30 Day Drawing Challenge (2)

Come to find out, even in the summer, I am pretty much worthless after 8 pm, especially when it comes to trying to plan and do anything academic. I have spent the last few days penned up in what we affectionately call the "rumpus room." There is a futon, filing cabinet that is no where near organized, hence the boxes of stuff ready to be filed in front of the futon, guitars, amplifiers, cubbies full of records, a desk, and numerous plastic shoe boxes filled with art supplies on any available shelf or floor space. I am half way through the first draft of my second paper due tomorrow (for 50% of my grade!) and I just couldn't type anymore once I had dinner. I decided to draw instead.

Today's, or maybe it was yesterday's (I've lost track) challenge was to draw your favorite TV show. This isn't exactly my best work, but the two main characters of the only show I make a point to watch have been rendered in a simple line drawing and color palette. I think I have watched every season of Project Runway, including All Stars, whether it has been through Netflix (since I didn't know the show existed until 2005) or on Hulu (since I no longer have cable).

I love the show for numerous reasons.
One, its reality television. I watched the Real World when I was a teenager and appreciate where it all began. Who can resist the drama and suspense (and wonder what was edited out)?
Two, I love and appreciate when you can see the creative process in action. Even more, I love when you can see designers grow and flourish.
Three, I can't do what they do.
I should, or at least I should be somewhat able, as my concentration was in textile design. I remember long nights in the studio with the sewing machine trying to get my samples straight! And yet I hate, hate, hate having to hem my own pants. I even put off putting a button back on a shirt until I absolutely have to. I can't even image creating an entire garment, let along fashion line!
After a quick google search of 'Tim Gunn' for images to help with my drawing, I read an article or two about his history. I have a greater appreciation for Tim Gunn knowing how many years of dedication he put into Parsons and how he revamped the curriculum in order for graduates to be more a part of the twenty first century. Who know?

Willow Pattern Plates in progress

I can't wait any longer! I have to share how our Willow Pattern Plates are coming out.

In the beginning  of DECEMBER, grade six  read The Willow Pattern Story by Allan Drummond. We discussed illustration, pattern, value and monochromatic. Students made a rough draft of a design illustrating a part of the story, the entire story or their own story. We are now finishing up painting our design on sturdy paper plates, adding some details with blue sharpie and finally coating the plates with a nice, shiny varnish.

On the right side of this picture, a student has her story map handy. After we read, we filled it out in order to remember the story the next few classes, but also to remember certain elements which could add to our design AND its good practice for upcoming standardized test.

Each set of tables has a tray with two kinds of blue acrylic and white. Students scoop with a pop stick a small amount of paint into the palate as needed. Each student is in charge of cleaning up her own supplies and I call table colors up to the sink a couple at a time.

not yet finished, but paying close attention to detail and craftsmanship

I love how he created a square in the circle. Not yet finished.

first one done out of over 100 students. very painterly.

this student decided to tell his own story. something about Sumo wrestling.

Many of the boys in this class enjoyed the part of the story where the star crossed lovers are placed in a maze. I love the color of this maze!

an underwater story!

the girls loved the part where the star crossed lovers become immortal doves. simple and beautiful.

Goals for the 2011/ 2012 School Year or Activities (techniques/concepts) to Revist

F.Y.I. It has been ingrained in me since my days at UMD with my all my art education professors, to say "activity" instead of "project."

Looking through my photos, I think I have posted about most of the lessons I documented last school year. There are a few however that didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, for various reasons. So, with a new school year (at a new school and with new age group) just weeks away, I think I will make a list of things I'd like to "re-do" or try again.

Weaving
I tried a pattern (strips) pumpkin paper weaving last fall, with 3rd grade.
Ultimately, like any activity, there were fantastic woven pumpkins, while others were finished, but not entirely correctly. I'd like it to have a higher success rate.

see at the bottom left and top right

A few things didn't work:
1. Being the "new" art teacher, I only had these students for a few weeks at this point, and I did not fully know their capabilities. Some knew how to weave, some did not.
2. Timing- if I recall, this "one class period" lesson I found in a Scholastic book, took us two class periods.
3. Not having the right words- something I struggle with is phrasing directions in an appropriate, "kid" language, while still using the correct art terms and formal language.

If I did this again, I would possibly do some lead up, practice weaving sorts of activities. I think I would also make the pumpkin warp bigger for smaller hands. I would also nail down the language that would work best, before presenting the material.

As I will not being teaching 3rd grade this year, my goal would be to teach weaving this winter. There is a TON of yarn at my new school, and pre- notched cardboard looms begging to be used! The one other time I taught weaving, I had 12 kids in the class and I made the looms myself. I think making a small tapestry during the cold New England winter will be a perfect activity for my seventh or eighth graders.

Observational Drawing

Now transitioning to all middle school, all the time, I need to get into a different mind set. Middle school kids get it stuck in their head that art, and in particular drawing, is only good if it is realistic. While I don't agree with that, and will try to change their minds over the course of the year, I do want to give them tools to become better drawers.

These two observational drawings are done by 5th grade students. I feel like the process worked well and I would like to use it with my middle schoolers this year.

I had a couple of boxes at the back of the room, filled with the random nick nacks only art teachers could have. (Seriously, a fish on a stick!) I randomly called on a student to select an item. I encouraged certain sized items, but the choice was theirs. They then brought the item to a table in the front of the room, and the class sketched. After a few minutes, the next student selected an item and placed it behind the previous item. As a class, we made observations using key terms, and added the new item to the sketch. We continued this process until our square was filled. Over two classes, we did about 4, small sketches. 
We had also talked about value and had previously completed a "shattered" value, abstract drawing. I feel like the transition from that activity, to this drawing helped the kids understand the concept more completely and then were able to practically apply the idea. I feel like there could be more contrast in the values in these drawings, but then I have to remember that this was 5th grade! How great is this 5th grade drawing!? And, in just 2 classes?

So back to middle school, a goal for the year would be to complete more activities that build drawing skills.

3D
Two little characters that when placed next to each other, evoke fear and anxiety in the hearts of some art teachers. --I tried this past school year, I really did. Not until the end of the year, but I did try.

Actually, both 3D- ish lessons we did came from There's a Dragon in my Art Room. We made abstract cardboard sculptures in 5th grade and Louise Nevelson inspired shoe box top reliefs in 6th grade. Unfortunately I do not have photos of the cardboard sculptures, as we finished them about a day before the end of school. However, I managed to collect so many pieces of cardboard, that I lugged two boxes full to my new school yesterday.

There are two reasons why I feel like I avoid 3D activities:
1. The "engineer" part of my brain is not strong. I feel like I would be unable to answer construction questions.
2. Managing 100+ student works is like trying to flamenco dance. I don't know the steps, I don't know how to contort or balance. Chances are I am going to fall or step on some feet. However, with practice, the dance can be beautiful.
So for the new school year, my goal is to learn, plan, and manage a few more 3D activities.

Seriously, how cool would a wall of these be?

Mona

*sigh* its just me, my blog, and the record player. yes, record player. we're both closer to thirty than twenty, and enjoy the sound of vinyl and buy more records than cds or mp3s. its interesting how the bands we listen to are releasing new music on vinyl more often. i am also learning to listen to more music as we are canceling our cable contract. its just too much money that can be spent more wisely. and so, the channels we get on the antenna are the basics, and countless pbs/ public stations. even as an art teacher, i can only take so many "happy, little trees."
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grade three, for the most part, finished their Mona Lisa portraits. I have been dragging my feet with grading this week. I want to transition the third graders into using rubrics. and I know next week I will have countless hours in the morning to get work done, with standardized testing going on. needless to say, the rubrics are made and I will finish grading by the end of next week. here are a few interpretations:

Phantom of the Opera Mona

Mona in the Hat

Mona Mom

Mona Ms. Cameron (our Principal)

(unfinished) Mona in Space

Bruins Mona

(unfinished) Sleepy Mona

the Moooona Lisa

we talked about what makes the Mona Lisa, the Mona Lisa and what to add to our portraits to tell the viewer that we looked at the original. We also looked at a powerpoint of other artist's interpretations and discussed why this was such a monumental portrait and why it is famous. We tried to include things similar to the original horizon line, the river or mountains, her clothing and the position of her hands. I think they did a fantastic job and wish I could say the same for my camera! (I really want to get a new one. not necessarily an SLR, but maybe one a step down. still, $300, gotta save up!)