There Was An Old Monster

First graders in Mrs. Mullane's class have been begging to paint since the first day of school. They got their chance this week when we read and illustrated the story "There Was An Old Monster" by Ed, Adrian, and Rebecca Emberley. This also connected literacy ideas such as rhyming, and sequencing with student art.

You can listen to the song that accompanies the music here:
The Old Monster Song

Art Is Freedom

Getting ready to start some great new learning experiences in the art room. This video shows some famous art in a fun new way!

What to put in your art journal

 My junior high students are expected to keep an art journal while in art class. They are asked to create at least one drawing/ painting/ collage/ creation per week. The independent project could be of anything as long as it:

     - has color or shadow
     - includes a background
     - takes at least 10 minutes of time to create
     - is created during free time, or at home

              I told the students that I like to start a fresh book out with a picture of my hand, as you always have one with you to observe and draw. Here are some examples of my 7th and 8th graders creating a picture of their hand in a unique way.       

Some other ideas include:

       

• draw your room
• color a drawing with non-realistic colors
• copy or enlarge a comic strip
• redesign your favorite album cover/ brand logo
• create a monster
• sketch out your favorite outfit
• draw your favorite vehicle
• cut out pictures of what you ate for dinner
• create a coat of arms for your family
• use alternate supplies to paint/draw with (tea, coca-cola, berries, make-up)
• self-portrait
• draw or paint your pet
• cut out a picture of a face, and draw the body and background to complete it
• cut out half a picture of an object and draw the other half
• draw yourself in a video game
• make a flip book
• finger print value drawing
• create a perspective drawing from an interesting view point
• sketch where you are
• turn your name into a design
• draw with tape
• glue fabric scraps to paper to create part of an image
• illustrate poems or quotes
• create a zentangle
• find textures from around you and apply them to new things through drawing or rubbings

Be Prepared to Get Messy!

We're getting ready to paint at Cumberland. Please Bring a SMOCK, or OLD T-SHIRT in from home so that you don't ruin your clothes. We're planning a paint-filled year starting soon. Please be prepared.

Why Is Art Important?

All of the classes at Chippewa and Cumberland throughout the first week of school have been answering the question, "Why is ART important?

Good question with an infinite number of answers. Some of our solutions include:
     -It lets you express yourself
     -Everyone is different, and it shows in your art
     -It is all around us
     -It teaches us to use our creativity
     -A world without art is a world without color and shape
     -It expresses your feelings
     -It explains things
     -It helps you understand the world better
     -It makes me happy

I can't wait to see our combined efforts displayed on bulletin boards for all to ponder.

Welcome Back Cumberland Cougars

I'm getting ready to start school. After a trip to Cumberland yesterday, I was telling Mrs. Scheiber about how I've spent the summer painting almost every day. She mentioned that it would be nice to have a painting in the office. I thought it was a great idea, so I made this cougar to hang in the office for all to enjoy.

You can see more of my paintings that I have made here, or click on the side under my pages to see what I've been working on.

See you soon!

Proof That You Can Draw Anything and Make It Amazing!

Summer is winding down, and I've been busy painting ALOT! I've painted 36 paintings since the end of June! I will be sharing them with you soon.

Here is a fun video of an artist drawing the shadows he created when crumpling a paper. I love to watch artists work. I hope you do too!