Building on Explorations

At UpCycle's camp, we start with experiences and explorations that build to final projects by the end of the week.

We gather around clay on a daily basis because it's an exploration that allows us to share techniques and ideas and to build our class community. This week, coils, balls and spikes have been combined in elaborate designs. One was named "The Beautiful." Other friends made cubes that were stacked into steps and eventually evolved into water slides. We have also created birds, nests, and ponds. 

In our small groups, we have mixed our own palette of paints. We added texture to boards with tissue paper and used our custom paints to color the boards.

We also explored the marks that found objects can make by printing with them. Once we knew the marks the objects would make, we used them to make personal compositions on card stock as well as group designs on pieces of fabric. 

In another small group, we are filling aluminum tins with items inspired by an idea, quote or joke. 

We are also exploring other ways to change fabric, including doodling designs and using glue to mask designs before adding color to the fabric. 

After lunch, our studio is open for exploration. We have been working at the message center and at the easels as well as returning to previous project work.

Stay tuned to see what we do with the custom fabric; colorful, textured boards and tins!