Process Art Continued.......

   Colorful Ice Sculptures

  This month my girls have been intrigued by mixing color, and being involved in the process of making something. They are also drawn to the scientific process of creation and how elements work to make something. In this case, we used ice and experimented with shape, color and form (art elements), and solids verse liquids through freezing colorful water and allowing it to melt in the Arizona heat. Anytime, I can allow for exploration, my children are thrilled to partake. I am also thrilled to try new things and doing it together brings us closer to understanding the world around us in new and meaningful ways.

How to make an ice sculpture:

Materials: Water, food coloring, ice trays, cups

Step 1. Gather glass cups, food coloring and ice trays.

Step 2. Pour water into 5-7 glass cups or jars depending upon how many colors you want to make.

Step 3: Add food coloring to each cup (5-8 drops per cup).

Step 4: Pour colored water into the ice trays or muffin trays.

Step 5: Freeze for approximately 3 hours or more.

Step 6: Take the ice out of the ice trays and begin to assemble, build and create a sculpture.

Later we brought them outside to take pictures of them and watch them melt. We were intrigued by the colorful oozing water. I loved how the colors mixed as they melted and the shape of the sculpture altered as well. This brought up the idea that art can be ephemeral (lasting only a short while). My eight year old called me a crazy artist, but that is fine with me. 😁