We had a terrific first day with middle school and high school art classes! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing both old and new students today; everyone was wonderfully attentive, respectful, and engaged with the lesson.
High school artists participated in the "Make It Challenge:" they were given a limited set of materials and asked to make something! The challenge was to solve a problem: express an idea by using only a few materials and everyone succeeded! There were paper strips, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, and an assortment of drawing media. We were amazed to see the imaginative pieces these students created in only 20 minutes! Middle school students will take the "Make It Challenge" later this week.
We also discussed art classroom expectations and every student has a parent letter to be signed, due on Monday, August 19. Also, we would love for students (in grades 6-10 only) to bring a sketchbook to class! (We do have binders with plain paper for those students who do not have a sketchbook.)
Finally, students discussed an inspiring video clip about art! Middle school students viewed a short video about the Studio Habits of Mind and high school students viewed Embrace the Shake as well as Your Creative Bank Account.
Elementary students also started the school year off right! We were exercising our creativity in every class, inventing new ways to design our name in 4th/5th grades, making something out of nothing in 2nd/3rd grades after watching "Beautiful Oops," and drawing from our imagination in the K5/1st grade class (after viewing part of Harold and the Purple Crayon.) K3 and K4 students will have art for the first time this Monday. I can't wait!
I am so proud of all my students; everyone has been delightful this week in art class, working hard and being so respectful and encouraging to one another. In every class, we talked about being made in the image of God, the First Artist, and that each of us is an amazing masterpiece in His hands! I am praying for my students and their families this week, that you will walk in the center of His will and be protected. Also, that we would all glorify God with our hearts, thoughts, actions, words, and with our hands as we create.
I brought a few of my art pieces from home for the kids to see what kind of an artist I am; I love all kinds of art! The latest pieces I completed this summer are fluid paintings: my students inspired me to create more paint pours after our last art lesson of the year for 2018/2019! These paintings of water are also very personal to me spiritually; God has used the metaphor of living water to help me over and over in my relationship with Him!
To make these paintings, I first looked at lots of pictures of the beach. I looked specifically for bright, sunny days, turquoise water, and the white sands of the Gulf Coast. I then spent time mixing colors to match these colors of the ocean and sand; I think one day I had at least a dozen colors!
One of the things I love about the medium of paint pouring is that it reminds me of God setting up a system and then enjoying watching it work! I set up my system of colors and then set them in motion; I also paid close attention to the overall composition and manipulated the lines of color with my fingers.
When I look at one of my paintings, it reminds me that God is in control, that it is through His power and strength that I can do what I do. His grace is made perfect in weakness! These paintings also remind me of growing up near the Gulf Coast and going to the beach; it is always so relaxing to just sit and watch the water, or to jump in and splash!
John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.