Pigs Can Fly!

Sixth graders discussed Cincy's rich "Porkopolis" heritage, the Flying Pig Marathon, and of course the Big Pig Gig sculpture exhibit as inspiration for their latest project, paper mache flying pigs! 

We stuffed grocery bags for the bodies, cut up toilet paper rolls for the snout and feet, cut up cereal boxes for the wings, and finally applied 3 layers of paper mache (paper towels / newspaper) before painting our wild and wonderful creations. Students were encouraged to create an "artistic" pig, not one that looked "realistic." Needless to say, they went hog wild! 

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Egyptian Portraits

Students drew an Egyptian styled self portrait and embellished it with glitter and ancient Egyptian inspired patterns. For the background, sixth graders designed their own cartouche with hieroglyphs an Egyptian symbols. Folded paper is used to pop the portraits up from the background.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs!

Fifth graders looked at the art of Laurel Burch and George Rodrigue before beginning their own wacky pet painting. We talked about using, color, space, and line creatively to help capture the personality of their cats and dogs :) I gave the kids jumbo sized paper and let them go wild! They results are bright, humorous, and full of life!

Whimsical Clay Birds

Fifth graders created whimsical clay bird sculptures using tissue paper, wire, pipe cleaners, beads, and of course... clay! The kids loved loved loved the creative freedom of this project and of course, getting their hands DIRTY!

Chalk Pastel Iguanas

I stole this lesson from Deep Space Sparkle, and it's a new favorite! I used it as an excuse to review warm and cool colors with my fifth graders, as well as a great opportunity to use teach blending with chalk pastels. All kids will find success with this project!

Tropical Birds

Using a recent fifth grade field trip and science curriculum as inspiration, students created these wild and wonderful paintings of toucans and parrots!

Before we begin, we look at the art of Henri Rousseau and discuss how he overlapped plants and trees to show space. Then students look at photos of tropical birds and begin drawing out their picture using a black crayon. This is great advice from the art ed blog, Deep Space Sparkle.

Using a crayon helps eliminate "mistakes" and the constant erasing! Plus, the drawings end up much more free and full of personality.

Students use tempera paint, and outline finished artworks with a thick black Sharpie.

It's A Bug's Life!

I spend a lot of time with my fifth grade students introducing them to perspective. One of the "views" we discuss is a bug's! Students created watercolor resists of the world from a bug's point of view. They had so much doing this project!

Who I Am Silhouette

While students are working on a project, I trace their silhouettes using an old fashioned overhead. Most of the kids have NO IDEA what this "thing" is when I drag it out from the supply closet. They're delighted to find out we are only using it as a light source . . .

"I heard those things were used to write notes . . . "

"Is that the thing that makes that loud noise . . . "

Once students are traced we brainstorm 25 things that make them unique, and then discuss how to represent those ideas symbolically. After a discussion on using space creatively, students begin filling their silhouette with sketches, song lyrics, and poetry. I'm always looking for opportunities for my students to write in art class! The results are as dynamic as each student!

Personality Masks

What is a mask? Can it be used for celebration or to hide behind? Eighth grade students created a sculptural piece which addressed this question. Students were instructed to create a sculptural piece which they believed embodied who they truly are (a contradiction to the traditional mask concept) . . . or which concealed something about their true identities. Students had to mount their masks on an object or create a background which further enhanced their concept.

Monochromatic Portraits

8th graders are obsessed with themselves, and the art room is the best place to embrace that! Students worked with someone they felt comfortable with to take a digital photo of themselves. The only rule I gave them was that their face had to take up 75% of the frame.

Students converted the photos to grayscale and "posterized them" to see significant changes in value using Adobe Photoshop Elements. Photos were printed off to 8x10." From there the kids used a grid drawing method to enlarge their portraits to 16x20." Once they were drawn, students selected a monochromatic color scheme and began painting! (Paying particular attention to changes in value.)

Greek Inspired Vases

7th grade students spend most of the fourth quarter studying Ancient Greece and since I think paper mache is the best way to wrap up an already messy, wacky year . . . why not Greek inspired vases!?

Students researched traditional Greek and Minoan Pottery for inspiration. We used Simply Orange plastic juice containers for the armature. Students that forgot to bring a juice container had to use a balloon, which could sometimes be tricky . . . POP!

Peter Max Inspired Guitars!

7th graders created Peter Max inspired guitars sculptures using heavy tagboard, masking tape, newspaper, and paper mache! Rock on!