Gustav Klimt, 4th Grade

4th graders looked at the Tree of Life from Gustav Klimt.  We talked about his use of gold and all the ornamentation.  For their projects they first drew the trees and outlined them with markers.  They drew ornaments with metallic colored pencils and used a wet paintbrush  to blur the marker lines.  They added gold watercolor paint and the last touch, dots of glitter.  

Paul Klee with 1st Grade

I introduced my 1st graders to Paul Klee after doing Piet Mondrian because we are focusing on shape and color.  I love Paul Klee's work!  This is the piece we looked at and than created our own.

I love how different each one is and yet they all followed the instructions.  We started with a circle template that they traced around.  Using a ruler they divided the circle into different shapes.  Features of the face were added and oil pastels were used to color in the shapes.  Black markers to trace over the lines and a watercolor background.  

KEEP THE ART ROOM HEALTHY! NO MORE COOKIE CUTTER PROJECTS!

Amen, sister!  Visit http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com/ for the scoop.

Italian Dressing

This is probably the most used item I have purchased from Pampered Chef.  I have been making my own salad dressing for quite some time and this makes it so easy.  The recipe for italian dressing is printed on the side.  It is excellent.  Measurements are on the side of the cylinder and the cap has an attachment to mix the dressing.  

Jersey tomatoes are the best!  Can't believe how soon we will no longer be able to get them.  Made a yummy salad with the above ingredients over baby greens and the dressing.

Italian dressing recipe:

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 pressed garlic cloves

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 cup olive oil

Hallway Bulletin Boards

 I made this canvas over the summer to hang outside of the middle school art room.  Just wanted something more personal than the usual "Welcome" sign.

At the middle school I am in charge of the general bulletin boards.  These are the ones that are up for September.  I now will have a bulletin board team of students to help me out.  Can't wait to meet with them and see what ideas they have!

By front office

Middle hallway...these are our core values which students will be adding to.

Sorry these are not the best pics!  The lighting in our hallways is flourescent and the sun wasn't shining.

Weaving with 6th Grade

6th graders are weaving and really enjoying it. We are studying the art of American Indians and have seen the rugs and blankets that the Navajos make.  The two other projects will be coil pots and sand art.  This will cross over to Writing Workshop with My Side of the Mountain and a sketch journal the students make.

5th Grade Shading

I will be teaching my students how to use colored pencils to create their drawings from the photographs they took last week.  There will be a handout available for those who like to work independently and a mini-lesson available for those who need more instruction.  This is a new way of teaching for me.  My students have been given their rubric and an activity sheet.  They will choose what activities they need in order to meet the expectations on the rubric.  

5th Grade Art

The first unit in 5th grade art is titled God's Creation.  Our first project involves photography.  I wanted to share a few of the great photographs my students have taken.  Next they will be learning how to draw their photograph and use colored pencils to create layers of color by blending.

Piet Mondrian, cont.

These projects are from my 4th graders.  We talked about this painting of Piet Mondrian's, Red Tree.  Students were instructed to draw a tree, any style and than choose complementary colors.  One for the background and one for the tree.

What did you do with your weekend?

A huge mess!  So this is what happens every so often and than I have to do a major cleanup.  I get so into creating I don't even see it.  Today though I couldn't take it anymore.  It took forever, but here are the results.

Okay, so now I'm exhausted.  Goodnight.