PAINTED POEMS

by Joan Waites

A fun springtime activity to do with students, which combines both a writing and art component, is to work on “Painted Poems.” Using an original or published seasonal poem, students combine type, paint, and collage to illustrate the written word.

For example, using a spring-themed poem by fellow Pencil Tips author Mary Quattlebaum, a collage was created by printing out the words to “Yellow Crocus.”

                                                                YELLOW CROCUS

                                                                (from Winter Friends)

                                                                                Spry

                                                                             sprocket

                                                                              up from

                                                                               earth's

                                                                           dark pocket

                                                                           you spring,

                                                                                 one

                                                                                 slim

                                                                                sprig

                                                                             wheeling

                                                                             summer-

                                                                               bright

                                                                                under

                                                                                 pale

                                                                                 sun.

Illustration by Joan Waites

To make a Painted Poem:

1.     Have students write an original seasonal poem, or use a published one.

2.     Print the poem out several times on a heavier paper that works well with watercolor paint.

3.    Have students use various colors to paint over the words. When dry, go over the flat colors again with additional colors making stripes, swirls, dots, etc. Crayons, colored pencils, or makers can also be used to make interesting textures.

4.    Once the paint is dry, cut out shapes and paste on another piece of paper to assemble the collage.

5.     If desired, use the actual poem as one of the collage elements, as in the example shown.

Happy Spring!

www.joanwaites.com