Wayne Thiebaud Desserts

This is my 4th graders artwork based on Wayne Thiebaud Desserts. Love them! They have been introduced to value and had to apply tints and shades to make their artwork more realistic looking. I told them to imagine that sunlight from a window is shining through their paper and think about which side the highlights would be and which side the shades would be. I have my students dip chalk pastels in water (makes them go on the paper smoothly, just have to be careful of ripping the paper). We also talked about how baking and frosting real cakes can just as creative as drawing them in art class. Also a good lesson for talking about 3-D forms and how to draw cylinders.

Creative Exploration #7

Over the past week I spent my spring vacation in San Diego visiting family. While I was there I visited the annual ArtWalk downtown, one artist in particular really stood out to me (can't find the name!) He used the grid, so I chose to create a small grid and collage it into the painting. I've also been using oil paints and crayons in this one. My students are finishing up a Henri Matisse art lesson and their work has also been an inspiration in mine.

Creative Exploration #6

Curve ball: Explore

For this piece I decided to explore my theme of beauty further. I chose different symbols that encompass my theme. This series is beginning to become less about the swan. During our class critic the following feedback was given on this particular painting:

- love the natural/graphic mixture.

-explore printing graphic symbols/shapes by using a projector.

-explore symbols of beauty and other animals.

Automatic Drawing

I created this mandala in class during an automatic drawing activity. There were no limitations set in this drawing, other than to just begin and see what happens. The process is supposed to be similar to doodling. However I have to admit, I couldn't help but to plan a bit.  I have wanted to do a sun mandala lesson with my elementary students and my 1st /2nd graders are in the process of something similar with suns. 

Creative Exploration #5

This is a large painting (roughly 4' x 5') that I began about a year ago. For the 5th creative exploration I decided to revisit this painting, since I felt it was never finished. I still feel the piece has an unfinished look to the edges of the shapes. I also think the swans are rather small for the size of the piece. 

Interesting Artist: Ari Athans

While searching online, I came across Ari Athans, a painter who creates images of faceted forms, while combining flat, geometric shapes with textured, geometric shapes. I love the compositions with white surrounding the shapes. 

Creative Exploration #4

Curveball: Image Transfer
I decided to work with the 36 x 36 square canvas again. For this piece I am continuing  to look at combining washes with geometric shapes. This is the work in progress. The curveball of the week is to include "jump" or an image transfer process. I have used the image transfer where the henna hand is. My students are currently making henna drawings, so its been fresh in my mind. Contrast is clearly an issue with the piece right now. However, I've been interested in the use of light neutrals (white, grays) against bright colors.

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