Jackson Pollock 100

Convergence, 1952

American Painter Jackson Pollock would have celebrated his 100th birthday this weekend. The famous Abstract Expressionist is a favorite among k-12 students who love the free nature about his work. They love how he made millions by dripping and splattering paint on huge canvasses. I love to talk about the value of an original idea and how an original idea at the right time is priceless.


In 4th grade, we had some time towards the end of the period twice this week so I let these classes build a small wood sculpture and drip paint on top of the wood. The kids loved doing this so much that I will make time for my other sections of grade 4 complete this project too. In honor of Jackson Pollock and non-conventional painting.

Grade 4: Glass window update

I hope that many of you were able to see the fused glass window at the school Friday evening during the BT Circus. 
The window represents so many things to me that are important. The 4th graders worked individually to create their small glass tiles using all sorts of colored pieces of glass. Several staff members were able to create tiles as well to fill in the gaps.
Our Artist-in-Residence, Jessica Liddell, fused the tiles in her kiln and returned the tiles arranged as a rectangular window. 


Each tile is so beautiful. As a final piece, the combined beauty of the 91 tiles is easy to get lost in...easy to stand looking at the window with eyes traveling from each tile to tile feeling the power of it's beautiful glow. Each tile is different but has elements in common. 

Director of HVRSD Facilities installing window

As young artists, my students have so much in common but so many different ideas on how to arrive at a final product.
I like to think of my students as artists without a medium. They are still discovering all that art has to offer. Some are naturals with drawing or painting until they discover the possibilities of sculpture or duct tape.
What an exciting thing. 


The window was delivered on a Thursday afternoon and the Director of Facilities for Hopewell Valley installed the window for us personally. Having installed multi-million dollar stained glass window for some of the most expensive places, this installation was easy for him but no less important to us that we were not kept waiting for this installation. There is nothing worse to me than keeping beautiful art stored in a dark closet. 


The Bear Tavern administration, staff, community and offices have been so supportive of our arts efforts. 
Every single time the window is passed, it will be a reminder that we are so fortunate to have the resources and support to be artistic and create meaningful pieces of art that make our school beautiful for all.

Grade 1: Snapshot Snowmen

Check out the Snapshot Snowmen paintings that my 1st graders finished a few weeks ago. We started the snowmen by drawing two letter "U"'s to get that nice rounded look and then used a combination of oil pastels and tempera paint.

Alex

Samiyah

Andie C.

Jaina J.

Grade 4: Landscape Scrolls

4th grade is working on (or getting set to begin work on) these Chinese landscape scrolls. We are loving the bamboo rushes and ink this month so the 4th graders started these landscape drawings in ink! They were then colorized with tempera paint.

Nate S. 

To finish, we will add a Chinese character to the scroll and create rolled edges.

Jacquelene W.

5th grade: Pandas and Bamboo

The 5th graders are doing a fantastic job with their panda and bamboo paintings. Students started off drawing a panda from a reference photo making changes as they deemed fit. Next, they copied their individual drawings on to rice paper. Next up was to practice painting bamboo and getting comfortable with the bamboo brushes. 
Students then painted bamboo around their pandas in ink and filled in their pandas with ink.
We will add a Chinese character to polish off these paintings since the kids really love the simple printmaking process.

Grade 3: Bamboo Paintings

3rd graders are working to complete a composition of bamboo trees using ink and bamboo brushes on rice paper. 
They realized that controlling the ink isn't quite so easy and that the bamboo brushes have an amazing range (they can produced incredibly thin lines or thick ones).


Today, the 3P class at Bear Tavern added a Chinese character to their finished compositions using simple printmaking techniques on styrofoam.

                       

2nd grade Lanterns

We are revisiting creating tints in our art with this lantern drawing project for Chinese New Year. Although these lanterns are different from traditional Chinese lanterns, we discussed Chinese lanterns and how beautiful floating lights are. 

Day 1 of this project was all discussion, drawing and oil pastels

Day 2 will be finishing up with oil pastels and then painting the backgrounds.
credit: Art projects for Kids

Incredibly beautiful

Traditional Lanterns round vs. rectangular

We couldn't help think of the movie 'Tangled' and the floating lanterns (my favorite part)

How could we not look up the animal for the year we were born? A sheep is also a ram.

In my household we have a TIGER, two MONKEYS and a SNAKE.

 What animals are in your house??

Just for Kicks...

Chinese Zodiac Chart

The rotating cycle of twelve animal signs was a folk method for naming the
years in traditional China. The animal signs for one another
in an established order, and are repeated every twelve years.
1976 was the year of the Dragon, and 1977 was the year of
the Snake. 2005 is the year of the Rooster.

Rat - Born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Rat was the first animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. It is usually considered aggressive, ambitious, suspicious, power-hungry, honest, generous, quick to anger and prone to spend freely. Those born under the sign of Rat are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the one they love. However, they have a tendency to be hot-tempered and overly critical. They are usually suitable for sales work or work as a writer, critic, or publicist. Rats will get well along with Dragons and Monkeys, however should avoid Horses.
 

Ox - Born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Ox is a symbol of powerful individuals with unyielding and stubborn personalities. Those born under the sign are natural born leaders who typically succeed when given the chance and will also make outstanding parents. They are upright, inspiring, easy-going and conservative. The Ox would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. Ox gets along with Snakes and Roosters but not sheep.
 

Tiger - Born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
As the fighting animal, those born under tiger's sign are sensitive, aggressive, unpredictable, charming, emotional, courageous and capable of great love. Often risking themselves, they have a carefree life. Tigers usually will be outstanding as a boss, explorer, racecar driver, or matador. A happy marriage can take place with a Horse or a Dog but never a Monkey.
 

Rabbit - Born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Those born under this sign are affectionate, talented, obliging, always pleasant, valuing security and tranquility. They have a tendency to get too sentimental and superficial and to avoid conflict and emotional involvement. Being cautious and conservative, they usually take no risk and are successful in business. They would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor. Their best life partners are Sheep or Pigs instead of Roosters.
 

Dragon - Born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Those born under the sign are considered intelligent, gifted, bossy, loud, garish, and unfaithful, but also popular and successful, full of vitality and enthusiasm. They usually look stubborn on the outside, but softhearted inside. They are born to be an artist, priest, politician, or leader. A dragon will be compatible with a Snake or Rooster. However, a sheep will not be a good choice.
 

Snake - Born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Those born under this sign are usually considered clever, passionate, determined, romantic, intense, rich in wisdom and charm, but vain. Women born under Snake are often beautiful. Snakes will be strongly guided by their intuition. They certainly will win a lot of money, but have to avoid procrastination and stingy attitude towards money. The Snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, or fortune teller. Marriage with a Rooster or Ox not a Pig will be best.
 

Horse - Born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
They are hardworking, intelligent and friendly, cheerful and popular, but impatient. Usually they consider themselves superior to others. They have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning and should guard against being egotistical. Adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician will be suitable occupations for them. Horses get well along with Tigers and Dogs instead of Rats.

Sheep - Born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
The sign suggests a person who is creative, artistic, passionate, elegant, warmhearted, honest, charming but pessimistic, timid, disorganized and vulnerable. Too dependent on material comforts, they are easy to complain and do not respond well to pressure, but will find their own natural solution to a problem when given space. Best occupation for a Sheep is an actor or a gardener. They are compatible with Rabbits or Pigs in marriage, but not Ox.
 

Monkey - Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Monkeys are intelligent, inventive, clever, entertaining but also dangerous and easily discouraged. Because of their extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, they are always well liked and make close friends. However, they can't be trusted. They should guard against being an opportunist and distrusting other people. The sign suggests success in any field they try. The best matches are Dragons or Rats while the worst are Tigers.
 

Rooster - Born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Roosters are courageous, hardworking, shrewd, arrogant, reckless, selfish and eccentric. They are thirsty for knowledge, devoted to work and definite involved in decision-making. They are skilled at what they do and attentive to details. However, they tend to seem boastful to others. Roosters will be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler. The sign promises harmony with Snakes and Ox and trouble with Rabbits.

Dog - Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Those born under this sign are honest, quiet, intelligent, generous, stubborn, loyal and faithful to those they love. They are introverted listeners, dedicated but also cynical and prone to letting their external anxieties get the better of them. Constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a faultfinder will always plague them. However, they are born to be successful. Dogs will be excellent businessmen, activists, teachers, or secret agents. Tigers and Horses are deemed as best matches, and Dragons need to be handled with care.
 

Pig - Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Pigs are honest, reliable, sincere, tolerant, shy, affectionate, kind, impulsive and short tempered. They are splendid companions, intellectuals with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. In addition they are extraordinarily naive. Their unquenchable thirst for knowledge will facilitate their success whereas their quest for material comfort will frustrate it. Pigs also will sacrifice their lives for good causes. The Pig will be successful in financial affairs, or as an entertainer, or possibly a lawyer. Pigs should be aware of other Pigs and compatible with Sheep and Rabbits.
 

Fun Week of Glass Fusing

Well, the 4th graders did their part this week and created some really neat glass tiles. 

Jessica Liddell has now transported the tiles to her studio where she will fuse each tile in the kiln and bring them back to Bear Tavern to be set in a window.

Ms. Dewees' class tiles stacked and set to go