1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 4th Grade: Current Art Projects

 First Graders are studying Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, and creating their own version of the "Starry Night" using oil pastels.  Here are some students demonstrating Van Gogh's technique of using short strokes to add color to their papers.

 Second Grade artists looked at Pablo Picasso's Rose period paintings, and then we discussed the art element of VALUE.  Students mixed red and white to make tints of red, and red with black to make shades of red, and created these heart paintings that are full of patterns!

 Fourth Grade artists have been studying the American artist Wayne Thiebaud, who just celebrated his 94th birthday in November!  Here students have already sculpted their cup cakes out of clay, and are adding color with glazes.  Stay tuned for more news next week!

4th Grade Pop Art Cupcake Sculptures

Sculpting with clay.

Adding details with a pin tool.

 Adding color with glaze.

 Finished works after firing in the kiln.

2nd Grade Flower Sculptures

After my second graders had studied American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and created their own enlarged flower paintings, we talked about the difference between form and shape. We had our two-dimensional paintings, and we were going to now create a three-dimensional flower sculpture.  We used a plastic bowl as a mold to form our flowers into a bowl shape.  Students then used the slip and score method to add the stigma of their flower.  Finally, we glazed the bowls.  I used a low fire glaze, and did a combo bisque and glaze firing in one.  The colors came out bright and vivid!  Students are excited to bring these home soon!

2nd Grade Clay Akuaba Dolls

Second graders are learning about Akuaba Dolls.  These dolls are made by artists in Ghana, and they are members of the Akan tribe. The Akan tribe gives the dolls as wedding presents because they represent the wish for the couple to have healthy babies.  Students created these dolls out of clay, and here they are painting the traditional African colors of red, yellow, green and black onto the dolls with glaze.  Look for these to come home soon!