Art Rats... an Adventure in Junior High

Portraits

2010-04-08T19:36:00.007-05:00

Well, here is another portrait assignment. If you know me, you know that I have to change things up a bit each year. It is a matter of professional desire: I desire to better my lessons year after year. I also do this to prevent boredom. I don't want to be one of those teachers that re-use the same plans year after year. How dull must that be?

So, here are a few of the results of this year's Art 1 students. I really wish I could have my kids for more than one year. Oh... how wonderful would that be???

Long Time, No Blog....

2010-03-08T07:21:00.010-06:00

I have not been maintaining this blog like I should. So, here are a few images from my classes!
These are eraser prints we created using a plain white vinyl eraser and Crayola markers.
Some turned out really nice!
I particularly like this one. The students were impressed with how different patterns were created when they rotated the eraser consistently.
This is a Black History Month printmaking project. Once again, some turned out pretty well. The students enjoyed the cutting of the print a lot.

This is the first project of the 2009-10 school year. Students used sign language and fun fonts to create an original representation of their names. Then they used colored pencil and color theory to create a visual representation of ther personality. We studied color meanings using a great website and our new Smart Board. All in all a very fun exploration in color and sign language!

A few images of my students working on their projects. If the tables are brown, the student is a high school student; black tables are junior high students. Joey (above) really showed what he could do with the fencing he drew as his background.

Joseph and Joel working on their hands.

Abby, a junior high student, recently submitted this piece to the Arkansas Art Educators East Region student exhibit.

Brandon really excelled in the drawing portion of this assignment.

Blane used a very creative composition for his piece.

Ashley always works very hard on her pieces and demonstrates wonderful craft in every project. It was apparent from the beginnng that she truly cares how her pieces look.

Use of colored pencils can look almost like markers, as Tevin demonstrates here.

Erin getting frustrated with her pointillism piece. Next time I will really limit the size paper I allow the kids to use! Modify as needed, right?

Sara's baby portrait really impressed a few faculty. One has even approached me to see if it would be okay to pay Sara to draw her children. OF COURSE!!!

Marshall worked really hard on this piece as we worked equally as hard on our student/teacher relationship. Both have turned out really nice!

Sarah has told me that she has learned so much in my class. Hmmm.... raw talent and a maturity not often seen in a junior high student makes Sarah an amazing art student and I know she will go far. This piece was also entered in the East Region exhibit.

We are all wrapped up...

2009-02-26T19:50:00.003-06:00

This year I opted to handle the packing tape sculptures (which were ever so popular two years ago) as an after-school activity. We have only just started, so no pictures of any finished pieces just yet. Hope you will enjoy these images of the process in the meantime!

Self Portraits with Text

2009-02-26T19:24:00.004-06:00

These are a lot like last year's Black History project. Unfortunately I didn't keep the background simple enough in the photos that the students worked from so... well... these don't quite have the impact that last year's portraits had. Oh well. There were still a few that had that "wow" factor (in my opinion). Have a look and let me know what you think!

Art I 2008-09 Pencil Drawings

2009-01-09T23:12:00.004-06:00

Here are a few images of some of my students' recent work. The assignment was a value study of an animal from a photograph. I would have loved to bring my dog in to have them draw from life, but I doubt that would have gone over very well! I hope that you enjoy the pics. My kids worked really hard on these.

And more...

2008-05-16T20:15:00.000-05:00

MORE Sculptures

2008-05-16T20:08:00.003-05:00

Because I love them!

Here are a few images of pieces in various stages og completion. Notice the team work happening in the last picture. Isn't it great?

Sculptures!

2008-05-16T19:56:00.002-05:00

Oh how I love sculpting! But these little creations are such an easy way to create wonderfully abstract and fun sculptures. They are created by drilling two holes in a block of wood, sticking a cut wire hanger into the holes, shaping it a bit, and stretching a nylon stocking (knee-high) over the entire piece. I love this project! It is easy, quick, and cheap!! It was a great break for my kids after weeks working on those Black History pieces. We have received so many compliments on these sculptures, and my kids are so happy with the outcome. I hope you enjoy them, too.

And more Black History pieces

2008-03-31T18:45:00.002-05:00

More Micrography Projects

2008-03-27T09:49:00.002-05:00

Check this out. Here are more BHGD Micrography from my fabulous students!! I would post all of them, but then my blog would be crazy, so I selected a few!!

BHGD project

2008-03-27T09:35:00.001-05:00

Here is another excellent example of the Black History micrography project.

Carnivale Masks

2008-03-01T20:17:00.001-06:00

Here are some masks my students created for Mardi Gras. They are made using papier mache. They worked on a plastic mask form and used Elmer's Art Paste as the papier mache glue. We used tissue paper for the majority of the colored surfaces, though acrylics were also employed.

Micrography for Black History

2008-03-01T20:12:00.000-06:00

The work you are looking at are samples of a few of my students' micrography projects done for Black History Month. All of the value was acheived by using adjectives that describe the historical figure, and/or quotes from the person. I will post more as they are completed.

The Purpose

2008-03-01T20:04:00.000-06:00

I made a promise to several of my classes that I would create a blog for their artwork so that they, as well as others around the planet, could check out what has been happening in my 9th grade art room here in Marion, Arkansas. We hope that you enjoy the work we have been generating. The kids are proud of their work and I am proud of my kids!