothers and sisters for forgiveness but all wept with shame. This is said to explain the many small streams that flow through the area. Tibrogargan turned his back on Coonowrin and gazed out to sea refusing to look at his son Coonowrin who continues to hang his head in shame and weep." (Wikipedia)

This lesson is inspired by the painting 'Glasshouse Mtns, Sunshine Coast' by local Caloundra artist Damien Lange. I love the composition of his painting, with the mountains sitting on a curved horizon line and river flowing through the foreground. With Damien's kind permission I used his painting to discuss composition, line and movement with the students.

Emily H (Yr 3)

Naughty and Nice Clay Gremlins

Bronte B (Year 3)

Back to school after a wonderful 2 week break! Halloween is just around the corner, and although this isn't an event traditionally celebrated in Australia, I'm finding more and more of my kids are joining in the fun! I don't usually 'do' Halloween projects, but it does provide an opportunity to delve into fun fantasy projects - so this week we're creating Clay Gremlins :)