Rock (Clay!), Paper, Scissors . . . And the VALUE of WEDGING

This week's images come from the Art from Paper and Mixed Media classes . . .

Students in Art from Paper (Tuesday) created the wonderful cutout works you see here. First they drew images on a piece of paper, making sure that each element of the work was somehow connected to the outer "frame" of paper. Then they cut out the negative space to reveal the image. Once this was done, the image was attached to another piece of paper to help reveal the image!

The Wednesday class began work on Self-Portraits, created entirely from paper. As soon as they're finished, they'll be revealed here, so be sure to check back!

Explorations in Art (1st -3rd) students learned about the term, Value (one of the Elements of Art), and began work on Value drawings! More on this VALUABLE 

lesson later, when the works are finished, and photos are ready for posting!

The 4th through 6th grade Explorations in Art students continue their work on the Book of Kells. I've been promising photos for a while, but they're not ready just yet. When the works are done, they'll be titled, and each artist will create an 

Artist's Statement 

to accompany the piece. A great deal of thought has already gone into this assignment, so be sure to check back next week!

Mixed Media students finished their previous work on woven paintings, featured here. This was no easy task! First the paintings had to be created (two for each student), then the warp and weft lines were drawn on the back of each, and numbered to keep them in proper order for weaving. 

It was well worth the time and effort, though, because each student had a beautiful abstract (or optical illusion!) piece to take home.

Ceramics I students learned the crucial lesson of 

how to wedge clay.

Each young ceramic artist began with a block of clay that was too hard to work. By the end of class, each one had a "ball of buttah" (not butter, because buttah is better than butter!), which they'll use next week!

A variety of projects are under way in Ceramics II, where the current project is "Student Choice." 

Drawing and Painting students continued their work with watercolors, and a couple of students brought back some color wheel mosaics worksheets that I gave them to do for fun. Good work, Ella and Chloe!

Thank you to Keith, Diego and Roman, who both brought in examples of Horror Vacui! Each received an ATC to add to their growing collection. Good work, Guys! Now, are you all ready for this week's web challenge? Yes? Well, then,for the week of October 13 through 15th, bring in the following . . .

. . . find out* what the 

Spiral Jetty 

is and who created it. Then, find some information on 

Andy Goldsworthy, 

and figure out how his art works relate to the Spiral Jetty. This is a two-part question, but both parts are closely related. You should be able to sum it up in one sentence. Print out a picture of the Spiral Jetty, and one work of Goldsworthy's. 

You'll enjoy this one!

Bring in the above, and you'll receive your own ATC (Artist Trading Card). Who ever has the most assignment-related ATCs at the end of the semester will receive a 1st prize gift (art!). A 2nd prize will also be awarded, so get busy! And have fun!

*Remember: Anytime you're doing an online search, your parent or other responsible adult must be present. No exceptions!

Farewell Good Friends, We'll Miss You!

This past week we said goodbye to Bodee, Bryce, and Brock, who will soon start a new life in Florida. While I never had the opportunity to work with Brock, I'm certain that he shares the talent of his two older brothers, Bryce and Bodee. We'll miss you guys! Bodee and  Bryce, keep up with your artwork. You're both very talented artists!

In Mixed Media class this past week, we worked on woven paintings. Below is a fine example, created by Nathan. Good work, Nathan! Your grids within the grids are particularly impressive!

In Art From Paper class we created, well, art from paper! Cynthia made this very whimsical Lady Bug artwork from two different colored papers. She pointed out that, from this view (below) it looks like a bug soaking up the Sunshine. Turn it completely around, though, and it's doing a nose dive into grass! Now THAT'S thinking outside the box!

Students who take Explorations in Art (1st through 3rd) returned to the color wheel this past week and explored the use of color through mosaics. 

As you can see, this project was interpreted in a number of different ways. Kaylyn, above, used large blocks of color to fill in the pieces of the pie, while another classmate pulled colors from a bigger mix and added them to the page . . .

And at least one young artist, Ike, took such great care to completely fill the field, that he wasn't able to complete it during class. That's okay, though! Great art often takes time! It'll be fun to see this when it's finished! Great work, Ike!

In Drawing and Painting class, we had fun with some free-form work: paint what you like! Below is an "action" shot of painters at work . . .

And such beautiful work, too!

Sisters, Ella and Chloe, created the works you see here. Ella used a mostly "cool" palette to create the work above. Can you find the tree in the painting? Chloe's painting is filled with lots of little details. How many different things do you see? Clearly, both girls are dedicated to their art! 

Great work!

Last week I promised you a sneak peek at the whistles being made in Ceramics II. Well, here they are! This was one tricky project. Don't believe me? Well, then, ask someone who takes the class! This two week project began with making the sphere, then adding the mouthpiece. Once that was attached, the necessary whistle hole needed to be cut and then "tweaked" numerous times until the whistle would actually whistle. But it worked! Each whistle has it's own distinctive sound, and is decorated with it's own unique surface design. We can't wait until these get fired!

We had a lot of fun in Ceramics I this past week, too! Ceramic artists carefully built "paper ball shooters." Starting with the "head" and then working on the "body," ceramic artists wrapped felt-tipped markers with clay, and then added features like legs, tails, etc. Once we were finished, the markers were carefully removed to reveal the inner chamber. Below are just a few of the many creative designs from class. 

Have you ever seen ceramic art that looked happier?  : )

Work continues with the Book of Kells project in Explorations in Art (4th - 6th). At least one of the classes is near completion of this project, so I expect to have photos soon! Maybe even next week, so stay tuned! These amazing works are not to be missed! 

Le Guitariste, 1910, by Pablo Picasso (above), an example of Analytical Cubism

Still Life with Fruit Dish and Mandolin, 1919, oil on canvas, by Juan Gris (below), an example of Synthetic Cubism

Last week I challenged you to find the two types of Cubism, and several students came through! Congratulations to Rebecca, Zoe, Roman, Keith, and Diego! You all correctly identified Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism as the two distinct types! AND you all earned an ATC! 

Are you ready to win another ATC? If so, then here's the challenge for the week of October 6th through 8th:

Do a search* to find out what the art term 

horror vacui 

means, and bring in at least two very different examples (different artists or cultures) that demonstrate horror vacui. Hint: if you're in Explorations (4th-6th) you already know what this is, without having put a name on it yet! 

Have Fun!

Bring your examples to class to receive your winning ATC! Remember: The student with the MOST web challenge ATCs at the end of the semester wins a

 REALLY COOL PRIZE!

*Remember: Anytime you're doing an online search, your parent or other responsible adult must be present. 

No exceptions!