Red and Green

The children are learning the ways of the studio. We
squeeze a lot of creativity into their relatively short
time that they visit. This week we looked at a basket of
vegetables guessing what they were. This is a nice thing
for you to do at the grocery store or local open air markets.
We proceeded to use potatoes, tiny green tomatoes, peppers,
onions, and okra into prints. We began with red paint learning to
move our arms in an up and down motion(instead of side to side)
to create our marks. Some tried to guess which veggie made their
print. Then we added a little green paint to see what would happen.
They were all amazed to see that they made varying shades of grey,
brown and dark green. It then turned into a color exploration.
Some of them talked me into using yellow. which added another color.
It was a fun and successful project.

Java Dough

The YD classes helped me mix up "Java Dough" This was thrilling for them.We mixed dried coffee grounds
flour, water and a pinch of cinnamon together. The children helped me mix and as it transformed into a dough , we placed it onto the table for them to squish and pinch.
The activity gave them some pleasure and they were all very happy. Their teachers shot some photos as my
hands were very messy to do photos.

                                                   The artists worked on the floor spattering different colors of paint. They

                                           used brushes and sticks to swirl house paint, as they learned Jackson Pollock did.

                                           We have one more phase to this painting. We will go outside and really splatter

                                           the "energy and motion in paint". The painting will hang outside the studio for a bit.

                                           Please stop by and see it sometime.

                                       

The Art Studio (Atelier)

Working in the Studio

I think that my personal favorite activity in the studio is a very open ended project. I love watching the children paint stroke by stroke focusing on each thing that they do.They like it,because they can work fairly freely.We read the story "Action Jackson". It is a well written story about the artist Jackson Pollock. After reading the story the children drew a sketch in their sketchbook. They observed an orchid and its long stem, round blossoms and large oval leaves.
Then came the "action". About three students at a time painted on a canvas on the floor with house paint(as Jackson did), We will be taking it outside to do the splatter portion soon. The amount of intense concentration is always so inspirational to me. They love to paint without too much interruption. Soon, the painting will hang in our halls. I will
be sure to let you know when it is finished.

Sketchbooks in Schools

Please check this website out:
http://www.accessart.org.uk/sketchbook/

We are using sketchbooks again this year with the Pre-K and Kindergarten students. The Threes will use one in January.
The sketchbooks will be used each time the children visit and will be sent home near the holiday break.
I am strongly encouraging the artists to work on one page  at a time. I want them to see that as they put more time into their work, they will be more proud and surprised at what they can accomplish. I am avoiding the "one mark on every page and getting praise for minimal work" theory of teaching.

The sketchbook will be a place to try something new without fear of "doing it right". As they work throughout the year, they will see that practice makes things better. I am looking forward to see what changes will happen during this new year.

Over all the week was great. Most of the children have been to the studio so it was a comfort to be in a familiar room with a familiar face. They had many transitions this week and enjoyed watercolor, pastels and paper. The light table has new objects on it and we will have  clay , wood and sandpaper for a new area for those transitioning out of our focused meeting. Keep checking back for updates on this blog.


 I will be sending home a list of bits and bobs for an upcoming project.


Sincerely,

Miss Julie