SUMMER TIME

Where does the time go!! Summer already? 

Well, I know we all are ready for a little summer time fun and sun. But I don't want anyone to forget all that wonderful art knowledge we learned this year and let their skills get rusty. 

I know this summer, I will be making art just for me. 

I'm taking a break this year from my usual art camp routine. 

BUT if you are still interested in some summer camp options (and I hope you are), check out this website. If you go to the bottom you can filter by week or price. There are options for EVERYONE! 

I recommend Ponte Vedra Cultural Center, where I have worked past summers. Along with art camps @MOCA, they are partnered with my alma mater UNF. And I have been hearing good things about The Art Garage, from students around school.

 Art is an awesome way to spend your summer, all you really need is something to draw on and with and you can create something amazing!

 I hope everyone has a safe and colorful summer!! I'll see you all in the fall.

Skulls on a Rug

4th Grade is ending the year, much like we started. I like to start the year by gauging where my students are with their drawing from observation skills. We usually start by simple drawing exercises, drawing their hands and other little objects I have. Then to see how they have developed I try to incorporate a drawing from observation in our lesson at the end of the year. So with a little inspiration from Georgia O'Keeffe and her skull paintings, the challenge was given. 

This is one of the examples I used on the overhead. 

Students where to look carefully to draw what they saw.

 AND BOY HOWDY!! Did they RISE to occasion!! 

 

I am always proud of my students and it excites me to see how they grow as artists from year to year. But these really filled my heart and eyes with joy. I seriously was moved to tears of joy in at least two of my fourth grade classes, during the drawing portion of this lesson.

Thank you to Cedar Creek Elementary and your Artsonia page for the inspiration.

MORE Pirate Portraits

So not only did I do Pirate Portraits with Second Grade, but also with First and KINDERGARTEN. WHAT?! Portraits with Kinders. I have not done it before, usually we start in First. But this year I was feeling feisty, so I gave it a try. 

Our theme was Self Portrait Pirates.

First the First Graders. 

 We ALWAYS do a practice and learn, like artists. Then we use the practice to help on the project so we don't have to draw lines all over the faces. Here you can see the side by side. 

I still can't believe how good these are!! 

Now the KINDERGARTENERS. 

They had done a few drawings of people in their classroom lessons, which I think helps. For the first time portrait project, the results aren't too bad. 

Art Show

AHHH Spring time. The time for flowers, showers and ART SHOWS!!! 

It's that time again for the Annual District Library Show, when I have the incredibly difficult job of selecting only 6 pieces of artwork to represent our school.

 I am so very proud of these budding artists!! Congratulations!!!

 4th Grade: Hanna P.

 

2nd Grade: Kendall S.

 3rd Grade: Atika P.

 Kindergarten: Alivia H.

 5th Grade: Ava W.

5th Grade: Lucy N.

Pirate Portraits

2nd Grade is finishing up their Pirate Portraits. 

I try to do a portrait lesson every year with my kids starting in 1st grade. I try to come up with different themes so it's not just the same self portrait every year. This year our school theme is pirate which is GRRREAT for portraits and as you can tell we are doing all sorts of pirate ship and ocean themed projects this year. (Stay tuned for kindergarten and 1st grade pirate ship seascapes.) 

So...this being the second year this class of students have done portraits, I am really happy to see them progress and develop as artsits. 

First, we talked about the difference between symmetry and asymmetry. Because pirates might not have the same symmetry like our faces' do, because of scars or eye patches. When starting we painted the face and neck with some skin tone paints. Then drew the face, hair and shirts with oil pastels.

 Finally we drew a bit more to create a background and setting. Then finished up with some watercolor paints. I always run out of blue, so we got creative with our sky's and ocean's.

Rocking and Rolling

Things got a bit crazy before Winter Break, so I got a bit behind on posting. :( 

 Here are few pieces of awesome artwork to catch everyone up on what we were up to. 

Fourth Grade learned about Pop Art and TWO artists. First was Keith Haring and his ROLLING (Or dancing) characters. We drew our own characters in an Andy Warhol inspired 4 square layout. Then used Complementary Colors to finish it up. 

 Thanks to Dali's Moustache for the inspiration.

 Fifth Grade made these ROCKIN' Color Wheels. Not only did we review our color wheel in a fun way. But students also learned about Value by creating tints and shades of each color.

Mrs. Art Teacher did something similar with her older students. I simplified ours a bit.

It's a New Year! Which means learning about 'New Artists' and making New Art!!

First Grade has started the new year off learning about Georgia O'Keeffe. Her flowers that are as big as giants, making people feel as if they are tiny little bugs. I was inspired by Painted Paper, but tried to put my own spin of things. 

Stay tuned for the finished results. 

Fifth Grade is starting the year by learning about Andy Warhol. We are taking his 4 square layout and using it to creating some amazing Pirate Ships.

We will be adding Analogous Color Schemes...I can't wait to see how these turn out. 

Second Grade are making some marvelous Monochromatic Fish.

After a little practice of mixing Values and talking about Tints and Shades, we put our new skills to work with these fabulous fish.