It's been about a month since school has been in session. Great organizational systems have been in place. The children have been through three projects so far and the art room functions really well. The storage really helps keep materials out of the way and the students, in a smaller than average space, have room to work. It has been easy to keep picked up, which is vital, since the space is shared with two other teachers.
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International Dot Day is based on book The Dot written by Peter H Reynolds. Imagine the power and potential of millions of people around the world connecting, collaborating, creating and celebrating all that creativity inspires and invites. St Paul's joined the growing global community of creativity champions using their talents, gifts and energy to move the world to a better place. We learned about courage, encouragement, and how to use our hands to make their unique mark and see where it takes them. St Paul's hopes you enjoy our marks we made. Happy Dot Day!
Mary Cassatt's work included many monoprints. The image of mother and child was some of her favorite subject matter, what she chose to put in her pictures. Mono means "one". SO when a monoprint is made it is meant to be printed once. In this project We will experiment with this process. Create a simple image (mother and child, landscape, favorite animal, etc) on a cookie sheet in tempera paint. quickly press paper on your work to print before the paint dries. This project is about the process, feel free to create multiple images in the spirit of discovery! Materials Sketchbook Pencil Color media for drawing- crayons, markers, oil pastel Cookie sheet Tempera Paint Brush/Water cup Paper ![]() Inspiration Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American painter and printmaker. She was born in Pennsylvania but lived much of her adult life in France, where she first befriended Edgar Degas and later exhibited among the Impressionists. Cassatt often created images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children. Video on Mary Cassatt's work:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTE5x7cTL8 Video Lesson with Mrs. Buss: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfwQK78Ha_0&t=2s As we start our school year 2020-21 we are focusing on courage, encouragement, and the use of our hands. Attached is my contribution to our school news letter, enjoy! ![]()
In this lesson we look to the artist Frida Kahlo. She created many self portraits and included animals or items symbolic to her in her compositions. Picture day is also coming soon at St Paul's and we read in the lower grades K-5 the book, Mrs.Toggle's Picture Day by Robin Pulver. Students are given directions to create a portrait of themselves and to include 1-3 things that are their favorite or have significant meaning to them. In my example I chose to include a landscape and a Blue Jay because it is my youngest child's favorite bird. Many things can be added to make your self portrait your own. Your pet, favorite color(s) in the background, a favorite place, a favorite toy but something that hold importance for you. Practice your drawing in a sketchbook or separate piece of paper, practice eye, ear, nose, mouth, shapes, practice your favorite or important items. When you are ready draw the portrait on the watercolor paper with pencil draw lightly so you can correct or make any changes. Use any colored media, colored pencils, crayons, markers, oil pastels, and/or watercolor. fill the page and like Ms.Kahlo use VIBRANT colors. Materials Sketchbook Pencil Watercolor Paper Crayons Color pencil Markers Watercolor Water cup Brushes Mirror Visual examples of your favorite or important items ![]() Inspiration Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is remembered for her self-portraits, pain and passion, and bold, vibrant colors. She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form. Kahlo, who suffered from polio as a child, nearly died in a bus accident as a teenager. She suffered multiple fractures of her spine, collarbone and ribs, a shattered pelvis, broken foot and dislocated shoulder. She began to focus heavily on painting while recovering in a body cast. In her lifetime, she had 30 operations. Life experience is a common theme in Kahlo's approximately 200 paintings, sketches and drawings. Her physical and emotional pain are depicted starkly on canvases, as is her turbulent relationship with her husband, fellow artist Diego Rivera, who she married twice. Of her 143 paintings, 55 are self-portraits. I just couldn't resist. One of those songs by the Indigo Girls that was integrated into my high school life, "Gotta get out of bed get a hammer and a nail, Learn how to use my hands, not just my head, I think myself into jail". Again, focusing on the use of our hands. That being said, to some in grades 6-8th, using this tool was a new experience. We managed to avoid injury with a few reminders..
A warm up to the school year includes celebrating Dot Day. Based on the book by Peter H Reynolds, dot day encourages young artists to make their mark, encourage others, and trust in what your hands can achieve. As I read the story to our entire school, even the 8th graders, they all listened. As I explained the key principles in the book students understand that finding courage and encouraging others relates to passing on the acts of kindness and giving value to one another's achievements. Here are just a few of many talented work generated this past week. I am so excited to be working with a wonderful group of children.
As we began our year at St Paul's we focus on the book by Peter H Reynolds, The Dot. On the first day I introduced mindfulness to all of the art classes. Creativity, connection, and reflection, are the main goal to begin the year with mindfulness. When I reflected on Mr.Reynolds' book I found some key principles to highlight, courage, encouragement, the work of the hand. Each year I use this book to jump start our creativity. In the story Vashti does not want to draw. The teacher encourages her to make a dot, a mark. When Vashti realizes that her teacher encouraged her and valued her work, Vashti found courage and produced a lot of different dots with her hands, in numerous amounts. When these dots are on display, Vashti then encourages another boy to make his mark. After the boy draws his line Vashti, just like his teacher, asks the boy to sign it, just as her teacher had done, giving the boys work recognition and value. In the display for St Paul's Lutheran School of the collection of dots, I gleaned a few bible verses to make connections to this story of encouragement through art making.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." Psalm 90:17 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands." |
AuthorI have a passion for the visual arts and love sharing it with others. I have enjoyed teaching all ages and love to incorporate art history and traditional disciplines as well as innovative ideas. Art is vital to who I am as a creator and educator. Archives
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