Creating in the style of Andy Goldsworthy (Part I)

We dedicate this post to those who lost their lives and those who are affected by the recent events in Newtown, Connecticut. Our prayers are with them.

The inspiration for this project came from looking and examining the "Land Art" by Andy Goldsworthy. His art was influenced by the American movement of the 1960s. Goldsworthy was aware of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jelly in the Great Salt Lake of Utah and Michael Heizer's Double Negative in Nevada. Goldsworthy's art, however, has an ephemeral character. His works don't last long, and this is the central focus in his art.

We are fortunate that our school is surrounded by beautiful trees. Our nature trail often becomes a site where ideas for projects are born. After learning how nature plays a big part in Goldsworthy's art, we decided to take a walk in our "little forest," and see if we could get an idea for a project by just collecting dead branches. Every student collected dead branches in zip lock bags.  One of the students had an idea of  using the branches to create trees. We all loved the tree idea and proceeded in creating our Goldsworthy trees.

Andy Goldsworthy

Working in separating the branches according to size and thickness  

Students used water colors for

the background paper

Our bodies participated in this project

Some of the thick branches had to be broken using our legs.

Students helping each other in placing and gluing the branches 

 The students who finished first were happy to assist  their fellow artists

Elf Feet Visit Again

We decided to make elf feet again since our students had fun with this project last year.
Click here to see the project from last year.
We used poster board paper and a variety of water colors.
Some students enhanced their compositions with a touch of golden paint.