Still Life Drawings

After the excitement of drawing with light, students drew from a still-life that sat in the center of the room. With tungsten lights shining on opposite ends, dramatic lighting enhanced the focal points of random jars, watering cans, and pumpkin. Tables were awkwardly arranged around the large still life, and music was played in the background. The lesson was an extension on the element of line, but included form, shape, and value as well. Students chose 3 to 5 objects from the still-life to draw from, and were taught how to find basic shapes inside the still-life, a breaking-down technique to help see and draw the structure. It was a great preliminary project that helped me, as a teacher, become aware of the students' needs and desires for their art. Here are a few examples of their work.

4th Quarter Art

At the beginning of the quarter, students were introduced to the Elements of Design. The first element we worked with was line. Students learned about the variety of lines one could make, and our first big activity was "Drawing with Light." For two days, we turned of the lights, shut the blinds and took long exposure photographs of us drawing pictures in the air with flashlights. The images that were produced were fantastic. People have been drawing with light for decades. There are famous photographs of Picasso drawing with light from the 1950's.

It is exciting to see what kind of drawings can be produced by simple movements in the air. I published our photograph in an imovie and looped music into the background. I think it turned out nicely. Please check out the movie by clicking the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STyLgdlGYaQ

Excelsior Middle School: Inside the ART ROOM...

Greetings from the new art teacher!

Hello parents, family members and guardians of the eighth grade class! I am excited to introduce myself as the new art teacher at Excelsior Middle School. I will be taking Meg Hill’s place—she will be greatly missed. Having witnessed the positive rapport she has established at Excelsior, I realize I have some large shoes to fill.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about me. I recently graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in English, Art Education, a B.F.A. in photography and a minor in English Education. I received a wonderful education at the University of Iowa, and feel prepared and anxious to begin a teaching career.

Some of you may already know I began teaching your child last week. I am pleased to have met such a wonderful group of eighth graders. I understand this is a different situation (beginning mid-quarter) and changes can be difficult for students to grasp. I assure you, as a mentor, I will be happy to send my assistance and guidance. The art room will continue to be a place of creativity, a room where students find comfort in expressing their thoughts and emotions. I intend to help students be aware of the influence art has on society, and give students the tools to find themselves, or at least, begin the journey.