Monthly Archives: June 2012

Abrakadoodle Participates in VetFran Independence Day Press Conference

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Rosemarie Hartnett of Abrakadoodle expressed her support for the VetFran initiative at the National Press Club

Abrakadoodle today joined with the International Franchise Association (IFA), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), as well as SIGNARAMA for a VetFran Independence Day press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Launch events at 12 other American cities highlighted concerns about veteran unemployment and encouraged the hiring of veterans. It also profiled business ownership through franchising as a great fit for veterans who return with great leadership skills and a deep commitment to operational excellence. Available through the campaign is a VetFran Toolkit designed to foster access to franchise opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. Coming soon is a Veterans Mentor Network.

Formerly in the U.S. Army, April Jackson is now rocking Oklahoma City with her Abrakadoodle franchise.

April Rose Jackson, a U.S. Army vet, joined Abrakadoodle in 2012. She  discovered the art education franchise while deployed in the Middle East, having read a cover story about Abrakadoodle in Black Enterprise Magazine. Amid rocket fire and the challenges of war, April planned for her new enterprise over nearly three years. She viewed franchising not just as a job but as a whole new life adventure. Today, April shared her story at one of the launch events hosted by FASTSIGNS in Dallas, Texas!

Pointillism: Making Art with Dots

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A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, by Georges Seurat, 1884

Pointillism is such an intriguing painting technique, which was developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac in the 1880s and featured dots of pure color applied in patterns to form an image. Would you believe that art critics of that time period derided this art and coined the name Pointillism to mock it? Now, this art technique is widely celebrated and Abrakadoodle students love to learn how to create art in this distinctive way.

As opposed to mixing paints from a palette, Pointillism assembles paint spots in bright hues of color such as green, orange and purple. Kids like looking at paintings created in this style because when you look at the painting up close, it looks like a series of
dots. When you look at the painting from a distance, you can see a picture. Also, colors change as you move further away from the painting. Up close, dots in blue and yellow may appear to be green when you move further away. The eye plays a trick on us called “optical mixing.” Kids find this type of painting magical.

Few artists practice the technique of Pointillism today because it is very labor intensive. Seurat’s “A Sunday in the Park” took him about two years to finish and contains over
three-million dots!

Children can have a blast creating their own artwork with colorful dots!

Encourage your child to make a point of trying Pointillism at home:

  1. Assemble some art materials – paper, pencils, watercolor, small paint brushes, markers or crayons
  2. Your child might have an idea in his or her hear or can choose inspiration from a favorite pet, flower or object or even a shape. Younger children may want to trace the outline of an object.
  3. Start by making an outline of your desired image and notice its shape
  4. Explore and experiment with dots of color – to show off the light, use white dots mixed with bright colors, and for shadows, use darker color dots mixed with bright colors
  5. Patterns will help to create interest, but remember there is no right or wrong way to make art – enjoy the process … that’s the point: to encourage a lifetime of fun with art!

 

Outdoor Play Inspires Children’s Art

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"Fun Bugs" by Brad, age 9, of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Under puffy clouds and golden sun, children love to explore the magic of nature with its spectacular colors and life bursting everywhere! Encourage your children to capture these delightful moments through art ~ either indoors or out!

"Beautiful Buzzing Bees" by Theresa, age 9, of Ocean City, New Jersey

It’s so fun to see what tickles your child’s imagination! Equipped with art supplies or even sidewalk chalk, you can cheer your child onto gleeful self expression. So, send your child outside for some creative inspiration!