Matisse -Egyptian Curtain

The Egyptian Curtain (oil on canvas) Henri Matisse ,1948

I love Matisse! He is my fav. artist(though Van Gogh is a close second). When Ms. Luquire and I were discussing lessons, Egyptian Curtain was brought up because the students had been working on INTERIOR & EXTERIOR spaces. She came up with this lesson that used black construction paper, construction paper crayons, and textile themed printed paper. The 1st graders LOVED this project!!! I think that they turned out AMAZING!!!

Sanford Foohy

I have never been "picky" about markers. As long as they work, I like to have a nice variety on hand. Different brands give you different colors which gives you different results in the art work. Foohy Gel Markers, however, seem to be (or should I say..seemed) a brand beloved by art teachers everywhere. Unfortunately, Sanford has yanked Foohy Markers from the market. We need Foohy! Mega marker makers like Crayola, Prang, RoseArt..etc...need to have a quality product like Foohy Gel Markers to hold them to a higher standard.

SANFORD ARE YOU LISTENING?

BRING BACK FOOHY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kindergarten - Georgia O'Keeffe

Ms. Luquire taught a lesson on Georgia O'Keeffe to our Kindergarten classes. The students looked at work by O'Keeffe & many examples of close up flowers(thanks to a 90% off calender I had!). Ms. Luquire introduced Radial Symmetry to the students as well. They used tempera paint & oil pastels(for the center the following week). We limited the color palette to only 3 colors(one of which was white) that we pre-dispensed. They were allowed to pick out of the colors set out. This was done for a few reasons: keep students from making "mud", speed up the process, allow student to create tints. We also did not allow student to rinse out their brushes so that they would mix their colors.

My Art Gets Around!

So over the past couple months I have been asked permission by art teachers...as well as finding lessons by other art teachers that have been based off my painting Dismal Sunset.

When I created this piece for grad school Fall '08, I had no idea that it would make its way across the US & jump the pond to England as inspiration for a lesson. I'm thrilled that my work has taken on a new life in the form of an art room lesson!

Since it has made its way into lessons, I thought some of you using it might want more background on the work & where it came from. This painting was part of a series I created based on the landscapes of my youth. I grew up in the foothills of Appalachia(southeastern Ohio) in the middle of forest & farmland. The style was influenced from the church stained glass windows I loved & the quilts created by my mother, grandmother, and aunts.

I used a variety of techniques to create texture in watercolor, and then added colored pencil over the textured paper to give it more of a textile feel.

If you have any questions please e-mail!

...another art related link...

An amazing child artist!!!

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=17804794

Poor Picasso Painting!!

I think the velvet rope will be moved a bit farther out from now on!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100125/ts_alt_afp/usartaccidentpicasso

PJ & Company : Art Tables

I wanted to go ahead and share more about the company I went with for my art tables. They were amazing to work with & extremely helpful when I called. Their website is also very user friendly! If you are in need of new art tables or other school furniture...CHECK THEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PJ & Company

http://www.pjandco.com

1-877-825-7803

!NEW TABLES!

This year my wonderful PTO bought me new tables for my classroom! I had my round tables for the past 9 years, but figure they were well over 20 yrs old. They were not able to hold their adjustments...they rocked, wobbled, wiggled...and pretty much annoyed my students to no end!!! So, my PTO told me to look for the tables I wanted & order them. They came in over Christmas break, and one of my friends from church & myself put them together before the students returned. I've arranged & rearranged them many many times!!! It's hard when you have had the same tables for so many years. I love them though...and think I have 'em the way I want them.......for now. ha ha

STUDENT TEACHER

I'd like to introduce my student teacher. Her name is Ms. Luquire. She'll be with us until the end of Feb. fulfilling the elementary portion of her student teaching. Ms. Luquire is a student at Lipscomb University here in Nashville, and will be graduating this May.

CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!!!!

Hey all my bloggie friends out there!! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season & New Years!!!! I'm looking forward to the time with my wife & baby girl! Also going to start working on my sketches for my LAST semester of grad school!!!!!! Blessing to you all.

Winter Bulletin Board

I had my students create winter collage animals & snowmen

for the main hall's bulletin board. It is just a whole bunch of fun!

Snowy Watercolor Pictures

I had my 1st grade students use crayons as a resist. They then did a watercolor wash over top of the crayon & used salt to create texture in their paint. This allowed me to hit several standards & go over material usage.

Circle Weavings

I was excited by the pattern work my students put into the background of their weavings! I had them use the same colors that were in their yarn. I think they turned out BEAUTIFUL!

CREATIVITY FOR KIDS ....just add imagination!

I'm always looking for products, websites, activities to recommend to parents & students. I came across this site, and thought I'd pass it along. Now, it is kind of art in a box/canned art....HOWEVER....this might take the fear out of some parents having a craft time with their children!!! Some of the products look like a lot of fun too!!!

http://www.creativityforkids.com/products/catalog.aspx?q=topsellers

The parent company I've heard of..and have used some of their products.

CHECK THEM OUT!

http://www.fabercastell.com/14801/Products/Playing-and-Learning/index_ebene2.aspx

PATTERNS!!!

Kindergarten Tackles Texture

I had the students start by drawing a grid on their paper(This can be a

challenge with Kinderbabies!! ha ha). They then used texture plates under

their paper to create these crayon rubbings.

Students created texture medallions in clay.

They will be turned into necklaces once fired. Students created texture in the grassy area of their pictures by fringing the edges of their paper with scissors. This was one of the first times we used scissors and glue in class. They did an amazing job!!

Weaving: 3rd & 4th Grade

It's that wonderful time of the year again...WEAVING!!!! My 3rd graders have always done their circle weavings in the fall. My 4th graders usually do their tapestry weavings toward the

end of the school year(it helps them focus when they are all crazy with spring). However, this

year I moved it to come after my 4th graders social studies unit on TN Native Americans.

I like the idea of having that connection for my students, but not sure I like doing

the project at this time of the year.

Ends & Outs of Circle Weaving

Here is the "formula" you use for circle weaving for warping your loom. If any of you have questions concerning the lesson, please feel free to ask.

Crayola Christmas Gifts

Now that I have a baby, I've been looking at all the things Crayola has to offers little learners. They have several toys that I think will make great Christmas gifts for the baby in your life! This one is my favorite.

"The Crayola Beginnings Rainbow Tower develops and delights! This wonderful, light-up play station teaches baby to recognize colors with lights and music. The stacking and nesting activities help to develop a child’s size perception and hand-eye coordination. Special TaDoodles characters light up when placed on the base. They also combine to make new colors when one is placed inside the other."

Check out this and other gift ideas at:

http://www.crayola.com/products/list.cfm?categories=BEGINNINGS,BEGINNINGS%20BABY

PS.....I bought this for my baby girl!!! I can't wait to play with it...um...I mean....I can't wait for her to play with it on Christmas day!!!

A Newly Found Warhol Up for Auction!

Hopefully this link will be up for a little while! I have always found Warhol an interesting fellow!! SIDE NOTE: If you have not seen the "Dropping In On..." series DVD of Warhol, it is worth your time. My friends and I love it!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091030/ap_en_ce/us_hidden_warhol

Yarn Boxes

Sales on Art Supplies

In Nashville,TN....we have a wonderful selection of art, arts & crafts, school supply stores. Michaels, Jo-Ann's, and Hobby Lobby are the national chains that I frequent most for my personal art supply needs. Once and awhile I'll pick up things for my classroom, but that is usually taken care of through district approved catalogs. These stores are also where I"ll point my students to pick up art supplies. However, I always tell them...WAIT FOR THE SALES!! Jo-Ann's and Hobby Lobby always half 30%, 40%, and 50% sales on different iteams every week!! They also have amazing coupons!!!!!! You can sign up for those in the store, or check out their online site and print off coupons! If you do not have one of these stores near you...I think you can online order!! Check it out!!

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home

http://www.joann.com/joann/

http://www.hobbylobby.com/

Fall Break....a week up north (nature as art..ha ha)

FALL BREAK IS A GIFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fall is my fav. time of the year, and this year MNPS has a week off for fall break. My wife, baby girl, and I are up in PA right now enjoying time with family & friends! It's a bit chilly, but the colors are beautiful up here!! I'm finding much inspiration for my work!!!!!

1st-3rd Group Landscape In Progress: PART 4 FINISHED!!!

1st-3rd Group Landscape In Progress PART 3

1st-3rd Group Landscape In Progress PART 2

1st-3rd Group Landscape In Progress

Tempera Paint Sea Creatures

I use to be very anti-tempera paint. I was trained in watercolor in college, and you know how you gravitate toward what you know. Over the past few years, I've grown to enjoy it more and more. I have develope easier ways of managing it in passing out supplies & cleaning them up. Plus, the results of tempera are undeniable. The colors are so rich! The kids love working with them also. This lesson was one of my fav. The students came up with such wonderful images, and their craftsmanship was pretty good as well.

..A Proud Papa Moment..

My sweet baby girl is 7 months old! She's such a joy!!!

..New Art at the White House..

So the Obamas have brought some new art to the White House! There are for sure some interesting choices in the mix, but I am glad that so many contemporary pieces have found there way into the collection! Here are some links that will show you different pieces they've selected. Wish I could have been on the list!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/arts/design/07borrow.html

http://www.shelterpop.com/2009/10/07/obamas-choose-avant-garde-art-for-the-white-house/?icid=webmailwbml-aoldl1link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shelterpop.com%2F2009%2F10%2F07%2Fobamas-choose-avant-garde-art-for-the-white-house%2F

Scare Crows- Construction Paper Crayons

Lets face it, most of our 1st graders haven't moved too far beyond their Kindergarten abilities yet....they just aren't developmentally ready...YET! I push & push..but sometime forget and become frustrated. WHY CAN'T THEY DO MORE?!?!?! Each fall though, I take a step back and give them a project I know they will find great success with....and get heaps of praise!! These scares crows are great fun for the kids, and give them a chance to try construction paper

crayons(if you have not used these...they are WONDERFUL!). Please notice though..the

pumpkins they create are not Jack-o-Lanterns. This is a fall picture..not Halloween.

I do not do holidays in my room. I do seasons..the art lasts longer that way.

You can keep a fall picture up until after Thanksgiving!

Kindergarten Watercolor Painting -Color Mixing

Sometimes you just have to be brave! I decided that I'd do a fall watercolor picture with my kindergarten classes. They have been doing extremely well, and I felt that I could trust them with a little more than some of my classes in years past. Well, after cups of water being spilt daily.....I still feel they did a pretty good job. I did demo the lesson first and show them how to make orange. I use the BIGGIE water colors by Prang that have four large ovals of Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green.

Short Video About Van Gogh

I came across this video today, and found it very interesting. Hopefully the link will work for awhile...sometimes they pull them.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=15933932