Celebrate Earth Day by doing an art project at home and participating in local Earth Day events around San Diego.
Discussion Points for Teachers/Parents
- How to take care of the planet—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- The origins of Earth Day
- Color blending and mixing
- The colors of the earth when viewed from outer space
Supplies
- A bowl with a flat bottom (the larger the bowl, the larger the print will be)
- White construction paper (12” x 12” or larger)
- Blue, white, brown and green tempera paint
- Marker or crayon
- Hole punch
- Piece of ribbon
- Scissors
Directions
- Turn the bowl upside down and put 3-4 drops of each color of paint (blue, white, brown and green) on the bottom.
- Place the bowl paint side down onto the paper.
- Press gently and give it a little twist (about 2/3 turn) so the paint blends a bit.
- Lift the bowl off the paper—you just created a monoprint! Optional: Make 2-3 additional prints (on other pieces of paper) without adding more paint. In printmaking, these are called ghost prints.
- Allow image(s) to dry.
- Keeping the earth print in the center of the paper, cut a 3” border around it. Note: For a perfectly round earth, cut the print in a circle and mount it on a new piece of paper.
- Write the ways you care for the earth (or what you love about it) in the border.
- Punch a hole in the top and attach a ribbon for hanging.
Did you know? Earth Day began April 22, 1970 as a way to raise awareness about the environment and encourage people to help take care of our planet. Everyone can make a difference!
Alyssa Navapanich is a nationally recognized art educator who teaches art to elementary school kids in East San Diego County. She is the author of San Diego Family Magazine’s “Art with Alyssa” column.
