As indigenous art is a significant and important part of the study of Australian art, I inevitably teach several lessons a year centr...
"I’m not looking for realism; my work seeks a feeling of life and soul."
As indigenous art is a significant and important part of the study of Australian art, I inevitably teach several lessons a year centr...
An exhibit in Brooklyn, New York features the work of an artist who was once called “profoundly retarded” but whose work is now considered “genius.” Judith Scott was born in 1944, a member of the baby boom generation. But, per the standard of care, because Ms. Scott was born with Down syndrome, she was institutionalized. […]
Would you like to dazzle your family and friends with a clever sculpture, but don't want to go on a trip to the art store? Well, you can make an interesting sculpture out of household objects! Take apart the hanger. The size of the hanger...
mixed media and shed snake skin
This lesson started off by me showing my students a PowerPoint presentation which introduced the Pop Art movement and some of its major artists. I really emphasized that Pop Artists wanted to connect to everyday people, so their subject matter reflected the pop culture of the time (movie stars, advertisements, comic strips, food items, etc.). People saw their work, recognized it, and connected with it (a BIG difference from Abstract Expressionism). Then we began talking about popular things in our culture today - which of course lead to talk of iPods, iPads, video games, Instagram, Facebook, texting, and a slew of other apps I'm sure I'm not cool enough to know about. It hits hard when you don't even know what your students are talking about - I used to know it all! I explained that emojis are also a great example of contemporary pop art because they are super recognizable and relevant to the tech-savvy time we live in. Then we looked at a few different (emotion) emojis and talked about what they meant. Then I asked students what they would mean if they were used in a different context. So for example, the emoji with one eye closed and its tongue sticking out. On its own my students said it meant "crazy." Then I asked them what they thought it meant if it were sent with a text message that said something like, "I hate you." The words on their own sound mean and hurtful, but when sent with the emoji, they become almost endearing - clearly not meant to be serious. Emojis can help to provide context to written words, like in the previous example, or they can be used decoratively in a fun illustrative manner. As visual people ourselves, I think art educators are in an amazing position to teach our students about the power of this type of visual imagery and its effectiveness in communicating more meaningful messages. Once we were done talking about the symbolism of emojis, we began talking about what soft sculptures are. I told my students that they would be creating their own double-sided emoji soft sculptures using felt and yarn. Guys I gotta say - I love it! I used to do an angry birds sewing project with my 5th graders, but decided to change things up this year to keep the project super relevant to my student's interests. They were crazy engaged during this lesson! Prior to deciding to do emojis (and the decision was made pre-happy meal) I was planning on doing Minecraft Soft Sculptures with my kids. If you are interested in that lesson, check it out in my store. :) Also available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
As indigenous art is a significant and important part of the study of Australian art, I inevitably teach several lessons a year centr...
Judith Scott was a fiber artist who overcame immense obstacles throughout her life, only to be made stronger and more creatively-driven by them.
Last week I pinned a fabulous optical illusion art idea from We Heart Art. She had completed this activity with her fifth graders, and I thought it would make a fantastic first lesson for my students. I tried it out with my oldest daughter last weekend (she's in grade 3), and when she achieved great results, I knew it would be perfect. This is a perfect art lesson for the beginning of the year because it uses only a few materials, has simple directions, and turns out to be an impressive work of art. As we were working on it, I could hear the "cool" and "awesome" comments that we teachers love to hear. We started our lesson by examining a colour wheel and discussing complimentary colours. I had students choose two complimentary colours for this project. To get started: 1) Locate the centre of the page - draw a dot with a pencil. 2) Still using the pencil, draw 6 straight lines through the centre. 3) Still using the pencil, draw "happy face" curved lines in alternate sections. 4) Colour in the sections with marker, alternating one coloured, one blank (these were my magenta sections). Use a pencil crayon (in the same magenta colour) to shade the edges of the blank sections. 5) Using the pencil again, draw "sad face" curved lines in the left over sections. 6) Colour in these sections with marker, alternating one coloured, one blank (these were my green sections). Use a pencil crayon (in the same green colour) to shade the edges. 7) Trace over all pencil lines (straight and curved) with a black marker. 8) Stand back and admire. :) It also makes a show-stopping bulletin board display!!! With just a few twists, you can turn this into a fabulous spider web art idea perfect for October. You can take a peek at my full lesson for this Spider Web Op-Art here. The lesson includes a full PDF as well as PowerPoint lesson with pictures and detailed step-by-step instructions for students, as well as a rubric for assessment and student reflection sheet. Happy Friday!!! And oh my - thank goodness it's Friday!!!
I just had to share a peek into the Inspire school in Taos, New Mexico. Inspire is a Reggio inspired bilingual child care. As you walk up to the front door – there is chicken wire running along side the railing with children's and adult's weaving. So beautiful! Here is a weaving wave on the porch. […]
Hey, friends! I'm coming to you today with my very favorite fiber arts projects! Teaching fiber arts is one of my very favorite things to teach, along with clay. This summer and fall, I put in HOURS creating THIS BOOK which will be due out this coming summer: You can preorder yourself a copy here if you are interested! But if you just can't wait, I thought I'd share some of my very favorite fibers projects right here today. Be sure and follow the links to the lessons as nearly all of them have how-to videos that are perfect for you and your students. Let's start with sewing! 1. These GIANT pizza pillows were such a hit last year with my students that I knew I had to do it again. Because I was wrapping my fibers book this past fall, I decided to kick off the school year with fibers. Usually, I'm all about fiber projects in the spring. This is how we displayed the pillows at last year's art show! This year, we also made both emoji and donut pillows (size: HUGE) but for details on those, you'll have to scoop up my book. 2. If you are looking for a beginner sewing project on a smaller scale, you might wanna try these stitched monsters on for size. My kids used Smart Fab fabric for the bodies but felt would work just fine. If you are curious what types of needles and thread I recommend, be sure and check out this blog post as well as the others where I break it down for you. 3. I learned embroidery from my grandma when I was in elementary school and I LOVED it. It felt so good to learn something so "adult" in my mind: creating a picture with needle and thread. I love sharing this experience with my students now too. You can read all about this Our School Has Heart fiber art's experience right here. This year, I decided to live dangerously and introduce embroidery to my second graders at the start of the school year...when they are still first graders, really. It was a bumpy start but they got it and loved it. This lesson can be found in my book but I did create this video a while back to help you troubleshoot stitching with kids: Actually, the above video was created for AOE during one of their online conferences! This is a couple years old but does walk you thru a lot of important details of all things fiber arts and kids. And here is my troubleshooting embroidery with kiddos video. I hope you find them helpful! 4. For even MORE details on sewing and embroidery, along with a book I strongly recommend, visit here! 5. Needle felting with kiddos is not something I do very often...but I do enjoy doing it! If you attempt needle felting with children, I'd make certain it's with a group of kids that understand the dangers of the needle felting tool and are responsible enough to handle it. As y'all know, I LOVE needle felting and have put in countless hours stabbing stuff. If you are interested in learning more about needle felting, start here. 6. One of the most popular lessons on this blog has been my string art lesson. This is based on a project I did in 5th grade and LOVED. My students have loved it just as much. I've created videos to walk you and your kids through this lesson so be sure and check out this blog post AND this blog post! 7. Paper weaving is a must when you introduce weaving to your students. But what to do with the paper weaving when finished? Last year, we made these woven owls and the kids loved them! Both this blog post and the one mentioned above have A TON of videos on teaching first graders (and up!) how to make a paper loom and weave. 8. Circle Loom Weaving has always been a huge hit! I normally do with my second graders in the spring but this year, I did it with third grade in the fall. I can't tell you how many videos I have on this! Be sure and check this blog post out if you have any questions about getting started. 9. Have you ever tried CD or Embroidery Hoop weaving? So fun and easy! Last year, my second graders tackled CD weaving instead of plate weaving. It was a great way to upcycle those stacks of CD's I'd been accumulating. This type of weaving takes less time than plate weaving as you don't have to spend two art classes painting the plates. They also look super pretty in the window when light hits the CD. Video and lesson details here! 10. Whenever I get stumped for a lesson, I just think back to the things I enjoyed creating as a kid. I remember the summer I spent at a vacation bible school learning straw weaving. So fun! My kids love this one too. Details and video here! 11. Want a lesson that packs a huge punch? Tree weaving teaches landscape painting, weaving and so much more! This lesson of mine has been another huge hit on my blog. I have many videos to walk you and your kids through this fun technique. You can find it here. 12. I have yet to meet a kid who didn't love making Ojos de Dios. Why not try expanding on that love by making BIG God's eyes?! We did that here! 13. Pouch Weaving used to be one of my all time favorite things to teach. Because it is complex, I created an entire series of weaving videos for you and your students, including how to create that cool cord. You can find the beginning of the series here. 14. Got yarn? Then you and your kiddos can yarn bomb! What a great activity for your early finishers too. 15. Shibori! I love shibori dying and so do my students. I created a video that explains EVERY one of these folding techniques and you can see it here. So, truth be told: I've been blogging for seven years and teaching for twenty. I KNOW I've left some great lesson links and videos off this list accidentally. So, you are wanting more, give my name and whatever type of fiber project you are interested in a google search...or search in the bar on the side of this blog. Because there are just so many fun fibers lessons out there. AND stay tuned for my book where there are even more!
Fourth Grade students have been working hard on their stitching designs. First students drew out a plan for their designs that included rad...
TUTORIAL FOR LIZARD HEAD HERE http://www.elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/2013/05/catching-up-lots-of-fun-stuff.html I have been so busy lately and have hardly had time to blog. Thank you so much for the Versatile blogger awards. I will eventually get some time to reciprocate! I appologise! I really appreciate all my readers and your sweet sweet comments. I have two high maintenence toddlers at home that keep me on my toes! We have been doing so many things in here and I need to catch up and bring my camera this week to update the latest. Here are some things from a few weeks ago… These cubes are so easy to make and you can be so creative with what they put inside. Some kids put an alien inside, some made flowers, animals, tvs, and some made it into a giant robot head Ok this made my day. Today I had a parent tell me that they were on their way to the zoo and saw a painting of Van Gogh outside the art museum and the child said, “Look mommy, it’s Vincent Van Gogh!” It made the two weeks of yellow paint stains on my pants completely worth it!! Shout out to Artolazzi! Jenny Bartolazzi, you are a genius! Your ideas impress me and your posts never disappoint. I am so glad you blog so I can copy you! My kids are so happy with their chameleons because of you. I love the candid picture I caught of a student snuzzling up to her chameleons as though they were made out of velvet and purred like kittens!! You can find step by step instructions for these chameleons on her blog here: http://artolazzi.blogspot.com/2011/04/3-d-lizard-directions.html My kids used the same steps as we used on the bunny head to make the chameleon head They LOVED them. We watched these videos first, some of the other classes gave theirs sun glasses Some kids even made a cube cage for their Chameleons and I gave a prize to the one who could spell chameleon first! AND I will conclude with a random photo from one of my recent newborn photoshoots that has nothing to do with elementary art! This also keeps me busy! Is she not the cutest thing God ever breathed life into! www.shelbyjunephotography.com She makes my ovaries hurt!
This lesson started off by me showing my students a PowerPoint presentation which introduced the Pop Art movement and some of its major artists. I really emphasized that Pop Artists wanted to connect to everyday people, so their subject matter reflected the pop culture of the time (movie stars, advertisements, comic strips, food items, etc.). People saw their work, recognized it, and connected with it (a BIG difference from Abstract Expressionism). Then we began talking about popular things in our culture today - which of course lead to talk of iPods, iPads, video games, Instagram, Facebook, texting, and a slew of other apps I'm sure I'm not cool enough to know about. It hits hard when you don't even know what your students are talking about - I used to know it all! I explained that emojis are also a great example of contemporary pop art because they are super recognizable and relevant to the tech-savvy time we live in. Then we looked at a few different (emotion) emojis and talked about what they meant. Then I asked students what they would mean if they were used in a different context. So for example, the emoji with one eye closed and its tongue sticking out. On its own my students said it meant "crazy." Then I asked them what they thought it meant if it were sent with a text message that said something like, "I hate you." The words on their own sound mean and hurtful, but when sent with the emoji, they become almost endearing - clearly not meant to be serious. Emojis can help to provide context to written words, like in the previous example, or they can be used decoratively in a fun illustrative manner. As visual people ourselves, I think art educators are in an amazing position to teach our students about the power of this type of visual imagery and its effectiveness in communicating more meaningful messages. Once we were done talking about the symbolism of emojis, we began talking about what soft sculptures are. I told my students that they would be creating their own double-sided emoji soft sculptures using felt and yarn. Guys I gotta say - I love it! I used to do an angry birds sewing project with my 5th graders, but decided to change things up this year to keep the project super relevant to my student's interests. They were crazy engaged during this lesson! Prior to deciding to do emojis (and the decision was made pre-happy meal) I was planning on doing Minecraft Soft Sculptures with my kids. If you are interested in that lesson, check it out in my store. :) Also available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Sew a Soft Sculpture Inspired by Nick Cave’s Soundsuits So, what is a soft sculpture? A soft sculpture is a 3D form that is made from soft materials like cloth, […]
"In a culture of acknowledging those who were previously overlooked, when artists and their earliest champions are finally getting their dues, there is a satisfaction in witnessing the record be corrected."
An ode to Alexander Calder, these sculptures are so colorful and fun!
Learn about the life and work of artist Ruth Asawa while creating your own DIY hanging sculpture! 20 fun Art Activities for Women's History Month on the ART CAMP blog.
Rebecca Mezoff is soon launching an online class about four selvedge weaving, called Fringeless: Four Selvedge Warping, featuring Sarah Swett. I know it will be quite informative and also inspirational. I don't have an investment in this venture--just excitement to see it happen! For those who don't know, four selvedge warping allows for a piece to be woven without ends of warp at top and bottom. Four selvedge warping is an ancient technique but the method has been revived in the past couple of decades to make it accessible to contemporary tapestry weavers. I first learned of this way of warping from Susan Martin Maffei and I've used her method several times for small tapestries. Susan has provided a pdf with diagrams of her set up online. I wrote about my adventure with this in a 2011 blog post here at Tapestry Share. And here are a few of the eighteen or so small landscapes I did then. These are between about 2" wide x 8" high to 3" x 4": Since then I've woven a few more with the method that Sarah shows at her blog and that she'll be describing in the online class. Michael Rohde and Sarah Swett have made a few modifications to Susan's method; here's a link to Sarah's blog post describing the way she does it. The way of warping and weaving with the set up is not exactly like that used by Navajo weavers although with the same end result--no tails of warps to deal with. I'm sure with this new information about the method that Sarah and Rebecca will be sharing there will be many more fringeless tapestries in the world! I know I'll be setting up my loom for a few soon.
interior geography and adventures in my dance with everyday beauty
This unique wall art is inspired by a pink peony bush. Each crochet circle is hand crocheted separately with cotton or cotton blend yarn and then sewn one by one on the canvas. Get the pattern to make your own, or have one made for you! Designed by Willie of Sugar Carousel, get the pattern
Inspired by the patterns and colors of Chinese vases, San began a series of voluminous vessels that draw on traditional motifs.
Another old piece; cotton thread on a single layer of tulle in an embroidery hoop, almost appearing to just be floating in space. I should really make something like this again.
Meet the summer weavers who came to the studio to learn to weave this season. my classes are on the lower teaching deck at the studio. trying on some of my saori garments students first
Fabrics and the role they have played in the decoration of your home is undeniable. Starting from the curtains on your window and doors to the bed linen we
