Lilacs in Spring

student work

student work

 I always scan through the weekly lessons when they are updated by Artsonia.  A few weeks ago there was a post by Patty Miner of Winding Creek Elementary in Oklahoma called Purple Flowers that I knew I wanted to adapt for my students.  It so happens that I have a fragrant Lilac bush growing just outside of the art room in one of my schools.  The flowers are beautiful and of special interest to many of the 3rd graders because their classroom teacher loves Lilacs and the students pick and bring in the blossoms for her daily when they are in bloom.  I was sure I could adapt Patty's lesson for my 3rd graders and it would be a great hit.  I went out and cut a few blossoms of the Lilac for the art room as the first step and we talked about how the flowers were formed on the stems.  Week one, students used watercolor to create a background wash for the bloom.  Week two, oil crayons were used to add the stem, leaves and an insect.  Most students drew a butterfly of their color choice.  With the drawing complete, they began to finger paint first with purple paint and while it was still wet, overlaid the color with white finger prints allowing the two colors to mix.  They turned our rather nice.  If it weren't time to take down the bulletin boards for the end of school, they would definitely be on full display!  Thanks go out to Patty for the inspiration and thanks to Artsonia for a terrific program.

student work

student work

student work

student work

Images from the Night of Excellence

Borrowed this from a post.  Notes to the artist.
 I was disappointed that only one child received one.  

The Night of Excellence is a school wide event in one of my buildings.  Each classroom showcases work from the year.  Most are in the nature of state projects, unit work, or other grade based curriculum.   I was thrilled to be able to showcase  a few canvas paintings from my after school Art Club program.  

Looking in from the doorway

A few of the painting up close with the artist labels

Art was on the tables and the window shelves

A few more up close pictures taken facing the doorway

Next week - school number two!  I'll post photos from that one when it is over.  It will showcase works from all students grades K - 4th.  It's been a very busy month!

Looks like Yellow Snow!

One of my student created this during our clay unit in the after school Art Club.  He used neon tempera paints to add the color and we grabbed the stick arms from the tree out front.  Too cute, don't you think??

Let's spread some good thoughts

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/thekindnessrocksproject

So doing this with the Art Club this year, well after the snow melts and we can find the ground to leave them.  Maybe I'll do it as a late April project.  This idea started out on the Cape in Sandwich Massachusetts.  Cudos to whomever came up with it.  Now, watch all of us art teachers run with the idea!  I can't wait!

A little sculpture for some reflection on Jim Dine

Second grade students explored the work of Jim Dine prior to making these little mini sculpture using colored Popsicle sticks to build the frames and model magic to create the hearts.  Week one was building the frames and forming the heart.  Both were left to dry for week two.  Tempera paint was used to add personal details to the frame.  The heart were then colored with water based markers. A little spritz of water created the tie-dyed effect for the hearts.  Students attached the heart on the heart.  One student even chose to place his heart upside down.

Exhibited this way as requested by student

Winter Value

I am very pleased with the work this young
man is doing this year.  He seems to
have discovered his inner artist!

Fourth grade students have been exploring methods to create with value this month.  Previously they created "valupillars" using model magic clay.  For this assignment, they experimented with paint to create value.  Students were given a choice in how they would lay down the steps of value to create a background for a winter scene.  Once dry, oil crayons were used to add simple bare trees to the backgrounds.  Many students also attempted value with the oil crayons while some opted to create just a dark barked tree.

There is an eerie feel to the trees in this
composition.  This guy always does his best
work on every project.

This young man was really intimidated by drawing his trees
He practiced first on a scrap paper and was really  delighted
with his success once he drew on the painted paper.

Kindergarten Snow People

My kindergarten focus each year is on shape and color.  I hope that students will easily draw, color and cut basic shapes and also have a mastery of primary and secondary colors.  With that in mind, kindergartners trace circles and sponge painted to create snowmen.  For week two, they explored basic shapes and how they could combine to create the parts of their snow people.  For example.  Two rectangles of different sizes could create a hat or a rectangle with a triangle could create a different type of hat.  Cutting circles for the eyes and buttons is also a skill they are working on.  Students had complete control over the finished look of their snow person as long as they used cut shapes to create the collage items.  Here are a few of the really precious results.