Cardboard Tube Creates With A Theme

 I have been trying to do projects with my students that hands-on/messy/different since we've returned to in person! We spent so much time drawing/coloring while we were virtual (many of my students had NO or VERY LIMITED art supplies).  I tried to do some supply give aways, but so many of the students that truly needed it did not come (or were unable to come) to pick them up. 

I introduced the idea of "theme" to the second grade classes this past week.  They selected a theme, and created creatures that were inspired by their theme.  We used paper towel rolls as the base for our creations.  I had so much fun creating my teacher examples...I had to share. Can you guess the themes?? 

Cumberland University 3-D Foundation Plaster Project

This semester I've been an adjunct instructor at Cumberland University in Lebanon,TN (half hour east of Nashville).  It has been an interesting transition to teaching a 3-D class online!! Right as we were moving to online...I met with my class one last time to take pictures of their soft sculpture class & to pass out their plaster blocks to carve(subtraction method). They were due this past week, and I had some I wanted to share with you!

Plast'rcraft by Pacon

http://pacon.com/?s=plast%27r+craft&orderby=relevance

I got this amazing big box of Plast'rcraft by Pacon this summer, and decided to test drive it with a student I give private art lessons (she had just finished 4th grade).  I'm not a 3-D person...but LOVED this project & product! 

We started by creating an armature using plastic water bottles & masking tape.   My student created a rhino/bear creature....and I made the fish.

The directions are simple!  However, I should have thought things through a bit.  Precutting  the Plast'rcraft into smaller strips would have been best for a project such as this.  Cause once you get messy....it is harder to backtrack. 

The product went on well...and clung to our armature.  If you like the texture of the gauze, then you can leave it.  If you want a smoother surface...just dip your finger in water and rub.  The plaster fills in the spaces nicely for a smoother finish.  

I think having a solid armature is important.  The masking tape we used came from Dollar General, and wasn't the greatest.  I ended up using the Plast'rcraft to "hold" things together.  Next time I'll make sure my tape is a better quality.  

We still need to paint them, but they turned out great!  I was amazed at how strong they came once the product dried.  I know...should have guest plaster based products would do such a thing!?!?! ha ha  A project like this in a classroom would work, but would have to be broken up into 3 different class times more than likely.  Day 1, sketch & create armature.  Day 2, cover armature in Plast'rcraft.  Day 3, paint sculpture.   Managing supplies is also essential.  It is going to get messy...so be prepared! 

I have an idea one doing step 1 & 2 the same day...but that post will have to wait till I actually give it a try!  Stay tuned...and try Plast'rcraft by Pacon!  It is really fun stuff!!!

LIKE PACON ON FACEBOOK!!!  THEY OFTEN HAVE SPECIAL OFFERS/GIVEAWAYS/INFORMATION POSTED!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pacon/167928493245302

Monster Dolls/Soft Sculptures: 4th Grade

I have a few more posts coming with these guys!!!!  I really do love all the little personalities they have.  

ENJOY LOOKING THROUGH THEM!!  

(ps..I'm still getting the storage message error/issue thing! However, by going to photo manager in microsoft (standard on our school computers)...I resize the photos to Web Large...and am able upload them. Photos below a certain size do not count against your storage)

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

If at first you don't succeed..try try again.

???????????

What's that definition of insanity? 

What have I gotten myself into?!  I thought my 4th Graders would love to create some ugly doll "ish" type soft sculptures.  I thought...sure...no problem...they got this!!!!  Fun & interesting transition going from Louise Nevelson to Claus Oldenburg....right?!??!  Well, it has been a struggle, but each day I have high hopes it will be better.  I've made some modifications to the lesson...and that has helped.  The first day I let the children pick a shape to make a pattern of...trace it onto the burlap..and on with the lesson.  Sizes were an issue...shapes were an issue....it just did not go the way I had hoped.  SOOOOO...the next day I let them use my watercups (which are plastic tumbler cups..short and stocky) to trace out the circles. YES..I MADE THEM ALL DO CIRCLES!  It was best for all involved in this process.  I'm giving this lesson two class times....cause I think that is all I can handle! ha ha  I'll post finished pictures next week.  

SIDE NOTE:  I use to do an embroidery/quilting lesson...real needles..embroidery floss..the works!! 

Louise Nevelson Inspired: Day 2

Here are some of the Nevelson projects after they were painting.  Pink is a horrible color to photograph!!!! 

If I get them displayed together...I'll post a picture.  Still working out the details on that one.  

Beauty at Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital

I recently visited Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital here in Nashville. My friend's new born(only 2 weeks old in the picture below) son spent a week there recently.  I had heard they really worked hard to make the environment enjoyable for children(well..at least less hospitally).  I was amazed!  The dog above was actually done by an art teacher here in Nashville, Lynn Driver ( http://www.lynndriver.com/ ).  

Here is baby Rocker(yes..that is his real name).  Happy to say he is out of the hospital and doing well!!!!

Sculptures, paintings, prints.....ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!!!!!  

Here are just a handful of pictures....there is so much more!!!

This cat (also by Lynn Driver) greets people as they come into the hospital.