WELCOME

Welcome to Artful Mommy! I'm Monica Lee, an art teacher and artist. I created this space to share projects and activities that will foster creativity at home, and at school.

Scroll down for inspiration! Or check out my paintings here.

First Grade Winter Collage - Pointillism, size and placement

This was a fun two day project that I did with my first graders based on the book "Snow" by Uri Shulevitz. This project was definitely...

ArtfulMommy

Jan 11, 20233 min read

5th Grade Van Gogh Reproductions!

Are you looking for a fun project that will make students feel successful with drawing and color? My 5th graders are currently working on...

ArtfulMommy

Sep 29, 20223 min read

Increase Learning with Natural Light!

Did you know that children's test scores go up when they are in a classroom that has more natural light? It's true, there have actually...

ArtfulMommy

Sep 26, 20222 min read

How to teach Elementary Art. Tips, tricks and everything you need to know to get started!

I was a high school art teacher for 14 years, and I loved it. We would spend days, sometimes weeks working on projects. The sky was the...

ArtfulMommy

Jun 24, 202216 min read

Painted Leaf Wreaths

A few months ago I took the job of Art teacher at my kids elementary school. Needless to say, it has been a very busy and fun transition...

ArtfulMommy

Nov 18, 20212 min read

Just let kids paint! Free Painting!

Here is my favorite creative activity that we continue to go back to again and again at our house. Free painting. Free painting allows...

ArtfulMommy

Aug 20, 20213 min read

Last Minute Easter Egg Craft!

After over 15 years of living in or near the city of San Diego, we recently moved to the suburbs! It was a very busy and stressful few...

ArtfulMommy

Apr 2, 20212 min read

Little egg carton gardens!

I usually write about art projects, but today I want to share my favorite activity that we have done this school year, and it's a...

ArtfulMommy

Nov 9, 20204 min read

Paint a Pumpkin, a fun observational drawing activity for kids!

Today I set out one huge pumpkin and had the kids paint it, and I've never seen them more focused!

ArtfulMommy

Oct 6, 20204 min read

Watercolor Paper Fans!

My pod of first graders have approximately three zooms each morning, and after the zooms we usually play learning games or do an art projec

ArtfulMommy

Sep 30, 20203 min read

Reflected Name Drawing, a fun first day of school drawing activity!

Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci wrote in his journals using mirror writing? He wrote from right to left and it could only be read...

ArtfulMommy

Sep 9, 20203 min read

Simon Says, a fun whiteboard drawing activity!

As many parents and educators around the country are gearing up for pod learning, I've been thinking about fun drawing activities you...

ArtfulMommy

Aug 7, 20202 min read

Preparing for back to school, creating a Specialists Pod!

I've spent the past few weeks setting up a small classroom in my backyard. What I'm thinking is I can offer an in person Art class to a smal

ArtfulMommy

Jul 30, 20206 min read

Fun, creative Spring Break activities for little kids!

This week is officially Spring Break for us. If you are social distancing like we are you are probably looking for easy activities you can d

ArtfulMommy

Mar 31, 20203 min read

Mom School! How to continue the learning and creativity at home.

Today is the first day of Spring Break for us, and I have to say I'm not overly excited about it, because we can't go anywhere. Even the bea

ArtfulMommy

Mar 30, 20205 min read

How to get organized and get rid of toys and art during the Corona Virus Quarantine!

Now that the kids are spending a lot of time at home is your house feeling more crowded and unorganized? You are not alone! With all this st

ArtfulMommy

Mar 20, 20204 min read

Fun creative activities to keep your kids busy during the Corona Virus shutdown!

Today we got word that all San Diego Unified Schools will be closed until April 6th. On top of that every extracurricular activity has...

ArtfulMommy

Mar 13, 20202 min read

Being a Brave Artist!

Lately my favorite day of the week is Thursday. That's because on Thursday my daughter gets out of school early, and my son is still in...

ArtfulMommy

Feb 13, 20202 min read

Styrofoam Printmaking for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, that means it's time for Valentine's themed art projects. Kids both young and old love...

ArtfulMommy

Jan 27, 20203 min read

Windows and sky color!

The days are much shorter and we are seeing more sunsets before bedtime here in San Diego. Sunsets make me think of the beautiful...

ArtfulMommy

Nov 12, 20193 min read

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