2012 Art Show Tour

Come on a tour of the 2012 M.E.S. Art Show

"Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists"

Starry Night

This years Art Show is going to be based on "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists" and Illustrators.  One of the 2nd grade projects will be based on Vincent VanGogh's, Starry Night.  After creating their version of the famous painting in their choice of medium students then created a frame to go with their piece.  Using a variety of noodles that seem to mimic the theme, lines and shapes of the Starry Night students tried to create a frame design that would compliment their art work.  They glued the noodles to a poster board mat and then the frames were spray painted gold.  I don't often use things like noodles in projects with my kids but the wagon wheels, stars and rotini seem to fit really well and after they are painted the frames give the pieces a "museum-like" feel (besides that the kids have a lot of fun working with them).

Missouri Institute of Natural Science's photo
A picture is worth a thousand words!

WooHoo and way to go!!!  Three of my best and brightest have art works going to the state art show this year and one student won Best Graphic Design at the regional show!!  I am so proud of all of them!!!

Who doesn't love Eric Carle!  My first graders sure did enjoy creating their "Very Grouchy Ladybugs".  We started with the story and a good look at Carle's amazing illustrations.  Then the kids took flight making construction paper ladybugs with wings split for flight and a vibrant tissue paper collage for the background. As a finishing touch we added some google eyes for a touch of whimsy.

Inspired by Picasso's "Petite Fleurs", my kindergarten students made these pictures using a combination of oil pastel, silky crayon, tempra paint and construction paper. First we talked a bit about Picasso's life and art and looked at examples of his work including "Petite Fleurs". We then practiced drawing some simple flower shapes and talked about what would be a good size for the flowers we would put on the paper for our project. The kids then made about three flowers using oil pastel. Next I demonstrated the use of one of my all time favorite materials, silky crayons, and the kids added several more flowers with these. We added stems, leaves, vines and grass with green tempra. After tracing and cutting out the students arms and hands, they were given an opportunity to trade one with a friend. The project was finished by attaching the hands to the page so that it looks like one hand is picking a flower to give to the other. Check out more of our finished pieces at Artsonia.

My Signature Project

Of all the projects that I have done over the past thirty years this has become the one that I will most remember and be most remembered for. The "Patterned Cats" that my students have created have won many awards over the years and always cause a great deal of excitement when displayed in the halls of our school. This project is a review of concepts learned throughout the year in second grade. The contrast of the black and white cats on the brightly colored backgrounds is stunning.