Wayne Thiebaud Cakes

Some of you know that I am an avid baker and cake decorator; so it's no surprise that I am drawn to Wayne Thiebaud's work and excited that he is the feature of this Art Masterpiece presentation.

After viewing a short video and looking at images of his artwork (while drooling of the real cupcakes I brought for props.), students sketched their images and used watercolor pencils onto watercolor paper.

Wayne Thiebaud is an American painter known for his colorful works depicting cakes, pies and other pastries.

They had freedom to sketch the cupcakes as is or add images of desserts you might find in a traditional diner.

 I love the shading on this one.

Every once in a while we get a student that likes to personalize their artwork (notice the picture within the picture)?

What about you? Do you like to bake, paint, or draw?

Esther Hörchner Designer Teapot and Tea Set

Some of you know I love collecting teacups and teapots. This set is on my wish list. It's a line called Take a Bath Teapot/Tea set by Designer: Esther Hörchner.

http://www.estherhorchner.nl

The white porcelain cups are illustrated on the inside, when filled with tea it looks like the girls are in their own hot tub!Doesn't it look as if she is taking a taking a bath in tea?!

http://www.estherhorchner.nl

You can "dress" the girls by placing the spoon in the cup. 

I just love how function meets design.

What about you? I'd love to hear what your favorite things are.

Faith Ringgold Inspired Story Quilts

Hello there. It's been a while since my last post.

I had gotten ill. Tried to plow through it, but eventually developed bronchitis, so I made an effort a few weeks before and during spring break to get more rest. We had a couple of cooking club friends over for dinner and other than taking kids to practice, we had a restful, but fun week.

Today was my first day back to a normal routine and first opportunity to look at new artwork out on display at our school. It was really great to see all the creativity hung up on the wall and our Art Masterpiece program thriving.

Check out how our art docent, Angela, in Mrs. Hoffman's first grade incorporated Common Core Standards and Faith Ringold's Story Quilts.

Students were asked to create an image depicting a special memory from their childhood onto canvas fabric squares, next they added water color, then oil pastels, followed by embellishments of glitter and sequins. To incorporate Common Core Standards they were asked to communicate in writing what their image was about.

As you can see there were many fun and interesting stories.

Me and mom were waking in the park and we saw flower and we saw ants ho ants I love ants.

Faith Ringgold is an African-American painter, writer, speaker, mixed media sculptor and performance artist, and is best known for er painted story quilt.

What have you been doing these past few weeks? I'd love to hear your what you have been up to.

ou know there is a meaningful movement afoot to create Common Core State Standards for the Arts; - See more at: http://blog.artsusa.org/2010/05/28/an-open-letter-to-pre-service-arts-educators/#more-5305

Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide. - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide. - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

The Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

Incorporating Science and Art with John James Audubon

As an Art Masterpiece volunteer I often coordinate with teachers - projects that can integrate Common Core standards. This past month, students in Miss Rivas' 4th grade completed their animal research in science. 

Having featured John James Audubon before; I knew it would compliment what they had learned in class. Audubon traveled the thirteen colonies and beyond and set out to paint birds and animals in their natural environment.

I am amazed with how some kids totally get the essence of an artist's work.

Raven by J. Castro

Using images download from the Internet. Students sketched and then used oil pastels to create their artwork.

Cheetah by A. Vecscy

Lemon Shark by Elijiah

Giraffe by E. Boddack

The students' artwork was the final element in their science report. I hope they got an A! 

John James Audubon was a self-taught American ornithologist, naturalist, hunter, and painter. He painted, cataloged, and described the birds and mammals of North America. His work helped discover several new species of birds, six of them are now extinct.

Lemon Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

The weather in Arizona has been quite lovely these past few days. It feels as if our short spring is right around the corner. And nothing says spring like lemons! Lemon bundt cake, that is.

Ingredients:

Cake
1 1/4 cups flour,  sifted
1 1/4 cups cake flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbs. lemon zest
3 tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 tbs. vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar (adjust according to taste)
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup milk – milk plus 1 tbs. lemon juice (or buttermilk)

Lemon syrup:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
2 tbsp. lemon juice (add more or less depending how tart the lemons are)
1 1/2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar (adjust according to taste)

Preheat Oven 350 degrees. Generously coat a Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust the pan with all-purpose flour. Sift the all-purpose flour, and cake flour into a medium bowl, along with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle gently beat lemon juice, lemon zest, vegetable oil, milk and sugar; adding the eggs 1 at a time. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add to the dry ingredients, be careful not to over beat. Scrape down the side of the bowl and fold the batter until it is blended.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth the surface. Tap pan on the counter to help remove any air. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 35 - 40 minutes or until the toothpick test comes out clean, rotating the pan halfway through. Let the cake cool on a rack for 30 minutes.

While the cake is baking in a small saucepan, combine the sugar with the lemon juice and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Let the lemon syrup cool slightly.

Invert the cake onto a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a wooden skewer, poke holes evenly all over the cake and brush with the lemon syrup. Let the cake cool completely. Alternatively, I have also used a plastic knife to loosen the cake from the pan and poured syrup over the cake while it is still in pan. Once cake has cooled completely, I inverted the cake directly onto my cake platter.

To make the cream cheese frosting, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Mix in the lemon juice, and then gradually stir in the powdered sugar. Frost cake just before serving.

To frosting the cake, spoon frosting into a pastry bag with no tip attached. Starting in the hole of the bundt cake, squeeze and drag frosting up and over, stopping about 3/4th way down the cake. Repeat all around cake. Frost cake right before serving. Adorn cake with a silk flower or a tissue paper pom pom.

The unfrosted bundt cake can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.


This cake is soft  and moist with a deliciously light lemon flavor.  Surprisingly easy to make, your friends will think you bought it from Nothing Bundt Cake. This cake will make you feel like it is spring time!

How to Turn Your Photos into Watercolors

What’s more fun than actually painting? Letting an app do it for you! Especially this new one called Waterlogue.  

Waterlogue is a collaboration between John Balestrieri and Robert Clair. The app applies filters and gives each photo the look of a watercolor.

Image by Walter Wei

If you want a very inexpensive DIY artwork for your home, give Waterlogue a try.

I would love to see what you do with Waterlogue.

DIY Valentine's Printables

Here's some of the best free printable (in no particular order) for this year's Valentine's. Perfect for dressing up your home baked goodies and treats for the teachers or that special someone.

Living Locurto

fun.kyti.me

Paper and Pigtails Party

Today's Creative Blogger

No Biggie

I Heart Naptime

Three Sweet Peas

36 Avenue

Yellow Blissroad

Simple As That