Under the Influence-Week 11

Yesterday in class we learned about Pablo Picasso. We focused on his "Three Musicians," and I love how the collages came out!

It's been awhile....

....since I posted any of my own work. I've been busy posting from my art class, and most of my time has been spent working on a couple magazines I started in the Chicago Public Schools (web site to come). So, I thought I'd post my latest. These robots were drawn by brothers (Aaron and Matthew). I haven't printed them out yet (they're THAT new), so I don't have the 3-d pictures yet. I just thought they were cool. : )

Oh, you might have noticed that the top one didn't have a face in the original. I did a version with a black head, as Aaron drew it, and sent a proof. Then I learned he wanted a face, so he drew one and his mom e-mailed it to me, so I could apply it to the picture.  Also, they both included their full names, but I blocked those out, since they included their last name, and some people don't want that on a blog....

Under the Influence-Week 10

This week was Warhol Week. The first week of class I took pictures of the kids. Since then, I uploaded them on my computer, played with the contrast and printed them out. The kids used water colors to paint their images, and they arranged them on the black background the way they wanted. A first taste of their "15 minutes."

Under the Influence-Weeks 8 & 9

I didn't post last week, because I forgot to bring my camera to class. We studied Georgia O'Keeffe. First the kids made tissue paper flowers. Then they made their own flower pictures using pastels. Above, you can see the pictures my kids did. Since I didn't have my camera, I couldn't capture the other kids' masterpieces. But I did this week.











This week we learned about Paul Cézanne. I set up a fruit still life for the kids to draw. They first drew it in pencil. Then they used crayon to add some color. Next, they used watercolors for more color and texture. The crayon and watercolors worked really well together. I think everyone did a fabulous job!

Under the Influence-Week 7

You might notice I didn't post anything from the art class last week. I was not happy with the project. We did Matisse collages, and I am hoping to rework the project for the next time I teach this class. So, moving on to Week 7.

I was all prepared to do Georgia O'Keeffe. I practiced making tissue paper flowers with the kids and doing pastel drawings (ruining their white uniform tops in the process...why didn't I make them change?). Then I had a more timely idea. With Halloween coming up, the kids are all excited, anticipating their class parties on Friday and trick-or-treating on Saturday. Who better to learn about than Edvard Munch, artist of The Scream? We started by looking at The Scream and discussing why it was spooky. This is what Munch wrote about the painting:

"I was walking down the road with two friends when the sun set; suddenly, the sky turned as red as blood. I stopped and leaned against the fence, feeling unspeakably tired. Tongues of fire and blood stretched over the bluish black fjord. My friends went on walking, while I lagged behind, shivering with fear. Then I heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature."

The kids were to paint something inspired by The Scream. It could be someone or something screaming, or something that would make someone scream. I think they did an excellent job. And next week, we'll move on to Georgia O'Keeffe and pretty flowers!