smallSHOP

smallSHOP 5 and 6 years olds and their bouquets..

2012-02-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

A simple project that is fun and easy to set up is a still life.

A perfect Sunday project.

Look around your home.

Choose a few objects.

Arrange them.

Draw them with a pencil.

A few hints: Draw bigger than you think you should. Draw the outline of each shape first following the shape with your eyes while your hand draws what your eye is seeing (blind contour). Do not judge it, just go for it. Celebrate the unusual shapes and strange lines that you have created.

Finish the drawing and then add the color. Chalk pastel is fun, quick and beautiful. Spray to finish, if you do not have fixative, hair spray works and smells much nicer. Have fun!

For this still life we chose gerber daisies.

Each child focused on their flower for the most details and then added the background with the other flowers. Our media of choice was chalk pastel. I tend to encourage a colored paper to start with, sometimes white can be a little intimidating, I find gray welcoming.

"Hello little artist, please draw on me."

A taped edge (with painters blue tape) is a nice start and once finished, pulling the tape and seeing the clean edge allows the organic shapes to breathe while being contained in a clean box.

As always,

Have a creative day!

Sage

6 BOYS + 1 AFTERNOON= BIRTHDAY FILM

2012-02-23T08:52:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you add:

1 BIRTHDAY BOY + 5 FRIENDS + 1 1/2 HOURS?

A stop action film all their own.

Enjoy Joe and his friend's creative film.

Joe is interested in animation. When we were asked to join in the fun at his birthday party, we knew that smallSHOP would have to impress Joe and his guests. We brought our equipment, they brought their imaginations and in 1 1/2 hours we threw this together.

The word on the street is that Joe watches it everyday.

Mission Accomplished!

I am 4 and I can paint.

2012-02-16T09:58:00.000-08:00

At smallSHOP we believe in learning our students,

creating a nurturing and supportive environment,

challenging them to push themselves and

helping them find THEIR voice.

Sure we could teach them to copy us, that is easy, but we don't.

We help them to find their own vision and assist them to express it.

I just love these paintings so much!

They are by some of our younger smallSHOP artists.

They are 4 years old.

And they can paint a deer and puppy... their way.

We are so proud of our littlest smallSHOP artists.

Please check out their creations.

Have a good day and do something creative!

Always,

smallSHOP

If smallSHOP had a farm...

2012-02-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

2012-02-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Sage's Go To Inspiration

2012-01-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

When I am in need of a quick visual inspiration. I scroll through

http://printpattern.blogspot.com/

The collection of fun and interesting patterns gets me thinking about what I can create with my young smallSHOP artists. While scrolling I found these florals. I am already thinking a mixed media piece is on the horizon. Block prints and india ink anyone?

Here is what they are posting and stay tuned for smallSHOP artist examples of how we were inspired.

amy lee strachan is a qualified freelance textile designer working and living in scotland. amy works mainly for the fashion prints market creating hand drawn designs. she is currently looking for an agency or studio to help get her work to market. you can see more portfolio examples or get in touch with amy online here.

WATER as an inspiration

2012-01-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

Little smallSHOP Artists use WATER as inspiration for their landscapes.

We discussed water and seascapes. We talked about perspective and color.

The children were able to blend and paint freely.

Here are their water inspirations and words to accompany the works.

It actually sounds quite nice, "A Malibu dream; relax, surf and water."

smallSHOP Artist Ashley Landrum

2012-01-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

We are so proud of our smallSHOP Artists as Teachers and Fine Artists.

Please meet Ashley Landrum.

We love Ashley for her calm and supportive nature.

But don't let that fool you... she is bold and brave sculptor.

"I love using bright colors, wild patterns and off balance forms to make my sculptures and drawings so inviting that you want to crawl inside them and live there for a while."

Ashley Landrum

1. BBQ 2. Whole 3. Ashley Landrum 4. Gallery Installation

"Making sculptures are fun because you get to imagine small objects to be as big as a house. In fact, that is where many of my ideas begin. I can look at a pile of potato chips on the table, and instead of just seeing them as yummy chips, I can imagine that I am the size of a tiny ant and see the chips in a totally different way!" Ashley Landrum

I know that I will never look at potato chips the same way again... what can you imagine?

Christina says:

2012-01-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

When I grow up I want to be N. C. Wyeth

What inspires our teachers?

Here is what Christina says...

1 - smallSHOP Artist, Christina Tonges

2 - "Launcelot and Guenevere" from "The Boy's King Arthur"

3- "The Legends of Charlemagne"

4- "Robinson Crusoe"

Growing up my father read us classic novels before bed. A favorite of mine was The Three Musketeers (I even had a hamster named after the conniving spy Milady). My imagination was nourished by swashbuckling adventures like Robin Hood, King Arthur and Robinson Crusoe. I loved to stare into space, inhaling the crisp muskiness of an old book, and conjure images from the narratives. But the real thrill was arriving on one of the glossy illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. So many of these books featured the gorgeous and compelling illustrations of N. C. Wyeth. With a single image he captured the mood of a complex narrative.

When I first arrived in art school I was convinced that I wanted to be an illustrator. I imagined cranking out large scale oil paintings to be later painstakingly color matched and faithfully reproduced by master lithographers. My rude awakening came in the first week of Illustration 101 where we crosshatched the shadows in our little pen and ink cartoons. I realized that, yes, I wanted to be an illustrator but unfortunately I wanted to be the kind of illustrator that has been extinct for the last century.

Carrying the torch of Wyeth draftsmanship and genius Andrew Wyeth, the son of N. C., became one of the most famous painters of the 20th century with paintings like "Christina's World." Jamie Wyeth, N. C.'s grandson, is still capturing true to life nuances in his breathtaking paintings.

5 - "freyja"-Christina Tonges, 2011

My childhood wouldn't have been complete without these illustrations and

I think they speak to the adventurer in all of us.

What is inspiring you?

2012

2012-01-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

Stop action holiday greeting by 7th graders made in 1 hour.

2011-12-21T21:57:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Happy Holidays from all of us at smallSHOP.
Please enjoy a quick stop action holiday greeting by our talented students.
See you all in 2012

smallSHOP on HGTV - Clip

2011-12-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to be asked by the darling Emily Henderson to help create a tree topper for her HGTV Holiday TV Special. Please watch as we, very quickly, demonstrate how to make a one of a kind tree topper. We hope that you enjoy it.
Best Wishes,
Sage and smallSHOP

December has arrived.

2011-12-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

Mono-print by 8 year old.

It is December!

Happy Holiday Season from all of us at smallSHOP

SHOP with creativity and a good conscience...

2011-11-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

Shop LOCAL. Support the ARTS. Give a UNIQUE gift. Make little and big ones SMILE. All in one!
Call or email for your Holiday Gift Certificates. Happy Holidays!
Love, smallSHOP
Hello@smallshopathome.com

We are thankful for you...

2011-11-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

Here at smallSHOP we know that it takes a village and we are thankful for ours.

This Thanksgiving we want to share a big thank you to the amazing little artists

who share their afternoons and birthday parties with us.

And a very special thank you to the parents who invite us into your homes and

share your talented and inspiring children with us.

As artists we could not think of anything better than spending our days exploring new media and creating new projects. As educators we could not dream of better people to share these ideas and days with than our incredible students.

We also want to extend are heartfelt thank you to our fellow entrepreneurs who lent their advice, expertise and support to smallSHOP these past few months. We appreciate your help and encouragement. DesignLoveFest, Emily Henderson, BashPlease, Daily Candy Kids, The List Collective, CecyJ, Charley Star, Fiore Beauty, The Lifestyled, Bonnie Tsang, Petit Bateau & Blogshop

To our friends, students, parents and our village, may your

Thanksgiving be filled with special moments and gratitude.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Thank you.

Love,

All of us at smallSHOP

To our sweet students... we are thinking of you.

To our dear friends and supporters...Thank you.

Have a wonderful, creativity filled Holiday!

2011-11-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

Book your Thanksgiving Week workshops.

Limited Availability.

Lots of fun.

smallSHOP Artist Christina Tonges

2011-11-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

smallSHOP Artist Christina Tonges is not only an incredible teacher,
she is an accomplished artist.
Please check out the wonderful shout out she got on Please Note Paper
(please click here to be linked).
We are so happy that she is part of our team.

Here are few of my favorite works of art by Christina.

To view more of her art and choose your favorites, please check out her Etsy shop.

And please share with your little artists, it is exciting to see your teacher in a new environment and I am sure that they would love to see her art.

And remember we teach adults too! So if you are feeling creative and want a supportive little shadow helping you along the way, please give a call and we will be that shadow. www.smallshopathome.com.

Have a wonderful day and keep creating.

Best Wishes,
Sage and smallSHOP

Petit Pumpkins with Petit Bateau and smallSHOP

2011-10-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

Petit Bateau and smallSHOP team up to bring you a creative afternoon.

Come and join us if you are in town.

smallSHOP Birthday Party FUN!

2011-10-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

smallSHOP loves a good party and

we love it extra if we get to help make the little ones happy!

One project that we like to lead is a self portrait lesson with a little TWIST.

It is a directed drawing lesson, free time to paint

and then photo booth decorations to add.

We finish the piece by framing it right then and there.

Kids, parents and smallSHOP artist leave happy and proud.

Call or email to book your next birthday party or special event.

A few good men and one little lady

2011-09-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

smallSHOP artists like to do different styles of self portraits.

Here we used oil pastels and acrylic paints.

We talked about different angles: profile, 3/4 and frontal.

We discussed proportion and blending colors.

And as always we encouraged the young artists to express themselves.

I love self portraits.

They truly are a treasure.

Enjoy.

"We like art too!" smallSHOP moms, dads and friends spoke up.

2011-09-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Animals on Parade...

2011-09-04T20:59:00.000-07:00

Book your classes now - we fill up quickly.

2011-08-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Book your classes now to get a smallSHOP fine artist to come to your home for after school or weekend art classes this fall. We book quickly, so please email hello@smallshopathome.com or call (310) 815-1669 to reserve your lesson.

We cannot wait to hear from you and meet your little artists. For information visit www.smallshopathome.com and for pricing click here.

smallSHOP Artist Gallery

2011-08-11T23:40:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy a sampling of our talented young artists.

We are so proud of all them.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

2011-07-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

HELLA COOL compliments of DWELL

2011-07-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

While reading through the July/August issue of DWELL I was particularly impressed and inspired by Hella Jongerius. Being someone who loves and appreciates the ceramic arts, I am always happy to be introduced to an Artist's process.

Her glaze samples on their own are interesting in texture and color. At her Misfit exhibition in Rotterdam this installation included 300 vases creating one of the most beautiful color wheels that I have ever seen. A close up of these vases show the overlapping color swatches and gradation of color. Even her color experiment plates are aesthetically pleasing and an idea I may borrow on my next family visit to Color Me Mine.

Here are more ceramic artworks that I find inspiring. Enjoy!

1. Hella Jongerius 2. Heller Jongerius
3. Nathalie Dérouet 4. Donna Wilson
5. Ricochet Studio

Summer Inspiration

2011-06-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

smallSHOP summer lessons are in full swing.

Paul Klee is inspiring us with his color palette.

We think he is RAD.

Today is a special day.

2011-06-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

Plush to Paint

2011-06-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Love Her...

2011-06-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

It is a crazy love that I have for Imogen Cunningham. Since first hearing about her in undergrad to teaching about her with my students, when I speak of her, I smile. She epitomizes for me a woman who lived as an artist. Her work is so strong in composition and contrast while being so feminine and serene.

I mentioned to my husband years ago that my favorite photograph is the one above of Imogen and 70's model Twinka. I saw it in person once and absolutely fell head over heels for it. Years later for our fifth wedding anniversary I arrived home to find an original print hanging. I ran to it, I could not believe that it was really mine. A beautiful photo of a beautiful artist. I covet this photo to this day and know I always will. It is a reminder of the kind of woman I want to be: brave, artistic, free and to live to be very, very old. If you do not know Imogen Cunningham's work or story of growing up a scientist, photographing flowers for botany studies to becoming one of the few, if not the first, recognized female photographers, I recommend a quick tutorial here. To see more of her photographs go here.

5 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT IMOGEN CUNNINGHAM

1. Shares a birthday with my mom.

2. Her name, I adore the name Imogen.

3. Her flowers. Can I please just crawl inside one and stay forever?

4. Her peace sign camera strap.

5. Her texture, lighting and composition.

2011-06-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

PEEK-A-BOO!

smallSHOP sees you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

ARTIST smallSHOP, FLOWER ban.do, SHIRT anthropologie,

SKILLS TO MAKE THIS blogshop & PHOTOGRAPHY & HAT angela

Here at smallSHOP we think that the weekend is a perfect time to do something creative.

Take a moment this Saturday and make something, it will make you feel good!

Happiness... it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
Vincent Van Gogh

Pink Printing Please

2011-06-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to BLOGSHOP for the blog knowledge. Thanks to Bonnie Tsang for the pics.

Thanks to the smallSHOP kids for the creativity.

2011-06-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about this weekend's BLOGSHOP and slightly terrified. I do not know anything about Photoshop and cannot wait to learn from these lovely ladies. Hopefully after this weekend, SmallShop's blog will be extra fancy and whimsical. Stay tuned...

HIP TO BE SQUARE

2011-06-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

What could be better than a perfect colored square?

100's of perfectly colored squares, of course.

For this lesson we discussed transparency, overlapping colors to make new ones and texture. Using a wood block and a canvas as the surface to build on, the young artists experimented with colors and shapes. In addition to them having a wonderful time, the finished pieces have a modern controlled feel. Here at smallSHOP we say, "yes, please" to squares in all colors.

It is hard to speak about squares without giving a "what's up" to the king of art geometry Piet Mondrian. While thinking of smallSHOP and our talented little artists, I remembered back to a fun "one day" project that incorporated patterns inspired by Piet Mondiran. We combined his technique with imaginative characters. After drawing, painting and choosing a solid background we came up with these fun images created by 2nd Grade students.

A perfect afternoon - smallSHOP Style

2011-05-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

A perfect afternoon.

Fresh flowers, a linen canvas, acrylic paints, brushes in every size, a smallSHOP artist standing beside you and the afternoon of painting begins. We believe in creating an inspiring environment for our students, for this lesson we brought fresh flowers for our "one day" still life project. After demonstrating techniques with the acrylic paints, the young artist experimented with line quality, size and texture. Spending just an hour to create their still life the finished artwork has a sense of energy and emotion. Thank you to Bonnie Tsang for capturing this lesson on film.

WILDFLOWERS: Delicate, Shadowed and Colored

2011-05-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring and Almost Summer from SmallSHOP Artists. (Ages 10 & 11)

In this lesson we encouraged our students to take a walk and really look at their environment. Each student chose flowers that they like and held them their hand. We looked at each one and talked about the contour, cross contour and detailing lines. We first sketched with pencils the basic shapes. We then talked about shadowing. Lastly added watercolors. Enjoy these little masterpieces by smallSHOP Artists ages 10 and 11.

SmallSHOP Artists 50/50

2011-05-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

smallSHOP Artist, Age 8 (work in progress)

50/50 collage is one of the ways that smallSHOP teaches a collage and a drawing lesson. We encourage using found printed materials and adding at least 50% of your own sketching. Within this lesson there is an opportunity to teach perspective, Surrealism, contrast, arbitrary color and really everything. It is a more comfortable way to start for some artists, as they have a beginning point with the printed material.

SmallSHOP kids face it.

2011-05-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Native American portraits by Smallshop girls .

Pencil and watercolor renderings.

Artists (9 years old).

Huset

2011-04-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

When looking for inspiration, Huset is one of my first stops.

An amazing shop that carries everything and features over 60 Scandinavian Designers. Although, I often put many of the items sold here on my personal wish lists, I also frequent the site for inspiration for my lessons. The modern clean representations of pattern, overlapping images and subject matter make for wonderful examples. The above platters each have their own feeling and techniques. Repetition in one, organic shapes in another, geometric compositions and even a modern picnic feel. Many can relate to the imagery and imagine creating their own work of art. smallShop Artists recently did ink and watercolor paintings exploring pattern.

smallSHOP kids collage + stitch

2011-04-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

1. An idea

2. A stencil design

3. Cut out shapes

4. Add details in paper

5. Poke holes

6. Stitch with colored embroidery thread

7. Add text

8. Sign and share

a whole LOTTA pattern

2011-04-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Never disappoints.

Patterns are fundamental in art making. Finding inspiration is essential. I have thumbed through her books, used her stencils and been inspired to create my own interpretations. There are printing projects for all ages and levels. Like a potato print, watch the tutorial here, to block printing and silkscreening.

Artists of all ages enjoy printmaking. These are techniques we use in our smallShop classes.

Worthy Additions

2011-03-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

Here are few of my most favorite children's book that have to do with art.
If you do not have them, they are a worthy addition to any library. Enjoy.

ART & MAX, The Red Book, ish, the dot, One Red Dot,

faces, faces everywhere, Scribbles, My Name is Georgia

and NOT A BOX.

Collage Me Please

2011-03-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

Jason Laferrera has taken a media of maps and repurposed them to represent this fab fox: Virginia Red Fox.

I am a sucker for a cute bird and this little Tennessee Mockingbird is so sweet.

And this unique nautical paper cut illustration. It was hand drawn and painted on water color paper Michelle Tavares.

The technique of collage is exciting and many artists push the boundaries with the materials they choose to use. Long gone are the days of only Henri Matisse and the limitations of a simple flat color palette and basic shapes. Although I do love Matisse and believe that introducing young artists to his work is important, I try to balance my collage instruction with some contemporary artists. I find myself drawn to artists like Jason Laferrera and Michelle Tavares. Our students find their creativity and fine motor skills exercised by using different textures and mediums in the art of collage.

Get to Know Us!

2011-02-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

Who are we?

smallSHOP is a luxury in home studio art experience, owned and operated by artist Sage Raval.

Who is Sage Raval?

Sage has been a private art teacher for more than 12 years and smallSHOP is her expansion of creative tailored lessons for all young artists.

What is her experience?

She has been a guest artist teacher at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, an Elementary School Art Teacher, a collaborator with galleries and artists for children workshops and a director of a successful private art business. She has a Masters in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. And has actively been working with children and some of the same families for over 12 years.

What do we do?

Fine Artists create a pop up art studio in your home including all supplies and instruction. Our instructors lead lessons using a wide variety of materials and themes. We teach everything from painting to drawing from ceramics to film and everything in between.

How do we teach?

We teach with patience, encouragement, tricks of the trade and lead the young artists through a process. We believe that introducing children to materials and ideas in a nurturing environment and encouraging them to try something new is an important step to creating artwork that the children are proud of. Our finished product includes a happy artist and a beautiful work of art.

Who comes to your house?

A sweet, patient and talented artist who was handpicked and trained personally by Sage Raval will come to your home for either a one hour, one and a half hour and sometimes a two hour lesson. Our lessons are weekly and ongoing.

Why do we teach art?

Because we love kids, we love art and we love the art kids create. We want to foster the whole child with well-rounded development. We believe it is an important practice that helps kids with their creativity, their self-esteem, their fine motor skills, and their knowledge of art history. As many schools are depleting their art classes, it is becoming essential that art is offered to more kids of all ages and we are here to meet those requests with a thoughtful, researched, and fun environment for kids of all ages.