Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Visual Arts gives students the opportunity to…Be creative.
Think outside the box.Explore ideas.
Work within boundaries.Push the boundaries.
Express oneself.Experiment.
Work independently.Work collaboratively.Research information.Organize information
Challenge oneself.Use math for practical application.
Study history.Appreciate cultures.
Find beauty in the imperfections.Make mistakes.
Become inspired.Realize our possibilities are infinite!
Teaching PhilosophyArt Education is the student’s window into all disciplines. My lessons work to inspire awareness that core curriculum can be enhanced and at times realizedthrough the study of Art. Math is used to measure and calculate perspective and other artistic proportions. Science becomes vibrant in the learning of colortheory. English’s revising and editing composition is reflected in composing ideas through sketches and in adding layers to develop form. Social Studies comesalive with the images and dialog of history and current events.
Art Education is the discipline that allows students to experiment, express themselves, make mistakes, get messy, use the left side and the right side of the brainsimultaneously, play and learn, discover that process and product work hand in hand, watch change happen in real time as their work evolves, and have a senseof pride in their accomplishments.
Art Education is a discipline that gives students positive reinforcement. One of my primary goals is to guide students to challenge themselves. I encourage themto look at their own paper, canvas, wire, or clay to determine what needs to be done next. While doing so I also show them the work of other artists andstudents so they can see the possibilities. Each example is a tool to be used as inspiration or a guide. It is not used as a comparison of good and bad. They canlearn from it, imitate it, or change it to reflect their vision. Because art encompasses a vast array of techniques students have the opportunity to explore. Onestudent’s strength maybe a challenge to the next child. My goal is to ignite discovery and prevent young artists from becoming discouraged. I show them howtheir work is excelling and what areas need attention. Through suggestions and demonstrations they are provided opportunities to enhance their work.
Some of my mantras are “How can I expect you to be a master at this when you have never done it before?” “I expect you to challenge yourself, have respectfor your work, and follow through with the challenge. It may not come out as you expect but that does not mean you are not doing a good job.” “Art is notabout being perfect.” “Artists are lifetime students. There is always something new to learn and try. Making mistakes is part of the process and you may discoversomething unique when you take a risk or make a mistake.” My excitement with the student who finds art a struggle is as strong as working with those whohave natural ability. When the student who is resistant to art class completes a project with hard work and perseverance I am the cheerleader. My goal is to havestudents demonstrate an understanding of the technique at their skill level. This is a win-win for everyone (the student, the educator, the program, and theadministration for allowing this type of teaching style to flourish).
As a professional artist for 25+ years and arts educator in alternate education programs (museums, camps, community centers) I have recently discovered apassion for formal school education. I have embraced a new set of challenges working with students who are required to participate in art as opposed toenrichment classes (where art is a choice). Visual Art is a scholarship that naturally lends itself to differentiated learning. Through practice, guidance, critiques,and reflection students develop their visual voice. My approach to art education is not solely about production but about understanding art so it can be used asa life skill. The idea that painting a room, creating a costume, visiting a museum, experiencing another culture, watching a movie, decorating a bedroom, orengaging in an educated conversation are all enhanced by having knowledge and exposure to the arts.
Although Art is not considered a core course it is the one subject that gives life to all the required learning.
Self Portrait Silhouettes• Elements of Art and Design: balance, emphasis, shape, form, positive/negative space and color.• Examined self portraits from the Renaissance through present day artists.• Inspired by 16th century artist Giuseppe Archimboldo.• Initial objective: access skills and develop confidence in student’s ability to create visual work. Students answered
questions about their interests, researched images and concepts.• Requirements: minimum of 10 images used in composition, exhibit a balance of positive/negative space, emphasis,
color and value. • Watercolor paints and watercolor pencils. This was the first time most of the students used the medium.
Repousse or Metal Embossing• Integrated lesson with Middle School Musical (theme was
Home) and 6th grade History (Ancient Civilizations).• Optional themes: Home or Personal Journey.
• Elements of Art: line, shape, value, and texture.• Compositions on paper, transferred the designs onto metal
sheets. Embossing created with limited tools. • Several works were entered into a national competition.
• Examined examples of metal art from Eastern and Western Civilization.
RELIEF PRINTMAKING – REDUCTIVE PRINTS
• 7th graders studied the process of relief printmaking. Designed the compositions on paper.
• Transferred it to lineloum block.• Carved each layer for separation of colors• Registration for printing each color. • Minimum edition of 5. • Allowed for exploration of color application after
edition was complete.
CONTOUR DRAWING
Students spent the class practicing contour drawing of a still life. They were both intrigued and trepidation about the process. “How can our drawings come out if we are not looking at the paper?” Understanding hand eye coordination and the ability to see what is really in front of you are the first steps in creating any drawing from life. I often use sports as a comparison of hand eye coordination, the need to practice (practice and more practice), and patience (that you will not be perfect the first time you try to a new activity).
Wax Batik using traditional tools:tjantings, paraffin and beeswax, fabric dyes
Oil Crayons and India Ink Resist: Comparing the differences and similarities between 2 resist techniques
Artist Trees6th graders selected one of several modern artists to study. Each master was selectedbecause of his contribution to the Modern Art Movements of the Early 20th Century. Studentsworked in groups to build the trees from recycled materials (integrated English lesson onenvironmental conservation). They decided on the size and shape of their leaf and how theywanted to represent their chosen artist. The trees have become a permanent exhibit in theMedia Center and are used as teaching tools for the elementary school. During this unit thetragic event of Charlie Hebdo occurred leading us to a discussion about Freedom of Speech.
Ceramics: Handbuilding, Lowfire Glaze
Works in Progress
Currently the 6th grade students are completing landscape paintings in the style of traditional Chinese watercolors. Students are learning one point perspective, watercolor
techniques, Chinese pictographs, and printmaking (carving personal signature chops). The lesson is
integrated with the History unit.
7th grade students are creating illuminated manuscripts using patterning and decorative design.
The unit is in conjunction with 7th grade History and is connected to the previous lesson on printmaking.
They will learn to apply gold leaf to their final works.
Robin Singer: Hands Will Draw StudioTorah Scroll Cover: silk painting, batik, sewn collage
Created into posters for fundraising sale (Donated by artist)
Commissioned work for congregation to create printed tribute cards for sale
Commissioned and for sale prints
Collaborative print for Print Big Annual Event at Atlanta Printmakers Studio
Commissioned Wedding Canopy
Thank you for taking time to view my presentation. As always my visual world is in the process of
growth and development. It is fluid and changing with every new creation,
Challenge, and discovery by my students and myself.
