gmhTODAY 27 gmhTODAY Aug Sept 2019 | Page 84

KIDS Young Featured Artists: Yoey Bent,8 years old; Maddox Rosso, 8 years old; Colette Boyd, 9 years old; and Camren Boyd, 11 years old. With Carol Peters CAROL PETERS is an award-winning art instructor who is highly skilled at bringing innovative, creative art alive for both young and old. Suitable for ages 8 to adult For more tips and information for the Kids Corner art projects, visit caroloncreativity.com/ 84 Working with metal was my first art experience. My Dad was a cowboy collectibles artist. He made bits, spurs, belt buckles, etc. and decorated them with silver and gold that he engraved by hand. Starting when I was about 5 years old, my Dad would let me pound the silver with a small hammer and make the “buttons” that he would later engrave and solder onto the piece. Working metal is centuries old—the armor plates from ancient Greece, King Tut’s mask, Mexican silver and tin designs were all beautiful as well as functional. It is fun to explore ones ancestral heritage with your children. How did they use metal in their artwork? This project uses aluminum—working it on both sides. It is fun because the child creates tex- ture and uses problemsolving as to how to work the metal back and forth to create dimension. It incorporates fine motor skills like cutting and stringing beads to create their own special art piece that when hung has movement and reflec- tion. Take time to praise and encourage your child with each step. Children respond with amazing results when they feel they are doing well and there is no pressure. Talking to your children as you work adds more enrichment to the entire process. Ask how is metal design used today? Some examples are: flatware, picture frames, jewelry, wrought iron furniture, door handles, decorative wall plaques, sculpture. GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN august/september 2019 gmhtoday.com CORNER Embossed Metal Hangings