Creative Collaborative Art Examples: “Our Painted Elephant”

When it comes to collaborative art, the possibilities are as diverse as the participants involved. One of my most inspiring art examples is the “Our Painted Elephant” project. This was carried out at a Marion Primary School Vacation Care Program in 2018. This unique initiative brought together children and staff. They created vibrant artworks. Their inspiration was drawn from the Painted Elephant Parade in Jaipur, India.

Bling for collaborative art example — Our Painted Elephant – a creative collaborative art example.

A Cultural Celebration through a Creative Collaborative Art Project

The “Our Painted Elephant” project was more than just an art activity; it was a cultural experience. The project celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the children in the school community. It also aimed to broaden everyone’s cultural awareness as part of the Holiday Care program’s Indian Culture Day. The art project connected to a real-world event. This connection allowed children to appreciate the cultural significance of the Painted Elephant Parade. During the annual festival, elephants are adorned with elaborate designs.

Underpainting for collaborative art example — Underpainting so people are relaxed to start their collaborative art work

The Process: Embracing Creativity

The heart of the project was its emphasis on creative process art techniques. The project had three stages. During these stages, the children and staff explored techniques like splashing, scraping, and stamping. They also tried stencilling, sgraffito, and spraying with masking. These techniques allowed everyone to experiment freely, embracing the unpredictable nature of art. The project was created on two fabric banners to be economical.

Messy Playing for collaborative art example — Messy Playing for the collaborative art example.

The Process: Embracing Overlap and Layering

Layering was a key focus of the day. Participants were encouraged to partially cover the work of others. This technique helped build up the richness of the surface. This overlapping approach helped foster a sense of collaboration, showing that individual contributions, when merged, can create something truly beautiful. Additionally, the project emphasised that there are no mistakes in art—only differences that contribute to the overall artwork. This mindset helped participants feel confident and empowered in their creative expression. By encouraging overlap and layering, perfectionism is kept at bay. The fear of not being ‘good enough’ hampers many people when creating art. By creating collaboratively, the children are freed from this comparison anxiety and simply play and explore.

Exploring for collaborative art example — Spraying black around the masking of the elephant face for this collaborative art example.

The Results: A Stunning and Creative Collaborative Artwork

The result of this creative journey was two spectacular pieces of art. They truly captured the essence of the painted elephants of India. These elephants are adorned with coloured chalk paints. This was the feel of the finished piece of art. Around 25 painters, ranging from age 5 to adult, contributed to the project. The final artworks were a testament to the power of collaboration. They highlighted the beauty of cultural exchange. The artworks celebrated the Indian heritage of several children in the school.

The success of “Our Painted Elephant” extended beyond the completed artworks. For the participants, it was a reminder of what they can achieve together, and a celebration of their collective creativity. The project not only produced stunning visuals but also left a lasting impression on everyone involved. the project is admired by everyone who visits the OSHC rooms to this day.

Conclusion: Revealing Our Painted Elephant – a Creative Example of Collaborative Art!

“Our Painted Elephant” is a shining example of how creative collaborative art can bring people together. It celebrates diversity. The project inspires collective creativity. The project engaged the kids in a shared artistic journey. It showcased the richness that comes from embracing different perspectives and techniques. This case study demonstrates the impact of collaborative art. It reminds us that when we create together, we can achieve something truly extraordinary.

Discover simple tips about how creative collaborative art examples like these can be painted by YOU. Join my Inner Circle email group, and I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. It’s my free 7 page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using my fun style of collaborative art.

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Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

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Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies from from Painting Around is Fun! with a detail from 'The Carer Support Garden Mural' collaborative artwork.

Exploring Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies in Community Projects

Detail of the Carer Collaborative Garden Mural — Collaborative Garden Mural (detail)

Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: The Carer Support Garden Mural

In 2017, the Carer Support Centre embarked on a heartwarming project to create a collaborative mural for their garden area. This project brought together a group of parent carers of children with disabilities to cooperatively paint an approximately 8m² mural. It was my ‘Parents Time Out’ group that I was a part of myself. The experience not only brightened up the garden. It also provided a creative outlet for carers who often face daily challenges and anxieties.

The four creative, collaborative artwork strategies I used in this group painted mural were: Underpainting, Messy Playing, Exploring and Bling!

Strategy 1: Easing into Creativity with a Bold Underpainting

Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: mural underpainting — Detail of the underpainting of this Collaborative Garden Mural

One of the key creative collaborative artwork strategies employed in this project was the use of a bold underpainting. This first layer removed the intimidation of starting on a blank surface. It allowed the painters to dive straight into the creative process.

Strategy 2: Diving into Creativity with ‘Messy’ Circle Painting.

Mural Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: Messy Playing stage of adding circles. — Messy Playing on our Collaborative Garden Mural

With stencils, brushwork, and stamping, the group decorated the wall with a vibrant array of patterns. These patterns—radial, concentric, and spiral—emerged naturally. Dots, dashes, and other creative marks appeared as each participant built upon the ideas and marks of the others.

Participants had the freedom to focus on specific areas. They also moved around the mural, adding their personal touches wherever they felt inspired. This free-form approach allowed the artwork to grow organically. It blended the contributions of each carer into a unified, beautifully layered piece. The mural became a symbol of the Carers’ collective creativity and resilience, embodying the essence of working together in harmony.

Strategy 3: Exploring Creativity with Patterning and Decorating

Mural Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: Exploring stage of adding patterns and layers of more circles, spirals and dots. — Exploration stage of our Collaborative Garden Mural

This project wasn’t just about creating a mural. It was about giving a space for carers to connect, share, and express themselves. Through collaborative painting, these carers momentarily set aside their worries. They immerse themselves in a creative, supportive environment. The activity served as a powerful reminder that self-care is essential—not a luxury but a necessity. As the carers intuitively understood, taking care of themselves is not about putting themselves first. It is about including themselves in the care they give to others.

The Impact of These Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: More Than Just Art

The creative collaborative artwork strategies led to a stunning mural. It now serves as a bright, lovely addition to the garden. Each participant’s contribution shows the collaborative spirit. Their first names are hidden in plain sight. This detail reflects the shared pride in the final piece.

A Closer Look: The Beauty in the Details

A closer examination of the mural reveals the wonderful colours, creativity, and layers that made this project so successful. Different patterns and techniques interplay. Each contributes to the whole. This interplay is a visual representation of the project’s collaborative nature. It also shows the joy it brought to its participants. This project was created before I developed the Pattern Play Visual Resources available in my Collaborative Art Shop. Instead, I found visuals on Google images. These images showed ideas relating to circles for the painters to look at for ideas. Seeing what everyone else did on the wall provided the biggest source of ideas for this mural. It inspired all the adding, embellishing, and decorating!

Discover more tips about how to best use creative collaborative art strategies like these. Join my Inner Circle email group to get “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7 page step by step guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using my three fun stages of collaborative art.

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Creating a Universe Together: The Success of Our Messy Mandala Group Collaborative Art Project

At Marion Primary School OSHC in 2019, 42 children embarked on an exciting artistic journey called “Our Messy Mandala.” This project is part of our ongoing commitment to group collaborative art projects. It spanned over three weeks. It resulted in a stunning three-panel standing screen that now brightens up the school library.

Messy Playing stage of our group collaborative art project creating a messy mandala standing screen. — Messy Playing stage of our group collaborative art project mandala standing screen

Week One of Our Group Collaborative Art Project: Messy Playing

The adventure began. The children dove into Messy Playing. They painted the rings of the mandala in cool, pale colours. Each child had the freedom to express themselves, contributing to the mandala’s foundation. The room buzzed with creativity. The children explored different brush strokes and colour combinations. They laid down the first layer of what would soon become a collaborative artwork.

Exploring stage of our group collaborative art project creating a messy mandala standing screen. — Exploring stage of our group collaborative art project mandala standing screen

Week Two of Our Group Collaborative Art Project: Exploring with Collage

The next week, we moved on to Exploring with Collage. The children used printed and painted papers to create various shapes. They made circles, squares, triangles, and moons. They carefully layered these onto the mandala. This stage was all about exploring shapes, patterns, and the joy of layering. The children’s enthusiasm grew as they saw their mandala taking shape. Each piece added depth and texture to the collective artwork.

Bling stage of our group collaborative art project creating a messy mandala standing screen. — Our Group Collaborative Art Project Messy Mandala Bling or Decorative Stage

Week Three of Our Group Collaborative Art Project: Bling!

In the final week, it was time for Bling! This stage was all about decoration and adding those finishing touches that made the mandala truly shine. The children added glitter paints, gems, and paint pens, transforming the mandala into a vibrant, eye-catching piece. These decorative details brought the mandala to life. It became a true representation of the universe—a universe we created together.

3 panel standing screen with a messy mandala in cool colours created as a group collaborative art project with children, — Our Group Collaborative Art Project “Our Messy Mandala” Screen

The Results: A Proud Achievement

The culmination of these three weeks was a stunning three-panel standing screen that the children proudly presented at assembly. The project didn’t just produce a beautiful piece of art. It also fostered a sense of teamwork. It nurtured creativity and accomplishment among the children. The mandala quickly became a part of their play, integrating art into their everyday environment. It now stands in the school library, a vibrant reminder of what can be achieved when we create together.

“Our Messy Mandala” is a testament to the power of group collaborative art projects. It shows how creativity, when shared, can build not just artwork but also connections and confidence in young minds. The project was a resounding success. The pride in the children’s faces as they presented their work spoke volumes about the impact of collaborative art.

Discover how to create group collaborative art projects like these. Join my Inner Circle email list to receive “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. It is my free 7 page guide. This guide makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork. You can do this with a group of people in your life.

– Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.

P.S. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

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Creating Inclusive Art: Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults

What is the easiest way to create a collaborative art project for adults with special needs? As these adults are living with disability, it should be social and accessible, encouraging and simple to implement.

Pattern Play Collaborative Art is just that: Social and Accessible!

This process is easy and accessible for all ages and abilities. Engaging in creative activities is a powerful way to bring people together, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Social art projects for special needs adults offer an inclusive environment. Participants can express themselves, collaborate with others, and contribute to something beautiful and meaningful. Here, I’ll share three of my own collaborative social art projects that highlight the transformative power of collaborative art.

"Enhancing Voices" one of four collaborative artworks created by 97 people living with disability and special needs — “Enhancing Voices” one of a set of four collaborative artworks created by adults with special needs.

Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults: Enhancing Voices

The Enhancing Voices project was a remarkable journey of creativity. It involved collaboration with members of Our Voice SA across the state. Participants attended four regional conferences in Adelaide, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, and The Riverland. They engaged in a series of art sessions. These sessions began with exploring circles and mark-making. The colors were inspired by the Our Voice SA logo. The artworks traveled with Ali, their regional Social Art Guide. As they journeyed, layers of patterns and embellishments were added. This process culminated in four richly detailed and unique pieces. The final artworks will be displayed in the meeting rooms at each location. They are a testament to the creativity and voices of the 96 participants. These participants contributed their flair. This project is a beautiful example of collaborative social art. It can connect people across distances. It creates lasting memories and fosters a sense of pride and community. Disability is not inability!

"Peer Support" an artwork created by adults living with special needs and disability. — “Peer Support” an artwork created by adults living with special needs and disability.

Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults: Peer Support

The Peer Support project was created in collaboration with members of the Our Voice SA. This group is a peer-led self-advocacy community supporting people living with intellectual disabilities. The project began with a ‘Messy Play’ session. Participants used cool colours with sponges and scrapers. This created a visually textured background. Participants then explored circles, painting and overlapping them to create a sense of unity and connection. The artwork was decorated with intricate patterns. The final touches included paint pens, glitter glue bursts, and sparkly nail polish for a bit of BLING! The finished piece is beautiful and unique. It symbolises the group’s inner strength. It also reflects the supportive community they have built. It is displayed to raise awareness and support for the International day of persons with disabilities held annually in December. It was displayed at the Myriad Exhibition at the State Library of South Australia. The exhibition celebrates artworks of more than 70 artists. Community Living Australia ran the exhibition.

Detail of a mural created by children and young adults living with special needs and disability.

Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults: Our Sensory Garden Mural

The Sensory Garden Mural at Suneden Specialist School was a large-scale collaborative project. It involved 68 students aged 5-21. Each of them had the opportunity to contribute. In two sessions with each of the nine classes, students used various tools. These included big brushes, rollers, extended brushes, sponges, and stamps. They created a visually rich mural with many layers of color and texture. The project was supported by dedicated staff. It emphasized that every mark adds to the whole. This approach broke down barriers and allowed everyone to join in creating a beautiful artwork. The mural is central to the Sensory Garden. Two mobile murals, created using the same techniques and colours, go with it. They offer the school community a vibrant, inclusive space to enjoy. Each child’s name is hidden within the mural, inviting exploration and a sense of ownership for every participant.

The Impact of Collaborative Social Art Projects

These projects highlight the incredible benefits of social art projects for special needs adults. A supportive, inclusive environment allows participants to explore their creativity. They can develop new skills. Participants experience the joy of contributing to a collaborative artwork. These experiences not only foster a sense of accomplishment but also build stronger connections within the community.

If you want to learn how to start a social art project, join my Inner Circle email list. You can also explore more of my work there. Feel free to join for updates and inspiration!

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How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: 3 Inspiring Examples

How to make a collaborative artwork - Coffee Club Collaborative Collage Artwork

How to make a collaborative artwork - Carer Support Collaborative Circle painting Canvas

How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: 3 Inspiring Examples

Creating collaborative artworks is a beautiful way to bring people together. This fosters creativity and connection. It happens through the shared experience of making something meaningful. Whether you’re working with friends, family, or community groups, the process is about embracing inclusivity. It involves spontaneity and the joy of co-creation.

In this post, I’ll share three examples of my collaborative artworks, each with its unique story and outcome. Let’s dive into how these projects came to life, focusing on the “Carer Support Collaborative Canvas,” a particularly memorable experience.

How to make a collaborative artwork - shows an example of a Carer Support Collaborative artwork on canvas.

1. How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: Carer Support Collaborative Acrylics on Canvas

In 2017, I had the pleasure of working with the Glandore Carer Support Centre’s “Parents Time Out” group. The goal was to create a collaborative circle painting canvas. This activity aimed to allow carers to reconnect with their creative side. Many of them hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since school. This was the first collaborative canvas I did with adults. It was so thrilling to me. Here I am still doing it.

The Process: We started with a blank canvas, inviting each participant to paint a circle. The first circles were just the beginning. From there, everyone was encouraged to explore their creativity. They added more circles, spirals, radial bursts, and dots. The idea was to let the artwork evolve organically. Each painter contributed in their own way. They overlapped and enhanced others’ designs. At first, people are hesitant about overlapping each other’s work. I keep urging them to do so. It frees them and makes the artwork so much more dynamic and interesting.

The Result: In just two hours, eight painters collaborated to create a vibrant, eye-catching canvas full of colour and movement. The process was playful and relaxed. It allowed the carers to express themselves freely. They also connected with each other through the shared creative journey. The final artwork was displayed in an exhibition at Skylight, another carer organisation.

Why It Worked: This project was a success because it removed the pressure of creating a ‘perfect’ piece of art. Instead, it focused on the enjoyment of the process and the collective experience. The collaborative nature allowed everyone to feel a sense of ownership and pride in the final piece. The painters were very proud that their work was in the Skylight Exhibition promoting mental health awareness.

How to make a collaborative artwork -painted paper collage example

2. How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: Painted Paper Mixed Media Collage

In 2019, I had the opportunity to work with the Marion Primary Mums Coffee Group. We embarked on a creative journey. Our goal was to create a collaborative collage using painted papers. The aim was simple: to have fun and explore creativity in a relaxed, supportive environment.

The Process: We started with three large A2 sheets of cartridge paper. We covered the entire surface with cool colours. Various sponges were used for this task. This stage was all about experimentation, and the mums enjoyed exploring the different textures and effects they could create.

As the painted papers dried, we moved on to collage work. Each participant selected plain, painted, and printed papers, cutting them into circles. I suggested a basic strategy to get them started. Then creativity quickly took over. The group began to push the boundaries of what they could do with the collage elements. They used shapes such as snowflakes and other random forms inspired by the papers themselves.

Once the collage layers were in place, we added visual depth with warm colours. We also made it interesting by using art stencils with sponging. The final stage involved adding decorations, outlines, doodles, and patterns with paint pens. The Mums had fun swapping pieces and adding their personal touches, creating a truly collaborative artwork.

The Result: The final pieces were vibrant, layered, and full of personality. Each mum contributed to the project, resulting in a series of framed artworks that decorated the meeting area. Everyone took home a piece of the project, creating a lasting memory of the experience.

Why It Worked: This project succeeded because it merged structured guidance with plenty of room for creative freedom. The use of different techniques and materials kept the process engaging. The project’s collaborative nature fostered a sense of pride and ownership among the participants.

how to make a collaborative artwork example painted by children

3. How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: Group Painted Canvas by Children

In 2023, I worked with a group of 30 children and staff from Forbes Primary School’s Vacation Care program. We created a social art project titled “Growing Together.” This project embraced the energy and creativity of a multi-age group. It allowed everyone to contribute in their unique way.

The Process: We began with a stage called Messy Playing. During this stage, the children used greens, aqua, and white. They created spontaneous circles, dots, ovals, and spirals on a large canvas. This playful start helped the kids relax and get comfortable with the process.

Next, we moved into the Exploring phase, using small brushes to add patterns and details to the existing shapes. The children worked together to build on each other’s ideas, adding layers of patterns that brought the artwork to life.

Finally, we reached the Bling! stage, where the kids used paint pens, gems, stickers, and glitter to add a decorative sparkle to the piece. This stage was all about fun and collaboration, with everyone contributing to the final touches.

The Result: The finished artwork is aptly named “Growing Together.” It reflects the natural theme chosen. The concept of the children growing up together during their time in the OSHC program is evident. The 1m x 1m piece now hangs in their rooms. It serves as a reminder of the fun and collaborative spirit of the project.

Why It Worked: This project succeeded because it engaged children of different ages. It included children with varying abilities. They were allowed to express themselves while contributing to a shared goal. The structured stages provided guidance, while the open-ended nature of the activities encouraged creativity, teamwork and pride.

5 Easy Tips for How to Make A Collaborative Artwork

Set a Starting Point: Starting with ‘Paint circles’ gives the group a simple, accessible starting point. I suggest people paint three circles in each color. Some should be big, and some should be small. Medium sizes happen naturally due to their personal expression. Start SIMPLE!
Build Layers: After the initial circles, add more elements such as spirals, arches, or dots. This encourages overlapping and layering to make the artwork richer and more dynamic.
Encourage Playfulness: The key to a successful collaborative artwork is letting go of perfection and embracing the joy of creation. Encourage participants to experiment with shapes and colours:
Celebrate the Process: Remember, the value of a collaborative artwork lies in the process. It is equally important as the final piece. Take time to appreciate each person’s contribution and the unique story your artwork tells.
Join my email list to receive “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home.” This is my free 7-page step-by-step guide. It helps you create artworks just like these.

Collaborative art projects are more than just a fun activity. They build connections. They celebrate diversity of abilities. They create something beautiful together. If you’re inspired to start your own collaborative artwork, remember the journey is as important as the destination. Gather your group. Grab your brushes. Let your creativity flow!

Let’s Chat:

Collaborative art is thrilling – it’s so much fun creating with others. Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are simple and helpful tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with the many groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Collaborative Painting Examples: A Journey Through Cooperative Creativity

The Magic of Collaborative Painting

Collaborative painting has a unique energy. When we paint together, each of us brings their own experience, ideas and creativity. The result is a dynamic combination of the interaction of the group in those moments. Here are four examples of collaborative painting. They highlight the beauty and visual complexity of this simple process. This process involves the three stages of Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling!

Collaborative painting examples: Encouraging Excellence

Collaborative Painting Example 1: “Encouraging Excellence”

One of my favorite collaborative projects is “Encouraging Excellence.” In this piece, 120 junior primary students at IQRA College in South Australia painted together over three sessions. Messy Playing was in the first week with the reception children. Exploring took place in week two with the grade 1 children. Bling occurred in week three with the grade 2 children. Two artworks were created, and this is a detail of one of them.

Reflection: This project was so much fun. The kids had a ball. They worked in smaller groups each week. The groups consisted of either boys or girls. They tried a variety of colours, brushes, and techniques. The resulting artworks were inspired by the logo of their school. The gold I often like to include shows the inner strength we all have inside us. It serves as a bright reminder. Each child received a print of one of the artworks. They can pop these prints on their fridges at home to proudly show their family and friends. The artworks also decorate the halls in their school.

Collaborative Painting Examples: Peer Support

Collaborative Painting Example 2: “Peer Support”

This is a detail view of the collaborative painting. You can see the free expression of people with a wide variety of approaches. Some participants had low tone – their contributions are just as significant as those with stronger hand control. In fact, the variety makes this piece beautiful. As I always say, every mark adds to the whole! We call the scribbly lines ‘spaghetti’, and by turning the canvas periodically it becomes a signature element of the artwork.

Reflection: “Peer Support” is a collaborative painting. It was created with and by people living with disability in South Australia. Members of Our Voice SA, a peer support and advocacy network, created this 1m x 1m artwork over three sessions. They did this to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This day is celebrated every year on 3 December.

Collaborative Painting Examples: “Safety”

Collaborative Painting Example 3: “Safety”

“Safety” is an example of a collaborative painting. It was created by a group of teenagers who are in a Young Carer Collective in South Australia. They added layers of circles, spirals, and marks on a cool background throughout the day. Each painter added their flair in a few colours. There were two paintings created on the day. You can see them being created in this video: Carers SA Young Carer Stories

Reflection: By offering the painters simple instructions to create, their creativity is unleashed. Examples of patterns and marks were on hand for them to copy, or combine. This frees people to be creative, as creativity loves constraints!

Collaborative Painting Examples: ‘Companionship’

Collaborative Painting Example 4: “Companionship”

In “Companionship,” this collaborative painting example was created over about 8 sessions. Hundreds of members of the public were invited to join in. They used cool colours to add their own patterns and decorative elements from many suggestions on show. It was during my ‘Art Story’ at Westfield Marion. People had a great time contributing! I now have my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources available at My Collaborative Art Shop.

Reflection: By using a limited colour scheme, this collaborative artwork is cohesive. Each session I had three colours available. These included a light blue, a green and an aqua. The aqua was made of blue, white and a touch of green. The next session would be a purple, a deep blue and a light green. Participants are encouraged to try each colour and experiment with the different ‘Pattern Play’ examples to choose from.

Final Thoughts About these Collaborative Painting Examples:

Collaborative painting is a rewarding experience that pushes the boundaries of individual creativity. It fosters collaboration, mutual respect, and a sense of community among the painters. The magic lies in the process. The experience of painting companionably is the fun part. The final artwork is a testament to what people can achieve painting together.

I hope these examples and insights inspire you to start your own collaborative painting journey.

Happy painting!

Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.

Discover how to create collaborative art examples like these. Join my Inner Circle email group to get “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7 page step by step guide. Painting a unique artwork is effortless with my three fun stages. You can enjoy this activity with a group of people in your life. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

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Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Four Collaborative Art Examples to Inspire You!

Collaborative art examples - circles of connection a multicoloured layered artwork on a yellow background featuring circles, spirals, dots and elaborately detailed stencils.

Collaborative art examples - self advocacy - swirling warm spirals, circles and patterns in layers of yellow, coral, red, pink with a flash of gold leaf.

Collaborative Art Examples Taking You On a Journey Through Cooperative Creativity

Collaborative art is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression. It brings together multiple artists to create a single and cohesive piece. This cooperative approach not only merges different styles and techniques but also fosters a sense of community and shared vision. In this blog post, I’ll take you through some collaborative art examples, using my own artworks as illustrations.

The Magic of Collaboration

Collaborative art has a unique energy. When multiple artists come together, each brings their own perspective, skills, and creativity. The result is a rich tapestry of ideas and techniques that often surpasses what any single artist can achieve alone. Here are some examples of cooperative paintings that highlight the beauty and complexity of this process.

Collaborative Art Examples: “Circles of Connection”

One of my favorite collaborative art examples is “Circles of Connection.” In this piece, many adults, including myself, worked together to create an artwork together. We started with a happy yellow underpainting. Then, we added layers of stencils, big circles, dots, and spirals in several colours and sizes. Each person was directed to do ‘three circles’ in each colour to start. Each layer had limited colours.

Reflection:

Painting as a group removes performance pressure and comparison anxiety. There’s always someone who claims ‘I’m not creative’ as they are nervous creating in front of others. I reassure them that every mark adds to the whole. Everyone else contributes once they’ve had a go. Soon people are busily playing around. When I give clear instructions like “Paint three circles in each colour,” they either follow them and dive in. Alternatively, it frees them to explore their own ideas…

Collaborative Art Examples: “Self Advocacy”

“Self Advocacy” is a collaborative art example. It collects the feelings of personal power and agency. These feelings arise when learning and teaching about self advocacy for a group of adults living with intellectual disability. Members of Our Voice SA, a peer-led self advocacy and peer support group, created this with their team. They worked as a community. Now, it decorates their meeting rooms. It stands as a symbol of what they did together. They shared a fun collaborative art workshop series.

Reflection:

This artwork showcases the power of guided collaboration. Everyone was understandably proud. The artwork was selected as a finalist in the 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival Poster Competition!

Collaborative Art Examples: “Community”

For “Community,” I collaborated with several hundred members of the public. This took place during an artist in Residence program at Westfield Marion in South Australia. It was great fun to guide people to add patterns and shapes. They used either cool or warm colours depending on the day. It was created over 14 days. We used the Pattern Play visual resources that you can now buy at my shop!

Reflection:

This project gave people the freedom to explore their own creative ideas. It ensured a smooth and cohesive artwork through cooperative collaboration. Everyone worked with and around each other’s creations in a guided freeform structure of Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling!

Collaborative Art Examples: “Conversation”

“Conversation” was an exciting project. It involved members of the general public who wandered by. They were invited to create a beautiful example of collaborative art with me. The art featured warm colours like pinks, peaches, corals, yellows, and tinted versions of these bright colours.

Reflection:

This example was a testament to the power of collaborative painting. The freedom to explore patterns and marks is significant. Interacting with what others have done before you seems to naturally result in a wonderfully cohesive artwork.

Collaborative Art Examples: Final Thoughts

Collaborative painting is a rewarding experience that pushes the boundaries of individual creativity. It fosters collaboration and mutual respect. It also builds a sense of community among anyone creating them, no matter their level of creative experience. By working together, we can create artworks that are rich, diverse, and make a profound impact. It’s wonderful watching people relax and start interacting with the artwork, making it their own.

I hope these collaborative art examples and insights inspire you to embark on your own collaborative, social painting journey. Remember, the magic lies in the process as much as in the final piece. Happy painting!

Let’s Chat:

Collaborative art is thrilling – it’s so much fun creating with others. Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Discover Why Collaborative Art for Preschoolers is Essential for Early Learning.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers - pink, blue and white process art abstract piece created socially by a preschooler and her mum using brushwork, stamping, stencilling, scraping, collage, marble painting and gravity.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers - Our Playgroup People Painting with 30+ layers of process art techniques done weekly with around 20 preschoolers and their parents and carers.

These interactive and playful collaborative art projects for preschoolers engage children in quick activities that build their people skills.

They’ll be cooperating and playing alongside each other and naturally building their people skills, and practicing cooperation. Simple, process art is highly effective for preschoolers. Check out these three collaborative art ideas that your preschoolers will love!

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – ‘Mia’s Rose’

This pink, blue and white process art abstract collaborative project was created socially by a preschooler and her mum (me and my daughter!) using brushwork, stamping with balloons, sponges, objects, stencilling, scraping, collage, marble painting and gravity. We used a limited colour scheme. As you can see, only one colour was used per session. The sessions were only as long as she needed. She was about 18 months when we started it. It hangs on her wall, and is actually about door-sized, so a big surface to play with.

Reflection:

This was a fun project, I encourage you to do it too. All my kids have one (and they change over time). We got large printed canvases from a budget shop, and simply painted over them. We added a cat stencil to them all which represent our pet cat. See if you can spot her.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Our Playgroup People Painting

This large canvas artwork was created with more than 30 layers of process art techniques. These were done weekly with around 20 preschoolers, their parents, and carers. Paints, collage, stickers, chalk, gems, nail polish, paint pens and more can be seen. Preschoolers build skills easily by repetition and observation of each other. Artists learn by copying. Modelling techniques works great. Simply say “Do this” and show, then hand it over and encourage ANY try with “Wow, you did it!”

Reflection:

Parents often don’t want endless bits of paper with art on them. Our playgroup was in a shared space, making it ineffective to leave paper around drying. So instead, I pulled out a large canvas each week. I offered a technique to play around with one colour. This is the result!

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers: Playgroup Painting

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Another Playgroup People Painting

This Playgroup People Painting was created with many layers of process art techniques. These techniques were done weekly with around 20 preschoolers, their parents and carers. Paints, collage, stickers, gems, nail polish, stencils and more can be seen. Periodically, I’d add some circles and spirals for structure. This gives the kids something to paint around and inside. It’s something simple for them to interact with. An odd number, 3 – 5 works well.

Reflection:

We used a random colour each week. We explored a process art technique as needed. This helped engage the kids that were there. For example, one toddler ran a toy car through paint all over the artwork. This got him engaged and excited to do the activity. It’s all about the process. Next week, they will do something else. Glimpses show through and build up the visual sophistication! I have also used a big box for this type of collaborative art. We pulled it out each week. We played on it and then put it away. At the end of the year, someone in the school took it for a show. It was never seen again. So after that, I created canvases that can be hung on the wall.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Conclusion:

Creating collaborative art for preschoolers is simple. Use a large canvas and add layers of process art techniques. This ensures there is plenty of space to play. Building confidence and bravery to experiment and play is important. Cooperating with others on a singular artwork provides essential skills for preschool learning. Try it!

Discover more tips about how to create collaborative art for preschoolers. Join my Inner Circle email list to get “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7-page step-by-step guide. You can easily paint a unique artwork. Use my three fun stages with a group of people in your life. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

Let’s Chat:

Creating collaborative art for preschoolers generally terrifies people. Some people won’t even try as they are scared of the potential mess. Never fear, the layers will save you. A splodgy area of colour gives the next child an area to draw on. Every mark adds to the whole. Variation is the spice of collaborative art! But add that variation one colour at a time, one technique, medium or process at a time, for ease.

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Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home - a simple step by step guide to creating your unique and beautiful artwork!

Creating Collaborative Artworks at Home: A Guide to Starting Your First Social Artwork

Have you ever dreamed of creating a beautiful piece of art with your family? Or with friends? You can do this right in the comfort of your home. Imagine a vibrant and unique canvas. It is filled with the creativity of everyone involved. The canvas features warm colours like red, yellow, pink, orange, coral, and white. This dream can become a reality with my free eBook, “How to Start Your First Social Artwork at Home.” This 10-step guide makes the process simple and enjoyable, no matter your experience level.

Let’s dive into what you can expect from this exciting journey into collaborative creativity.

Join my Email List to receive this free guide.

Your Step-by-Step Guidance to Artistic Fun

This introductory, quick guide offers a straightforward, step-by-step approach to creating a collaborative artwork at home. It is designed to be accessible and fun for small groups, making it perfect for family gatherings or friendly get-togethers. The process is broken down into three main stages: Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling!

Creating Collaborative Artworks at Home – Messy Playing:

This stage is all about letting go and having fun. You start by covering the table, laying out your supplies, and getting comfortable. The aim is to add clusters of marks. Paint simple circles, spirals, and arches using various colours and brush sizes. Don’t worry about making it perfect—this stage is about expression and spontaneity.

Creating Collaborative Artworks at Home: Exploration Stage - this image shows a thick brushwork marks in circles, swirls, dots and arrow shapes of acrylic paint in pinks, reds, yellows, corals and oranges in many overlapping layers. — Creating Collaborative Artworks at Home: Exploring Stage

Creating Collaborative Artworks at Home – Exploring:

Here, you begin to add more structure to your artwork. This is where my “Pattern Play” resources come into play. Each of you can use the simple patterns provided in the eBook to add layers. Focus on overlapping to build visual interest. The patterns are designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities. This ensures everyone can contribute meaningfully. Simply copy the patterns in different colours, sizes and clusters. People gain confidence through this strategy and start, well, exploring!

Creating Collaborative Artworks at Home – Bling!:

The final stage is where the magic happens. Using the pattern ideas, you’ll add embellishments with paint pens, sharpies, glitter glue, and dot stickers. This is the time to make the artwork sparkle and shine. It brings out the individuality and creativity of the artwork. Everyone loves this fun stage!

Unique Resources to Inspire Creativity

When you sign up for my email list to receive the guide. As a member you’ll get access to unique “Pattern Play” resources. These are hand-drawn examples from my other projects, designed to inspire and guide you. You can copy the patterns directly. You can also repeat them in different sizes and colours. Alternatively, use them as inspiration to create your own designs. This ensures that each artwork is unique and personalised, reflecting the collective creativity of the group.

Why Warm Colours?

Using a limited colour scheme, like warm colours, helps to create a cohesive and harmonious artwork. Warm colours like red, yellow, pink, orange and white are vibrant and inviting, encouraging a joyful and energetic atmosphere. They blend well together. This makes it easier for everyone to contribute. You don’t have to worry about colour clashes or mixing the wrong colours into a muddy mess! Of course, you could choose cool colours. I’d definitely suggest a harmonious set of colours for your first project.

Encouraging Creativity for All Ages and All Abilities

Creating collaborative artworks at home is wonderful. It includes and is accessible to all ages and abilities. The simple, guided steps guarantee that even those with no prior art experience can join in. Participants can feel proud of their contributions. It’s a wonderful way to bond with family and friends. It creates lasting memories and results in a beautiful piece of art to cherish.

How to Get Started With Your First Collaborative Artwork at Home!

To start your first social artwork at home, you should download my free eBook. The title is “How to Start Your First Social Artwork at Home.” It is a simple step by step guide to creating your unique and beautiful collaborative artwork. Sign up for my email list to receive the guide and unique “Pattern Play” resources. Gather your supplies. You will need a 30cm square canvas, a selection of warm-coloured paints, a few brushes, and some embellishments. Invite your family or friends to join you. Follow the 10 simple steps outlined in the eBook. Watch as your collaborative artwork comes to life over several sessions of painting together.

Creating collaborative artworks at home is more than just painting; it’s about connecting, exploring, and celebrating creativity together. Whether you’re searching for a fun activity for a family gathering, this guide will help you. If you want a unique way to spend time with friends, try creating something truly special.

Happy painting!

Charndra, Your Social Art Guide

P.S. To help you along your creative journey, you will get weekly emails. These emails contain further tips and encouragement for each stage of the creation process. These emails are designed to support and motivate anyone who feels the need for a little extra guidance. Sign up today and start your collaborative art adventure!

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The Power of Unity: Successful Collaborative Art Work Projects…

A collaborative art work called "Find Your Confidence" created by teenage girls as part of a social mural and social artwork project, showing swirling pinks, reds, peaches and yellows over a blue and aqua background.

Collaborative Art Work Project created by Primary School Children - Swirling blues, greens and aquas called "Aspiring to Success"

A collaborative art work painted by adult women who are carers of children with special educational needs, showing multi coloured circles, spirals and dots in overlapping patterns, called "Parents Time Out" Social artwork.

Discover the Thrill of Creating Collaborative Art Work!

Collaborative art work is awesome. Creating a painting with a group of people unites you in a shared creative experience. You grow in confidence as you paint with others. You move from place to place and interact with what each other is doing. You layer and overlap. You build your skills and confidence without comparison anxiety. You also avoid the performance pressure that we all feel painting our own individual artwork.

Let’s have a look at three collaborative art works from my own collection of social art projects:

Find Your Confidence in Creating the Layers of a Vibrant School Mural!

This collaborative art work, “Find Your Confidence”, was the ‘mobile mural’ of a public mural at their school. Aberfoyle Park High School is located in South Australia. It takes the mural inside on a canvas. It was painted alongside the large wall mural. This collaborative art work was created in a freeform style. The process involved a guided spontaneous form. The girls were directed to start painting circles, spirals, and dots of different sizes and colors. They then added to each other’s elements, layering patterns and marks. This process built on the visual complexity over several weeks.

Reflection:

This collaborative art work was created by a group of teenage girls. They painted out in public and built their confidence. They realised they can do more than they thought possible. People walking past who watched them paint were ‘zoned out’. In fact, those people were highly complimentary about what they were creating!

Aspire to Success by Using the ‘Success Strategies’ of Collaborative Art Projects.

This collaborative art work “Aspire to Success” was created by 120 junior primary students over three sessions. It connects to the school logo of IQRA College in South Australia. The kids had a great time in several rotating groups. Each level of kids did a different stage. The reception kids did ‘Messy Playing’ with sponging, stencilling, and scraping. The grade ones did ‘Exploring’ with medium and small brushes. The grade twos did ‘Bling!’ with paint pens, stickers, and glitter glue. SO many kids! This is a detail from 2 collaborative art projects created over three sessions.

Reflection:

This is one of two large canvases – needed with this many children, that’s for sure! The teachers told me some children accomplished more in this novel situation than they would in the regular classroom. It’s the novelty and the ‘group painting’ that allow shy children to be more adventurous. They can hide in some ways as they create with each other, moving around and being free to explore. They build their creative confidence and can then feel more capable to create in their individual art.

In this collaborative artwork, created in only one session, we used brushwork, stamping, layering and overlapping. It has a mixed colour palette. These days I would have a coloured background (the underpainting) and then layer cool then warm colours. Really, a background that is not stark white is a game changer! There are many ways to approach this. You can use one colour, an ombre, spray paint, or blotches of colours. All these techniques impact the final artwork. Most importantly, an underpainting frees people to start! That white canvas is very much a visual block.

Reflection:

This was my first collaborative art work. I worked with a group of fellow parent carers. This was part of our “Parents Time Out” activity for Mums of children with special educational needs. This is when I first felt the thrill of collaborative art. It led to the hundreds of artworks created with over two thousand people so far.

3 Collaborative Art Works – Conclusion:

These three collaborative art works show how different groups collaborate in art creation. Young children, teenagers, and adults enjoy creating together. In doing so, they paint truly unique artworks. These are developed from the dynamics of their group. This may involve ten ladies. It might also include 120 little kids just starting school. They have fun!

Discover how to create collaborative art works like these. Join my Inner Circle email list. I will give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. It is my free 7-page step-by-step guide. You can easily paint a unique artwork. Use my three fun stages. Do this with a group of people in your life.

– Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.

Let’s Chat:

I love spirals. Circles turn into spirals. Big, small, open or tight spirals look great on an artwork – they are my favourite shape.

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Painting Around is FUN! Painting Collaborative and Inclusive Social Art Projects

Join the Fun: Collaborative and Inclusive Social Art Projects!