VISUAL ARTS!

Today and tomorrow we are presenting our masks in class. This is a great way to practice what they might say for their Benchmark Portfolio Defense. Ask your student to explain their mask to you!

Every Friday in class we will work on revisions and uploading artifacts into the Digital Archive.

This Friday will be an opportunity to revise and edit Artist Statements. We will have computers!!

Artists From a Different Era

We are in the midst of wrapping up our film. We've discovered all sorts of new things about Frida Kahlo and different aspects of her life which inspired her more that others. She painted the way she saw the world and some people considered her a Surrealist painter. She never considered herself one because her paintings made complete sense to her.

We are hoping to discover more of how artists get their inspiration and the different styles of art that pass through different art movements.

This week we are going to learn about "Artists From a Different Era"

Frida Kahlo - A Surrealist Painter?

We will begin to discover the world of Frida Kahlo. You've either heard of her or you haven't. You like her artwork or you don't...but once you discover her fascinating life and extreme misfortunes, you'll uncover a whole new outlook on her paintings. We will learn to deepen our wonder of why a painting looks the way it does. And where an artist gets their inspiration. As we tap into Frida's history, we will also begin to discover other painters and artists ourselves.
This is the beginning of our Art History Unit.

Reflection Questions for Text Piece

Answer these questions in complete sentences. (1-2 paragraphs)

1. What is the title of your piece?
2. What is your piece and what are the words inside? How do they relate?
3. What were your struggles with this piece? What was challenging?
4. What was the easiest part of making this piece? What was the most fun?
5. How did you show movement in your piece? How did you show contrast?
6. If you were to change one thing about you piece, what would it be?

2/18-2/19 Wrapping it Up!

We are wrapping up our Art with Text projects. They are coming out beauitfully. The students have been working hard to design creative art pieces that contain only text. Using 3 Principles of Design in Art, students are using movement, contrast, and balance in their creative process to come up with a unique art piece.
The due date for this project is this Friday. (students may say after school Weds and Thurs to complete this task)

The artwork will be displayed around the school and you should definitely come by to check it all out! I'm very pleased with the creative outcomes!

1/25 & 1/26: Text in Art

Students and Parents,
In class today, a handout was given which contained some very important information regarding what we have already learned and what we are about to learn.
This handout included such groupings as Elements of Design and Principles of Design.
See the document attached for an easy download.

We also discussed more in depth the notion of "Balance" (principle of design) in art.
Symmetrical Designs vs. Asymmetrical Designs

Symmetry = dissecting a design either on the y (vertical) axis and/or on the x (horizontal) axis.
Asymmetry = an unequal balance.

Examples:
Cross = symmetrical
Sailboat = asymmetrical

In-Class activity:
Students were asked to find a symbol that they have some personal connection with. Drawing the symbol in a few different ways, the student is simply drawing the outline of it. Within the chosen symbol, the student needs to add text. The text needs to have some direct correlation to the symbol itself. The text can come from a number of locations: lyrics of a song, poem, journal entry, commonly used words that go along with the symbol...

Example:
Text= Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you will feed him for a lifetime
Symbol= fish

HW:
have a symbol and text ready for a second sketch on Weds/Thurs
Elements%20and%20Principles%20of%20Design.doc

Tis the season to be EFFICIENT! + Grades!

Happy New Year Students and Parents!
I want to apologize for not posting anything in quite a while. I have been unable to access this blog account for a few weeks. But now is the time to load it up again!

1/4/2010
I passed out grades today. Please note that they need to be signed and returned by Wednesday(LD) or Thursday(UD). Please be aware that these are not totaled up. There is a section at the top which states: Overall Total Grade (or something similar...). Please disregard that Letter and Percentage. It is not an accurate representation of your or your student's grade.

As for any NCs or missing assignments, students are encouraged to complete these assignments by next Tuesday (1/12). We have a Success Day next Tuesday and this will be the last day that I accept late assignments for the semester.

If a student would like to make up a quiz, they will be able to take it on Tuesday after school.

There are extra credit opportunities by coming in after school to help me beautify the classroom or completing extra sketchbook drawing assignments.

Feel free to email me with any concerns, I'd be happy to speak with you further about this matter.

I'll be posting more regularly so please keep visiting the Blog!
-annE