“I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for. ” —Georgia O’Keefe
It’s almost spring, as we are on the start of a new month of March, with all of us looking forward to warmer days, and new starts of plants to grow with the season. I can already smell the air change with the snow melting. This is the time when I get happiest for the start of new things changing everywhere – be it flowers and new green leaves growing, or the start of new art projects, or the kids and adult art classes. I’ve begun to work on a couple of new and fabulous art events for the summer, that will take place in Bellingham for the whole community to be a part of, and they’ll be announced to you in the coming month. All I can say is that each one of them will be full of joy, art, and collaboration for everyone, to be a part of, to share, and create together. After all, art and community go hand-in-hand.
Finally, there is some news that I can share with you about the upcoming summer art camps. They’re ready for your kids, and registration is open! (You can follow both my Instagram & Facebook pages: Rachel’s Whimsical Art, to see what, when, where, for art classes & events, etc.) In the rest of this newsletter, you’ll find more new art classes for kids/adults, art events, and shows…
Finally, there is some news that I can share with you about the upcoming summer art camps. They’re ready for your kids, and registration is open! (You can follow both my Instagram & Facebook pages: Rachel’s Whimsical Art, to see what, when, where, for art classes & events, etc.) In the rest of this newsletter, you’ll find more new art classes for kids/adults, art events, and shows…
Kids Art: Summer Art Camps in June & July are happening!
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That’s right. The kid’s summer camp programs are ready for all of us to begin planning for the fun together! I’m so excited that I’ll be able to teach another great kids art camp at Unique Technique Dance Studio, a long side the amazing dance teacher Patricia Grace. It will be two kid’s camps that include both dance and art!
Pirates & Mermaids Camp & Run Away to the Circus Camp
Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson
Dance Teacher: Patricia Grace
Unique Technique Dance Studio (Register with UTD)
3815 Bakerview Spur #1, Bellingham, WA 98226 https://www.uniquetechniquedance.com/summer-dance
Ages 6-12 years.
Pirates & Mermaids - June 24th - 28th, Mon-Fri, 9:00AM - 3:30PM, and
Run Away to the Circus - July 8th - 12th, Mon-Fri, 9:00AM - 3:30PM
In these two kids summer camps, you'll be a part of both Dance and Visual Art camps each day! We will also have fun games and a lunch break between 12:00-12:30PM every day. Lunch is not provided, so we ask that you pack and bring both a lunch, beverage, water bottle, and dress for mess!
Art Projects:Pirate/Mermaid Camp: Glowing Marine-Life Painting, Drawing Shells, Skulls & Games, Art with Movement & Music, Build a Mermaid & Pirate, Create a Treasure Chest, an Octopus & a Pirate Ship! The last day is a themed costume party with art show & dance performance for kids & families!
Run Away to the Circus Camp: Experiment with Art, Painting/Drawing Circus Animals - Elephants, Zebras, Bears, Giraffes, Seals, Lions, & Tigers, Mixed-Media Art of Circus Dogs in Silly Costumes, Delicate Dancers, Make a Mysterious Mask, & Trapeze Artists Collide! The last day is a themed costume party, with art show & dance performance for kids & families!
Pirates & Mermaids Camp & Run Away to the Circus Camp
Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson
Dance Teacher: Patricia Grace
Unique Technique Dance Studio (Register with UTD)
3815 Bakerview Spur #1, Bellingham, WA 98226 https://www.uniquetechniquedance.com/summer-dance
Ages 6-12 years.
Pirates & Mermaids - June 24th - 28th, Mon-Fri, 9:00AM - 3:30PM, and
Run Away to the Circus - July 8th - 12th, Mon-Fri, 9:00AM - 3:30PM
In these two kids summer camps, you'll be a part of both Dance and Visual Art camps each day! We will also have fun games and a lunch break between 12:00-12:30PM every day. Lunch is not provided, so we ask that you pack and bring both a lunch, beverage, water bottle, and dress for mess!
Art Projects:Pirate/Mermaid Camp: Glowing Marine-Life Painting, Drawing Shells, Skulls & Games, Art with Movement & Music, Build a Mermaid & Pirate, Create a Treasure Chest, an Octopus & a Pirate Ship! The last day is a themed costume party with art show & dance performance for kids & families!
Run Away to the Circus Camp: Experiment with Art, Painting/Drawing Circus Animals - Elephants, Zebras, Bears, Giraffes, Seals, Lions, & Tigers, Mixed-Media Art of Circus Dogs in Silly Costumes, Delicate Dancers, Make a Mysterious Mask, & Trapeze Artists Collide! The last day is a themed costume party, with art show & dance performance for kids & families!
Art Class: Da Vinci’s Heart Pounding Studies in April @MoNA!
egisterParent & Me: Da Vinci's Heart Pounding Studies
Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson
Museum of Northwest Art, (Register with MoNA)
121 South First Street, La Connor, WA 98257, tel#: (360)466-4446
Ages 8 - 12 years and Adults
April 20th, Saturday, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Register with MoNA
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Heart Pounding Studies:
Layering Authentic Scientific Illustration with the Emotional & Expressive Heart
Let’s study the science behind the function of the human heart, the details of how DaVinci studied an oxen heart & learn how to recreate a sculpture of a heart with clay & beeswax! We’ll also follow the intense curiosity of Leonardo and sketch onto paper, the outside of the heart, the inner chambers of the anatomical heart, with many references and techniques of the Renaissance Art. During this process, we’ll make our own quill pens with feathers, make egg tempera paints with eggs, use dip pens & nibs with ink, use watercolor paints for washes, and even use some fine Sharpies.
Next, the students will get to reveal their inner expressive heart by using a second drawing of the 4 chambers which are representations of different kinds of things that each one of us holds close to our hearts. For example; chamber 1 – Love, chamber 2 – Family, chamber 3 – Art, chamber 4 – Nature. What do you hold close to your heart?
Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson
Museum of Northwest Art, (Register with MoNA)
121 South First Street, La Connor, WA 98257, tel#: (360)466-4446
Ages 8 - 12 years and Adults
April 20th, Saturday, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Register with MoNA
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Heart Pounding Studies:
Layering Authentic Scientific Illustration with the Emotional & Expressive Heart
Let’s study the science behind the function of the human heart, the details of how DaVinci studied an oxen heart & learn how to recreate a sculpture of a heart with clay & beeswax! We’ll also follow the intense curiosity of Leonardo and sketch onto paper, the outside of the heart, the inner chambers of the anatomical heart, with many references and techniques of the Renaissance Art. During this process, we’ll make our own quill pens with feathers, make egg tempera paints with eggs, use dip pens & nibs with ink, use watercolor paints for washes, and even use some fine Sharpies.
Next, the students will get to reveal their inner expressive heart by using a second drawing of the 4 chambers which are representations of different kinds of things that each one of us holds close to our hearts. For example; chamber 1 – Love, chamber 2 – Family, chamber 3 – Art, chamber 4 – Nature. What do you hold close to your heart?
Art Class: Parent & Me Animal Portraits in Mixed-Media at Pratt!
This 1-day art class is happening on Sunday, April 14th, between 12:00pm – 4:00pm, at Pratt: 1902 Main Street, Seattle, WA.98144. Registration is $125 a pair (parent and child).
Register with Pratt.
Learn Mixed-Media and Collage to make Animal Portraits, and explore the unlimited facets of using layers, texture, collage, drawing and painting that is all a part of mixed-media art. We will create a unique animal portrait (your choice of an owl, cat, dog, or a rabbit), in a large scale of 18”x 20” board, with layers of watercolor painted paper collage with adhesive. This is a cherished moment that you’ll not want to miss with your family! This class is designed for one student, 8 years and up, and one accompanying adult (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Aunt, etc.). Space is limited so sign up early! No experience necessary, all materials included.
Register with Pratt.
Learn Mixed-Media and Collage to make Animal Portraits, and explore the unlimited facets of using layers, texture, collage, drawing and painting that is all a part of mixed-media art. We will create a unique animal portrait (your choice of an owl, cat, dog, or a rabbit), in a large scale of 18”x 20” board, with layers of watercolor painted paper collage with adhesive. This is a cherished moment that you’ll not want to miss with your family! This class is designed for one student, 8 years and up, and one accompanying adult (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Aunt, etc.). Space is limited so sign up early! No experience necessary, all materials included.
 | Art Exhibit: Featuring Rachel Simpson’s Marine Life Paintings - March 2019 |
There’s still time to go to the Joy of Pilates in Bellingham, through March, to see a plethora of original paintings in marine-life themed art by Rachel Simpson, up on display and for sale, with the special UV-lighting to help them glow! The exhibit will be there for the next 2 months. Located at: 2130 Grant Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Art Education & More!
I teach art at a few different elementary schools, in the Bellingham School District as an independent contractor (for after school arts enrichment programs), private art lessons, parties/events, museums/galleries, and as a Teaching Artist with Allied Arts of Whatcom County. This non-profit is one that brings the arts to many kids throughout the schools, and I’m so thankful I can be a part of it and this community.
Additionally, you can find out more about all the fun art events and art classes on my Instagram/Facebook pages Rachel’s Whimsical Art.
Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!
~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)
~ http://rachelsimpsonart.weebly.com/
Additionally, you can find out more about all the fun art events and art classes on my Instagram/Facebook pages Rachel’s Whimsical Art.
Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!
~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)
~ http://rachelsimpsonart.weebly.com/
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