"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." -Henry Ward Beecher

Welcome to the fourth issue of Young @ Art! In this issue you will find info about sidewalk chalk paintings, also called "Italian street paintings." There are some ideas for summer art projects.

There will be no classes this summer while I am on maternity leave (baby due in July!). Some of the classes for the 2007/2008 school year are listed. The exact dates and times will be announced soon. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings, rather than Tuesday evenings, due to the many requests.

The Spring session of Eastside Enrichment classes at Maple Hills Elementary and Maplewood Heights Elementary are ending next week. The student art exhibit is currently up until June 20th. Come check out the wonderful artwork!

- L. Crystal Rea

"Italian Street Painting"

Italian street painting is a popular event in Italy and here in the United States. In Italy you may find artists creating magnificent works of art right in the streets or on the sidewalks. It is common for passersby to give money to the artists as they work- like a street musician collecting money in their hat or guitar case. Here in the United States, however you will usually find festivals dedicated to this art form. Some of the most well known festivals include "I Modannari" in Santa Barbara, the "Street Painting Festival" in Mission Viejo, and the "Italian Street Painting Festival" in San Francisco. There are also some local festivals which include these chalk paintings like the Renton River Days and the Bellevue Arts Festival, in which the public can usually get involved by purchasing a section of sidewalk or asphalt to draw on. In these festivals the chalk is usually provided, although some artists prefer to purchase their own chalk, since chalk pastels come in a wide range of softness and color intensity.

Chalk paintings can be created as a large reproduction of any kind or style of photo, drawing, or painting. However some of the most amazing ones usually involve realistic images, and some even include images of puddles or ponds with reflections of local objects or buildings, such as this one.

There are currently chalk paintings by the Eastside Enrichment students on the playgrounds at both Maple Hills Elementary and at Maplewood Heights Elementary Schools. The chalk paintings were finished 2 weeks ago and have slightly washed away from the rain, but you can still see them.

Humming Bird Chalk Painting done by students at Maplewood Heights Elementary

Palm tree chalk painting done by students at Maple Hills Elementary.

Art Activities for Summer!

Postcard Paintings Going on vacation this summer? Bring along some art materials! Watercolor paper is available in postcard sized tablets at most local art or craft stores. Carefully draw the scenes from your trip and paint them in using watercolor paint or colored pencils. Your family and friends will treasure these handmade souvenirs.

Go Paint a Kite! Buy a plain white kite (or make one) and paint a picture on it. You will have a one-of-a-kind flying masterpiece. When you are done flying it you can hang it on your wall, or from your ceiling.

Sunset Paintings Using watercolors, create a wash of the vibrant colors you see during a sunset. Remember to use lots of water to help the colors blend together. Or, use oil pastels for the clouds. Add the watercolor for the sky colors on top of the oil pastel. The watercolor will resist the oil pastel, and will give it a great effect.

Student Art Exhibit
The Eastside Enrichment "Young @ Art" students currently have artwork on display at a local Starbucks. Please come take a look at the wonderful artwork! The artwork will be up until the evening of Wed., June 20th. Location: Issaquah Meadows Starbucks, 1460 NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah, WA

2007 Fall Classes & Workshops

All classes are open to students age 6 and up. Parents may attend the classes with their child. Adults are welcome if there is room available. Classes will be held at the Bellevue Foursquare Church (near Factoria). Workshops will be held at either the Lake Sammamish Foursquare Church (on NE 8th near 148th) or at the Bellevue Foursquare Church. All dates and times will be posted by the end of July on our website, and in our next newsletter.

Ice Cream Drawings Workshop We will quickly draw Ice cream sundaes with colored pencils, and then eat them! All art materials (and ice cream) are provided. One-Day workshop. Date, time, and location TBA.

Basic Drawing We will work on line drawing and shading as we draw from real-life objects using pencil and charcoal. No experience necessary. This is a great class to start out with. All art materials provided. This will be a three-week class on Saturdays. Dates and times TBA.

Halloween Mask Watercolor Painting Workshop We will draw and paint from real masks. You may draw from one of the masks provided, or bring in your own to draw from. All art materials provided. One-day workshop. Date and time TBA.

Drawing with Color We will work on drawing from a grid, using colored pencils and pastels. All art materials provided. This will be a three-week class. Dates and times TBA.