Grant Wood Inspired Landscapes

In Fifth Grade we study the work of several American artists.  One of my favorite is Grant Wood.  His most recognizable work of art is probably American Gothic.  The kids love seeing this painting in my class because they all recognize it!

American Gothic

  

We also take time to look at his landscape paintings.  We discuss his style and how he simplifies details like trees and buildings, and organizes the landscape into layers.

  

This year we made a oil pastel landscape drawing and a clay landscape.

After we made the landscapes out of clay we added oil pastel.  Then we used watercolor to fill in where the oil pastel couldn't reach.

The kids loved it!

Dot Day Art

Here is a glimpse of what students at Valle Crucis and Blowing Rock have been working on for Dot Day.  Some classes are still hard a work on their Dot Day projects.

Six and Seventh Grade CD Weaving

Fifth Grade String Art

Second Grade Dot Flowers and Third Grade Dot Spirals

International Dot Day

I am excited that I will be teaching art at Valle Crucis School and Blowing Rock School this year!

To kick off this year, all students will be participating in International Dot Day.  

Starting in 2009, a group of educators began celebrating September 15 as International Dot Day, a day for classes to explore the story’s powerful themes: bravery, creativity, and self-expression. The Dot tells the story of a caring teacher who reaches a reluctant student in a remarkably creative way. In Peter Reynolds’ book, the teacher dares a very resistant student to “make her mark.” Encouraged by her teacher, she sets off on a journey of self-discovery, letting her creativity bloom and, ultimately, inspiring others.

Each class will be reading The Dot by Peter Reynolds and creating their own dot inspired art work. Every student at Valle Crucis and Blowing Rock will be able to "make their mark" in the 2015-2016 school year!

Throwback Thursday - Penland School of Crafts 2011

I was looking through pictures on my computer, when I came across my photos from my experience at Penland School of Crafts in 2011.  I attended a 2 week workshop called "Art for Nature Freaks".  We hiked at Roan Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Hunt Fish Falls, Hawksbill and visited Robert Johnson's studio in Celo, NC.  We took botanical samples from our hikes and brought them back to the drawing/painting studio at Penland and set to work.

Crown Vetch, my first painting of the week!

Hiking at Roan Mountain, Flame Azaleas

Robert Johnson's Studio

Looking at original watercolors by Robert Johnson in his studio

Hiking at Mount Mitchell

Sculptures at Penland

Penland's campus is part of the National Historic Registar

My work space at Penland

Outside of the dining hall

The Energy Exchange

Ken (botanist from Duke Gardens), Gavin (Robert's teaching assistant), Robert and Me

4 H Summer Camp 2014

Last summer I taught an art camp for Ashe County 4 H.  For one week children from Ashe County ages 5-13 worked on art projects with a Medieval theme, all using recycled materials.

The big project for the week for my lower elementary group was castles

 My upper elementary group constructed dragons, ogres and unicorns from recycled materials

My middle school children worked together to create armor and princess dresses.

Summer Art Adventures

I'm busy recharging my batteries this summer.  Spending time with my newborn son, William, taking lots of walks and hiking when I can, and of course, making art!

Here is what I've been working on:

Weaving - it's great project to work on while William plays beside of me. Here are some of the weavings I have completed so far.

 

Sketchbook - I bought a lovely leather covered sketchbook last summer and now I'm starting to fill it with small drawings and paintings. I have my sketchbook and a few drawing and painting materials with me so I can sketch on the go!

Here is a short video showing what I have done in my sketchbook so far.

Weaving, weaving, weaving!!!

Lots of weaving has been going on in the Art Room this year! Check out what each grade has been up to.

Kindergarten created paper place mats by weaving with paper.

First and Second Grade made painted paper and used it to create their weaving.  They turned their weaving into houses for a collaborative mural.

Third Grade made a weaving with yarn on a small loom.  Then they learned now to sew the edges together to create a pouch.  They added a braided cord to the pouch so that they could wear it around their neck.  Now they have a special place to keep their things!

Weaving on a small loom

Evey's woven pouch

Kaitlyn's woven pouch

Sara's woven pouch

Earlier in the year, Fourth Grade learned about the different regions of North Carolina and created a tree weaving based on their choice of region.  They painted paper plates with a landscape of a North Carolina region, then added the tree in the foreground by weaving.

Piedmont and Mountain Regions of North Carolina

Fifth Grade is working on different weaving techniques including plain weave, box weave, basket weave, and rya.  They are weaving wall hangings.  They have worked really hard on these! Some students even made up their own weaving patterns!

Sixth Grade created a circular weaving on a CD after learning about Egypt.

Sixth Grade Art Club meets on Fridays.  These students create their own projects, and I am just there to guide them.  Weaving was one of their favorite projects.

Dalton showing off his work from Sixth Grade Art Club
a woven wall hanging and a pillow for his grandma