Andy Warhol inspired portraits

As a conclusion to our non-fiction narrative writing, we completed Andy Warhol inspired portraits.

Each students had a printed image of the person whom they wrote about, using this image we looked at Andy Warhol's use of color and line to manipulate a portrait. Students used oil pastels and tempura paint to manipulate their portraits as the cover of their biographies.

Same supplies, same products

What I see overused in the art classroom at my school: "craypas" oil pastels

I would not want to use one material so many times that the students felt like 'experts' in 2nd grade. There is still so much to learn about using materials, and I know at least some of my students struggle with the motor skills to control a variety of art tools. Scissors, glue, pencils, markers, paint brushes.

And just doodling, should not be an option.

Not that I mean to rant about what the art teacher does as she is a great person, and does do some interesting projects. I just hate that she uses the same medium over and over. Also, the projects for the whole grades seem 'cookie cutter'. All the "VanGogh inspired snowmen" have the same snowman, same blowing scarf and same blustering wind blowing with VanGogh inspired lines.

Art is about individual expression. And I know I can't critique because there are some projects I know will happen in my future that many pieces may turn out similar. But I hope that the process is not routine.

Packing Tape Sculptures

Packing Tape Sculpture

I ran into the idea of packing tape sculptures around Halloween because I saw some very eerie products from packing tape.

I tried it myself but: 1, you need a partner to do it with. 2, depending on self image it is not easy to see your self as its true size. 3, to do a face seems unrealistic or very tricky.
I bought a styrofoam head in hopes of molding to that form, but it was not the right size for my body.

My attempt:

(I would rather not include the one of my torso)

Examples I found online:

What is needed: RIDICULOUS amounts of packing tape.

Sand Mandalas

I would love to create sand mandalas with a class.
I did it when I was in 6th grade in Tokyo, Japan after studying Tibet.

I would hope to teach about Tibetan culture of sand mandalas, watching videos of the process and studying the process (summative assessment on why the people use such temporary materials).

Then we would be able to work on patterns, and lines and shapes, as well as symmetry (math).
Students would design and sketch their mandalas, pick a favorite.
Draw on a larger scale and color, then finally, create sand mandalas on wooden boards (to try to move safely between classes). Possibly would need an "in school field trip" and have the students create the mandalas in one day.

This would go great as the students are learning about different religions in Social Studies.

Personal Narrative Thumbprint

Thumbprint Self-Portrait | 
This would be made based on their real thumbprint. 
Then fill it in with a narrative about themselves! 

Possibly a good starter to the school year, with questions and prompts to help struggling students.

-Worksheet for ideas on things to write about themselves.
(favorite sport, favorite place to hide out, one thing you are really good at, one thing you are really scared of, favorite movie, favorite actor, favorite type of social media, worst memory, best memory, who are you family members, what is your favorite animal, what do you do for fun, who is your favorite artist, what is your favorite artist medium, what is your favorite music)

-Scanner, to help enlarge a realistic thumbprint if needed. or ink for a thumbnail thumbprint to look at and reference

Teaching art or teaching to think like an artist?

Mill Street Loft

As I continue creating art and applying for art education positions, I am always reminded of the huge impact Mill Street Loft had on my life.

I went to Dutchess Arts Camp through my childhood, then the Art Institute summer intensive through my adolescence. Finally, my senior year of high school culminated in participation in Senior Project, The Road to Scholarships: Parent & Student Prep, National Art Honor Society and Sculptural Welding.
Through Facebook and emails I am able to see the great things that young artists in these programs continue to produce. All that I see continues to amaze me. And to think that this company also helps children in need and provides scholarships for the pricey classes that the talented youth might not be able to afford.
I can say I am proud of all that Mill Street Loft does, and will recommend their programs to everyone I know interested in the arts.

http://millstreetloft.org/about/

Bulletin Boards

As a teacher of elementary school I also try to be creative with bulletin board creations. (including the task, purpose, standards and rubric of course)

Andy Warhol Style Biography Portraits

It has been a while since I have been to update this blog.
As an update: I am currently teaching 2nd grade at a public school in the Bronx. I am putting my graduate education and certification in elementary education to use. (It really is all about networking, my NYU professor got the the interview.)  I'm glad to say each time I encounter administration they tell me they have heard only fabulous things about me. I have also received great observation feedback.

I still desire to teach art. I am happy to be a classroom participating the the LeAP arts integration program with NYU. I look forward to each professional development day that I get to learn new arts lessons to do with students.

Most recently I used my LeAP training to expand our writing unit on non-fiction narratives. We created Andy Warhol style portraits of the Great Americans that we wrote about. As a culminating activity to the published writing piece, we did a short powerpoint overview of Andy Warhol and his art style, taking note of line, and color in his work. Then students used oil pastels and tempura paint to manipulate portraits of their Great Americans (MLK Jr, JFK, Ab Lincoln and Helen Keller). While many students used the Andy Warhol style as inspiration, I need to redirect and talk about being respectful to the students which decided to turn JFK into Batman, or MLK Jr into a clown.

Finding a Job, the endless journey

I have found more and more that finding a teaching job is a very hard task. I started applying though OLAS, NY state's online system for hiring/applying for teaching jobs, in February. Yet I have heard back from no one. A select few schools at least acknowledge they have received your application, but from most you get nothing. No acknowledgment your application was received, or notice that the position was filled.
I know that a lot of it is who you know. Where you have connections. But I am still here, after 60+ applications, hoping to hear back from someone.
I need to stop making excuses like that the budgets are getting voted on in May, or that the process of BOCES, to district, to superintendent, to principal is what is holding it up.

All in all, I wait, at the mercy of New York State. I wait to hear if I will have a job in the fall.
I have been told that teachers received jobs in May, in June, even two days before school started in September.

the stars of the sea

While vacationing on the Maldives Islands, Taiwanese photographer Will Ho stumbled onto an incredible stretch of beach covered in millions of bioluminescent phytoplankton. These tiny organisms glow similarly to fireflies and tend to emit light when stressed, such as when waves crash or when they are otherwise agitated. While the phenomenon and its chemical mechanisms have been known for some time, biologists have only recently began to understand the reasons behind it. You can see a few more of Ho’s photographs over on Flickr.

flexible paper sculptures

Heather Hansen

Artist Heather Hansen uses her body movement to form charcoal drawings.

"Her body contorts into carefully choreographed gestures as her writing implements grate across the floor, the long trails resulting in a permanent recording of her physical movements. Part dance and part performance art, the kinetic drawings are a way for Hansen to merge her love for visual art and dance into a unified artform. The final symmetrical patterns that emerge in each pieces are reminiscent of a Rorschach test, or perhaps cycles found in nature." -Colossal Art and Visual Culture

book edge artwork

ArtCart vs Art Classroom Teacher Inquiry Questionnaire

Please post response in comments, or email to me at euh144@psu.edu

Art Cart Inquiry Questionnaire:

How long have you been teaching?

How long ago did you get certified?

What type of teaching certificate do you hold?

What type of teaching environment do you teach in? Classroom/Art Cart

Describe your classroom layout:

Describe the process of planning/preparing: a one day lesson plan?

A multi-day lesson plan?

How long does it take to prepare for a standard lesson, one day and multi-day?

How do you prepare materials for your lesson (for example a impressionist painting lesson)?

How long does it take to prepare these materials?

How long in your lesson do you plan to:

Introduce?

Demonstrate?

Student activity?

Clean up?

Conclusion?

Where do you keep in progress work?

Describe common obstacles you encounter when teaching?

Do you believe your environment creates obstacles?How so?

What are some restrictions and/or bonuses based on the environment in which you teach?

Do you believe the classroom environment in which you teach affects your teaching, preparation and

 execution? How so?

Describe what changes you would make if your teaching environment changed? Classroom to art cart

 or Art cart to classroom?

Describe your ideal teaching environment as an art teacher?

Please provide an attached lesson plan if possible. 1 day and multi-day.

Art Cart Inquiry

I am currently enrolled in a class titled: Teaching as Inquiry, at Penn State University's graduate school of education. In this class we are guided through the practice of teacher inquiry. Along with classroom instruction we must conduct our own inquiry based project. It is not "research" but inquiry.

As I did my undergraduate studies in Art Education, I have related my research topic to art classroom instruction. More specifically I want to dig into Art-Cart vs. Art Classroom.

Because of my own encounters with art classrooms and art carts I question “How does the teaching environment affect preparation and execution of lessons by visual arts teachers?” By teaching environment I mean the distinction between art teachers with art classrooms, and art teachers which teach from an art cart. While both types of art teachers could have a teachers room and desk space in some location in the school, I would like to focus more on the teacher's interaction with students and student work. With this question I will search to compare the impact of classroom setting on the preparation and execution of art lessons. I search to find if teachers are prepared for whichever setting they are placed in.

I am looking for ART CART and classroom art teachers who will be willing to fill out a questionnaire to be used as data for my inquiry. It will be anonymous and will not be seen by anyone but myself.
Note: I do need more art cart references because I have more access to classroom art teachers.

If you would like to participate in my survey please contact me at: euh144@psu.edu

book roses

Craft Supplies:
Paper
Grosgrain Ribbon, ½ Width cut to 4 inch lengths
16 Gauge Wire cut to 15 inch lengths
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks (low temp)
Scissors
Wire Cutters

Step 1: Gather materials. If you are using vintage books or sheet music as your paper source make sure it is still flexible enough to curl with your fingers. The wire can be found at the hardware store, and is sometimes called “black wire” or “annealed coil wire.” Be sure you are using low temp hot glue because you’ll be able to feel it right through the paper petals as you work.
Step 2: Cutting. You will need to stockpile at least 5 different sizes of petals ranging from about ¾ inch wide to 3 inches wide. I cut freehand, and avoid templates, so that each petal is a unique and organic shape. Think of the shapes as little church windows or arches. Some can be pointy, and some can be rounded. For each flower you will need at least 4 of each size. Make more than you need.

Step 3: Shaping. I really feel that this is the most important step to create natural and soft looking flowers. Roll the edges of each petal, and pinch the base slightly. Each one can be done a little differently to give the petals character and roundness. I shape all of my petals before I even begin gluing anything.

22 Jul
DIY storybook paper roses
categories DIY Wedding

You’re going to love today’s DIY project so much that you’re going to want to start tearing pages out from old books tonight! Remember the storybook roses in Shanna + Richard’s wedding? Sweet, right? Floral designer, Cathy Brim of Bloom Floral Design created the elegant branch bouquets seen in their ceremony using Valerie Lloyd’s paper roses design, and now we’re jumping-out-of-the-pages excited that Valerie is sharing her DIY secrets with you!

diy paper flowers

diy paper flowers

Craft Supplies:
Paper
Grosgrain Ribbon, ½ Width cut to 4 inch lengths
16 Gauge Wire cut to 15 inch lengths
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks (low temp)
Scissors
Wire Cutters

Step 1: Gather materials. If you are using vintage books or sheet music as your paper source make sure it is still flexible enough to curl with your fingers. The wire can be found at the hardware store, and is sometimes called “black wire” or “annealed coil wire.” Be sure you are using low temp hot glue because you’ll be able to feel it right through the paper petals as you work.

diy paper flowers

Step 2: Cutting. You will need to stockpile at least 5 different sizes of petals ranging from about ¾ inch wide to 3 inches wide. I cut freehand, and avoid templates, so that each petal is a unique and organic shape. Think of the shapes as little church windows or arches. Some can be pointy, and some can be rounded. For each flower you will need at least 4 of each size. Make more than you need.

Step 3: Shaping. I really feel that this is the most important step to create natural and soft looking flowers. Roll the edges of each petal, and pinch the base slightly. Each one can be done a little differently to give the petals character and roundness. I shape all of my petals before I even begin gluing anything.

diy paper flowers

Step 4: Rolling the center. You need to cut out one more shape for each flower, and this is for the coiled center of the rose. This shape should be about 2 ½ inches long with a rounded tip. Roll it up into a tube to create its shape. Unroll it and run a bead of hot glue along the inside and re-roll it around the end of your wire. Another dot of glue will hold it in place.

Step 5: Attaching petals. Begin with your smallest petals. Use a single dot of glue, about ¼ inch from the bottom of the petal to attach it to the stem. Your next petal should overlap the first. Continue adding small petals, rotating the stem as you go, always slightly overlapping the last petal you attached. This is where your artistry will come in as you continue to rotate and build. As you begin adding larger petals pinch the bases, as they are much wider. By pinching at the bases you will be rounding out the rose, and creating space between layers.

Step 6: Finishing. The sepals will be made of ribbon, which will also cover your final seams and create a nice polished look. Each rose needs two – 4 inch lengths of ribbon. Wrap them around the stem and secure to the undersides of the petals. Cut a ‘V’ into each end of the ribbons to finish.

RGB art

http://www.carnovsky.com/RGB.htm

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