Grade 4: Clay Castles

Clay castles are a project that we haven't been able to do each year due to time constraints, but I am happy that I could add this project in this year for my 4th graders (4B, 4V, 4M).

Below are a few pictures that I took on Monday. The school schedule has been so irregular recently, I am amazed we got this project in and it feels as though some classes took ages to complete it due to so many missed days!

We began by viewing a slideshow that detailed parts of a castle and using the iPads to look at different types of castles and their towers. Next was to create a sketch to follow. 

We discussed different methods of handbuilding in clay and students chose the best method for themselves. 

I really love the details that many students put on their castles.

Teen Studio= Best Night Ev

Last week began my first Teen Studio class.... it was a perfect mix of art making, laughter, candy, good conversation and reminiscing. We spent an hour and a half together creating slab lanterns and sculptural roses. I honestly couldn't tell you which project was more fun- they balanced each other so well. 

It was great working with current students and catching up with students I've had in school before. I enjoyed the special quality of seeing my girlz outside of school and in the beautiful studio space at The Painter's Loft Studio. 

Till Next week!

Exploring Grounds for Sculpture

George Segal's "Depression Breadline" continues to be one of my favorite sculptures (on a long list) at Grounds for Sculpture. The depiction of the five men standing in line conveys the era so well. Our mood this week while visiting GFS was quite to opposite. My Art Enrichment students, who just visited GFS last year, were as happy as can be exploring the Grounds once again,,,this time with a different lens.

Here are the girls in the Johnson/Kopcow Fantastic Five group interacting with Segal's sculpture. 

This sculpture has changed little since I met it 14 years ago (a bit more oxidation) but each year as my students line up and pose with this sculpture I feel as though I am seeing it for the very first time along with them.

 Segal conveys the mood so well in bronze capturing the heaviness and sadness in their clothing and faces. The brick wall and closed door rounds out the mood of the installation.

 My artsy explorers amazed me during the trip figuring out some neat angles and perspectives in their photography. 

What I love so much about GFS is how the landscape is just as intriguing as the actual sculpture.

For the Tuesday trip, the weather allowed for short sleeves. The day felt more magical because of the weather. Later in the week, the temperature was quite chilly but we were warm in spirit and didn't feel the cold in the least bit.

A special surprise for my students was a private tour of Gyuri Hollosy's studio. He is a lovely, incredibly talented man that I have met a few times. I taught his talented daughter for an honors class in middle school. She is a chip off the block... intelligent, skilled and personable.

This tour was a true gift from a friend and Bear Tavern parent who is a phenonmenal Sculptor as well, Rory Mahon. 

We toured Hollosy's studio intrigued by his works -in- progress, collection of amazing sculptures, paintings and drawings. It was the kind of space that you could sit in and do nothing but stare around at the wonders of the inspiring space.

After autographs and pictures of Hollosy, my students and his ox "Augie" or "ArtToro", we wandered off better, more inspired people.

Grade 1: For the Love of Nevelson

Every artist has a process that they go through to create art and materials that they are drawn to. My process, unfortunately, deals with collecting, using difficult materials, bulk and committing my studio environment to the materials in the art making process. Anyone that knows me well knows that I love green art and recyclables, installation art and have a passion for mosaics. 

Codeword=mess.

So I was grumbling to myself as I took out these bulky materials to let my 1st graders dig through and explore to create a found objects sculpture after we discussed Louise Nevelson's work. I knew as I pulled all of these assorted supplies out that they had the potential to end up all over the place and unsorted but that it was all for the love of Nevelson (and a deeper love for my students).

See exhibit A. 

Exhibit A: Messy table

Louise Nevelson is one of my favorite female artists and one of my very favorite sculptors. I love her use of found objects and the use of monochromatic color. The first art lesson that I ever saw taught on Nevelson was by Donna Cariola, art teacher extraordinaire at our local middle school. She teaches her lesson using a shoebox that the kids build in. Makes sense. Nevelson's sculptures tend to be built inside of square and rectangular structures.

 See exhibit B and C

Exhibit B

Exhibit C... love, love, love.

I wanted to capture just a little of Nevelson without using too much of Mrs. Cariola's project so I decided to have the kids search for objects, mostly all wooden and build with those objects on a piece of small cardboard. Here we are after about 35 minutes of building. The kids had a lot of fun. Next week they will continue to add pieces and then they will select a single color to paint their work. Check back next weekend for results. You will be amazed at how much more the kids add and how a single color unifies the piece.

And the first grade cell phones. 

 A few kids managed to sneak in these cell phones. Little flip phones. My gosh, they were so excited by this simple paper with the little numbers they added to them. 

When I was in 1st grade cell phones didn't even exist. When I was in high school they were just being introduced. Well, as long as they are happy creating!

Grade 4: Annual Grounds for Sculpture Trip

We had a great time this week visiting Grounds for Sculpture for our annual trip. Below are pictures from my trip with Mrs. Miller's class. My other two 4th grade groups will go in a few weeks.

Grade 5 Art Enrichment

My Art Enrichment class has been working hard all year...coming in before the normal school day for an extra period of art.
I gave them a few weeks to explore a free choice project. They are not quite done but here are a few of their works in progress

Jacquelene

Kelly

Sophie

Natalia

Justin L.

Grade 4: Giacometti Wire and Plaster Sculptures

Today at Toll Gate and starting tomorrow at Bear Tavern we are finally using the tuna cans we brought in as the base for a figurative sculpture using wire and plaster.
Sculpture rocks. It's another way of allowing kids to express themselves and utilize materials that spark a different interest.
If you would like to make a sculpture like this at home:

1. Take a round can (tuna fish, cat food, etc) and hammer 2 holes into the base. I used a thick nail and a hammer to make the holes as I couldn't find my awl.
2. Make the legs from 2 seperate pieces of wire by foldong them in half and twisting to make stronger.
3. Secure the legs to the inside of the can by feeding the wire through the holes and securing with tape.
4. Twist the legs together to make the torso and the extra wires makes the arms
5. Small piece of looped wire for the head. Wrap the ends to the torso and secure with tape.
Put figure into a favorite or interesting pose!
6. Wrap Plaster gauze dipped in water around the wires. The kids started at the bottom and began to work their way up so that the sculpture isn't top heavy.


We will finish these in week 2 and cover with a metallic paint the week after.

We talked about Swiss Sculptor Alberto Giacometti and his Surreal sculptures that depict a mood. 'Man Walking' sold for over $100 million dollars not too long ago. The bronze sculpture is skinny and quite tall.

Grade 2: Tara Donovan Sculpture Update

Wow, they did a great job! In this project, 2nd graders collected 50-100 of the same everyday object. In one class period, students created a sculpture using their collected items. Here are a few photos of finished sculptures from TGG and BT.

Coffee Filters (detail)

Noodles

Pennies

Screws

Plastic Cap Seals

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.

Pancake Art?!

Check out this gallery of pancake art (of all things). When I was a child, my father used to make Mickey Mouse pancakes on our trips to Florida but that was as fancy as it got. Imagine a work of art for breakfast.

Tower Crane Pancake. See more by clicking link below

Jim's Pancakes

2nd Grade Assignment: "Genius of Little Things"

All Second grade classes:

From the time you receive your brown paper assignment bag in art class until the due date listed below, it is your job to collect 50-100 "little things" from everyday life. You will select ONE type of item and then collect 50-100 of the exact same item. (Small variations in the item are okay)

Tara Donovan is a Sculptor that creates huge sculptures using everyday objects in an interesting way. Because she uses tons of the exact same object to create her sculptures, the sculptures are very interesting and help you to appreciate the everyday "little things" better. 


"It's not about how many, it's what they come together to create"

Some examples of items you can collect in your bag are: pencils, pens, buttons, paper clips, hair ties, little caps, straws, ....you name it. Think about a tiny everyday object that you come across a lot. If you collected 50-100 of them, will they ALL be small enough to fit in your bag? Can you alter the size so that they do fit??

Would the object be interesting to create a sculpture out of?

You will be using your "little things" in art to create a fantastic sculpture that will be simply "genius"

See below for more information on Tara Donovan! 

P.S. If you can find "little things" that you would normally throw away, save the environment and use those "little things" in this art project!

Tara Donovan, Genius of Little Things

Styrofoam Cups!

Person standing UNDER styrofoam cups installation! They look like hornet nests, or hives don't they?

Tara Donovan is an inventive young sculptor whose installations bring wonder to the most common objects of everyday life. Donovan’s site-specific, sculptural works transform ordinary accumulated materials into intriguing visual and physical installations. Choosing a single object – such as a transparent drinking straw, scotch tape, a Styrofoam cup, or a paper clip – Donovan experiments with assembling it in different ways. Sensitive to the specific needs of her materials and the nature of her exhibit spaces, her installations are often arranged in ways reminiscent of geological or biological forms.

Pencils!!

Thank you to....

Eve. A fabulous 2nd grade artist who inspired this grade level project when she recently 
shared a Tara Donovan inspired project with me that she created at The Met.


START COLLECTING NOW- you have a little over one month!


Due Dates by Homeroom Teacher:
2 Dippery: Monday, 1/9/2011
2 Drake: Thursday, 1/12/2011
2 McCarty: Friday, 1/13/2011
2 Booz: Wednesday, 1/11/2011