(G2,G3) Butterflies, a Mixed-Media Project (Part I)

I am always looking for themes where students will get the opportunity to practice their drawing skills.

Learning how to draw butterflies offers such an opportunity. We looked at pictures of butterflies in the book ''Waiting for Wings'' by Lois Ehlert. We discussed the variety of patterns, colors, and lines found in the butterflies. We decided to do a number of studies before attempting to draw the final version in our water color paper. I explained to the students that this will be a mixed-media project where they will be able to incorporate a variety of materials. My students love mixed-media projects and with great excitement started working on their drawings.

This student was happy with this butterfly study.

This was his first and final version; he added more details on his water color paper.

Using a black sharpie to complete the design.

I explained to the students that as important as it was to

examine the details in the butterflies in Lois Ehlert's book, it was even more important to incorporate

their own ideas into the design. 

It was very interesting to watch how the students hesitated at first to create their drawing.

They were slowly developing confidence as they saw the lines and patterns emerging in front of their eyes. 

These are some of my sample drawings.

Our motto is: ''We look, we examine, and then we create our own.''

This student decided to draw a profile view of a butterfly.

She did a number of studies where one could see the changes of the lines and patterns.

It was interesting to watch the students create their own unique patterns.

Difficulty drawing the lower part of the butterfly.

A lot of erasing went on before the student was happy with the results.

This student had great difficulty drawing the body of the butterfly. 

First, the scale of the drawing was small, then she was not happy about the shape.

Student comment: ''It looks like a rocket. It is impossible to draw the body.''

After a little encouragement the next version made the student really happy.

Struggling with the lower part of the butterfly, working on multiple sheets of paper...

and voila!

I was really impressed by the complexity of her line design on the butterfly's body. 

This student learned that there is not such thing as it ''is impossible'' in art.

A big smile and eyes sparkling with confidence was a great reward for me.

(G1,G2) A Lesson in Comparing and Contrasting

For this project, the students had the option to create compositions using paper, paper cleaners, and training weaving sheets. The class was separated into three groups, each working on the material of their choice.
After the completion  of the projects, we used an entire session to discuss our choices.

The discussion session provided the students with the opportunity to defend their choices, as well as to demonstrate ability to compare and contrast their work with the work of their classmates.
We discussed our color choice and combinations, sculptural quality, balance and symmetry, and degree of difficulty.

                                   This student was interested in creating a symmetrical composition.

The choice of his shape was the rectangle.

Using pipe cleaners to create an intricate design.

This student was interested in contrasting colors.

She used squares and triangles to create a collage. 

Using pipe cleaners to create a sculptural artwork.

Student comment: "I wanted my composition to be symmetrical but a little complicated in the center."

The simplicity as well as the level of difficulty was the focus on this piece.

Student comment: "I love apples."

There was a great degree of difficulty, as the student had to be careful not to tear the fragile aluminium/tissue paper in creating her composition. 

A symmetrical and balanced composition.

Students had a lot of good things to say about this artwork. 

Struggling but persisting in creating this intricate design with pipe cleaners.

Student comment: "I am missing a corner on my training sheet but it does not matter."

I watched this student as she carefully used scissors to cut her paper in long, rectangular pieces.

She then carefully used pipe cleaners around the paper.

Student comment: "I was too afraid to cut through the paper, and so I went around the paper." 

Another balanced composition.

Student comment: "This reminds me of one of my belts." 

Student comment: "I turned my training sheet over to make a sleigh."

The red pipe cleaner is the person riding the sleigh. 

Cutting the paper into thick, rectangular pieces.

The student used the pipe cleaners in a folding fashion.  

This composition was a favorite among the students.

They loved her choice of colors and shapes.

Student comment: "I used the purple square for contrast."

Despite certain limitations regarding the health of this student, I watched him working with intense concentration to make sure the pipe cleaners would appear flat on the training sheet.

Exhibiting no fear of twisting the fragile aluminum/tissue paper to create a collage.

I watched this student as he glued the three different tones of green on his aluminium paper.

Student comment: "I created a sunset window."

This work gave us the opportunity to discuses color association.

(G2,G3) Experiments in Weaving

For this project we decided to look at pictures of medieval tapestries and learned how tapestries were made

by weaving threads together on a loom.
We used a tapestry template and practiced weaving by "warp" threads in tension, so "weft" threads 

can be woven back and forth between them.
On of the most important tapestries in Europe are a series of seven called "The Hunt of the Unicorn" dating from 1495-1505. These seven tapestries illustrate the sequence of the hunt, ending with the capture of the unicorn.

   

We glued a fabric sheet on the template to represent the appearance of the dying wool.

Dyes were made from berries, roots and fruit. The colors most often used were

yellow, red, and blue. 

Students added medieval imagery to the background. 

Using metallic fabric to illustrate that old metallic thread was used in medieval

tapestries. 

We discussed how tapestries were an art form of their own like paintings or sculpture.

Images of animals, people, and plant-life were depicted in vivid color and detail.

Using a variety of fabric to illustrate the richness of the design in the tapestries. 

(G1,G2) American Indian Legends and Symbols Part II

For this project the students were given the choice to  create works based on two sources: The Legend of the Bluebonnet  by Tomi DePaola, and  Native American Crafts by Judith Hoffman Corwin

We discussed how the spirit of nature is important to Native Americans in the design and decoration of the objects they use in their daily lives. Their rich culture was based on their respect for the natural world around them; the Earth, sky, wind, rain, animals, plants, fire and water, the sun, the moon, and the stars.

O our Mother the Earth,

O our Father the Sky,

We bring you the gifts that you love.

Then weave for us a garment of brightness;

May the warp be the white of morning.

May the weft be the red light of evening.

May the fringes be the falling rain.

May the border be the standing rainbow....

           

       __ Tewa Song, Southwestern Pueblo

This student created a rainbow based on the Tewa Song.

Creating the symbol of sun 

Creating a collage composition based on  the book: The Legend of the Bluebonnet.

The Bluebonnet flower based on the book: The Legend of the Bluebonnet.

A collage composition of the rain falling based on the Tewa Song

The blue feathers that decorated the little girl's warrior doll based on the book: The Legend of the Bluebonnet.

Chief's Blaket based on the book: Native American Crafts

For this Navajo blanket the student used stripes and diamonds, a design called Eye Dazzler.

The student created a Mimbreno eagle ( The  Mimbrenos lived about a thousand years ago along

the Mimbres River, in what is now New Mexico. Their designs show the animals of the Mimbreno world- the people's "wild brothers." )  Based on the book: Native American Crafts 

The student created a work based on images of Southwestern Jewelry

Creating a turtle by using rows of geometric patterns  based on Ute designs.

Creating a bug based on images of Southwestern jewelry. 

Learning about the importance of the horse for the Ute people of the Great Basin.