Welcome to our ES Art blog at ASB. This blog includes photos of artists at work, reflections from students on their learning, and updates regarding the projects and happenings in grade 1-5 art.
This morning the grade 4 students presented their learning with an authentic audience of parents, teachers and community members. They have recently completed a Project-Based Learning Unit that challenged students to create a useful carry-on product that would be convenient for airline travel using recycled objects and materials.
Guests were encouraged to offer honest and thoughtful feedback to the students to enhance their prototypes. Chris Grazel (ASB Parent and Go Air VP ) offered insights and feedback as an expert in the airline industry. It was a great celebration of the learning process for grade four- Thanks to everyone who came to support our students!
Check out highlights of this mornings fair:
I'll post more photos in the next week. Great job Grade 4!
Very Influential People... Who are they? How are they influential? What difference can someone with influence make? These are questions grade 2 has spent some time exploring and reflecting on in their unit of inquiry. In art, we explored 4 very influential artists- ranging in nationality, materials/media, and contributions to the art world and in turn art history. These artists are recognized and known for starting something new or seeing things in new ways. Henri Matisse is contributed with bring collage to the art world while Paul Klees use of mixed media and applying whimsical drawings through printmaking techniques layered on paintings was a unique approach to art making. Pablo Picasso is famous for saying " I don't paint things they way I see them, but the way I think them", and started the art movement of CubAndy Warhol created a style of art that captured and shared aspects of popular culture through his art such as food and iconic celebrities in Pop Art. Grade 2 created pieces of art influenced by the contributions if these artists to the world of art. Check out some of their work, collage side by side to note the differences in approaches to creativity!
We also used a fun tool too explore museums around the world to find out more about these artists and other influential artists called Google Art Project. Check it out! You can virtually visit-and even walk through-many of the worlds great art collections.
Which artists influence you? Who inspires you and the way you express yourself? How can you have influence on others in your life (through art or other ways!)?
I really enjoy the messages Kid President shares in his creative and usually funny videos. This message is especially cool to hear considering the current work our grade 4 students are completing on their PBL Something from Nothing Recycled Art Unit. They have been inventing and creating products that would be useful for air travel. This Friday will be the big fair to share their learning- the ups and downs- with an audience of parents, teachers, and experts... More to come on fair follow up. But for now, enjoy this fun video from Kid President and imagine all of the ways you can do these things every day as an artist!
Last weekend Coach Dax and I spent some time on the beach. As an artist- I find the sea to be such a source of inspiration- from the fresh air, sound of the waves and beautiful sunsets reflecting in the water.
However though I love spending time walking near the sea my eyes are usually looking down at my feet- scanning the amazing variety of sea shells! This weekend was no different- the unique patterns colors and shapes of shells is really incredible! I used my camera to snap some shots of the beautiful array of shells as a means of tapping into my creativity. I played around with sorting them by pattern color as size and photographed different arrangements. I can't help but think like an artist everywhere I go!
Where do you find inspiration? In nature? At the beach? So you have any collections you could sort and photograph? Take a close look around everywhere you go :)
Really, I am nearly speechless after seeing the incredible art from these two artists recently. I've seen their photos and stories being shared online through different news and social media sites, and thought I must share! I know some of you have seen these artists too- what do you think!? I am amazed by their unique idea to create such large but temporary art. Would you spend that much time planning, designing and creating something only to have it destroyed by the next wave or snowfall? It certainly take a special passion and drive and a deep love for creating. Kudos to these artists who are creating breathtakingly beautiful designs with essentially the world around us!
Click on the hyperlinked text below to find their websites and more information about them!
Simon Beck: Snow Artist
Creates giant drawings using his snowshoes, a compass, a brilliant plan and a good sense of direction. Originally a map-maker, he loves creating temporary designs in the fresh snows that fall in France during ski season. You can find his photos of his art and learn more about him through interviews on social media sites and news outlets. He was even asked by Disney to create an image for the recent film, Frozen!
Creates designs by raking sand on beaches, exposing the wet sand which looks darker and creates the lines for his drawings. Originally from California USA he loves spending time at the beach- this style of art is also known as playa paintings or beach art. Here's a time lapse of him creating a work:
There's even an entire community of beach artists like Andres! Check out a video from BBC on their competitions:
Imagine you were going to try to make a piece of art inspired by these artists? What type of weather, terrain, geography would you look for? Imagine large and small ways you can do this around you in your every day life.... growing up I used to draw in the frost on the glass of windows on my bus ride home :) Share your thoughts!
Grade 5 got their creative juices flowing this week with an art game suggested by Dominik! The game is called: Add On.... Everyone started with their sketchbook and a pencil, ready to draw! But what to draw you might be wondering? Well... Each person came up with one part to add to our "Creative Creatures". One by one we went around the class and added in each idea to our drawing. They got pretty crazy and certainly creative! This is a fun game any group of artists can try anytime to warm up imaginations and stir up creativity!
Here's our complete list of Add Ons as well as some of the resulting drawings:
At the end we even took some time to draw good friends for our crazy creatures. What a fun day of wacky ideas, unusual combinations, and plenty of laughter :)
How do you wake your creativity up after a long holiday or break from making?
