Paper Mosaics

Through this lesson we explored the process to create mosaics.  Mosaics are larger pieces of work created by arranging together smaller pieces of glass, tile, pebbles, paper, etc.  The inspiration for our mosaics came from the season our table was assigned to, I had fall.  The process for our mosaics was to complete the mosaic background with small cut pieces of construction paper.  I used warm colors to draw a connection to the colors of fall.  Then, after our background was complete we placed silhouettes that applied to our theme on top. 

One way I would adapt this lesson would be to expand more on using small pieces to create a larger picture.  Instead of using the smaller pieces just for a background, I would have my students use the small pieces of different types of paper to create an animal portrait of their choice.

Kandinsky Fall Creations

This lesson was centered around the artist Wassily Kandinsky and specifically one of the pieces he created, called Concentric Circles.  Some concepts that were focused on in this lesson were organic vs. geometric shapes, warm vs. cool colors, color mixing, and applying paint.  We had to use two organic shapes (the leaves) and two geometric shapes.  We also had to make sure that we used as least three different warm colors and three different cool colors within our piece.  Once everyone was done, this turned into a collaborative piece by hanging them all together to create one large mural.

I think this lesson could be a great lead into creating mobiles with organic and/or geometric shapes, some fishing line, and wire.  I would have the students think about the shapes they used in their Kandinsky creations and have them cut out several different shapes.  Then they could paint both sides so that when they are attached to the wire and fishing line, they have color on both sides. 

Navajo Cactus Drawings

 

Above is a completed Navajo Cactus Drawing. 

Below is the bulletin board we created to display all of the completed drawings. 

The Navajo Cactus Drawing was the drawing lesson that I planned, along with my partner Breanna.  We designed this lesson to be used with 5th grade students.  It incorporates learning about the Navajo Native American culture, drawing, patterns, negative space, space, and painting using watercolors.  To make this drawing we drew at least three cacti in a pot of our design.  We created our own pattern which we colored and then filled in the negative space with black marker.  After the cacti and pot were drawn and outlined, we painted a sunset background and sandy ground.  It was such a great experience teaching this lesson and I can't wait to use it in an actual elementary classroom!

I would definitely extend this lesson to expand over a few class meetings.  By extending the lesson, it allows more time to learn about the Navajo culture, as well as really become familiar with all of the concepts needed to create the cacti.  I think this could be a great lesson to transition into still life drawings of some kind.

Hidden Safari

 

This was a fun project that made use of warm and cool colors, as well as creating a multitude of patterns. Hidden beneath the swirl of warm colored patterns, is a hippo drawn in light blue colored pencil.  While wearing special glasses, constructed from construction paper and red cellophane, the warm colored patterns recede, bringing the hidden safari animal to life! 

I really like the idea of incorporating the glasses into another art project where students, probably first graders, would explore secret messages. It could be a fun way to talk about spies and how they could hide messages in their art.

Dot Day!

To celebrate international Dot Day, which was on September 15th (ish), we created our own dots out of coffer filters and a variety of other materials after reading The Dot. The materials I chose to use for my dots were marks, watercolors, oil pastels, and water. We experimented with the different ways that the materials reacted with one another. For example, by drawing with oil pastels first and then painting over them with watercolors.

This would be a great activity to allow exploration of materials before doing a watercolor painting.  I would use this as a way to see how comfortable my students are with watercolor and the skills that they already know.  It would also be a great time to introduce new techniques that they will need for the watercolor painting.

5 Examples of the Principles and Elements of Design

Spider on her web, taken in my garden in Brookings, SD.
This picture is depicting the principle of movement, which can be seen through the spider's web.

Carnival rides from the Brown County Fair, in Aberdeen, SD.
This picture is depicting the principle contrast, which can be seen in the varying values and colors.

Grain bin on my family farm, in Aberdeen, SD.
This picture is depicting the element of shape.

A quilt made by my grandmother.
This picture is depicting the principle of unity.  All the fabric patterns and colors are varrying, but are brought together by the common shape used.

A barn on my family farm, in Aberdeen, SD.
This picture is depicting the element of texture, that can be seen in the aging wood of the barn.

This project is used as a way to provide students with the opportunity to identify and capture all the different principles and elements of design. Above are five examples of the pictures I took. I thought that this was a really great way to show students that the elements and principles of design are in the world around us, every day. An extension activity for this could be, to then use one of their photos they took and create a drawing to see how they could incorporate that element into a specific work of art.

Foot Print Introduction

This project was designed as a way for a teacher and his/her students to introduce themselves to one another. To begin the project, simply trace the outline of your foot on construction paper and cut it out. Next, to fill in the foot have students think about symbols or objects that are important to them or help tell about themselves. For example, the bookworm on my foot represents my love for reading. Some guidelines are to use at least three different medias. For example, my footprint is made out of construction paper, computer paper, crayons, marker, pen, glitter, and a skewer. Encourage the students to let their creativity go! 

Not only is this a great project for making introductions, but it could be used in other projects as well. I think that this would be a great way for students to start brainstorming ideas for a first drawing or how they would like to portray themselves in a self-portrait.