This tut is a project that has been my obsession lately-- crayon wax spatter paintings. I have a plastic Esprit box that I've had since middle school filled with these splendidly colorful little wax-and-pigment sticks. Many people look down their artsy noses with disdain after they reach 6th grade because they think that the 64 pack of Crayolas with the built in sharpener is "babyish". Well, crayons ain't just for coloring books! They can be used to make truly funky, one-of-a-kind pieces of abstract art for your walls, and you can customize them with colors that you love. And this quick 'n dirty tutorial will show you how.

For this project, you will need an assortment of peeled, wrapper-free crayons in the colors of your choice, a few lighters, and paper or canvas of your choosing (I used white Bristol board because I like the weight of the paper and the nice whiteness shows off the bright crayon drips nicely). You will also need newspapers or a larger piece of scrap cardboard to place underneath the paper or canvas. This is to catch the drips and protect your floor surface. (I did this project with the Bristol board and a drip-catching cardboard placed on the floor because I found it easier than doing it on a tabletop.) I used a big piece of cardboard and did this in my art room, where the floor is a mess anyway. You may not have this luxury, so please be careful to avoid any errant drips, especially if it isn't your floor. Some drips might be scraped off after they harden, but be careful just the same.

A few more words of caution: we are using an open flame from a lighter to melt the crayons. Please, please, PLEASE use the utmost care when using a lighter and when melting the wax, which gets outrageously hot. Please read the warning sticker on the side of it and take it seriously. Don't burn yourself, someone else, your house, or someone else's house down for the sake of art. Avoid doing this in the close vicinity of curtains, bedsheets, or flammable chemicals, or anything else that could possible go up in a ball of flame. This project is suitable only for those who can be responsible with using a lighter and is definitely not for children. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety, so read this whole tutorial through before attempting flick your Bic near a crayon.