Size does matter!

Getting my little artists to draw on the bigger scale paper from A3 to A2 size. Most students can manage the A3 size paper, and they even colour the whole drawings with no hesitation! This week, they were required to convert their original drawings to A2! Some did a wonderful job with no complain, some even can finish the work within 1 lesson! But, most cannot handle the size of the paper, they will either draw too small on or recomposition the drawings or change the story of the theme! In the whole, the artwork has to be split into 3 lessons, a day for discussion, brainstorming and drawings on the A3 paper. Followed by the day to convert the picture from A3 to A2. And finally, colouring and finishing stage. I hope the little artisits would enjoy this full 3 sessions in their creations!

Serious artists at Maplewoods

The young ladies are getting on to have a little competition among themselves! A test to their mind and their creativity! Sonia got her idea and sketches planned at home during her spare time from homeworks and piano practices. Whereas, Aimee was too tight up from her school activities and homework, the only time for her is to work on the ideas and sketches during the art class. Things worked out differently for both artists. But, they are doing great! :)

"Trees For Life" Art Competition

"Trees For Life" Art Competition

A link that was shared by my ex-student Evangelyn, who is currently studying at SOTA :)

Thanks for sharing Evangelyn! Keep in touch! :)

My student threw a pencil at me!

I told my 7yo Susanna to draw more fairies on her paper. 6yo Maya and 6yo Shayna wanted to draw fairies too! I told them not because their ideas were different. Both insisted, but I rejected them.

Maya didn't do a good job and requested to her redraw original idea on new piece of paper, there, I gave her another piece of paper. But, Shayna insisted me to draw a fairy on her paper, I rejected her, I even showed her how to draw a fairy demostrating on the white board. She stomp her feet and demand that I should help her :s

"No Teacher Esther, I want the fairy on the paper right now!" There goes her temper again.

I told her "This is an art competition, teacher is not allowed to help you, I only can guide you!"

7yo Benjamin interfered, "Shayna, stop it! Teacher Esther said no means no!"

Shayna stomp her feet and threw a pencil right onto his head!

I was about to give her a lesson and furious Benjamin threw back to her and targeting on her head!

"I supposed to scold one person and now I have to scold 2 persons!" I raised my voice with my big wide eyes!

Both were terrified by my facial expression and apologized immediately to each other!

Back to their work. Every lesson I would share some interesting stories to my students, but this time I was so regret to do it on this lesson... Shayna decided to change her mind on her drawing after I told them the story! She demanded for a new piece of paper! I told her if she changed her mind again, no more paper to be given! We supposed to save the trees!!!!!!

Again, she asked for help when she had hard time drawing a kingfisher. There, I showed her on the board again.

"Teacher Esther, I want that kingfisher on the paper right now!"  Shayna once again throwing her tamtrum!

When I said no, she threw a pencil right onto my chest! There, I gave her a strict look.

Maya stood up from her seat, ran to the front and picked up the pencil and hanged it to me! I was wondering why would she do that, I asked her to put it back and asked Shayna to pick it up and apologized to me in no time. She didn't, and she even crossed her arms... The whole class were shocked by her action.

Times up and lesson ended and I have to get everyone packing up and opened the door for the next class. When I opened the door, the class was quiet and their parents entered the room to help their children. Benjamin reported to his mum about what happened and his mum told her, "No girl, you cannot do that to Teacher Esther..."

Then she stomp her feet and replied, "You're not my Mother!!!!"

Benjamin's Mum was shocked and making sure that her son was behaving in the class. When Shayna's grandma arrived, I told her about what happened, soft spoken grandma told her to apologize, she ran out of the classroom without packing her things! Sigh.... Shayna ah Shayna... :s

7yo Joshua says...

8yo Ian told me, "Teacher Esther, next week is Valentine's day you know!"

"Yea, do you have a girlfriend?" I was joking with him.

Ian went shy and said, "Yes..."

7yo Joshua interrupted, "Teacher Esther! I don't have girlfriend!!!"
Then his younger sister 5yo Sonia responded immediately, "Gor Gor, I am your girlfriend!!!!"
Both me and their Mother laughed at their conversation.

Then again, Joshua asked something funny " Teacher Esther, can I be you boyfriend!!??"

His mother and I were stunned and went huh...

Kids say the darnedest things!

I could have hugged her...

5 yo Shayna was always demanding, throwing temper during my class, angry over small little things... Today, she told me something that made me shock and I am still thinking about her...

"Teacher Esther, do you know I have brothers and sisters? I have 3 of them..." Shayna was chatting with me when I was touching up her artwork.

"I know your gor gor and jie jie (brothers & sisters) are your cousins right!" I replied her confidently.

She continued, "No, they are my real brothers and sisters! My dad doesn't allow me to play with them..."

I was confused because I learnt that Shayna has been a only child in her family and then I asked why.

"You know, We have same mother!" She claimed.

"Ok, of course they are your siblings and you have same mother, what are you talking about?!" I was getting more confused.

"They have the same mother of mine but different dad!" Shayna confirmed.

I was shock to hear what she had told me. A 5yo little girl could explain her family chain with me and she was very sure what was going on. I was thinking whether her parents were right to explain these to her at her tender age, was it too early? Her mentality is so much more mature than any other children. I realized when she explained what was going on, the other children were not interested. Why can't she be as naive as her classmates... Was it because her dad wanted to protect her from her step-siblings and told her the truth about the relationship. Was she confused too?

Should I hug her to console her...  I could have hugged her... She's always an angel to Teacher Esther. Grow up beautifully my dear Shayna.

Happy 13th Birthday Theon!

"Yes, I have been waiting for many years and my birthday fall on Thursday art class!" Theon Aw who turned 13 today expressed his happiness with his classmates! My little pop artist who was 4 years old does really grow FAST! :)

Let me tell you a secret...

I had a brand new art class this year on Saturday. It started with 4 students, 3 students were 4 years old turning 5 this year, and a 6yo Desiree who is primary one this year who is turning 7.

It was their very first art class for all of them but 3 of them happened to be very scared. Obviously, 6yo Desiree was ok. First, 5yo Yayu, she kept asking her Mum and her helper to stay with her but she still managed to stay in the class with them, a little scared I can tell from her facial expression. Second, Shu Chong, he kept holding or pulling the collar of his t-shirt whenever I spoke to him. Third, Ryan, his eyes were teary when I was drawing on the whiteboard. Then I realised I need to communicate with them as they were not very familiar with me and the environment!

I stopped drawing and said, "Class, I have a secret to tell you..."

The children gave me a curious look.

I continued, "I haven't washed my apron for many years!!!!!!!"

The whole class laughed and looked at my very dirty apron!

Yayu started her conversation, "Teacher Esther, why you never washed your apron ah?? You know it is very dirty and smelly!" She smiled.

"I know, but I really don't have time to wash it, and I think the stains will not be washed away because they have been on the apron for many many years! And I think I didn't washed it for more than 5 years!!!!!"

Wow, more than 5 years, I can't even believe what I said but it is so true!!!

Yayu finds the conversation so amusing, "Teacher Esther, you can ask your maid to help you wash!"

"But, I don't have a maid!" I replied.

"You should use a scrub with detergent, scurb on the dirty area and rinse it with water!" Oh my! 5yo Yayu talks like an adult.

When I saw the rest were comfortably listening to our conversation, they were at eased, there, I continued drawing on the board.

The lesson begins.

P.S: Thanks to my very dirty red apron :)

Gong Xi Gong Xi

My students love singing festive songs especially Christmas carols and Chinese new year songs! The most popular chinese new year song is Gong Xi Gong Xi! They would do their artwork and sing along together!  First, they would sing it in Chinese, I remember 5yo Shayna sang it in English loud and clear last year! But this year, she can't really remember the lines... 6yo Maya (my Japanese student) recalled and sang it out loud for us!

Here's the lyris:
Chinese New Year means hong bao,
Lots of food and lots of fun.
Peanuts, candies and cookies,
Coka cola, ice cream.
Gong xi, gong xi, gong xi ni ya! 
Gong xi, gong xi, gong xi ni!

4yo Momo said...

4yo Momo kept calling me "Teacher Esther!" when I was conducting the class! 5yo Maya thought it was funny, she smiled at me everytime Momo called me!

This time Momo started to ask me question, "Teacher Esther, do you still riding?"

I mistakenly heard that she said Teacher Esther do you still play violin!

Then I said, "Oh yes, I do still learn violin!" :)

Then she repeated herself again, "No Teacher Esther, do you still riding?"

"Oh yes, I'm still learning how to play violin! And I'm learning from a teacher too!" I said.

Momo is a soft spoken little child even when she shouts, I don't really hear clearly with her soft shouting tone! Haha! She was a little fustrated but she repeated herself again, "Teacher Eshter, I mean do you still riding?"

This time I got her, "Oh you mean I still ride my bicycle?? Cycling??"
"Oh yes of course I do!"

"When are you going to cycling?" Momo asked.

"Hmm, maybe tomorrow!" I replied, "Do you want to join us?" I teased her.

"I can't, Teacher Esther! Tomorrow I have SCHOOL!!!" Momo exclaimed.

I laughed and said, "Ok, let's go cycling together one day k!"

Momo answered without hesitation, "YES!"

BE MY GUEST! art exhibition

BE MY GUEST! art exhibition, a set on Flickr.

BE MY GUEST! art exhibition is featuring at Thomson Crestar Learning Centre (Thomson Plaza) from 16th Dec to 30th Dec 2011. Be there to experience the fun and colourful art pieces handmade by my art students! See you there! :D

9yo Ethan Ng says

9yo Ethan Ng was making his favourite food pizza, french fries and soft drink out of clay. He was here for a make up lesson, this class is filled with young ladies. He proudly said that he would invite all of us to his place when he turned 20yo! All the girls blushed and smiled, I asked him, "Are you sure???" He said, "Yes, I will make pizza for all of you!" I told him, "Why wait until you're 20 then you invite us, by the time I'll be very old to catch up with you! Maybe I would just watch TV and eat your pizza!" Well, the class just laughed! I don't know it would happen when a child said the things they meant. We will see then :)

Momo's drawing

Momo's drawing, originally uploaded by xterlim.

4yo Momo dashed into the art classroom before her art class started! I was surprised to see her, she was hopping up and down and pulled my hands and kept calling me "Miss Esther!" Haha, I calmed her down asked her to wait outside because I was still having class with other students. Her parents brought her outside while I was busy. She gave me a sweet when I walked outside and check. This is a drawing done by her and she gave it to me at the end of the lesson. How sweet of her :) She is one of my students who is so enthusiastic about her art class! We can tell she loves ART!

Chow Yan Ping came and visited me!

13yo Chow Yan Ping came and visited Teacher Esther on his sister Verity's art class! I was very happy to see him! & he has grown so much! He was my art student since he was 4yo. A boy who loves Coke Cola and drank it during the art class, loves history, wars, weapons and all the boys stuff! Talked a lot during the class and did interesting art project like making a thinking chair when he's going to sit on it! Did interesting portrait of his classmate Looi Siao Siang and etc! Oh I can still remember everything about him! Just like my own son! Haha!

Little Surprise!

5yo Shayna gave me a stalk of purple flower!
"Shayna, I thought Teacher's Day was over???" I questioned.
"Take it Teacher Esther, it is for YOU!" Shayna exclaimed and insisted me to take it! I was not sure if she's really meant to give the flower to me, and yes, she meant it. I was amazed and curious, I started to ask her and decided to video her... Share with all of you, isn't she a sweetie pie!

"I want to draw ANIMALS!!"

Today we draw SWIMMING! An action category in drawing session.

5yo Shayna stomped her feet when I told the class we're going to draw people swimming in the pool!

"I want to draw ANIMALS!!"

"I love ANIMALS!!"

"Well, Shayna humans are animals too!" I told the 5yo.

"But I want animals Teacher Esther, I don't like to draw people!" Shayna confessed.

Ok, today we draw people then we will draw animals next week!" I was trying to convinced her.

"NO!" Shayna was very upset and walked out of the classroom! The whole class went slient. I waited, I knew she will comeback, then she really came back. And then there she went again!

6yo Wenhui was annoyed and told me, "Teacher Esther, lock the door!"
I knew it's time to stop all these, when Shayna came back again and decided to go out for the 3rd time, I warned her, "Shayna, if you walked out that door again, Teacher Esther is going to lock the door!" She stayed on her seat.

The class was at eased.

After showing them the drawings on the white board, I encouraged the little ones to add their favourite animal floats on the pool to make their drawing more interesting. There Shayna was very excited and that kept her sitting at her seat and enjoy her drawing session!

Happy Surprises!

Today I received lots of surprises! Lots of happy surprises from my classes! First, 6yo Evan (Ethan's brother) came back for art class when he stopped for a year! Then 5yo Shayna gave me a stalk of purple daisy flower! Followed by Chow Yan Ping, my old student of 9yrs came and visited me! The class after, Theon Aw came back for art class after his PSLE! And Ashely was surprised too! Finally, Jinfeng ( A friend of mine from cycling group) brought Momo for ART CLASS! Wow! What a delightful surprises today! Loads of loads of happy surprises! :D

Issac Lee once told me...

This is a very common question I would normally ask my students during the lesson, "What do you want to be when you grow up??" Students would say they want to be a doctor, artist, teacher, mother, father.... but 5yrs old Issac Lee (now he's 12yrs old) told me, "Teacher Esther, I want to be a fisherman!" This came out of my mind again and I'm still thinking why he wanted to be a fisherman!

My students called me "Mama!" lol

Gather all my students for painting demostration, after I'd showed them the new techniques on watercolour work, the 5 & 6 years old were so amazed that one of them exclaimed and called me "Mama!" I was alarmed, then the rest followed Katie and called me "Mama!!!" Susanna laughed and said, "Teacher Esther, you've so many children!" Shana continued and hugged me in front of the students and expressed, " I love you Mama!" Then I asked her, "Do you hug and say that to your own Mama?" She was thinking... the other children were watching her... I continued, "So today you go home after lesson, do that to your Mama ok! She exclaimed, "YES!" Then they were instructed to go back to their seats and do their painting. What a funny surprised by the little ones! :)

Jurong Bird Park Sketch/Photography Walk 11082011

Jurong Bird Park Sketch/Photography Walk 11082011, a set on Flickr.

Joeel asked where will be our next sketch walk after the zoo sketch walk, hmm... Next will be Jurong Bird Park! Siao Siang's mummy popped up the same question like Joeel coincidentally!

Yes, we did it again! This time was a Sketch Cum Photography Walk at the Jurong Bird Park! Kenny and his mummy couldn't make it because they were too tired to join us after their Macau trip. But we had very special guest came along and joined us! And that was SiaoSiang's Papa! A very busy man with very busy schedule who managed to squeeze his precious time for his passion Photography and his Family! We see SMILES and hear lots of LAUGHTER from the Looi's family! It was indeed a great joy to be with them!