Tagore quote bunting and apple blossom

Oh irony! How sad I've been whilst making this...having had my joy temporarily knocked out of me, but I know blossom, friends and art will bring the laughter back. Right... lets prepare for the 18 guests (old school pals) and a puppy that are coming to stay! HAPPY EASTER! x

The poetry Cow is named...

...and kissed! Our life sized paper mache cow, Simon Cow (the children's suggestion, honest!) is almost finished.
The Children are now writing poems about cows over it before it's appearance on stage at Dartington for the Tagore festival.

Poetry in motion

Last Friday I spent time at my daughters school again.
This time we had to write a poem using the words they had painted before.
I had no idea how this would work. We sat outside in a small group, I showed them a few examples of poetry and then...well...the kids lead the way. We brain stormed around their 3 chosen words and I was so amazed and moved by the results. This painting is one on my favs and I really encouraged them to keep the writing as loose as the painting.
I'll collect the poems at some point and share here later.
So lovely to see children who thought they couldn't write produce such wonderful words.

Poetry and paint

Here's pics of the work I'm doing with my daughters school for the Tagore poetry festival.
Firstly we looked at a list of around 100 words and acted them out physically. Then each child chose 3 words and painted how the words felt to them. We will then create a poem.
We are also making a life size papier mache cow, which we'll cover with poetry.
It was such fun and great to get the kids doing really big messy paintings outside (in the sun!) Some of the words chosen by kids that have been ill were very moving.
more pics here