"Window to the World" Trip

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Eid al Adha holiday. During the holiday, I traveled to France and England, and had a great time. And what better time to enjoy art than while traveling!! Europe is full of interesting art museums and galleries, and I was able to visit a few of them. Besides viewing great art, traveling is also a great opportunity to make art yourself! Sketching what you see while traveling helps you to see it in greater detail, plus it is fun and develops drawing skills. It is also great to do other kinds of art while traveling, but that depends on what materials you have with you. This time I brought some art supplies with me. You might think about making a portable art kit to bring along with you and your child.

 

This week, I am sharing some photos of my trip with all of my classes. You can see some of my trip photos below. You can also see some of them on our art room Instagram mskristasartists.

Henri Matisse

Paul Klee

    

Wassily Kandinsky

 

 

The above paintings were in London, at the Tate Modern.

 

Looking at art in a museum is a completely different experience from looking at it on a screen or as a photo. This week, I showed my student artists the following two artworks.

 

In the first one, it is difficult to tell by the photo whether the artwork is flat or 3D, and it is especially difficult to tell what material(s) it is made out of. After discussing several possibilities, we watched a video I made of the artwork. The video included side views. Then, we discussed how it was more clear what the artwork consisted of when viewing it from all sides. In the same way, many artworks are best enjoyed and understood in person.

 

 

 

In the next one, we looked at a surprise I found when viewing a painting with a shiny surface. There is another boat which fades into the background, and the shiny paint amplifies that effect so much that it nearly dissappears! This fun little effect would not be appreciated if I hadn't been looking carefully at the artwork in person!

 

 

On my trip, I also looked for artwork which was in the world around me, not just artwork in museums. I found beautiful architecture. This week some of my classes compared the style of architecture in the pictures I shared. I also found some outdoor sculptures. Outdoor art is wonderful because it is easy for everyone to enjoy! Below are a few examples. Where have you seen beautiful architecture? Where have you seen outdoor art? You could try making a temporary outdoor sculpture with your child.

 

 

 Finally, when traveling it is a great time to make art! Or at least, to jot down some ideas to use later! I brought a sketchbook and did some drawing. I shared this with my student artists this week too. In class, they all have a sketchbook for practice and preparation. I recommend that they keep a sketchbook at home also.

 

 

 

 

Current Projects!

  Here are some current projects. Please practice or add onto these ideas at home!

  

Grade 1 - Line Design Fish  - in progress
Focus : I can create art from real and imaginary sources of inspiration.
             I can use a variety of lines and patterns in an artwork.

Inspiration : Paul Klee, Coral Reef fish, inside ideas!!



                                                         Grade 2 - Line Design Painting

  

Focus : I can recognize and use horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines.
             I can use a variety of lines and patterns in an artwork.

Inspiration : Paul Klee, the lines around the art room, and inside ideas!



 

 

 

Grade 3 - Paul Klee Animal with Word Art Background

 

Focus : I can recognize and use good craftsmanship (neatness, care) in artwork.
             I can use contrast (light and dark areas) nicely in my artwork.  

Inspiration : Paul Klee animals and letter art, and inside ideas!

Word art background. Animals are in progress!

 

Grades 4 and 5 - "Art is a Window to Myself" symbol

 





Grades 4 and 5 are completing a visual symbol which represents themselves. This symbol will be added to a mural called "Art is a Window to Myself". Grades 4 and 5 artists have been doing an amazing job of designing something that will let any viewers know important things about them. It was a challenge because of the limitations I gave them : limited size and palette. They will be adding their symbol to a mural throughout the year.

 

Here is my example of a visual symbol which combined two elements to represent what I like ( painting and the sea)

 

Contemporary Artist - Jason Messinger

Grades 4 & 5 are starting a new project, inspired by the contemporary American artist Jason Messinger. We looked at his small square paintings, in particular. We noticed how the artist used tints and shades, and how he used simplified or abstract designs. Grades 4 & 5 artists will also be making simple paintings with their own mixed tints and shades!


http://jasonmessingerart.com/home.html

Starfall Art Gallery

I am adding a new link in the Awesome Links section. This is a great site for extending learning online, and it's fun! You can learn about the following artists : Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Paul Gaugin, Marc Chagall, Ernie Barnes, and Dorothy Strait. Enjoy!
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-b/art/load.htm?f

Art Room "Instagram!"

Artists are always looking for ideas for their artwork, and sharing ideas too! This year, I have created a new way for our student artists to share their ideas. It will be an elementary art room "Instagram". The "Instagram" board - online and off - will remind our student artists to keep being creative even on days with no art class. Creativity can be used and developed at any time, and artistic skills can be practiced and perfected at home!!!

 

Here is our "Instagram board" - the first part of our Art Room "Instagram". This board is located next to my classroom. Students can bring in artwork they have made outside of school to be posted here.
It will be labeled, and displayed until I get new work! Thank you to the artists who have already shared!
I will take pictures of these shared artworks, and post them on our Instagram site online. Here is the link to the class site:

http://instagram.com/mskristasartists

Please follow this site to support your student artists' creativity in and out of school, as well as to see more of what we are looking at and talking about in class!

Please note: I have set this site as Private, so in order to follow it you must request to follow and I must approve it. I will only approve students and their families, and school staff.

Directions for downloading "Instagram" :

How do I create my Instagram account?

Instagram is a mobile app that you can download on iOS and Android phones and tablets as well as Windows Phone 8 and above. You can view your Instagram posts from a computer after downloading the app.

To start using Instagram:

1. Download the Instagram app for Apple iOS from the App Store, Android from Google Play Store or Windows Phone from the Windows Phone Store.
2. Once the app is installed, tap to open it.
3. Tap Register with Email to sign up with your email address or Register with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.
4. If you register with email, create a username and password, fill out your profile info and then tap Done. If you register with Facebook, you'll be prompted to sign into your Facebook account if you're currently logged out.

The Elementary Art Room!

Welcome Back to Art!!

It is going to be an exciting year. This year, Ms. Krista and Ms. Yasmin's room is being used by Grades 1-5. This is a different age range from last year, so the art room looks a bit different too!!

Above : More space at the carpet (lesson) area

Left: New word wall - on cupboards

Below Left : New paint smocks ready for use!

Below : Art Elements posters

 
Above : Sketchbook Corner
Below: New fun floaty mobile!

"Ms. Krista's Awesome Artists" has moved!!
Welcome to AIS West's new Elementary Art Blog! We are excited to have you here. Check back frequently to stay up to speed on the exciting happenings in Ms. Krista's art room. You can also find useful links and ideas for how to extend your student's learning at home. We hope to see you back soon; we have lots to share!