A Year in Art

Concentric Circles- Study of Color-11yrs. Old

Paints, smocks, techniques, vocabulary words, museum cards, art paddles, portfolios...my goodness! I am so proud of my art class this year( well I say that every year) but I am feeling a sense of accomplishment and gratitude towards my class.I suppose this is just typical musings of a teacher at the end of another school year, but true none the less. I was inspired by this years class and their attitude and encouragement of one another. They were kind, respectful and supportive of each other and so eager to learn.  Their excitement to learn and try new mediums was infectious too.
     It really made class time fun and relaxing at the end of our co-op day.

Personal Piece-Mixed Media-8yr. old

This year we studied American and European artist and artwork ranging mostly from 1830-1920, along with that, students learned all the Elements of  Art and Principles of Design. We had a great time playing games that solidified our vocab words, techniques, artwork and artists.

Personal Piece- Color Pens-10 yrs. old

Personal Piece- Mixed Media-13 yrs. old

Winter's Stormy Seas- Watercolor-11 yr. old

The artist we covered this year: Gustav Klimt, Vassily Kandinsky, Thomas Cole, Vermeer, Monet, Van Gogh, Frederick Remington, Joseph Turner, along with Navajo Blankets and NW Totem Poles. Students made a personal choice piece as well
and we did two collaborative projects, one in which we sold raffle tickets and donated the money to a family in need at our co-op.Here is some of my classes artwork.

Blue Pear- Study of Monochromatic colors - Acrylics-14 yr. old

Personal Piece- Colored Pencils-8 yrs. old

Marnau St.- Acrylic Paints- 11 yrs. old

Another Catskills Creek-Oil Pastes and Watercolors- 11 yrs. old

Birch Trees-Study of line- Mixed Media-14 yrs old. 

Personal Piece-Oil Pastels- 6 yrs. old

Starry Night-with  oil pastels- 11 yrs. old

Catskills Creek-Mixed Media- 11yrs old

A Waterlily- Study of Texture- Acrylic and Gel Medium-7 yrs. old

With each artist and their work I taught the students a technique, an element, and a design principle or two. It was so gratifying to see their powers of  observation grow. This is one of the most important concepts to enjoying art, in my opinion.  It is also, one of the most difficult for children to practice.  But when they start  to not only look at a painting, but to actually see the painting, something unlocks and the forces of creativity and imagination start to flow. I never grow tired of watching this happen.  Leave a comment I know they would love to be encouraged in their artistic pursuits.