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.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
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.
Friday, April 18, 2014
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.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Creative Exploration #3
So far, I like this piece a lot better than the last. My professor starting giving us "curveballs" and this week we had to include something that walks (since my theme is swans I am already using the curveball). In class we had a critique and received the following suggestions:
- balance background with cool colors from foreground
-more geometric shapes
-fill up some empty space
We also shared strengths of the artwork. Almost everyone complimented the color palette, others & complimented the composition, scale and size.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Graduate School
Aside from teaching art, I'm currently working on obtaining my MFA in art education. For the spring semester I'll be exploring my creative process (finally making art for myself!). I've been so focused on my job that it will be nice to paint again. I think its important for art teachers to be exemplary artists themselves. I'll be creating paintings that reference swans and applying abstract techniques. I was inspired by swans because of their representation of love & beauty - yet their aggressive demeanor with people. My main goal is just to create something beautiful that everyone can enjoy, not just artists.
I like to work BIG! With my first painting of the semester I started with many washes, layering, adding and taking away. Lots of sketching of swans and looking at their shapes. After browsing through old sketch books I came across the work of Hans Hoffman. I've decided to explore his use of combining organic/painterly shapes with sharp/flat shapes.
I like to work BIG! With my first painting of the semester I started with many washes, layering, adding and taking away. Lots of sketching of swans and looking at their shapes. After browsing through old sketch books I came across the work of Hans Hoffman. I've decided to explore his use of combining organic/painterly shapes with sharp/flat shapes.
Keith Haring based Mural
Newspaper article of my students working on a Mural project with high school art students.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/studley-mural-sapix/image_6376b626-4876-11e3-95b7-001a4bcf887a.html
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/studley-mural-sapix/image_6376b626-4876-11e3-95b7-001a4bcf887a.html
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Dale Chihuly
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