I Paint As a Bird Sings

I Paint as a Bird Sings - Claude Monet

“I paint as a bird sings.” ~ Claude Monet Chickadee Three Little Chicks Robin Love birds Sandpiper shore bird Angry Birds art fun! Bird’s Nest “Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher I hope you’ll pull out the brushes, the pastels, [...]

Volcano Chalk Pastel Tutorial

Volcano Chalk Pastel Tutorial at Hodgepodge

This pastel is an especially fun one!  Think of a tropical island….blue water and sky….and….an exploding volcano!  Yes, you adventure lovers, here is your chance to take your pastels and transport to this exciting natural phenomenon: the sky-splitting, fire belching volcano!! Download your free Volcano Chalk Pastel Tutorial today. Subscribers will find it at the [...]

Wind in the Tree Chalk Pastel Tutorial: Art in Motion

Wind in the Tree Chalk Pastel Tutorial - Art in Motion @hodgepodge.me

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso This is one of my absolute favorite pastels!  The lines are simple; the flow of the bending tree limbs is instantly recognizable to the viewer. You can draw this picture on any size of paper; [...]

Old Shed in the Snow Chalk Art Tutorial

Old Shed in the Snow Chalk Pastel Tutorial at Hodgepodge

This is an actual building still standing after over 100 years. Originally this shed was a kitchen, built separate from the main house because of the heat and possible fire.  It is on family property and houses yard machinery and equipment. We will start our drawing by using the following pastel colors.  Deep red or [...]

Chalk Pastel Box: A Tutorial

Chalk Pastel Box Art Tutorial at Hodgepodge

Nana thought it would be fun to make our pastel box. And that it surely was. But most of all – colorful! Little Buddy joined in first. He made his own creation while Nana sketched off the chalk pastel box. He narrated his artwork as he went along, saying it is a sun glob. Then [...]

A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels ebook from Hodgepodge

A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

We are excited to announce our ebook, A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels: Art for All Ages. The Lord blessed my mother, Lucia Hames, with amazing talent. She’s been teaching her grandchildren art lessons for years. A Simple Start offers a whole year of chalk pastels from Nana, the Master Artist – her talents from [...]

How to Plan Simple Afternoon Art Projects

How to Plan Simple Afternoon Art Projects

Simple afternoon art projects? Just getting through a school day can be overwhelming. And here I am sharing about art projects? Well, rest assured I entitled this planning post Simple Afternoon Art Projects for practical purposes. Because I know. I know about trying to be a fun mom and wanting to give my children opportunity [...]

Easy Art Projects for Winter

Easy Art Projects for Winter

Winter offers so many opportunities for art fun. Art projects for Christmas and winter holidays can warm us and brighten blustery days. A thrill of hope. The weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Today I share some of our favorites… Christmas Tree in the Snow Christmas Ornament O’er the hills [...]

Christmas Star Chalk Pastel Tutorial

Christmas Star Chalk Pastel Tutorial at Hodgepodge

This lesson is a simple, yet a lovely one to celebrate the Christmas season. My students enjoyed the bright colors and the velvet blue night sky that we painted. He appeared and the soul felt its worth… The supplies are simple: we used regular copy paper, pastel chalks in black, yellow, orange, white, dark blue [...]

Angry Birds Chalk Pastel Art

Angry Birds Chalk Pastel Art Fun at Hodgepodge

Chances are you have an Angry Birds fan at your house. We have several here at Hodgepodge! Our youngest has a collection of the stuffed Angry Birds plush toys as well. They often come flying across the room unexpectedly. So, with Nana’s help, we decided to make some fly across the page with chalk pastels. [...]

Easy Art Projects for Fall

Fall Art Projects at Hodgepodge

The rich colors of fall offer such joy for simple art projects. Creativity, it’s good theology; it’s what God did in the beginning.” ~ Ann Voskamp, Why Everybody Needs to Make Art Everyday: 7 Keys to Creativity Today I share some of our favorites… Fall Tree Reflection Apple or Pumpkin? Fall Leaf Tree Silhouette Harvest [...]

How to Start Art with Young Children

How to Start Art with Young Children

A dear reader, Mary, asked about beginning art with young children. She said, “Hi Tricia! I was reading your art curriculum and I saw Pastels and technique with Nana and I loved it! What age do you recommend to start? I have a four-and-a half and a three-and-a-half year old. The oldest one lovesssssssssssss to [...]