6th Grade Car Drawings

In Art Class, the 6th graders learned about value, the scale from light dark. They first practiced drawing and shading wooden blocks. Then the students practiced drawing toy cars, taking the skills learned from the 3-d shape drawing because cars are just complex three dimensional shapes. Once they chose a favorite car, the students drew that car, added charcoal pencil shading and placed the car in an interesting setting. Finally, they added watercolor paint to the composition. 

Yayoi Kusama inspired Pumpkins

My 7th graders learned about the 90 year-old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Kusama is known for pumpkins, polka dots and infinity net patterns. First the students observed small pumpkins and drew them showing value in pencil. Then they observed larger, unusual shaped pumpkins  and drew them, adding Kusama inspired patterns. They created an infinity net background pattern by etching with combs on foil and put the compositions together. 

The Memory Project Refugee Portraits Part Two

This year my family and friends participated in The Memory Project portrait work. The organization sends photos of refuge children to paint portraits for the children as a one a few keepsakes from their very chaotic childhood. It's extremely gratifying to complete these and we are signed up for round three.

New Job! New School Year Bulletin Board Inspiration

I love decorating Bulletin Boards. My new co-teachers were happy to let me create these fun murals for Open House. Our school mascot is a Pelican and our motto is P.R.I.D.E. (When students are prepared, respectful, involved and determined in all areas of school, the results are excellent! )

This bulletin board features Inspirational Artists' Quotes. 

Kindergarten Frida Kahlo inspired Watermelons

Nothing says summer more than Watermelon! I brought in a lovely round melon and a big pyramid-shaped watermelon slice for the students to observe. We read a book about Frida Kahlo and looked at some of her still life paintings, especially Viva la VidaWatermelons. The students painted a patterned round watermelon and then slice shapes as well. The watermelon paintings were cut out and the students composed a still life composition with other painted papers from the school year. 

5th grade watercolor technique practice with geodes

Kindergarten Abstract Flowers

In Art Class, we read a book about the young life of American Abstract Expressionist and Colorist Helen Frankenthaler. Inspired by her art and the book’s illustrations, the students painted free form flowers and garden scenes using brightly colored watercolors.

8th Grade Legacy Project Silk Painting and More

Through a special grant this year, I had the opportunity to work with the 8th graders on a special project to revamp our chapel and make it more "user friendly." A student-led creative problem-solving process resulted in some great ideas. We spent many art classes painting eight 6x18 foot silk panels to create new curtains to fill the room with light and color. The students also painted a special bookshelf, ordered new lighting, and created a tablecover for the lecturn. 

Use this QR code to see a video if the curtain being installed and the 8th graders' reaction. 

  

Cactus Botanical Watercolor Studies

The 2nd and 3rd graders looked at a variety of cactus and flowering echinopsis. Check out  https://vimeo.com/echinopsisfreak

They traced a pot/bowl shape and then drew plants from observation. They went over their outlines with permanent markers and added spikes and patterns. Then they painted in watercolors.

Big Sky Desert Scapes

In conjunction with their Science focus on desert habitat, the 2nd/3rd grade students created these landscapes in the Art Studio. They painted vibrant suns in warm colors and then blended cool colors to make dramatic desert skies. They added sandy terrain using collaged wallpaper and chose to add other relevant flora, fauna, animals and more to the scene. 

Pop-art inspired cake sculptures

In Art Class, we looked at the art of American Pop Artist Wayne Thiebaud who liked to paint everyday objects, like cake. The students created a cardboard cake slice shape and then used a mix of paper pulp and plaster to give the cake texture. Then they painted their cakes and some chose to add model magic treats, while other dripped on icing and and added other details. They look delicious!!

4th grade Ceramic Masks

The Fourth graders explored masks from different cultures. They created a textured mask shape from a clay slab and added silly facial features. After the clay was fired, the students colored with oil pastels and then painted with black paint that they quickly rinsed to fill-in the textures. Finally, the students could add a gloss coating, yarn, wire and/or beads.