4th Grade Musical Collages

This is a new project for 4th grade; I have been experimenting in the past few years with different ways to teach negative space, which is a tricky concept.  Students cut out half of a guitar, and then used the "scrap" to match up and create a whole guitar shape.  The scrap contains the negative space. Kids could choose a traditional guitar shape, or could  invent new ones, and I was pleased to see everything from animals to ice cream cones!  Collage is a challenge as well, because all the details are cut and glued - no drawing!   We looked at Matisse collages for inspiration.  Check back, as there are more to come!

2nd Graders Love Gustav Klimt!

 2nd graders used a variety of tools and materials to create these Klimt inspired trees.  Gold and silver paint, along with real leaves, were used to print the background for the tree drawings.  After examining The Tree of Life, students practiced drawing an abstract tree, and then drew their final copy using silver crayons.  Hole punchers and gold paper were used to create the leaves, and students had a great time adding sequins to the trunks of their trees.  The results are shimmering, and just beautiful!

Welcome back, Tesago kids!

I hope everyone had a fantastic summer!  I visited the Clark Art Museum in August, and got to see an incredible Van Gogh exhibit.  Here I am in a giant Van Gogh painting!

I hope you are all ready for a fun, creative year in art.  Here we go!

Shen's 2015 Art Show!

Congratulations to all of the creative, talented students who were chosen for the art show this year! If you were not able to attend, here is Tesago's wonderful work.  Enjoy!

Walkabout Displays

If you weren't able to attend the Walkabout/ Ice Cream Social, here is some wonderful art work, created by all grade levels, that was on display in the art room!

                                                                2nd grade chair sculptures

                                                         4th grade ocean silhouette paintings

                                                                   5th grade name designs

                                                             1st grade castle paintings

                                                      3rd grade cupcake still life drawings

1st Grade Zebra Fever!

 These adorable zebras are based on the artwork of Eric Carle.  Students looked at some of his work, discussed how he painted paper first, and then got to work on 2 striped paintings.  Collage came next, with students cutting and gluing appropriate shapes.  Rounding the corners of the rectangular paper was difficult for some, but was good practice.  Details came last; the kids LOVED using yarn for the mane and tail!  I got many compliments when these were hung up in the hallway; they just make me happy, because they are so cute!  Next year I will connect these zebras with fruit stripe gum!

2015 Art Show Hours

The hours for the 2015 Shen art show are as follows:

Wed.  12 to 3 PM
Thurs.  12 to 3 PM
Fri.  12 to 7 PM
Sat.  12 to 4 PM
Sun.  TBD
Mon.  2 to 7  PM
Tues.  12 to 3 PM, 6 to 8 PM
Wed.  12 to 3 PM, 5 to 8 PM

Please check the Shen website for updates!