Our metals unit is finished! The assignment was to create a miniature metal panel using copper, brass and nickel silver. Each piece had to be smaller than 4 inches, but most are actually smaller than 3 inches.
We completed a new mid-term assessment project this year. My students were required to select one artist to research from those we discussed in the 500 years of the portrait lesson. The students then created a biographical research blog post and also an interpretive piece inspired by the artist they researched. Above are some of the students’ interpretive pieces. Click here to see more.
My students are finished with their mixed media collages. And I'm happy to say once again, I am pleased with their results! Of course, being pleased does not mean it was easy. It's hard work to make a bunch of ideas, directions and materials come together to look like a meaningful and intentional finished piece.
For some of my students the topic of "identity" is a stumbling block, because they feel as if they don't actually have an identity yet. (You know, after all, they're only kids!!) It is definitely true that over time, we mature into knowing ourselves with a deeper understanding that's more reliable and consistent then when we were young, (thank goodness) but even at "middle-age", I still consider that knowing myself is a series of vistas, more than an actual destination. I don't view it as a place where one arrives, but more like opening doors. It's about what we see, but also what we allow ourselves to see...walls, doors, windows?
The Collage Detail above was created by Karen Graeber, Grade 12. Click on her blog link to read what she wrote about her collage. Thanks KG! :-)
Click here to see more students' works.
We are naturally geared (and conditioned) to use the end of something as an opportunity to reflect on where we've been, what we've done and/or how we might change.As an artist, I love the act of reflection and do it circularly and effortlessly throughout all phases of the creative process - not just at the end. Artists have to think about and understand their decisions in order to move forward. Focus + reflection = meaningful action. Without it, you sit in place.
I just taught an art history lesson to my students that highlighted 500 years of self-portraits. For my students, I think seeing and learning that virtually every artist has created a self-portrait (or tons of them) during their lifetime, put all of their own hard work into perspective!
There are two days built into the school calendar for the New Jersey Teacher's Convention. (Nov. 10 & 11) It is often viewed as a vacation by students, but for me it's work.
Here are a few of our 9 x 12 inch color studies. Each student cropped a section from his/her large drawing and used it as practice for all of the steps involved. This step allowed the students to feel more comfortable painting and approaching the assignment. I love them and am so pleased with how they are coming out so far...I think my students are too! A few are already working on their 18 x24 inch paintings! Click here to see more.
