Friendship Art

This is a super simple project that creates personal and beautiful art. Friends and/or family all contribute a small panel - the panels are small enough that no one feels overwhelmed (and the project does not take very long)! Try this out at your next backyard barbecue or other social gathering - it will be sure to start some interesting conversations and story telling. When complete, every time you look at it you will remember those that helped bring it together.

I asked everyone to paint something that described themselves or was an important part of who they were. Quite a range of wonderful little images resulted and we all learned a little more about each other, even though we already knew each other well.

For the painting party:

• Small 3x3" canvas panels (Available at craft stores; paper may also also work)
• Acrylic paints (I picked up a set of 12 at JoAnns; cheap paints are fine)
• Paint brushes (small to medium)
• Foam bowls or plates (to squeeze paint onto and mix colors)
• Small glasses of water to rinse off paintbrushes and paper towels to dry them

For hanging:

• Stapler or thumb tacks
• Ribbon
• Scissors to cut ribbon

Set up the supplies and inform everyone of the theme. So many different ways this could go! Everyone could paint the same thing (e.g.hearts) or their interpretation of a theme (e.g. freedom). Multiple colors could be available or only limited range to match your home decor or a holiday theme.

We had the art supplies at a separate table away from the food. The foam bowls worked well, but since this was outside, the wind blew them around a bit. Some weights (rocks from the garden) were needed.

a) Lay out the order of the paintings you would like, top to bottom.

b) Turn them over so the back of the canvas is facing up

c) With a gap of of about 1/2 to 1-inch between paintings, cut ribbon to the length of the painting series