ASL Hands

I am so excited to finally start a new project with 7th grade! Only seeing 7th and 8th grade twice a week makes it difficult to complete more than one project per term, especially during third term when we miss so many days of school due to snow. Now that their short story books are complete (pictures to come later this week), today we started a project called ASL Hands, or Sistine Chapel Hands, because I can't decide on which title I like best.

First I shared some background information about the great Michelangelo and we talked about the Sistine Chapel ceiling. If you are interested in seeing the slideshow, it is on the 7th grade page. The inspiration for this project stems from the famous artwork "Creation of Adam" in which Michelangelo paints the most gorgeous fresco hands. For this project, students will have the opportunity to work with compressed charcoal, which is my favorite 2-D medium, so I am excited to have students work with that in the upcoming weeks. The final product will be three hands, each one spelling out each one of the students' initials in American Sign Language. The drawings will be rendered realistically, using either the additive or subtractive charcoal method. Realistic drawings can sometimes be very daunting, so I like to start this project by working on a silly activity: blind drawing. Students had a blast this morning creating blind portraits of one another. I have students start with blind drawing so that they feel comfortable working with contour line. It is a great way to measure growth because students are happy to see the improvements that they make between the initial blind drawings and the next set of contour drawings.

After students took turns drawing pictures of one another, I had them practice blind drawings of their hands. They were instructed to look at their hands in different positions and to practice paying attention to the details (fingernails, knuckles, curves). Again, allowing students the time to draw their hands in a silly way, it will make it easier to branch into realistic drawing - we are taking baby steps to get there.

Students will probably start next class by drawing another blind drawing of their hand and move into drawing a contour hand while examining it closely. Once students have mastered hands, they'll experiment with using charcoal while drawing a simple geometric still life. Stay tuned for pictures in the upcoming weeks!

Rangoli

Unfortunately it has been a month since my last post, but this last month has been busy, busy! As of today I am back to teaching just 5-8 because Ms. Beverage has returned to work! It was a lot of fun teaching K-4 and getting to know the grammar school students, but I am shamelessly excited to return to my routine. I've been dying to share updates on my students' artwork, especially the 5th grade Rangoli.

To compliment the study of Ancient India with Mr. Kenny, artists have learned about the temporary art of Rangoli. I really like this project because students are learning three major (and somewhat difficult) art vocabulary: radial balance, tertiary, and analogous colors. Students really enjoy starting the unit by viewing Rangoli videos (which can be found here) to see how this art form is traditionally created. Then using several references, students are able to create their own radially balanced designs. We use chalk pastels over black paper for this project because the colors show gorgeous contrast against the dark paper and the softness of the pastel is pretty similar to the temporary nature of sand.

I've also started conducting in-progress critiques instead of critiques at the end of a project. I've realized that although it is important to be reflective of your artwork, it is more beneficial to the artist to receive helpful feedback mid-way. This constructive feedback could even provide students with ideas on how to proceed with their design because not all artists can see the same thing or have the same ideas. I love when students can help other students!

I am sharing a few artworks, both in-progess and completed. I will post updates to the Virtual Art Show next week once more of them are completed!

New Direction

I just want to start off by saying "I love my job." There really is no better job than being an art teacher. I am using my passion to inspire children and help them grow in many ways than just being an artist. Art teaches students patience, constancy, diligence, courage, love, humility, and temperance. I am so proud of the hard work that my students exhibit and the growth that they show when they conquer a new, difficult skill. And from this, I think that I want to revamp the usage of my website. I want it to be a website for everyone: for students to look up skills to practice, for parents to observe what's going on in the art room, and most recently, as a tool for other art teachers. When I have a project that allows students to show so much growth and success, I want to be able to share that with other people, as I find with other art teachers. Technology is amazing because I can connect with teachers from across the county (some even across the world) and share project ideas, successes, and advice. So not only will I post art room updates, but I also want to post more about the projects themselves. I'm also very inspired by my cousin who homeschools her three boys in Ohio who asks me for project ideas for her craft-loving sons. So, again, this website is for everyone! I really do plan on posting more frequently so that parents, students, friends, and colleagues can view my blog and find more than just "snapshots." Please check out the different pages - I love showing my students' work in the Virtual Art Shows and I also update the slideshows on each grade page so students and parents can review project requirements. Not only will I continue this, but I will post (at least) weekly updates. I look forward seeing the last few projects of the school year unfold. Happy art making!

Art Room Update!

I am so pleased to share with you many pictures of the artwork students have been producing lately!

First of all, 5th grade artists completed their Greek Sculptures last week and they are absolutely stunning! Here are a few examples:

For more awesome sculptures, check out the fifth grade Virtual Art Show! Next, students are working on creating radially balanced rangoli designs. As an admirer of mehndi, the rangoli project is one of my favorite ones each year! Stay tuned for pictures about this in the upcoming weeks.

Sixth grade artists are working diligently on creating papier-mâché African masks. I am so proud of how responsible they are with managing their class time and more importantly how efficiently they clean up the art room! Here are some in progress shots:

Many students are close to start painting. We'll be reviewing tertiary colors later this week to prepare students for painting their masks.

Eighth grade artists are in the beginning stages of creating a Cubist still life. Students are drawing their final artworks to prepare for adding collage elements. Students will first add collage, then incorporate both colored pencils and acrylic. Mixed media projects are great because it allows students more choice in the outcome of the artwork. Here are a few samples:

In the last several weeks I have enjoyed teaching Ms. Beverage's art classes. First grade recently finished up a unit on Ancient Egypt, which is my personal favorite art time period. Here is what they have been working on:

Students drew King Tut portraits and created a cartouche of their names.

1st grade students worked in teams of three to color life-size sarcophagi. Students took turns writing their names in hieroglyphics and discussed pattern to color in the nemes headdress and crook and flail.

 Today in 4B, artists impressed me with their Picasso Portraits! I'm looking forward to seeing the faces 4A will create tomorrow!

I'll post more updates as I take pictures this week. Happy art making!

Youth Art Month

March is Youth Art Month! This is always my favorite time of the year because I have the opportunity of proudly choosing three artists to represent the Logic school in the All-County Student Art Exhibition held at the Delaplaine. It is always so difficult to choose just three artists out of the incredible talent pool at FCCS, but these three eighth grade students have shown time and time again this year that they are not only incredibly talented, but enjoy art making with all media and come to class prepared to learn every day. The three Logic school artists who will have their artwork on display are Sam C., Abby D., and Jiayi W. Ms. Beverage also chose three artists to reprsent the Grammar school and they are Karen C., Avery M., and Suma V.

If you would like to support our six artists and those from other schools around the county, the exhibit is on display at the Delaplaine all throughout the month of March until the 28th. There will be an opening reception tomorrow, March 3rd from 3pm-5pm; all are welcome!

Congratulations to all the accepted artists!

Art by Karen C.

Art by Avery M.  

Art by Suma V.

Art by Sam C. 

Art by Abby D.

Art by Jiayi W.