doodles&noodles: March 2012

Self Portraits.

We decided to go incognito for this year's Self Portrait.

Artists all over the world make self portraits. We came up with thoughts as to why. Here are just some of our ideas:

for fun
for practice
to help the future learn about us
in place of a photograph (cameras sure have changed the world)
to make a version of yourself that is imaginary
to share feelings and emotions and other things about your personality
to show how "cool" you are...

There is lots of excitement in the art room. Each student is finally getting a chance to look through their art portfolio and select their favorite artwork to have hung up at Fine Arts Night. As they flip through their art, I love to watch the quite reflection, see the happy smiles, and hear the honest remarks. Once the BIG decision is made, they come up with a title. This is the best. The titles are so fun and telling about what they see and love about their art.

Fine Arts Night will be May 3rd. As the date approaches, you will be finding out more details about this great evening celebrating the arts.

1 Point Perspective Museums

After asking ourselves different ways to show depth on a flat surface, we drew an interior to a room using perspective techniques. .... but this was not just any room....

It was to be a museum and the theme was up to each of us. As an art curator, we were going to organize an art show. We brainstormed ideas - from sports, to candy, to flowers, and puppies and even more abstract and open ideas such as "things that make me happy" the list just does not end.

In the end, 4th graders blew me away. GREAT JOB!

Ikebana Clay Vases

2nd grade made these Japanese inspirations, after viewing and discussing ikebana vases and arrangements. Before getting out the clay, we decided what kind of balance our vase would have- symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial. Then we dragged out the clay and tried our hands at making a pinch pot and a textured slab, attaching them by slipping 'n' scoring. They came alive with the shiny colorful glaze.

In these zany arrangements we focused on showing rhythm, contrast, and asymmetry.

These were magical to watch unfold ... so much fun!