Thursday, December 4, 2014

Turmeric Latte

Having realized that I was sensitive to caffeine I try not to have coffee, but I miss having a warm delicious drink in the mornings. I went out to lunch with friends and tried turmeric latte from +Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee a few weeks ago - and totally fell in love.

Fresh Turmeric Root, similar to Ginger

Turmeric is incredibly healing and great for weak, stiff joints, and inflammation, boosting your immunity and helping ease sore throats from a cough or cold.

Sipping turmeric latte felt nurturing, delicious and healing. It feels energizing to have in the morning and calming to have at night. You'll feel like your in heaven!

If you enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor of a chai latte and are looking for some excellent health benefits at the same time, try the turmeric latte recipe below.

1 cup fresh nut milk (regular cow's milk or soy milk will work fine too, I used 50/50 almond milk and coconut milk)

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

½ teaspoon ginger powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

2 teaspoons organic agave, honey or maple syrup(adjust to your taste)

Heat nut milk over medium-high heat and add turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Begin whisking to froth the foam and reduce heat to medium-low when mixture beings to simmer. Watch carefully and to prevent from scorching. Continue whisking until the foam thickens. Stir in and agave and remove from heat and pour into your favorite mug and enjoy.

What's your beverage of choice in the morning?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Art Masterpiece is Turning ONE!

Well friends, this first year has been a whirlwind! I can't believe just twelve short months ago I decided to take the BIG plunge into cyberspace. My goal is to share with you my love for art and where to see it all around you. Thank you for reading Art Masterpiece Corner!

And to show my appreciation, I'm giving away a $25 Michaels Gift Card to one lucky winner!! To enter, follow the instructions in the box below.

WIN a $25 Gift Card from Michaels! Arts, crafts, floral supplies, holiday supplies, magazines, and OF COURSE, party supplies… there is a LOT to choose from when shopping at Michaels GIVEAWAY – $25 Gift Card from Michaels. Use it for the classroom, girl scout projects or other non-profit work, or use it for your personal project.

Increase your chances of winning. Please leave us a comment ON THIS POST. Don't forget to Click “LIKE” on our Art Masterpiece Corner Face Book page – HERE and Follow Art Masterpiece Corner on Google+ HERE.

The winner will be announced on December 15th, 2014.

Thank you and GOOD LUCk!

Congratulations to M Taylor for winning our first giveaway!

I received no compensation for hosting this giveaway however. All reviews and opinions are mine and are not influenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience. Giveaway will end at 12:00 pm EST on 12/13/14. Winners will be selected at random and notified by email.Winner will be notified on or around 12/15/2014.. You will have 72 hours to respond to the email to claim your prize. No purchase necessary. Open Only to US Residents age 18 or Older. Void where prohibited & Not Valid in All States. This give away is in no way administered, sponsored or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CPR, Part 255 Guide Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

How to Make a Pumpkin with Corks

This is a fast and super cute DIY project. Ask your wine enthusiast or local wine bar to save you some wine corks or purchase some here. I'm lucky to have The Art Resource Center, they offer free art worthy materials to volunteers who work with nonprofits. They happen to have wine corks the day I came in.

Upcylced wine cork pum,pkins

Cork pumkin

Materials:

- 25 recycled wine corks
- Orange acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Hot glue gun or E600 adhesive
- Craft knife or serrated knife
- Silk leaves, dried leaves or felt leaves
- Scissors
- Sisal twine or raffia

Arrange the corks in rows (4 on the bottom, then 5, then 6, then 5 and 4 on the top row, make a larger one by adding one cork to each row) and hot glue them together. If you use E6000, let it dry for an hour or so, before attaching each row and allow the glue to set before painting.

Hot glue artificial, dried, or felt leaves on top.

Take the one remaining cork and cut off part of it with your knife. Hot glue it on top as the stem.

Dilute the paint with a bit of water and paint both ends of cork except the top "stem" or leave them their natural tan color. Allow to dry.

Finish your cork pumpkin by tying sisal twine or raffia around the stem to resemble the vine.

They are so fast and easy. I'm sure by Thanksgiving, I'll have several more around the house. They also make perfect hostess and teacher gift too.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Oh No! the Museum...What Will We Do?

In a world inundated with social media, television and the ever popular smart device, what we are missing is the three dimensional interaction with the world and the beauty that surrounds it. Making vsiting an art museum more important than ever.

However, do your kids cringe at the very thought of visiting an art museum? Going to an art museum may not sound like fun for most kids (even some adults). You'll have more fun and save yourself from frustration if you do a little prep work.

Visit the museum website to check out current exhibits and make a list of "must see" pieces. If the museum is is vast focus on one wing of the museum. Mix things up by including paintings and three-dimensional artwork of different mediums and genres. Take special note of any exhibit closure.

If you are on a budget visit the museum on free art days when they offer free general admission, but if you're more interested in painting and sculpture than shoulders, elbows and heads, you may want to avoid free art days.

Bring along an art journal and pencil so they can make notes and sketch what they see. The museum any even have a kids pack full of activity cards, puzzles and other creative challenges that you can borrow - usually at the admission desk. Consider renting and audio guide designed just for kids.

Have a scavenger hunt to see who can figure out how many paintings have food , etc...most importantly travel light,and take your time there's no rush.

Take a break and enjoy a delicious snack in the museum cafe, or purchase good for take away and weather permitting you could have a picnic!

So can you tell which museum is featured here? Take a guess below. I would also love to hear your tips for visiting museums.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Edward Munch "The Scream" for Halloween

Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa", Edvard Munch’s "The Scream" may be the most iconic human figure in the history of Western art. So it's no surprise to me that when Halloween approaches I get requests for Edvard Munch. "The Scream" project in particular, my of my favorite projects to lead.

After a discussion about Edvard Munch and his painting "The Scream", students are given large watercolor paper ( at least 11x17) to sketch and paint the background. While students are painting, I photograph each student one by one, asking them to replicate a silent scream. Sometimes it takes four or five photos as they can't help smiling.

Allow the project to dry. In the meantime I print out the photo onto copy paper. Trim their photo by cutting out the background and glue onto their painting using a glue stick.

They love seeing themselves in a painting, especially when it is on display all month long. Thanks +Kathy Barbro for the great idea!

The project is also great to show perspective. Depending on age you could have a group discussion of feelings and emotions.

Hint: Label their photo and painting so you can match them up later.

How about you? What projects do you like to do for fall?
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Thursday, October 16, 2014

Easy Watercolor Leaves

Fall has arrived! - at least up in the higher elevations of Arizona.

Here in the valley we usually don't experience fall until much later in the year, sometimes it does not arrive until well after Thanksgiving. Actually it's so short that we hardly notice that it's already winter. Okay, it's hardly winter either.

If you are longing for cooler temperatures and leaves changing colors, you can bring fall much earlier by painting watercolor leaf silhouettes, which in my opinion, is the next best thing.

Supplies:

High quality watercolor paper
Watercolors (high quality will yield the best results)
Watercolor brushes
Pencil

To create, use a pencil to lightly trace a leaf onto watercolor paper. Then gently erase until you can barely see your pencil marks.

Dip a paint brush into plain water and fill in your leaf shape, being careful to not extend past your outline.

Then dip the brush in to your watercolor paint and gently touch on to the shape (working quickly) in a few places, repeat as desired. Try not to be tempted to mix the watercolor or drag the brush across the paper like you would in normal painting, let the watercolor pigment do all the work.

If you want the colors to blend, then do the procedures again and just barely touch the other color with water. Once the leaf is completely filled allow to dry. Display as is or add leaf veins or shading.

This project great for Art Masterpiece as you can achieve great results in a short amount of time. No watercolor experience required.

Pretty enough to display all year round, don't you think?

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Art Inspired Costumes You Can Make

Looking for inspiration for a costume? Below are twelve (in no particular order) creative, art inspired costumes. Some are quick and easy to make with items you have laying around your house, or can purchase for cheap at your local thrift store.

You could actually pull these together at the last minute as there is little to no sewing involved. Being historically accurate is not as important as creativity. Just imagine all the oohs and aahs you'll get.

1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci