3rd Grade Project: Wassily Kandinsky - Kandinsky's Concentric Circles

The color studies of Wassily Kandinsky remained our inspiration for this project.  We attempted the very same color study that Kandinsky himself did in his 1913 "Concentric Circles" as seen below.
 

Kandinsky - Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles - 1913

Using watercolors the students explored the different color combinations while trying to control the paint as they created larger and larger circles.  Once their circle reached the edge of the box, they then would paint in the background to complete that section.  Their compositions consisted of four of these circles.

3rd Grade Project: Wassily Kandinsky - Wassily's Silly Trees

As the 3rd grade continued their studies of Wassily Kandinsky, we moved into a cut paper project using Kandinsky's color studies as our inspiration.  These cut paper studies took the form of trees.  Students would begin by drawing a tree.  Once the tree was drawn and outlined, student would cut the trees out.

We then used the basic shapes: circles, squares, and triangles to complete the colorful foliage of our trees.  The students were encouraged to use a wide variety of colors in their compositions just like Kandinsky did as he worked on his color studies.

2nd Grade Project: Piet Mondrian - Cut Paper Compositions

Students again were focused on the work of Piet Mondrian.  In this project we approached his Neoplasticism in a different way: cut paper.  The 2nd graders used pre-cut black strips as well as primary color squares and rectangles of various sizes to create their Mondrian inspired compositions.

Students were given the freedom to choose how and where to place their lines and colors.  These choices resulted in a widely varied and extremely colorful collection of work.

See our first exploration of Mondrian in Colored Pencil.

4th Grade Project: Paint Charts

Controlling the brush and the paint is what the focus of this project is.  The 4th graders first created their charts using rulers to measure off the five sections that are used in this exercise.  The students used this series of measurements to complete the drawing of their charts.  Once the charts were drawn, we painted.

When painting we worked together through our sections.  These sections each building and sharpening specific skills.  These fundamental skills will be needed each time the students pick up a brush to paint. 

In the these sections students would learn to: adjust the intensity of their color by using water, to carefully paint rounded shapes, squared shapes, and sharp pointed shapes, and finally to touch up any edges or colors that look unfinished.  Manipulating the brush and paint with control is what we set out to do, as you can see our results were very good!

Exodus 28:33 - Creativity

Exodus 28:33 (NASB)

33 You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:
Concerning Exodus 28:33 - Francis Schaeffer observed:

“Christians . . . ought not to be threatened by fantasy and imagination. Great painting is not "photographic": think of the Old Testament art commanded by God. There were blue pomegranates on the robes of the priest who went into the Holy of Holies. In nature there are no blue pomegranates. Christian artists do not need to be threatened by fantasy and imagination, for they have a basis for knowing the difference between them and the real world "out there." The Christian is the really free person--he is free to have imagination. This too is our heritage. The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.”

Creativity is valued by God.  In being creative we honor Him who created us.  We have wonderful imaginations given to us by God, these He gave to be used; art is one of the vehicles in which our imaginations can be used to honor God.  

Psalm 139:13-14 - Uniqueness and Value

13 
13 
Psalm 139:13-14 (NASB)

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

In class we consider the fingerprint, the tongue print, and the eye.  These are only small physical earmarks of our uniqueness.  God made our delicate, inward parts; He wove us together in the womb.  These all speak to the value He places on each and every one of us.  These small reminders we bear upon ourselves, when we look out at nature we again see uniqueness - specifically in the snowflakes.  

God has put uniqueness upon us, around us, and most definitely inside of us.  He so deeply values His creation, His works are wonderful.  Let us know that very well.  

Kindergarten Project: Eric Carle - Christmas Ornaments

To celebrate Christmas the Kindergartners made ornaments.  These ornaments were made using our painted paper that we've been using in our Eric Carle unit.  

Once the string was attached the ornaments were ready to go home to be used for decorations.  The students enjoyed making something they could take home right away!   

6th Grade Project: Printmaking - The Print Block

The 6th graders have their printmaking unit.  This is unit covers an introduction to printmaking, the making of a printing block, the printing process, proofs, series, masking, and painted prints.  This is an extensive unit, though we try to take step by step.

After being introduced to printmaking, students began the design and assembling of their print block.

Students began with a series of design sketches.  Once they finished these sketches they chose their favorite design to make into their printing block.  They used string and glue to create their line work on their blocks.

Next - The First Edition