Symmetrical Name Design Creatures

I am extremely please with the way these creatures have come out. Each child created something completely unique and completely them.

Symmetrical Name Design Creatures

With last week the beginning of a new semester it is also a new beginning here in the art room. My class is only a semester long and I got a new group of kids last week.

To begin this semester off I wanted to see how creative the kids can be as well as assess their problem solving skills when it comes to visual work.

To begin with we folded a 12x18 size paper in half the long ways (i also tell the kids it is like a hot dog cause they use that in the elementary schools) and they need to write their names on the fold nice and big.

Next they need to create a mirror reflection of their name, the kids held up the paper to a window to trace their name since I don't have a light box.

At this point they need to turn their paper vertical.

Here is where their creativity and problem solving skills come into play. They need to create a creature -- insect, animal, or monster -- using the letters from their name as a base. they get to add lines and shapes but they cannot take away. 

Once the drawing is done they have to trace all lines with a black crayon and then paint in with watercolor paints.

Since the kids are in the last day of completing them I will have pictures of their work up later on in the week.

Fantastic Castles

The first project of the school year is finally done and hanging! -- well at least the 6th grade one is. We spent an entire class mod (about 80minutes) looking at and discussing architecture from around the world and through out time. They really liked seeing all the different buildings and even commented on how even though they are from different cultures and times they all have similar features. 

I was really impressed with their ability to figure that out as well as articulate it.

After discussing everything they began to draw their castles out. Some students focused on castles, others were really interested in the catherdals. Especally St. Basil's in Moscow Russia. They kept calling the onion domes hersey kisses. It was really cute.

The level of discussion and talent in the 6th grade never ceases to amaze me. They are a constant surprise with their vocabulary and ideas.

After they had drawn out their castles we talked about and looked at different types of patterns. They had to decorate the facade of their castle with different patterns. 

Eventually the castles were cut out and glue to a piece of watercolor paper that had been given a colorful watercolor wash background. The contrast between the black and white buildings and the backgrounds are great! I just love how they came out.

I am extremely please with the way they all came out. I cant wait to see what else theses students have in store for the rest of the year. 6th grade is always exciting for me -- new kids coming from all different elementary schools -- it is just great! 

the only bad thing is --- this is the first time most of the have art. It is horrible that the kids have to suffer no art in elementary schools because of budget reasons.

But the end of a project is both a sad and a happy time. We are going to try to stay happy!

Inspiration

This week I was writing a design unit for my 8th grade classes based on the design movement known as Art Nouveau. Artist like Gustav Klimt, Mucha and Louis Comfort Tiffany come to mind when thinking about this style in both painting and design.

I always characterized this style with the simpliest forms and shapes. The use of geometric shapes in Klimts paintings and the use of flowers and peacock feathers in Tiffany's lamps and vases. It is such a graceful style of art.

So I decided to create my own Art Nouveau inspired piece. But what colors to use? This is always the hardest part for me.

Art Nouveau Poppies
Watercolor, Ink, stamps, prisma color pencils
Art Journal c. 2011

Well... I came across another blog that I fell in love with! The Play Date Cafe does a color challenge that really spoke to me as an artist with no clue when it comes to choosing color.

The color challenge this week was for petal pink, coral and antique gold. When I heard that I automatically thought flowers.

What inspires you?