We’re headed to the beach again this weekend, so I was in the mood to get out the driftwood pieces from our last trip and paint them. I ended up using non-toxic paint pens (Painters Opaque Paint Markers by Elmer’s), which made it really fast and easy. It’s amazing how much fun a bunch of...Continue Reading
Yet another request for an addition to the Paper City. A helicopter! And what a great idea, too. I poked a hole and strung some thread through the top to fly it around with. Then I made a landing pad, so you can fly on missions and then return for a smooth landing on the...Continue Reading
I’ve had a lot of requests (including from my son) for some cars and trucks for the paper city. So here they are! There’s a template below if you want to try them out. Just cut on the black outlines and fold. Cool! Template: Click on the image below, then print.Continue Reading
We went to the beach last weekend, and I picked up a bunch of smooth flat rocks with the idea of painting them. Then I thought it would be interesting to come up with a way of using the rocks in a game. The kids have been starting to show interest in recognizing letters in...Continue Reading
Last weekend we got a large tin of Tinker Toys at a yard sale. The kids really enjoyed talking into the empty can, which gave me the idea that we should make tin can telephones. Yet another thing I remember doing as a kid. It’s so fast and easy too. Just open a can of...Continue Reading
As a child, one of my favorite memories at my Grandma’s house was when all of the cousins would get together and she would rip off big sheets of butcher paper, fold them in half, and with ease and grace, she would cut out these fantastic cowboys for us to color. I recently found a...Continue Reading
I just discovered a fantastic vintage fabric and craft supply store here in Portland, and made these simple pillow dolls with some of the fabric I found. I embroidered the faces with my regular sewing machine, but it worked pretty well. The twins love to pretend they are putting the dolls to bed.Continue Reading
When I was a boy, I remember making walnut boats like this with my Grandma. My sisters and I would play with them in the bathtub. They were so simple and fun. This morning we had some walnuts in the kitchen, so I made some boats with the kids! Just melt some candle wax into...Continue Reading
I was drawing these little people on the train to Seattle last Saturday (to see the Alexander Calder Exhibit), and thought it would be amusing to turn them into little paper dolls. So I sketched some buildings for them and made a happy little paper city. Yes, you can join in on the fun. There...Continue Reading
This post is a shout out to my sister. She recorded this classical piano album after becoming a mom. I think it’s brilliant, but of course I’m partial. I also did the artwork. It is available on iTunes Music Store, or at lorihenriques.com.Continue Reading
My kids each have a yo-yo but they’re not able to work them yet. So I tried to think of something that could provide a more toddler friendly yo-yo experience. I used some Paul Smith sock material scraps and some cotton canvas to sew a ball. Then attached a length of elastic string. So far,...Continue Reading
I made a little sheep this morning out of wire and scrap material. It’s simple, but it feels good, and it seems to like standing on my Olle Eksell book. I’ll let the kids play with it when they get up from their naps.Continue Reading
We were at the park over the weekend and I spotted some very nice tree branches on the ground and decided it was time to make some fishing poles! The kids each picked out a stick and we carried them home. I took my knife and whittled down the bumps, found some string, a couple...Continue Reading
I just had an opening reception for my art show at the Daily Cafe in Portland. It was a great dinner party. In addition to the art, I designed coloring sheets for kids. If you want to try them out, download below. Coloring Sheets: Click on the images below, then print.Continue Reading
While reading the December issue of Art Forum Magazine, I came across a brilliant Damián Ortega sculpture made of tortillas. Of course I immediately wished I could play with them. So I scanned some recent collage circles I’d made, printed them out, and made these building discs. It’s surprisingly tricky to build with them, but...Continue Reading
Today I made a little cowboy scene out of paper. Similar to the paper animals I made before. These are made from painted paper that I use for my collages, but any paper will do. I also used a black and silver pen to draw on them. I like toys like these because they flatten and...Continue Reading
A few days ago I got to spend some time at the Portland Art Museum on my birthday. I hadn’t been there in awhile and was really inspired by the Native American exhibits. Dance wands, totem poles, jewelry. So I came home and dreamt up the idea for this toy. A kind of interactive art...Continue Reading
I used to do this all the time when I was a kid, but forgot about it until a couple of weeks ago when drawing with Jack and Tess. It’s a great trick, and you can do all kinds of animations. We did a chicken first. If you want to try something like this, here...Continue Reading
This morning we were drawing together and I thought it would be fun to get some material scraps and cut them into clothes so we could dress-up the drawings. Similar to the vintage buttons game we did before.Continue Reading
