December - January Art Update!

Thanks for stopping in to check out the December and January combined post! With a shortened month of of school leading up to winter break, I figured we would just glide right into January with our art blog post.

Take a look at each grade level below to see what the students have been up to...

Kindergarten artists completed their Clay Cupcakes! The students learned a variety of basic clay making techniques including: shaping pinch pots, rolling out a long coil, creating a topper, and attaching the clay topper using the "4 S's" (score, slip, stick, and smooth). The students had a great deal of fun making the projects, and many of the older students were amazed (and some jealous) when they learned kindergarten students made them. 

After the clay had dried out, it was bisque fired in the kiln, and then painted by the students using tempera paint. We finished the scrumptious cupcakes by adding a coat of mod podge for shine, and real sprinkles for some added texture and fun :) Luckily, no students tried to eat them this year (usually there's at least one ;)

The students are now returning to a previous project we had started before break... Catching Snowflakes, a mixed media self portrait project of the students catching snowflakes. I like to read two books during the making of the artwork, "The Jacket I Wear in the Snow" and "Snowflakes Fall." The first book, connects to the designing of the mittens and all the winter gear that the child has to put on in the book. The kindergarten artists designed their own pair of mittens with oil pastels and paint, while attempting to make their designs symmetrical. The following class they enjoyed creating sleeves and a hat to become part of the matching set. 

Soon, we will be creating the background (a wintery night sky with large uniquely printed snowflakes) and then lots of cutting, arranging, and gluing will follow. We look forward to sharing our completed artwork soon!

First grade artists also wrapped up their clay making unit by putting finishing touches on their one of a kind snowmen (and women :)! The project is a step up from kindergarten in the clay making skills needed to make the artwork. The students needed to create three clay pinch pots (small, medium, and large) to be disguised as snowballs. They were then asked to give their snow person a headpiece and neckpiece, as well as a face. Many of the students went above and beyond and enjoyed adding extra features like snow friends, family members, pets... even snakes (for whatever reason we had a lot of snakes attached to the snowmen this year, haha). 

After adding holes into the sides of the snowman (for stick arms) and letting them dry out, the projects were bisque fired in the kiln, and ready to paint! We added a coat of white paint and then colored tempera paint for the creative colored areas. The students were encouraged to do color mixing and take their time as it was very easy to make messes on the clean white "snow." Lasty, the students enjoyed adding a layer of mod podge for shine and GLITTER for sparkle! Oh yes, and the finishing touch... adding in twigs for the stick arms :) We hope the snowmen will serve as fun winter decoration for years to come!

We are now revisiting a project we started previously, VanGogh Inspired Sunflower Batiks! The students have been studying artist Vincent VanGogh and learned to draw sunflowers like his famous paintings. We are now taking their drawing and using it to trace glue onto fabric that will be made into a batik! The students will paint around the glue and then once the glue is washed out, there will be white lines left behind which is the key characteristic of a batik. Many artists use melted wax, but glue is much less dangerous for our first graders :) 

Second grade artists enjoyed adding finishing touches to their Clay Picture Frames as we wrapped up our clay unit! This is one of those projects I teach that has a personal connection since I too made a clay picture frame in elementary school, and my mom STILL has mine on display, along with my sister and brothers. The students were encouraged to come up with a meaningful and unique design that also incorporated a variety of clay making techniques. All frames were made with a slab of clay that the students rolled out and cut into two pieces (the front of the frame and the base). They then were asked to add extra slab designs, coil designs, texture, and drawing. The students really had to be thoughtful and intentional about which design in their sketchbook would work best with the different clay making techniques. 

As with any clay artwork that joins two pieces of clay together, the students reviewed the 4 S's (score, slip, stick, smooth) in order to successfully join the clay. After the projects dried out and were fired in the kiln, the students had the opportunity to give their frames a totally different look with COLOR! We used "naked" oil pastels first by rubbing the side on the top surface of the clay.  The students then watered down tempera paint and let it settle into the deeper areas. They know the relationship between the oil pastels and paint is a competitive one. We want the oil pastel to win the battle and say "Don't go here paint! I was here first!" We can't wait for you to see the one of a kind frames, complete with the students picture inside! :)

We are now returning to a project we started and then paused while we completed the frames... Ocean Creature Mosaics! The students study oceans in 2nd grade, so it's such a fun way to connect what they learn! The students chose their own ocean creature (anything in the ocean that is living) and together we found a picture that they could use as a reference. We then studied mosaic artist Mary Wells who creates incredible mosaics made up of thousands of hand cut pieces of paper. We mimicked her art process of painting the background and then making the main subject of the artwork the mosaic. The students just started this step, but they are quickly realizing that it takes PATIENCE, PRECISION, and PRACTICE. This is the first time I am teaching this particular project, although I have taught mosaics in the past, including the fish mosaics that 3rd grade made (as part of the mural at St. Paul's fish market in Mequon)!

Third grade artists finished up their beautiful Holiday Lights Watercolor Paintings with the addition of the string. They got to choose either yarn or glitter to connect to the bases of the light bulbs. The project wasn't just a fun and eye catching artwork to create, it was also a great way to learn WHAT color families there are (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and HOW they are made, since the student themself had to hand mix secondary and tertiary colors. 

We are continuing to learn about color in the form of a new project, Warm and Cool Agamograph and Collagraph Prints! This is a two part project that will require the artists to make Collagraph prints (a warm version, a cool version, and a bonus print in which they can choose any colors they want) as well as an Agamograph which is a form of kinetic (moveable) art where the image changes depending on where you are looking. 

At this point, students have designed a Collagraph PLATE (like a stamp made with a COLLAGE of materials glued onto it). During the design process they were asked to create two designs, both non-representational or abstract (they couldn't do anything recognizable). They were painted with a layer of mod podge by some of my high school volunteers (former art students :) and are now ready to be printed! We look forward to showing you BOTH completed projects (the prints and the Agamograph) soon!

Fourth grade artists enjoyed seeing their finished Clay Coil Vessels after they were glaze fired in the kiln! The students worked a long time on the projects from beginning with pencil designs in their sketchbook, to making Seesaw posts to show off their completed projects and what they learned. The clay making unit involved many clay making skills, with the biggest emphasis on COILS (snake like pieces of clay that the students needed to roll out by hand). There are coil extruders that clay artists can use at higher levels, but in the elementary level, I believe it's important for the students to learn the basic skills and techniques with their own two hands. 

The 4th grade artists are now in the midst of one of the most challenging and rewarding art units they will take part in... portrait drawing! Actually, not just portrait drawing, SELF portrait drawing, which seems to be more intimidating for many and require even more of a GROWTH MINDSET! I tell the students that they are not alone in their hesitations and frustrations, because many ADULTS also make up their minds they that can't draw and drawing themself would be... well... painful for me to teach ;) So... our number one goal right now is to have that growth mindset and focus on the Studio Habit of Mind "Stretch and Explore" as we learn some really cool tips and tricks to drawing a realistic self portrait. Already, I have seen a great deal of progress and I can't wait to see how far they come when we wrap up the unit. Hopefully they don't forget all they learned!

In the pictures, you will see that the students started the unit by practicing each facial feature using help sheets and a mirror. I then had the students draw their first self portrait with NO HELP as a way to see what they can do and what they already know. Since football was a hot topic for many when I taught the lesson, I related it to training camp when the coach wants to see what you can do. My job as their "art coach" will be to see what they can do and help make it even better! I'm not sure if I convinced all of them, but at least they perked up when they heard football ;)

Following the first self portrait with no help, We drew "Self Portrait #2" which focused on: face shape (symmetrical and bigger on top - like an egg), gridlines (line of symmetry - which shows WHERE the facial features should go). Next class we will practice hair. We look forward to showing you their final self portraits soon!

Fifth grade artists are nearing the end (or at least over half way done, haha, it seems like it's taking forever) with their fibers unit! Once we spent a few classes getting comfortable with weaving, we jumped back into papermaking (in which 3 students can papermake at a time). We only have one more class to go with papermaking (yahoo!) and then each student will have created their own unique piece of paper. It is such a fun and interesting art making experience that every student enjoyed! When the outside of the weavings are complete, the students will receive back some of their handmade paper to sew into their weaving. The rest of their paper will be used for the cover of their sketchbooks and an additional artwork later in the year (we use it for 3 projects - so it's well worth the investment of time and energy)!

In the pictures you will see the students add their torn varieties of paper to the blender and fill it up with water. They can also add watercolor, crayon shavings, and glitter! These simple and easy additions make the paper so fun and unique. Even though there is some aspect of suprise with how it will blend together, the students are encouraged to plan ahead and think through how the colors will mix together. We talked about analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel) being more desirable than complementary colors (opposite colors). Once the paper and water mixture was blended to make pulp, the artists poured it into a wooden frame with a mesh screen and plastic grid underneath. The papermaking devices allow the water to run through and the frame gives it a nice clean edge. We then evenly disperse the pulp and cover it with a cover screen so all of the water can be soaked out with a sponge. This is what flattens the paper and presses the fibers together. We hope you enjoy seeing the process and thank you SO VERY MUCH to their parent (and grandparent) volunteers that came in to help!!! I simply can't do it alone!

November Art Update!

Welcome back to the art blog, "Mrs. Miller's Makers!"

December is here! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and month of November. I am thankful for so many things, including my job of being your child's art teacher. I love getting them excited about creating and building their confidence as artists, thinkers, and makers!

Let's take a look at what each grade level has been up to during the month of November!

Kindergarten artists completed their Picasso Inspired Pumpkins by gluing on the facial features they drew from the "Roll a Picasso" drawing game. The students had a lot of fun imitating Picasso's art style of Cubism and enjoyed the seeing the goofy faces come to life with the addition of the eyes, nose, and mouth. The students also created grass and a background with oil pastel drawings.

The young artists are now starting Clay Cupcakes! They recently learned to draw a cupcake, and then enjoyed playing with play-dough as they practiced some techniques they will be using to make their clay cupcakes. The time spent playing with the play-dough is the perfect way to practice the Studio Habit of Mind - "Stretch & Explore!"

Kindergarten artists creating their Picasso Inspired Pumpkins!

Mrs. Neuville's class pictured above and Mrs. Sheppard's class pumpkins on display below.

Evelyn and Katie sharing what they liked about each others artwork on the "peer feedback" portion of their Artist Reflection Sheets. 

Some kindergarten cupcake sketches and coils made from playdough!

First grade artists just completed their awesome Scarecrow artwork! The mixed media piece of art involved many art making processes and materials including: watercolor resist with oil pastels, stamping/printing with cardboard and paint, clothing design using a variety of papers (including wallpaper), and other added details with the addition of sticks, straw, and additional drawing! The students stretched and explored in their art making and developed craft with a variety of skills. Best of all... they all enjoyed seeing how their vision of a scarecrow became a reality and is one-of-a-kind!

For our next project, the first grade artist will be creating Clay Snowmen! Yay clay!

Adding many details to their Scarecrows and demonstrating a variety of art making techniques! Giving the Scarecrow a unique outfit and a couple accessories was a favorite, for sure :)

First grade artists enjoying a one day Thanksgiving themed How to Draw Video to celebrate the season!

Second grade artists are currently between a couple of projects: Ocean Life Mosaics and Clay Picture Frames! The students were introduced to the Ocean themed project to connect to what they are learning in their classroom curriculum and were given the choice of any ocean creature to turn into a mosaic! They got to use light boards to trace their creature and will eventually be painting the background and creating the main subject from small pieces of paper!

While we pause that project, we are enjoying designing a one-of-a-kind clay picture frame! The students created two different designs in their sketchbooks and practiced making some parts of their designs with playdough. They will be required to show the following clay making techniques in their artwork: coils, slabs, drawing, texture, and negative space. Other than that, they can do anything they would like and choose whatever theme they wish!

2nd grade artists tracing their ocean creatures using the awesome light boards!

Taking a one day break to enjoy a Thanksgiving themed How to Draw Video! The students were challenged to make a turkey disguised as something else :)

Picture frame designs in the students' sketchbooks!

Third grade artists are becoming experts at color mixing and color theory with the Holiday Lights Watercolor Paintings! After tracing light bulbs and creating a balanced composition of overlapping light bulbs, the students free handed the details to the metal base as well as the filament inside. They also learned how to make the base look shiny by showing a gradual change of value with how much pressure they colored with. Lastly, the students added a little white oil pastel to the inside of each light bulb to give it a glare when they are painted.

We began painting with ONLY the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) with the challenge of making a precise green, orange, and violet. Not only did the students aim to achieve that task, but they also learned a lot about the nature of liquid watercolor (what works well, and what to avoid). Soon, we will be learning and creating the TERTIARY colors (which are primary and secondary colors mixed together). We will finish with making a contrasting background of dark colors, and a secret ingredient (salt)!

Third grade artists, engaging and persisting in their beautiful Holiday Lights Watercolor Paintings!

Fourth grade artists are having a blast designing and constructing original Clay Coil Vessels! We talked about how their vessel should be aesthetically pleasing and unique in its design, while also having a purpose/function. Some are creating candle holders, colored pencils holders, or toothbrush holders, while others are choosing to create a vessel that will hold liquid (which is an added challenge). No matter what design they choose, all students are encouraged to focus on the goal of making quality coils AND demonstrating the proper clay building techniques (score, slip, stick, and smooth)! We can't wait to complete the construction, glaze them, then put them on display!

Fourth grade artists creating sketches of their Clay Coil Vessel and practicing coil making with playdough (a perfect way to "stretch & explore - one of our Studio Habits of Mind)!

Very impressive sketches and playdough creations! We are ready for the clay! :)

Enjoying some Thanksgiving themed How to Draw Videos before we head into Thanksgiving break :)

Yay clay! The students are using red clay for their Clay Coil Vessels. They quickly learned the differences between the clay and playdough. Clay = messy and NEEDS water to stay moist and workable.

Fifth grade artists wrapped up their American Flag paintings this past month. While some students enjoyed the realism painting project more than others, all of them grew in their art making techniques and specifically developed craft with their ability to mix tints and shades and show value. They also demonstrated the Studio Habit of Mind "engage and persist" since at times it was a challenge to stay focused and persevere. 

The students are now preparing for their 5th grade art and music field trip to "A Christmas Carol!" The art teachers decided to give the students a behind the scenes tour of the Cedarburg High School production of "Clue" which was this year's fall play. Mr. Behrs and his tech crew at the high school do an OUTSTANDING job designing and creating sets for the play and musical. We thought it would be a great learning experience for our young art students to see how a theatrical production is put together prior to going to the musical "A Christmas Carol." The students were blown away at every aspect of designing a set and were most impressed that high schoolers were able to do so much of it themselves! How cool that they can look up to the high school crew members as role models and perhaps follow in their footsteps someday. They learned that there is something for everyone in the set design program and it is such a rewarding opportunity that not only enhances their skills, but also fosters great friendships.

Getting back to our own art making endeavors, the fifth grade artists will be focusing on FIBERS (papermaking AND weaving) as we head into December!

Beautiful American Flag Paintings in progress!

Fifth graders watching the amazing tech theater video that Parkview art teacher (Kim O'Reilly) put together! The students completed a study guide to go along with the video and worked in partners as they reflected on the questions.

October Art Update!

Welcome back to the blog!

This month students spent time finishing up their sketchbook cover designs! Each one is a unique work of "heart!" Most classes also started a new project, many of which are fall or Veteran's Day themed. The end of the month brought some challenges as I had to shift to teaching remotely while my daughter quarantined from an exposure at her preschool. This was the first time I attempted to balance the impossible job of working full time and being a stay at home mom simultaneously. For those of you that have had to do this for extended periods of time, you are AMAZING! 

Thankfully, (somehow) the students were engaged and continued to grow in their artistic abilities, excitement, and application of the Studio Habits of Mind. 

Check out the pictures and descriptions below to see what each grade level has been up to!

    Kindergarten artists started creating Picasso Inspired Pumpkins! They enjoyed reading the book, When Pigasso Met Mootisse" which is a fun kids book with fictional characters (a pig and a bull) based on real life artists, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. 

    In addition to learning to respect and appreciate other's differences (as "Pigasso" and "Mootisse" learned to do), the students also observed the difference between the two artists' styles. The kindergarten artists then chose one of three pumpkin templates and traced all of the lines with oil pastel. They then added additional lines breaking up the pumpkin into more shapes making the pumpkin appear "cubistic" like it was being viewed from many different angles. 

 

   The next step of the project was to mix up many different versions of orange for the pumpkin and paint in the shapes with their variety of mixed colors. The students had fun seeing the new colors being created and made lots of discoveries as they enjoyed color mixing! After painting the pumpkins, the students will soon be adding a face for their pumpkins by playing a "Roll a Picasso" drawing game! We look forward to showing you the finished artworks next month!

    First grade artists completed their James Rizzi Inspired Self Portraits for their sketchbook cover designs! The students enjoyed creating a drawing of themselves surrounded by buildings with faces and fun personalities. After drawing their scene with pencil, they traced with sharpie to give the "Pop Art" style black bold outlines, and then finished their artwork by painting bright colors with tempera cakes.

    The first grade artists are now starting to make scarecrows! They are currently enjoying creating a landscape as a background for their scarecrow using oil pastel and watercolor paint! We can't wait to show you our unique scarecrows when they are added to the background! 

   Second grade artists dug in deep with their Leah Saulnier Inspired Self Portraits. They dedicated a great deal of time learning to draw themselves, as well as the objects on their hat, realistically. They enjoyed looking up images on their Chromebook so they could draw from observation as they added pictures that represented their personality. We focused on three coloring techniques when adding the colored pencil: value, blending & mixing, and texture. The students looked at examples of how to show those three, and tried to find opportunities to demonstrate them within their own artwork.

    Soon, the second graders will be starting their next project... Clay Picture Frames!

   Third grade artists spent the rest of October completing their "Design Your Own Alphabet" sheets and using them to add the letters to the cover of their sketchbook! Their cover designs now have a contour line self portrait drawing inside their symmetrical hand cut picture frame, as well as their unique letter designs spelling their name and "sketchbook." Each letter design was a miniature work of art and the students should feel proud of how they engaged and persisted in the process of completing their sketchbook cover designs!

    We are now going to begin our next project (one of my favorites) Creative Color Wheels!

   Fourth grade artists are wrapping up their Keith Haring Inspired Self Portraits for their sketchbook cover designs. They not only had fun creating their action self portrait that represented personality, but the experience of drawing figures was such a great learning experience for them! Once the figured were cut our of colored paper, the students enjoyed creating an energetic background that tied into their action. With the use of fancy scissors, hole punchers, colorful paper, glue, and sharpies, the students imagined and crafted unique designs! They are now enjoying learning the art of graffiti lettering as they add their "name" and "sketchbook" to the back cover!

   Fifth grade artists paused their papermaking unit (as I shifted to teaching remotely) and are enjoying a Veteran's Day themed artwork! They are learning how to create a realistic painting of an American Flag. The students learned some interesting facts about the American Flag (some of which were new to me also)! 

    To begin the process of making a realistic painting, the artists first sketched out the composition of their flag. We broke it down into basic shapes and played a game of connect the dots after making little markings on the paper. The students then painted the pure colors (red and blue) for the first layer. The following class we will begin to add the tints and shades (values) in order to make the flag appear realistic and three dimensional!

See you next time!

Mrs. Miller