ELDERS – Mixed Media, Cree Métis Artist George Littlechild

Students create a mixed media artwork using watercolour paints, crayons, fine black markers, and photographs as they reflect on their shared life experiences with the elders in their lives.

Supplies:

Crayola Marker & Watercolour Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12")
Crayola Washable Glue Sticks
Crayola Watercolour Paints
Crayola Paint Brushes
Crayola Fine Line Markers
Crayola Crayons
Crayola Scissors
Photographs of Elders in Your Life
Access to a Photocopier
Watercontainers
Paper Towels

Steps:

Brainstorm words and images connected to the elders in your life.
Reflect on what you have learned from the elders in your life.
In your mind's eye picture a life experience you have had with a special grandparent, mentor, or teacher, who you have learned from.
- How did you feel?
- What colours would express your feelings?

Use a mind map to draw and write about your shared experiences with the elders (e.g., grandparents, mentors, teachers) in your life.

Use a paint brush to cover a piece of watercolour paper in clear water.

Close your eyes and think about the experiences you have had with the elders in your life.
Remember stories you have been told about your ancestors, great grandparents, and grandparents. What were their lives like? What colours best represent your feelings toward the elders in your life?
Choose watercolours to add to your paper already painted with clear water.
Dip your brush into water first, then add paint to it, allowing the colours to bleed into each other, and move with the water.
Cover the entire paper in colour.
Set the paper aside to dry.

Find photographs of elders who are part of your life.
Photocopy the photographs and cut out the images of the elders (e.g., grandparents, great grandparents) in your life.

Use a glue stick to glue the images of the elders onto your dried watercolour painting.
Glue the larger photographs in the foreground, the medium sized photographs in the middle ground, and the smallest photographs in the background.

Use a fine line black marker to write about the life experiences, feelings, and stories connected to each elder.
Write around each photograph, creating a frame of words.

Use crayons to emphasize the colour on each photograph.
Use the crayons to draw special life experiences you have shared with each of the elders in your life.

View your work with fresh eyes.
Reflect on what you have learned from the elders in your life.
Share your special experiences and memories of the elders who are part of your life with your classmates.