Second Semester Begins!

What a week! Second semester began this past week, and we have a fun lineup of classes to finish out the school year.

Jewelry Making students made simple stretchy-string bracelets. The "challenge" was for students to work within a limited color palette (or family), and some of the bracelets were inspired by the fabric on students' clothes. This low-pressure, laid back project gave students a chance to get to know each other, while honing their dexterity skills. Tying stretchy-string into a knot can be very challenging, and all students were encouraged to practice their knot-tying skills at home in the coming weeks.

Ceramics I students learned about the (sometimes temperamental!) qualities of clay, and spent quite a bit of time exploring the tools that they'll use in class. We discussed the handbuilding methods we'll use this semester, and looked at some project samples from each method. A reminder to students and parents: Every ceramic artist will need their own "work shirt" to use throughout the semester. This shirt will remain at HSC until we break for summer, and should be an old, over-sized T-shirt--one that you're okay with getting ruined. Clay will stain clothes, and a work shirt is necessary to protect school clothes. Please bring your shirt to class next week!

Ceramics II students began working with moulds this past week. Their first project will be a mask, and the challenge is to make the mask either a self-portrait, or an interesting, decorative mask that uses mixed media. Students rolled out slabs, cut to size, and then pressed them into moulds--a form that will be the starting off point for the project. The artists will significantly alter the moulded clay to create their own, original designs.

Ceramics III students will start the semester combining the methods of slab, coil, and pinch to make vessels inspired by the canopic jars of ancient Egypt. Students may decide to go with "authentic" looking jars, though they were encouraged to create a top (head) that holds meaning for them as individuals.

The photo (above) from Remodelista Daily shows an interesting and decorative way to display your artist trading cards.

Portfolios were the #1 project for students in ATCs, ACEOs, and Art in Miniature class. Each young artist created a portfolio to house their work (and their trades!) for second semester. Once this was done, students were given a stack of ATC blanks and they set about making their first set of Artist Trading Cards. We used the last 15 minutes of class for trading time, and I can testify that some serious trading was going on in class!

Detail of photo from Remodelista Daily: ATCs framed behind glass and displayed as one big art piece.

We talked about the "regulation size" of ATCs and ACEOs (they must be 2.5" x 3.5"), and about the difference between the two. Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are ALWAYS traded. Art Cards, Editions and Originals (ACEOs) are sold.

We will sometimes mix things up this semester by doing the occasional miniature work (something 5" x 7" or smaller). These projects often take more time, and are not traded.

O'Keeffe, Value, ATCs, Self-Portraits, and Masks!

We packed a lot of art into the past week's classes! So much so that I've had to create "mosaics" from the photos I took. Before we get to those, though, let's look at the beautiful, Southwest inspired watercolor by Celeste, done in Explorations in Art (4th-6th). Celeste has been studying the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, and we can definitely see the O'Keeffe influence here!

Watercolor No. 1, by Celeste

Other 4th - 6th Explorations students finished work on their Book of Kells drawings, and some began work on a new piece, The Logo Project, where they'll discover and hone their graphic design skills. Photos later!

The younger, 1st - 3rd Explorations in Art students completed work on their value drawings. First,the young artists learned what one of the elements of art -- value --means, then they created a drawing with pencil and colored it in using various values of a color. Following is a beautiful VALUE QUILT of their work:

Art from Paper students continued work on their Self-Portraits, which are really taking shape! Hopefully, next week, I'll have photos to share. Be sure to check back, because these portraits are AMAZING! 

Students who are enrolled in Mixed Media learned all about ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), and then created their own, using a variety of media. At the end of the class, students completed the lesson by having a trading session with their miniature works of art. It was a lot of fun! In fact, we've decided that this should be an ongoing project. Whenever time allows, each week (after finishing up the planned project) we'll take what we learned from that week's lesson to create ATCs. 

Above are some of the ATCs we created in class.

Ceramics I students continued work on a project they started the week before (details later!), and Ceramics II students began work on Haniwa figures. As the class period progressed, each figure's personality began to come through. Students decided to name their little Haniwas, based on the personality of the figure, and we'll  have photos (with names) when they're complete. These are so cute, they are not to be missed! Be sure to check back!

Drawing and Painting students spent some time looking into mirrors and creating Self-Portraits (featured below). When they were done, we held each portrait up to the artist who created it, and the results were uncanny! It was like looking at twins! Do you recognize the following artists?

Or perhaps you can figure out who some of these artists are! After finishing value drawings, students began work on MASKS:

They certainly look mysterious! We talked about how masks can be made to wear, or made to decorate a wall. Above are examples of both kinds.

I'm often surprised and delighted when I learn that a student has been working hard at home to finish or create a project, and I like to give special attention to these hard working artists! In fact, there should be some kind of award for this dedication to the craft. One of the most prolific artists in history was Vincent van Gogh. He worked tirelessly, often while experiencing serious illness, to create his art. So, in honor of Vincent, and in recognition of the hard work of these dedicated students, this week's 

goes to . . . (drum roll, please!)

IKE and ACACIA!

Ike finished his color wheel mosaic, and Acacia created a very unique artwork with glue and Fruit Loops! Now, that's creative! If Jackson Pollock could see this, I'm sure he'd be impressed, and perhaps a bit hungry, too!

Last week I challenged students to learn what diptych and triptych mean. Tavia and Keith both came through. Better yet, Tavia created her own diptych! 

Fantastic work, Tavia! 

(Scroll down to see Tavia's diptych!) 

Tavia and Keith both earned ATCs for their efforts, and are in the running for the REALLY COOL PRIZES at the end of the semester!

If you want to win an ATC immediately, and a chance to win a much better art prize at the end of the semester, here's what you need to do . . .

For the week of 

October 27th through 29th:

Search for a particular painting.* It's quite well known, and was painted by a very famous Italian artist during the Renaissance period. This painting is housed at the Louvre Museum in Paris, and goes by the name La Gioconda (or La Joconde, in French). Most people know this painting by its "nickname." If you can, print out a copy of this painting, and write down the more familiar name (nickname) that it goes by. This will earn you one ATC. If you want to earn a SECOND ATC, then draw your own version of this painting (do your best work, and don't leave out any details!) and bring it to class along with a copy of the painting. That's right: You can win TWO ATCs this week! 

Whoever has the most assignment-related ATCs by the end of the semester will win a REALLY COOL PRIZE. A 2nd place prize will also be awarded. There will be a first and second prize for each school day, so get busy! Go find that painting! 

*Remember: Anytime you're doing an online search, your parent or other responsible adult must be present. No exceptions!
Have a good weekend! See you in class . . . and don't forget to bring in your "web challenge" assignments! :)

Diptych, 2009, Marker on Paper, by Tavia