Week Four

This week in art we worked with watercolors (the kind in tube!) to create a landscape.  The artists were instructed to draw lines that mimicked a far off mountain landscape, then make the mountains look like they were getting farther away.  The idea of perspective was a little hard to grasp, but the projects still turned out fantastic.  We all had a bunch of fun working with the tubed watercolors, trying to figure out how much water to add to make it lighter and darker.  We will probably revisit the watercolor later, because it was so enjoyable for everyone.

Week 3 - Abstract Art

Well some weeks at art are going to be amazing and some weeks are going to be...well..not so amazing.  Our project included using india ink, placing drops on our paper and blowing it across to form lines and interesting designs.  Our ink didn't behave as expected and was probably a little disappointing to the students.  After the ink dried, we used acrylic to paint around the ink in interesting and fun ways.  Definitely a learning lesson in how art does not always behave the way we would like.  Really proud of the kids for sticking with it and trying their best.

Week 1 and 2

These past two weeks were spent making some seriously amazing 12 part color wheels.  Most of these wonderful kiddos knew exactly what primary and secondary colors were.  Tertiary colors were picked up on quickly.  We first practiced our ruler using skills to grid off 3x3 squares.  We painted the squares one by one, first using our primary colors, then mixing those for our secondary.  Then the kids had to use the secondary colors and add in a little bit more of the primary to get their red-orange, yellow-orange, blue-violet, red-violet, blue-green and yellow-green.  After our squares were cut, the kids used their imaginations to glue their different colors into their own unique color wheel!  We had some minecraft inspired, some hearts, some triangles and more.  Loving the willingness of these kids and their creativity.  We are going to make some beautiful art.

Please help and encourage your kids to keep their art safe.  They all wanted to take their art home ASAP, but we definitely want to keep our pieces intact so we can show off their favorite at the end of the semester.  Thank you.

"Ojo de Dios"

This week we learned about the origin of "Ojo de Dios". Or in other words, "Eye of God".

When the early Spaniards came to Mexico they encountered the Huichol (wet-chol) people who lived in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico.  The Sierra Madre mountains are the large mountain range that you can see on the map running north and south.  The Huichol Indians who lived in the mountains made God’s eyes (or Ojos de Dios) to watch over those who prayed at their altars.  They were woven on to criss-crossing sticks, joining in the center.  The ends of the sticks represented the basic elements–earth, water, wind, and fire.

The center of the eye stood for the power of seeing and understanding things we normally cannot see.

Some say it represents the cross of Jesus Christ, but originally this was not so.  The Huichol people focused their worship on nature and the earth rather than a specific divine being.  Other Indian tribes since have adopted the practice of making and using Ojos de Dios, and it has become a more Christian-centered item.  Making one is inviting the Eye of God to watch over them.  Often they are made for little children as gifts.  They accompany wishes of health, long life, and protection. (source: http://www.layers-of-learning.com/ojo-de-dios/)

**This is an image from the website where I gathered my information.**

Teacher Cindy picked up on the technique quickly and was able to pass her knowledge on to the class. Everyone was able to go home with at least one completed Eye of God and most everyone had two.

Next week is Greek Art!

Weeks 1 & 2

I apologize for not posting last week. Before I knew it, the week had passed and another day of co-op had arrived!
Last week we discussed what we thought art might be and Teacher Melissa posted pictures of various art throughout history on the walls for everyone to look at. Many of the images the students recognized, others they didn't. Most of them were able to point out at least one that they liked. We also made our portfolios to store the art projects that will be created throughout the semester.

Here are a few that were either recognized or just liked because they were neat.

Coliseum, Rome

Gargoyles, Notre Dame de Paris, France

Leonardo: Mona Lisa

Munch: The Scream

Fragonard: The Swing

Waterhouse: Tristan and Isolde

This week was the beginning our journey of art through time! Teacher Cindy taught us about cavemen, how their artwork was created and then we made our own cave paintings! The artistic ability of the students is amazing and so much fun to see the wide range of imagination! It was so much fun blowing paint onto the paper with straws to make shape of hands on the paper!

Jon with his cave painting.

Aboriginal blow art

Aboriginal blow art

Aboriginal blow art

Next week is Ancient Egyptian art! More adventures on the way!

Oil pastels

With in the next 2 weeks we are going to be using oil pastels. We as a class only have one set and I will bring mine from home but if your families have a set please bring them so our project will go faster. When students have to wait for materials out takes a long time to do an art project. Bring them starting this week and we can put your name on them and return them when we are finished.

Art materials

Reminder that art students need a white t-shirt for our last art project. Please bring them in.
Next week April 2nd  Please bring a picture of yourself. It should be an action picture of you doing something. Not a portrait. Bring several and we can help you decide.