Colorful Self-Portraits

Using a mask template we created self-portraits.

We used markers, pastels, color pencils, and water colors to complete our artwork.

(Pre-K) Drawing from Observation (Part I)

Pre-Kindergarten students used a ball of clay to create leaves.

We learned how to use our hands to shape the clay.  

We used clay tools to create the veins of the leaves.

The students examined the details on the leaves and practiced observation drawing.

Using a clay pencil to create the veins of the leaf.

The students did well as they were encouraged to study the clay leaf carefully

before drawing it. I encouraged them to make lots of mistakes and draw over the

mistakes so they can learn more.

Student comment:   "The clay gets stuck on my clay pencil."

Student comment: " My leaf is long."

Student comment: "I can draw many lines."

Observing and drawing the thickness of the clay leaf.

(KG) The Beauty of Coral Reefs

We used the wax resist method to create our compositions.

The Kindergarten students used black sharpies and pastels to draw their design.

We used water colors to complete our artwork.

Student comment: "I am fishing underwater."

This project was inspired by the book Colorful Captivating Coral Reefs written by Dorothy Hinshaw

and illustrated by Kendahl JanJubb.

Student comment: "The little fish are following mommy. The daddy is looking for food."

Student comment: "I made a rainbow fish."

Student comment: "These are flowers on the bottom of the ocean."

Student comment: "My fish are lining up to go on a field trip."

Student comment: "My fish want to fight the jelly fish".

(G3) Hats for Sale

This project was inspired by the book " The Hatseller and the Monkeys" by Baba Wague Diakite

In the West African tale, the mischievous monkeys steal BaMusa's hats.

BaMusa travels from town to town with his hats piled high on his head.

"Hee Manun nin koi kadi sa!" he sang, which means, "What a wonderful business hat selling is!"

Our own BaMusa balancing the hats.

Creating interesting patterns.

Happy with the results.

(G4) Collage Compositions

The students cut out pictures from magazines and created original collages.

I instructed them to use one element from the original artwork to create a unique background. 

The student erased the flowers in the girl's dress and used a floral theme for the background.

Student comment: "She looks like Lady Gaga."

  

This student created her own pair of summer pants.

The connection of art and language.

This student created a habitat for the caterpillar and butterfly.

Mixed media material was used to complete this composition.

Colorful ties for this student.

The roundness of the petals in this student's artwork is inspired by Jeff Koons' "Balloon Flower (Magenta)".