Art Making from Kindergarten to Graduation
I have taught molas fora few years now and find it an interesting subject for my students for we discuss 2 things when making them; Only the kuna people are allowed to sell molas Only kuna women make molas and are he breadwinners of their family These two facts allow for some great discussions on… Continue reading Molas Multiple Ways
Over the years of teaching, I’ve encountered one questions that I have learned to answer and developed my classroom around… “How can you grade my art when art is subjective?” In my first years of teaching, I would sometimes take offense to this questions as if I was being told that my class did not… Continue reading Grading Tips for the Art Room
I have always loved alebrijes with their bright colors and patterns. It wasn’t until I wanted to teach alebrijes as an art project that I learned the history behind their creation. Back in the 1930’s, paper mache artist, Pedro Lineras Lopez, had a nightmare where mythical creatures were following him around a forest chanting “alebrije”.… Continue reading Color Scheme Alebrijes
Roy Lichtenstein was an American Pop Artist who grew in popularity in the 1960’s along with Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and others during this exciting art movement. Most famous for his comic book like paintings, Lichtenstein took inspiration from the idea of mass production and popular culture combined with humor for his pieces. Below is… Continue reading Pop Art Yarn Prints
Mandala, Sanskrit for circle, is a design made up of geometric symbols and can be used for spiritual meditation and focusing one’s attention. Mandalas can be found in several religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, and can be dated back to the first century BC. Due to its repetitive nature, mandalas make a great printmaking project… Continue reading Printmaking Mandalas
This project is one of my all time favorites as an art teacher. It is inspired by David Hockney's Pearblossom Highway. This artwork is made up of hundreds of photo prints of one scene, collaged together to make one image. Before, actual photographs would have to be used, however, with new technologies, replicating this type… Continue reading Hockney Inspired Photos
In 2018, my 8th grade art class was fortunate enough to visit the Beyond the Streets art exhibit of graffiti and street artists. It was a real treat for them because it showed a medium that was normally seen in a negative light displayed in a more traditional setting. Having your art doesn't validate it… Continue reading Bill Barminski Cardboard Sculptures and Beyond the Streets Field Trip
When teaching art, it is important to go over the elements of art early and one of my favorite is the element of space. Space in art is the area within a composition while positive space is the subject or areas of interest in a piece making anything in the background or surrounding the subject… Continue reading Positive/Negative Silhouettes
One of my kids favorite books to read is Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry. The book, written by Fatsu Gilberti, gives a great background on the artist with fun cartoon illustrations making this book a resource for elementary age kids. While reading, the author discusses Yayoi’s love of pumpkins. While I… Continue reading Yayoi Kusama Inspired Pumpkins
Around second grade, I begin to introduce symmetry to my students. I begin with bilateral symmetry (mirror symmetry that is right down the middle) and as they get older, add other aspects of the topic such as radial and asymmetry. I like to begin this project by first asking for examples of symmetry they see… Continue reading Symmetrical Hearts
In the Art Room with Mrs. D 