All posts by KL

Discover Wax resist technique with Amanda Konishi!

Materials:

wax crayons in a variety of colors
watercolor or water-based paint
sturdy paper
large brush
container of water
paper towel (few pieces
Optional: small cups or plate for color mixing
Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)

Participants will create atmospheric drawings of a variety of leaves using a crayon wax resist technique. Color mixing will be introduced with both crayons and paint, and the basic structure of different varieties of leaves will be explored. It is suggested that participants bring a few leaves in from their neighborhood or any surrounding environment if possible. After learning a few different ways to create leaves, participants will be encouraged to explore their creativity by mixing and matching patterns, styles and colors to make their own fantasy foliage.

Art Classes for Everyone, Children Art (Parents Welcome to Join)

Pollinators in Action – Birds. Free Live ZOOM Art Workshop. Febr. 14th, 2024 at 5 PM.

February 12, 2024 KL

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – SUNBIRDS

February 14th at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note ART WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password.

Materials:

Water-based paints
Crayons (optional)
Sturdy white paper
Brush and 2 containers of water
Paper towel
Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)

Sunbirds and spiderhunters make up the family Nectariniidae of passerine birds. They are small, slender passerines from the Old World, usually with downward-curved bills. Many are brightly coloured, often with iridescent feathers, particularly in the males. Many species also have especially long tail feathers. Their range extends through most of Africa to the Middle East, South Asia, South-east Asia and southern China, to Indonesia, New Guinea and northern Australia. Species diversity is highest in equatorial regions.

There are 151 species in 16 genera. Most sunbirds feed largely on nectar, but will also eat insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young. Flowers that prevent access to their nectar because of their shape (for example, very long and narrow flowers) are simply punctured at the base near the nectaries, from which the birds sip the nectar. Fruit is also part of the diet of some species. Their flight is fast and direct, thanks to their short wings.

The sunbirds have counterparts in two very distantly related groups: the hummingbirds of the Americas and the honeyeaters of Australia. The resemblances are due to convergent evolution brought about by a similar nectar-feeding lifestyle. Some sunbird species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but they usually perch to feed. —wikipedia

Art Classes for Everyone, Children Art (Parents Welcome to Join)

Pollinators in Action – Sunflowers. Free Live ZOOM Art Workshop. Febr. 7th, 2024 at 5 PM.

February 4, 2024 KL

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – SUNFLOWERS

February 7th at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note ART WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password.

Materials:

Black wax crayon (or any dark color crayon)
Watercolor or water-based paint
Sturdy white paper
Brush and container of water
Paper towel
Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)

Many sunflowers can self pollinate, as pollen is spread by wind between florets in a single disc. However, insect pollination is more beneficial, especially in times of stress. Bees could increase self pollination rate, spreading it while crawling between florets on a single disc.

The plant was first domesticated in the Americas. Sunflower seeds were brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, where, along with sunflower oil, they became a widespread cooking ingredient. With time, the bulk of industrial-scale production has shifted to Eastern Europe, and (2020) Russia and Ukraine together produce over half of worldwide seed production.

The plant has an erect rough-hairy stem, reaching typical heights of 10 feet. Sunflower leaves are broad, coarsely toothed, rough and mostly alternate; those near the bottom are largest and commonly heart-shaped.

The plant flowers in summer. What is often called the “flower” of the sunflower is actually a “flower head” 3–5 in wide, of numerous small individual five-petaled flowers (“florets”). The outer flowers, which resemble petals, are called ray flowers. Each “petal” consists of a ligule composed of fused petals of an asymmetrical ray flower. They are sexually sterile and may be yellow, red, orange, or other colors. The spirally arranged flowers in the center of the head are called disk flowers. These mature into fruit (sunflower “seeds”).
—wikipedia

Events

To see the “Szopka Krakowska Contest” photos, click…

February 4, 2024 KL

…click the link HERE and scroll down.
All photographs by Zosia Żeleska-Bobrowski

Art Classes for Everyone, Easy to Draw

Hummingbirds – Free Zoom art Workshop – Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at 5 PM

January 28, 2024 KL

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – HUMMING BIRDS

January 31st at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note ART WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password. Click HERE to watch some of our videos.

HUMMINGBIRDS: small but speedy. Tiny but aggressive. Little bodies, big appetites. Hummingbirds are a study in extremes. They are the lightest North American birds. Most weigh less than two pennies at 3 to 4 grams. They have the fastest wings and heartbeats, the most efficient metabolisms, and the most minuscule eggs. The list could go on. Watching these tiny marvels at a feeder, it’s hard not to wonder how hummingbirds zip around so quickly or keep their feathers so brilliant. Hummingbirds are tough survivalists. Many of the actions that help them persevere also make them fun to watch. —www.birdsandblooms.com/

Art Materials:
- Wax crayons in a variety of colors
  (optional – oil pastels)
- Sturdy light plain paper (2 pages)
- Scissors
- Glue (or stapler)
- Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)

Art Classes for Everyone, Easy to Draw

Art Workshop Pollinators in Action – PAPER WASP – Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 5:00 PM

January 22, 2024 KL

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – PAPER WASP

January 24th at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note ART WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password. Click HERE to watch some of our videos.

Paper wasps are considered pollinators because they feed on nectar and are often found around flowers, particularly goldenrod, woodlands, and fields. In addition to nectar, paper wasps will feed on other insects, such as aphids and scale insects. Paper wasp nests can be found in a variety of places in your home, including under furniture, in cracks and crevices in walls and ceilings, or in attics and crawl spaces.

Instructor: Bobbi Egan

Materials:

White paper 8 1/2” x 11” (letter size)
Black Sharpie
Yellow and orange markers or crayons
Gray crayon/marker
Pencil, eraser and straight edge (ruler)
Also – for making background pattern – we will make a template using a business or index card. Any card stock weight paper will do.
Scissors

Events, Music in NYC

First International Christmas Carols Competition Results

January 17, 2024 KL

The competition had four age categories. The ceremonial conclusion with the award ceremony took place at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland. The gala concert featured the laureates: