Frozen Tempera on Canvas for Art Playgroup

Posted: July 6, 2012 | Author: Jena | Filed under: Artsy Fartsy, Community, Experimentation, Jena's work, Outside, Paint, sensory, Water Play | Leave a comment »

Maria and I host an Art Playgroup this afternoon.
For four years, this being the beginning of the 4th, MOMS have organized an art playgroup as a summer camp. Two MOMS team up to host, provide snack, share art materials and an artsy idea. We meet once a week. Last year, I offered a paper pulp project. It was truly a HappyLittleMess!

This year for my turn, my partner in crime, Maria, and I agree to freeze tempera paint “to beat the heat,” and because this will most likely be a first experience with frozen color for the kids which makes it extra fun and adventurous.
I prep by adding a mixture of water and tempera paint, (following some quick and easy instructions from Hands On: As We Grow,) to some silicon trays shaped like stars and hearts. I give them about 6 hours to set in the freezer. I did not add sticks as originally planned because the shapes of the silicon stars are too small to support a pop stick.

There is a pile of small canvases to pass out, handed down to me from Big K’s Nana F. Maria covers the driveway with strips of paper to clearly mark our work space, and we lay the canvas in rows. We also offer paintbrushes to manipulate color as the cubes melt.

The kids range in age from 15 months – 8 years. Everyone seems very involved and inspired by the materials.
When everyone is present, we put the ice cubes in little paper cups and begin by asking the kids to choose their favorite color.

Some kids use their hands with ice, some kids prefer not to touch and choose the paintbrush.

Colors melt and mix and the kids get to bring their canvas home.

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