E3/4/5: Artist Studio Dioramas

My older elementary students are constructing miniature studios for specific artists. Can you guess the artist above?

 

Can you see the resemblance to Keith Haring's studio? This was made by a third grader! 

A fifth grader's interpretation of Georgia O'Keeffe's peaceful and minimalist studio below.

A work-in-progress of Van Gogh's bedroom based on his painting.

First-Third: Topographic Models

Third grade

First grade- "I want mine to look like a heart!"

Third grade

Second grade

Second grade 

Elementary students were learning about landforms in their classroom so I thought a fun way to tie in art was to make topographic models. I showed them a slideshow of topographic maps and models and we discussed how the repetition of contour lines progressively becoming smaller or wider creates the illusion of depth and height. Topographers can also use color to show change in the features. To begin, students drew a contour of an imagined organic form, cut it out, traced it onto another sheet of paper and drew a smaller version, continuing this method until they until they went as high as they wanted.  I got a lot of help from Small Hands Big heart!  I think I'm going to have students make a name for their island or mountain and write it on a mini flag. 

In progress.

All of elementary collaborated in a Louise Nevelson-inspired assemblage. Using found objects that they collected from home, students glued together their assemblage and painted them in our school color- blue. I can't wait to see this hanging up on the wall!

Second through Fifth grade- Circus

I've always wanted to do a lesson on Alexander Calder's Circus. After watching a video on Calder's circus performance, they were divided into groups and given found objects. It was a great lesson on working together and respecting others' ideas, and of course, creating something representational only using found objects.

Third-Fifth: Dali's Melting Clocks

The Persistence of Memory, 1931

My summer school students learned all about Salvador Dali during Art week and had so much fun interpreting his surreal paintings. Out of white model magic, they used the table to bend and warp their clocks into a "melting" shape. They painted the outer rim with gold paint and made their numbers with black model magic. The hour and minute hands were made with black cardstock pinned down with a brass pin that was held in place with a drop of hot glue in the back.

Middle School: Printed Pillows

Acrylic print on muslin

Prints made by wrapping a wooden block with thread and painting over with acrylic. 

Kindergarten: Warhol Soup Cans

This was a color based project inspired by Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. Each student brought in a Campbell's soup can and wrapped it with paper they painted themselves. They also came up with a fun, interesting flavor. Vanilla soup anyone?