After all, a puzzle can be any picture made up of smaller pieces that fit together. Puzzles are very playful and fun things to make, especially the kind that no one has done before.
With my artwork, I make puzzles from pieces of things that I like to play with such as flowers, plants and leaves.
Sometimes I make puzzles out of designs and patterns--with no actual picture. Then my imagination can run wild.
1) Before you cut out individual pieces, trace around the whole puzzle onto a bigger cardboard so that you have its outline. Questions to ask yourself: Planning Time: Short.
Both kinds of puzzles, those with a picture and those with just a design, are very beautiful--and fun to look at and to make.
PROJECT IDEA: Making Your Own Puzzle Painting
Click here and you will find an empty puzzle you can print out.
2) Cut the puzzle into pieces and mix them up.
3)
Making a different design on each piece, color it with markers or crayons or chalk.
4) Put the puzzle back together using the outline on the carboard to guide you.
5) When it looks really good, glue the pieces onto the board.
Can you put the puzzle back together by yourself?
Hint: Match the corners to start.
Are you surprised by how it looks? Surprised good, or surprised bad?
Hint: You can make changes before sticking the pieces into place with glue.
How does it look turned on its side or upside down?
Are there pieces you want to color differently?
WHO IS Susan Kaprov?
Susan Kaprov is an artist who lives in New York City. She paints in oil paints & pastels and uses a computer to make digital prints of her flower-puzzle art. Kaprov studied at The City College of New York and at Dartmouth College. Her art is in museum collections including: Air & Space Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, National Museum of American Art (Washington, DC),
Museum Boymans-van Beuningen (Netherlands),
The Brooklyn Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York Public Library (New York). In 1998, Computer Graphics Magazine published an article called "Susan Kaprov: The Art of Chance".
Project notes for parents and teachers:
This project can be made with simple art materials from around the house.
Costs: Low. No specialized materials are required.
Level of Adult Supervision: Low to Medium.
The printing of the puzzle template and cutting out of the pieces may require oversight and assistance for younger children. Otherwise, occasional coaching is helpful as children are assembling the puzzle.
Ages: 7-11. Materials notes:
1) Heavy printer paper is desirable but not required. Colored construction paper can also be used.
2) Markers, crayons or chalks.
3) 11" x 14" cardboard or posterboard for mounting.
4) Elmer's type glue.
5) Kids' scissors.
