"my first pinch pot"

proud first graders, ready to wrap their pots to take home

the pots on the shelf were just unloaded from the kiln

Matisse-inspired Studio Collages

Third graders have just completed their collages of a studio interior.  We looked at Matisse's Red Studio for ideas when completing our designs.  Some are music and dance studios, some are for photography or movies, and some are art studios.  We began with a very basic instruction on creating perspective in an interior space, then we added details from colorful scraps to be placed in the setting using overlapping.

Clay "sneaker charms"

Kindergarteners stamped out charms using the textured soles of their sneakers!  Each one was unique.
Next, we glazed the tops and strung beads, straws, and buttons.  The classes who finished these before the winter break turned them into ornaments, and those who had to wait until January (kiln repair issue!) made pendants. Thanks to Ms. Krass at Lake Forest Louvre for the idea of using the straws as spacers!

 

Japanese Project #2: Notan

Notan is a Japanese word meaning the balance between dark and light.  It is also an art form involving papercutting and postive and negative shapes.  Dolvin second graders continue our unit on Japanese art   with the creation of these beautifully balanced designs, while reviewing our knowledge of both geometric and organic shapes.



save shapes in a baggie before gluing



put shapes together like a puzzle, then flip the shape

                                  



imaginary creatures with symmetry

Kindergarten artists created from their imaginations this week, after inspiration from the book Jeepers Creepers.

We discussed the different kinds of shapes from which the creatures were made, then we made a symmetrical organic shape for the start of our creature using the tried and true "paint drips rubbed in a folded paper" technique.  We were excited by the results of these - some looked like crabs, some like mice, some like aliens!

Next, we cut them out and added shapes from a variety of other papers. Details were added from the "doo-dad box": buttons, beads, feathers, string, foamies, etc.

Enjoy!

4th grade Surreal Settings

This was a fun way to teach Surrealism!  After looking at examples of Dali and Magritte, students chose a setting and hand colored a copy.  We then looked for realistic photos of a variety of objects in magazines.  We emphasized the importance of good craftsmanship (cutting and gluing skills) and pointed out the preciseness of the master works.  Our final pieces show realistic objects in an unreal setting, not to mention a good sense of humor!