Color Explosion: 1st Grade

Here are the first grade projects we used for the art show!
There are a few projects students selected from for their piece.  A majority of the students selected their water color checkerboard background with collage animal on top of it.  I loved this project, and the kids did AMAZING work.  One of the other projects students selected was the fish bowl.  We were still working with watercolor & patterns.  I had been given a roll of clear thick plastic...so I had the students trace with a sharpie on the plastic, cut it out, and use craft glue to attach it to their picture.  I know it is hard to tell from the pictures, but their bowls look real!!  The other selection(and there were only two I believe)....were collage monsters.  

          

HERE ARE SOME CLOSER UP PICTURES OF THE MAIN PROJECTS!

Color Explosion: Kindergarten

As promised...I'm going to break my all school art show down into grade levels. Here are my kindergarten students.  They are truly amazing artists!!

The students were allowed to chose from landscapes with houses, Warhol's cats(crayon & watercolor), Doughnuts(crayon and watercolor), and Kandinsky painting to music(tempera).

HERE ARE SOME CLOSE UPS!

COLOR EXPLOSION K-4th ART SHOW

What an amazing night!!  We had over 350 people come through the art show between 5pm-7pm March 22, 2018.  That is the largest number(100 more than our highest year) of people we've had attend our art show in all of my years at this school(17yrs).  I attribute it to call outs & our use of social media to get the word out!  No matter the reason....I'LL TAKE IT!! ha ha  

I'm going to do a series of posts featuring each grade level, but will give you an over view in this post.  If you ever have questions about putting on a large art show...just send me an e-mail & I'll try to answer your questions(or get you in touch with someone that can!!).  

I select my theme for the following year as I'm hanging up the show for the current year! You'll have to follow my Pinterest to see what I'm thinking about for next year's art show!

The first table people come to at the show is sign in & thank you cards.  We have sign in just to keep track of who came & because it is a Title 1 School thing.  Thank you cards are created by the students...and I just think is nice to let people know we appreciate them coming!

The next tables people come to are Activity Tables.  I like to get parents & those who attend creating with their children.  Nothing too complex...just a little something to get their creativity going!  

The show is done in an area of our school where a couple different wings connect.  It has lots of wall space, and has high traffic....so people we see the show as it is up!  

Cookie table is everyone's favorite part of the art show! ha ha  I ask teachers/staff to bring in a package of cookies for the art show.  They are happy to do it....and the kids are happy to eat them!

This year I did things differently with how I hung the show.  I hung them up going K, 1, 2, 3, & 4.  I usually group them by grade level.  I also did not place the grade with the teacher's name.  I noticed in past years that many people came in to find their students work, and did not spend time looking at the rest of the show.  This made it a bit more work to find their child's work....so more of the show was seen by more people!! 

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: CHOICES

Art begins with an idea.  From there it is a series of choices.  The artist must make decisions that will impact every aspect of their work: size, shape, color, texture, materials..etc.  With each step they take they are faced with more choices.  Sometimes the choices they make lead to amazing discoveries in the exploration of their original idea.  Sometimes the choices made lead to frustration...starting over...or even quitting.  It is amazing how even what seems like a small decision can change the outcome of work.  Once a work is completed, the choices are still not finished.  Where to display it, how to display it, what to display it with, does the display need special lighting....and on and on!  I've seen some wonderful artists become paralyzed with the fear of making "wrong" choices in their artistic pursuits.  Choices, good or bad, allow us to grow.  Our choices can lead us to great success, but they can also lead us to a time of refining that will later lead us to great success if we allow it.  

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5

Choices are part of our everyday life.  We may not give some of the choices we make much consideration.  However, even what we deem as lacking importance/significance can have impact on our life or those we encounter.  This is not to add to the pressures we already face, but to highlight the opportunities we have as believers.  We need to seek God for wisdom & discernment in our life.  The choices we make may be opportunity to love, encourage, challenge, or speak truth to others in the midst of our successes or perceived failures.  Seeking God out in all we do allows us to approach life as ministry.  Acknowledging God in all we do opens up the door for Him to use our life for His glory & honor. The choices we make allow us to have different opportunities, experiences, and interactions.  When we seek the wisdom of God in all we do, our choices will yield amazing results....even if they may not be what we initially imagined.  That is part of living an artist life for the Lord!

COLOR EXPLOSION

TONIGHT IS THE ART SHOW!!! 

(Sorry I've not been posting, but if you've done an all school art show before...

you realize the time commitment/all consuming nature of them!)

COLOR EXPLOSION: ALL SCHOOL ART SHOW PREP

My all school art show is just a couple days away...and I'm in the midst of getting everything ready!!  As of this morning, all artwork is cut down, names rewritten, mounted, and tape placed on the back(to place the blue tacky stuff I use to hang the show) of all 500+ pieces of art!!!!  Now I'm getting a note ready to send home to parents, prepping activity stations at the show, making some big banner signs to hang up pointing people to where the show is....sooooooo many things beyond just the artwork!! I try to make this a super special event....and I want people to linger! 

AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY BUDDY/PARTNER IN CRIME...JANET MALONE! She and I have worked together on many things over the years for our district.

Janet came over for several hours over the weekend to help me prep a large chunk of the artwork!

THANKS JANET!

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: FOCUSED

Negativity is all around us.  We live in a world where people believe it is their right....if not their duty to give their opinion on EVERYTHING!  Artists have always dealt with the scrutiny of others. Art is not only for the personal catharsis of the creator, but is for the visual, mental, and emotional consumption of the viewers.  This truth opens up the artist to the thoughts of the one, the group, or the masses that will view their work.   Both positive & negative opinions can impact the progress & direction if allowed(though negative opinions often sway us to a greater extent).  The artist cannot  allow themselves to be caught up in the thoughts & comments of others.  Wasting energy on an internal battle or waging an external war of words will not benefit anyone or anything.  We must stay focused on what is most important. We have a responsibility to ourselves and our artistic vision that we cannot allow to be comprised by the ever changing opinion of others.  

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."  When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  1 Peter 2: 21-23

In John 16:33 it says, "I have told you these things, so that you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  This has always brought great comfort to me.  "Trouble" is a reality of our world.  No one is exempt from it.  Pain & heart ache finds a way into all of our lives.  Bad things happen to good people.  Bad people happen to good people. Jesus is our ultimate example for how to respond when the world crashing down around us & is trying to take us with it.  We do not find peace with the situation, but we find peace in the one that holds us in the midst of the situation.  This is not a plastic smile & fake detached "I'm fine", but the reality of someone who has been transformed by the love of Jesus Christ in their life.  We can stay focused on what God has called us to do even when the negativity comes our way from individuals or situations because we will not allow ourselves to respond as the world does and become distracted. Jesus showed us a different way....a better way, and I pray we can respond in His love in all things.

ART WITH MR.E SUMMER WORKSHOP: GROW

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR!!! 

It is time to start thinking about some fun summer art education professional development!!!

This will be our 3rd year having the summer workshop here in Nashville!  It has been so much fun to develop relationships with amazing art educators from all over...from all different grade levels...and grow together personally  & professionally!  What can you expect from an Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop??  FUN, UNUSUAL & NOT SO UNUSUAL HANDS ON, AMAZING DISCUSSIONS, GUEST SPEAKERS, A FIELD TRIP!!!  3 DAYS OF AWESOMENESS!! ha ha  

We kick it off the Sunday Night before the workshop with a cookout at my home!!  Then we start each morning with a breakfast table. We have a variety of projects each day that will be able to be modified to take back to your students!!  One day we will have a field trip....last summer we looked at the public art around Nashville(and they loved it so much...they want to do it this summer too!).  Mrs. E will provide lunch one of the days....and no will be going hungry!!!  

Please contact me for more information!!

HERE IS A BLURB MAGDALENA WROTE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE THE PAST TWO SUMMERS AT THE WORKSHOP!

"Mr.E's summer workshop is inspiring & refreshing! I am local in Nashville and during our last Summer PD, we took a whole day field trip to visit Sculptural & 2 Dimensional work around Nashville. Some of the things we saw, I had no clue they were even here. So, if your from out of town, find a roommate to join you! If your local, find new locations to visit for a field trip. Either way, you will leave this PD with multiple teacher samples, excellent classroom management tips and inspiring ideas to promote Art Education at your school! Oh, did I mention you get to visit Mr.E's classroom? I know all his Artroom secrets! I'm coming again this year, please join me!" -Magdalena

(IN FULL DISCLOSURE..MAGGIE WAS ONE OF MY STUDENT TEACHERS...AND SHE STILL COMES BACK!!!)

1st ART WITH MR. E SUMMER WORKSHOP

2nd ART WITH MR. E SUMMER WORKSHOP

ARTED BLOGGER'S NETWORK: STEAM

Welcome to the second ArtEd Blogger's Network post!  

This month we are discussing STEAM  & Cross Curricular  work in the art room! 

I've been around awhile(aka...I'M OLD!)!  As most educators know..."trends" come and go.  Buzz words attach themselves to things that have always been...and will continue to be once that buzz word fades away.  I feel STEAM is like this.  Please hear me out!!!!  STEAM is an awesome thing.  I've seen its implementation bring back the arts to a school.  I've seen STEAM allow for grant money to be awarded for its efforts & possibilities.  I do believe STEAM is a good thing. 

HOWEVER

I believe in a well rounded art education.  I believe that we as art educators have naturally brought in SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING, LITERATURE, SCIENCE, MATH, SOCIAL STUDIES...etc.  We are by our very nature an all inclusive discipline.  What would art be if not informed by the world within us & the world around us.  

We must have a well developed philosophy of art education that is constantly evolving, but holding firm to the core values of who we are as art educators....and what we believe art education truly is.  Does STEAM threaten my core values or force me to change who I am as an art educator? NO! So really...I have no problem with STEAM.  I just want to make sure we don't get swept up in the "movement", and forget who we have always been as art educators. If it causes me to reevaluate what I do in my classroom & to consider new and exciting ideas......AWESOME!  We all need a jolt from time to time to make sure no dust has settled on us.

IF YOU STEAM....STEAM WITH ALL YOU ARE & KEEP THE ART FRONT & CENTER.

IF YOU DON'T STEAM....MAKE SURE YOU ARE TRULY INTEGRATING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE & STUDENT EXPERIENCE INTO YOUR LESSONS!!

This month, The Art Ed Blogger's Network is writing about STEAM/Art Integration. Join us on the first Tuesday each month for new projects, ideas, and inspiration.

 Participating Art Teacher Blogs 

• Art Class Curator
• Art Ed Guru
• Art is Basic
• Art Room Blog
• Art with Mr. E
• Arte a Scoula
• Artful Artsy Amy
• Brava Art Press
• Capitol of Creativity
• Create Art with ME
• MiniMatisse
• Mr. Calvert's Art Room Happenings
• Mrs. Boudreaux's Amazing Art Room
• Mrs. T's Art Room
• Party in the Art Room
• shine brite zamorano
• Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher
• There's a Dragon in my Art Room

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Dried Out, Used Up, & Broken

 Artists can do amazing things with very little!  It is kind of like a super power of ours.  We make things "work" that seemingly shouldn't. There are mediums that can not be "creatively answered".  You need specific materials to do certain art forms.  It is very obvious when these supplies become dried out, used up, or broken.  It happens.  Art supplies are not meant to last forever.  If they did last forever...it would mean they were not being used for their purpose. So it is natural for them to begin breaking down, wearing out, and getting used up.  There does reach a point where they can no longer accomplish what they were designed to do.  You can continue using an inferior product, switch colors midway, or power through using the broken supplies/tools.  However, it can change the quality of the work, it can change how others perceive the work, and can change the direction you as an artist wanted to go with the work.  The frustration of using dried out, used up, and broken supplies can derail the creative process. Now "necessity is the mother of invention", and such adversities can result in creative breakthroughs. Though most artists would rather not have to go through that process, it can yield amazing rewards depending on how the creator approaches the situation.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-29

Are you feeling a bit dried out, used up, and/or broken?  Work, family, the world around us....LIFE!  All these factors contribute to these feelings.  It really can't be avoided.  Sometimes we become more worn down than others.  Stress, illness, finances, family members....all can contribute to the feelings of being dried out, used up, and/or broken.  When we are in this place, it impacts every area of our life.  We are not as effective in the things we do personally, professionally, and spiritually.  So what can we do?  Jesus tells us to COME!  "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden.."  He doesn't wag his finger at you and tell you that you shouldn't be weary & heavy-laden. Instead, He invites you to come to him...and He will give you rest.  Sometimes we believe we shouldn't struggle with this.  We believe we should be able to instantly give it all to God all the time.  However, we all know we hold onto things.  Guess what....GOD KNOWS TOO!!!  He knew you would take more on you than you should.  That is why He invites us all to take to come!  Not to scold us, but to love us & show us a better way.  In doing so, we will have a testimony to share of our burdens being lifted.  We will have a testimony to share of being refreshed.  We will have a testimony of being made whole.  

Another reason to love teaching elementary art...

I posted this on my social media, but wanted to make sure it was here as well.

I love teaching elementary art!  The amazing work they produce still surprises me 21  yrs later.  Sometimes it is because of the amazing skill with which they create.  Sometimes it is the fearless approach they bring to creating.  Sometimes....their work is just hysterical....even if they didn't mean it to be.  This is one of those situations.

My 1st graders had been charged with creating a creature/animal in the style of a school picture on top of a fun watercolor checker board they created the week before.  Most were extremely cute cats, dogs, mice, bears..etc  Then I came to this one.  Mind you...this student has no clue on what he has created.....BUT I DO!!! 

 I give you the most amazing GROUCHO MARX BUNNY!!!

I adore this picture....and wonder if I can somehow keep it for myself!! ha ha  

Kindergarten Landscapes W/ House

After the half way point I start challenging my kindergarten students to some more advanced skills.  Some will get it...some will not(yet)...but they do a great job & love the process!

This is a two day project.  The first day we look at & discuss landscapes.  We brake it down to the three parts & talk about the characteristics of each one.  We also look at photographs of houses, and talk about the type of house they want to live in when they grow up.  After they finish drawing they trace their work with crayon.  I do this because it helps keep the watercolor from going everywhere when they paint the following class time!  Week two is a demo on painting with watercolor...and then I let them get to work!  

Here are the results!  

GETTING READY!

COLOR EXPLOSION

Tulip Grove's Annual K-4th Art Show 

Getting ready for my annual K-4th art show!!  Our theme this year is Color Explosion...and it is going to be a bright show!!! I created this bulletin board in our front hall to advertise(will add date & time later).  I've also started making the teacher name signs I hang beside each class.  If you've never done an all school art show...it is A LOT OF WORK.....but totally worth it!  Stay tuned for more as I continue to prepare! 

Mixed Media: 2nd Grade

I love doing mixed media projects with my students.  Each "layer" of the mix adds so much to their work...and their excitement builds as their art work progresses! 

Here is the breakdown of this project.  

DAY ONE

Draw the vace & flowers with pencil, trace with Sharpie, and do a watercolor wash overtop.

DAY TWO

Using color pencil, go into the work and add some cohesion to the vace and flower by adding "some" color.  I talked to them about blending & value when using colored pencil.  

DAY THREE

Students created two or three collage flowers to add to their vases.  We discussed proportion/size to make sure they looked like they belonged with the other flowers. We also used bubble wrap to print some metallic color onto it