Backyard ART Camp: Andy Goldsworthy

I am very happy to be a part of this wonderful series filled with awesome contributors and inspired projects. It is always fun to have new art techniques in our back pocket for just the right expression of our project work. 

The idea behind the series is to create art inspired in some way by an established artist. We have been spending so much time outside this summer exploring our new environment and all it has to offer that I knew we would be inspired by nature. I talked with the kids about all of the habitats we have been learning about, the creatures we have been spying, and the new weather we have been experiencing. All of those things came together when I thought of Andy Goldsworthy's wonderful nature inspired creations.

We went to the library to check out books. We looked at photos of his works online and we watch parts of this documentary. The kids were very excited to see that he worked in Nova Scotia and New Mexico. What a fun connection! 

We decided on a rock inspired creation first, excited at the idea that there was now some redeeming value in our new rock yard. 

Up early before the rocks got too hot to handle we started collecting and separating the rocks into colors, with the help of our handy dandy muffin tin. 

We talked about the process of collecting and how what was found would inspire the finished piece. Once this wonderful round rock was found the idea for the shape of the piece was decided.

We looked at what we had collected and decided on the order of the colors, then started placing them around the center piece. 

In the weeks since we created this piece it has endured the blazing sun, the crashing rain of our afternoon thunderstorms and the occasional squirrel running past with one of our prized apricots to stash away for the winter. And it is standing the test of time very nicely. 

One of the things that is so inspiring about Andy Goldsworthy's art is the way he uses whatever is on hand at the location where he is creating his art work; whether it be rocks, leaves, sticks, grass, ice, snow, or mud he uses what he can find and he only uses natural materials, even using thorns to help hold things in place. In this way art inspired by his techniques can be made anywhere you and yours find yourselves out in the world.

On a hike we floated leaves attached by their stems down the creek. 

In the backyard we used twigs from a fallen branch to attempt a circular design.

And learned just how difficult it is to make a circular opening with straight sticks!

The other aspect of Andy Goldsworthy's art that is so appealing is the natural lifespan of the work; sometimes lasting months or even years, and other times being washed away by the rising tide or blowing wind, or even an excited sibling running through the yard! This provided us wonderful lessons in letting go and reining in perfectionism. Much needed lessons around these parts! 

There have been some wonderful post in the series already. 
If you missed them you can find them here:

Melissa posted about their found object art adventures in the style of Peter Blake.

Jane shared about how they were inspired by the many artist and techniques they saw at the art museum.

Danielle and Andrea went big with their kiddos with outdoor fabric art inspired by Christo & Jeanne-Calude.

Deborah and her kids had colorful fun with circles inspired by Kandinsky. 

Stephanie created a huge mixed media jungle art instillation with her kids inspired by Henri Rousseau.

Miranda and her kids were inspired by Jaime Zollars and Lisa Congdon to mix graphite and collage with super cool results. 

And we are looking forward to what these talented bloggers have to share in the second half of the series as well:

Stephinie from gypsy forest
Courtney from mon petit lyons
Carla from small + friendly
Sanae from sanae ishdia
Jennet from feathered nest studio
Tara from girl like the sea

Many thanks to Jane from buzzmills and Melissa from a happy stitch for putting this fun series together and gathering this group of inspiring folks to share amazing works of art with us!

Pin It