The Power of Words

The inspiration for this project came from viewing the works of nine women artists who explore the use of language in their work. 

Their work is featured in the exhibition 

Girl Talk 

                                                              Women and Text 

Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) 

We examined the way the artists explored the ambiguity of language in their work.

The students decided to create their 'word collages' based on the work of the artist Kay Rosen.

This project had six steps:

1.The students looked for words in a variety of books, newspapers, and periodicals.  

2. From the variety of words, we each decided to use only one word.

3. We created new words out of a singular word by rearranging or adding letters.

4. We used black sharpies to write our new words on water color paper. 

5. We used water colors to paint over the letters.

6. We cut the letters and created our word collages.

During the art process, the students were able to discuss word choice and creation of new words with their fellow artists.

   

Kay Rosen

The student learned that Ark is the Latin word for box.

Kar is an Armenian word meaning "stone".

Rak is a river in Slovenia.

Kay Rosen

Kay Rosen

Experiments in Weaving

Weaving is an art activity that most students enjoy. I prepared the paper and cardboard looms with larger openings for the Kindergarten class. Students had a choice from a variety of yarn. We discussed how you can create patterns by using regular or textured yarn.

By using our fingers to weave in and out, over and under, around and through, we learned to coordinate our eyes, hands, and minds. Some students made changes in the middle of the weaving because they were not happy with the results. Problem solving came into play when they were trying to decide on which yarn type to use and how, by using a different hand motion, they could create a different pattern.

My example

An Art History Lesson with the help of Vincent van Gogh's Cat

We devoted three sessions studying the work of famous artists.

The book Vincent van Gogh's Cat was used as an inspiration for this mini art history lesson.

This book was illustrated by the Second Grade Students of East Washington Academy in Muncie, Indiana.

The adventurous cat in the book is exploring the paintings of famous artists as he travels from one famous painting to another.

The students chose their favorite work from the book and did a mini research on the artist. 

The chosen works were: "Four Cut Sunflowers" 1887; Vincent van Gogh. "Waterlilies" 1908; Claude Monet.

"Exotic Landscape" 1908; Henri Rousseau. "Hermitage" 1918; Paul Klee. "Tree of Life" 1905-1909; Gustav Klimt. "Woman in Front of the Sun" 1950; Joan Miro. "Green Dancer" 1880; Edgar Degas. "Three Musicians" 1921; Pablo Picasso. "The starry Night" 1889; Vincent van Gogh.

We made copies of the chosen works, and every student had the opportunity to discuss the different elements found in the work. We looked for details, discussed colors, inspiration, and brushstroke. We looked for similarities and differences among the different artworks. We finally discussed what elements contributed to the "mood" of each artwork. 

Each student created a template for her/his cat.

We used black sharpies, markers, oil pastels and water colors.

The Starry Night Vincent van Gogh

Tree of Life Gustav Klimt

Waterlilies Claude Monet 

Exotic Landscape Henri Rousseau 

Green Dancer Edgar Degas

Three Musicians Pablo Picasso

Hermitage Paul Klee

Four Cut Flowers Vincent van Gogh 

Woman in Front of the Sun Joan Miro