Virtual Resources

FriendsWithYou Cloud and Rainbow Mobile

At-Home Art Activity

Inspiration for your imagination inspired by the FriendsWithYou artworks, Into The Clouds and Rainbow Gate The Happy! exhibition at NSU Art Museum includes works by FriendsWithYou, a fine art collaborative of Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval lll. Their playful use of clouds and rainbows evokes positive emotions and uplifting thoughts. FriendsWithYou’s works have traveled the globe, and the artists are considered pioneers in the field of experimental art.

Materials

Thick white paper – cardstock is great or paper plates
Scraps of black and pink or red paper
White tissue paper – if unavailable, paper napkins are a good substitute
Scissors (to be used with adult supervision)
Markers or crayons
Pencil and ruler
Plate and cup – to trace rainbow arcs
Wire coat hanger or plastic hanger
White glue such as Elmer’s
String or ribbon
Tape
Covering for your work surface

Art Vocabulary

Mobile – A kinetic or moving sculpture usually consisting of suspended elements. When displayed by hanging, the parts move with air currents.

Inspiration for your Imagination

Art Activity

Instructions

Step 1

Always use a protective cover for your work surface. Several layers of newspaper, brown paper or a plastic tablecloth work well.

Step 2

On heavy white paper or paper plate, draw with a pencil 3 cloud shapes. Sizes may vary but should be no larger than 5” x 8”. Cut out your cloud shapes with a scissor.

Step 3

Cut or tear tissue paper into small squares, approximately two inches in width, and crumple them into small loose balls. Make a big pile of them so you don’t have to make more when you start gluing.

Step 4

Using small dots of white glue, attach the tissue paper balls close together on one side of your paper cloud cutouts. When the glue has dried on the first side, you may wish to cover the back side of the clouds in the same fashion.

Step 5

While you are waiting for your clouds to dry; use the black and pink or red scraps of paper to cut out small circles for eyes and cheeks and a smile for your clouds. Feel free to use other shapes if you prefer because you are the artist.

Step 6

Attach the facial features you’ve created to each of your tissue-covered clouds using small dots of glue.

Step 7

Use a plate, large can or any large round object that is handy, to trace with pencil the outer arc of a rainbow on a piece of heavy white paper. Now use a cup or smaller round object to trace the inner arc of your rainbow. Once your arc shape is traced and cut out and color it like a rainbow with your choice of crayons or markers.

Step 8

Place your completed rainbow, colored side down on your work surface. Position the part of a hanger just below the hook on the blank side of your rainbow. Tape the rainbow to the hanger.

Step 9

Using a hole-punch or the point of your pencil, carefully make a hole in the top of each of your clouds.

Step 10

Cut 3 lengths of string or ribbon and tie one to each of your finished clouds. Next, tie the other end of each string to the long bottom wire of your hanger to complete your mobile.

Art Activity

Notes

If you do not have glue at home, this project can be done without the addition of tissue paper. Draw clouds with happy facial features, cut them out and attach them to the hanger. In addition, if no hanger is available, sticks maybe used to tie your clouds to.

*If you have any questions about these art activities please e-mail Sue at: [email protected]. Now in her garage making art!