Kindergarten students are currently drawing inspiration from Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt- particularly his famous ‘Tree of Life’ painting. We also read Shel Silverstein’s book ‘The Giving Tree’ together to discuss the theme of giving and relationships with family and friends. The kids are having a blast painting their own ‘swirly trees’ in metallic paint that is so very Klimt! The next step will be adding symbols of family and friends to the trees so that there is more than meets the eye.
First graders are delving into the story-filled world of Faith Ringgold- you may know her as the author who wrote and illustrated the children’s book ‘Tar Beach’, but she is also a very accomplished artist. Students began by discussing fibers and sewing as an art form and guessing the narratives present in Ringgold’s story quilts. Next, they thought of their favorite memory and set to work illustrating it using pencils, markers, and crayons. Next week, they will learn paper weaving and create a ‘quilt’ for their story!
Second graders wrapped up their Arctic tundra drawings and are now elbow-deep in clay. Last week, they played ‘detective’ and looked at photos of real places (everywhere from Virginia to Florida to Austria) and imaginary places (Narnia and Hogwarts) and discussed how they could use visual hints to guess where a place might be. We talked about the different careers people have in set-design and film making, and the tricks these people use to create a realistic looking place. They sketched three different ideas of a place they would want to create (real or imaginary) and this week, they are making a ‘mini scene’ of the place in clay!
Third graders created clay looms last week, and will be painting the looms and learning to weave on them in a few weeks! In the meantime, they will explore the tradition of the Mandala, and its presence and significance in multiple cultures. They will then create their own Mandala, which will incorporate symbols to showcase their interests and personality! We will also take this opportunity to discuss and incorporate radial symmetry.
Fourth graders have worked hard to create contour drawings of animals from photos. They’ve practiced creating shades and tints to make value scales (ask your fourth grader how that works) and are now mixing their own shades and tints and painting their animal drawings in a monochromatic color scheme. The artist we took inspiration from is George Roderigue- check out his website if you get a chance!
Fifth graders are almost done with their atmospheric perspective paintings- they look great! I was also very excited when a few of them came into their next class and told me that they had been to the mountains and seen atmospheric perspective over the weekend. Now, they have transitioned into painting their clay monsters from earlier in the year, and even adding a few 3D embellishments like pipe cleaners, felt, and feathers. You are going to love these imaginative sculptures!
First graders are delving into the story-filled world of Faith Ringgold- you may know her as the author who wrote and illustrated the children’s book ‘Tar Beach’, but she is also a very accomplished artist. Students began by discussing fibers and sewing as an art form and guessing the narratives present in Ringgold’s story quilts. Next, they thought of their favorite memory and set to work illustrating it using pencils, markers, and crayons. Next week, they will learn paper weaving and create a ‘quilt’ for their story!
Second graders wrapped up their Arctic tundra drawings and are now elbow-deep in clay. Last week, they played ‘detective’ and looked at photos of real places (everywhere from Virginia to Florida to Austria) and imaginary places (Narnia and Hogwarts) and discussed how they could use visual hints to guess where a place might be. We talked about the different careers people have in set-design and film making, and the tricks these people use to create a realistic looking place. They sketched three different ideas of a place they would want to create (real or imaginary) and this week, they are making a ‘mini scene’ of the place in clay!
Third graders created clay looms last week, and will be painting the looms and learning to weave on them in a few weeks! In the meantime, they will explore the tradition of the Mandala, and its presence and significance in multiple cultures. They will then create their own Mandala, which will incorporate symbols to showcase their interests and personality! We will also take this opportunity to discuss and incorporate radial symmetry.
Fourth graders have worked hard to create contour drawings of animals from photos. They’ve practiced creating shades and tints to make value scales (ask your fourth grader how that works) and are now mixing their own shades and tints and painting their animal drawings in a monochromatic color scheme. The artist we took inspiration from is George Roderigue- check out his website if you get a chance!
Fifth graders are almost done with their atmospheric perspective paintings- they look great! I was also very excited when a few of them came into their next class and told me that they had been to the mountains and seen atmospheric perspective over the weekend. Now, they have transitioned into painting their clay monsters from earlier in the year, and even adding a few 3D embellishments like pipe cleaners, felt, and feathers. You are going to love these imaginative sculptures!