Negative zens

Art 1 is looks at positive versus negative space.  We are also learning about shapes and so this lesson touches on so many different levels.  Zentangles are a great way to learn how lines can make shapes.  Because every time a line crosses it becomes a shape.  If you put enough odd shapes together you start to create zen tangles.  

Drawing of lines

I know as art teachers we are creatures of habit.  And I know I'm not supposed to start with the study of line because it's what everyone else is doing, but if you don't start here then where do you start?

Anyone have any ideas?

Well I don't either, so we are starting with line projects in Art 1.  We looked at a couple of famous artists artists like Bridget Riley and Piet Mondrian, and some lesser known ones like John Franzen and Marcos Bernardes.  From there we created our own versions of their works and styles.  I am very happy with what they came up with.

Vinnie M. 

Savannah M.

Evie W.

Logan C.

Olivia S.

I hope you see the simplicity and yet ornate beauty of each of these designs.  I think they did a great job of using their styles but finding ways to make them their own as well.

New year, new students!

Well we are off and run with a new school year.  I always love the new year and the new opportunities that are presented to me and my students.

 For those of you that are checking out my blog for the first time, I would like to welcome you.  Here is where you can see what we are doing in the classroom and even spot some artwork that might come home with your child.  So please enjoy and I will try to update as often as I can.

Art 1 started off with a very open ended name tag project.  This is my chance to see their creativity and innovation.  Some are farther than others but hopefully by the end of the year they will all be amazing artists.

Dylan M.

Eli D.

Evelyn W.

Isaiah H.

Ellie P.

Last Day

So I don't know what has happened this semester, but time has just gotten away from me.  I think this is the first year in my career that I fell so far behind on everything I wanted to get done.

So I will apologize but this is going to be a long post while I recap a bunch of projects.  If you want more details on how to do a specific project or technique, leave me a comment and I will try to get back to you.

Emily A. - Recreate a story in a miniature sculpture

John S. - Recreate a story in a miniature sculpture

Morgan L. - Mixed Media Collage

Morgan L. - Chalk drawing

Micah A. - Erik Centeno scribble drawing

Paige Q. - Mixed media painting

Remington L.- Erik Centeno scribble drawing

Summer B. - Ceiling tile

Summer B. - Cardboard cutout

Austin F. - Watercolor painting in a silhouette

Brooke K. - Printmaking with a reduction process

Emily H. - Printmaking with a reduction process

Emily H. - Watercolor blending project

Emily H. - Animal/object mixed drawing

Jaikob D. - Animal/Object mixed drawing

Jaikob D. - Watercolor blending

Jaikob D. - Drawing

Jaymon L. - Painting for state art - 3rd place

Jaymon L. - Map drawing - old maps had to be turned into images

John S. - Watercolor blending

Logan G. - Mixing two images into one drawing

Madisyn V. - Watercolor painting in a silhouette

Madisyn V. - watercolor blending 

Madisyn V. - Scribble drawing

Mikayla R. - Map drawing

Mikayla R. - Watercolor blending

Mikayla R. - Scribble drawing

Will S. - Realistic drawing

I'm sorry...

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted.  I wish I could say I have just been lazy, but I don't think I have had a moment to even think of an excuse like that.

So I am going to pull out a lazy card and do a recap of everything that each class has been doing.  I'll start with Art 2.  So we drew woven animals with sharpies, played with wire and plaster people, painted ceiling tiles and made collages.  We also created miniature sculptures that were based on books.

Bailey B. - Woven bear

Emily A. - Mini Cinderealla

John S. - Mini Game of Thrones

Morgan L. - Turtle collage

Paige Q. - Collage

Remington L. - Mini Alice in Wonderland

Sommer B. - Giraffe woven

Sommer B. - Giraffe ceiling tile

Sommer B. - wire and plaster dancer