Tempera elephant, 18"x 24" - grade 1 |
I wrote about this butterfly project, on 12"x 18" paper, here and here. The original inspiration for the project came from Art Project Girl. |
Andy Warhol tempera cat, 9"x 12" - grade 3 |
Tempera cityscape; color mixing exercise 14"x 16" - grade 4 |
Oriental fan design with ink and Mod Podge - grade 6 |
In the beginning, acting in partnership with the PTSA, my students created artwork for the annual PTSA fundraiser. The PTSA did all the paperwork and organization of the fundraiser; I was just responsible for having every student grades K-6 create a suitable work of art. In return, the PTSA agreed to give me a sum of money each year, to subsidize having 3 pieces of student art professionally matted and framed. Meanwhile, I made the selection of student art from work that I saved throughout the year. I saved about a dozen pieces, and then brought in a few other staff 'critics' to help make decisions about the selections. This kept me from 'playing favorites'. They did not see the student names when picking artwork.
Black glue and chalk pastels, 12"x 18", after Peter Max - grade 5 |
Marker 'shoescape' with contour line shoes, 18"x 24" - grade 5 |
Patterned cat, oil pastels on tempera, 18"x 24" - grade 5 |
Glue and pastel chalks on black paper, 12"x 18" - grade |
Painted tissue paper collage, a la Eric Carle, 12"x 18" - grade 4 |
Sharpie on foil dragon - grade 3; read about how we did the project here. Original inspiration for the use of materials came from a post by Sharpie Woman, here. |
Then, suddenly, several years ago, after a dispute, the PTSA disbanded. (This should serve as a reminder to you all how quickly a disparaging remark made on Facebook will get back to the person being criticized. That's what started the crumbling of an active PTSA. Think before you post!) I found myself without funding, couldn't legally hold a fund drive myself, and frankly didn't have the time to handle it all anyhow.
Above, two 18"x 24" "Jazz" paintings in tempera, with CD's - grade 2
Victorian architecture, enlarged detail; tempera, I believe 16"x 18", perhaps? - grade 3 |
Fauve elephant, tempera, with tissue collage frame, 16" x 20" - grade 3 (click here for details) |
Above, 12"x 18" goldfish bowls a la Matisse, by grade 2 are a collage mix of watercolor, wallpaper, painted paper, and tempera. Read about the project here and about the still life used for this, here. The same still life setup was used for the 4th grade 18"x24" tempera painting below. Read about this project here and here.
The custodial staff has been responsible for actually installing the artwork. In the beginning, I would get upset because it wasn't hung exactly at the height I intended, or the distance apart, but I learned to temper my annoyance and remember that nobody noticed those things except me. The artwork was hung, and that was the important thing. And then, over the years, the custodian hanging the work learned to come to me, and together we would mark off the wall to show exactly which piece went where. I love coming into the school now and seeing the gallery, and knowing that kids can walk down the hall, point to a framed work of art, and say "I did that! I'm an artist!"
The 9"x12" piece above, by a 4th grade girl, was a design for a greeting card for a fundraiser project by request of a local charitable organization. The lettering wasn't up to the necessary standard so it wasn't ultimately selected, but I loved the idea. The 12"x18" tempera painting below was by her 4th grade sister the following year. They moved away, left these pieces behind, and I found frames to fit them both. Maybe they will return some day!
Here's a few more pieces -
Above left is a 12"x18" name reflection in metallic and black tempera, grade 5, and two small chalk on wet bogus paper abstractions, with Mod Podge glaze, by grade 2. Below, the 12"x 18" tempera mask on the left is by a 3rd grader. The 1st grade portrait on the right was made of Mary, by Karen, by direct observation, when they were in 1st grade, before the new school had been built. They both graduated from high school a few years ago, and Mary's mother, a former school board member, and her father, school groundskeeper, gave the piece back to me to frame and add to the gallery. I believe you still could pick Mary's freckled face out of a crowd based on this lovely portrait.
And yes, of course the hallway wouldn't be complete without a few framed 'toothpaste batik' works of art, by grade 5, below. I have posted about this project several times, so just search 'toothpaste batik' in the search bar on the right, or click on 'toothpaste batik' from the label cloud at the bottom of the blog Too many links to include here!
And yes, a few more before I sign off...
The first two, below, were tempera, 18" square, by grade 2. We looked at Laurel Burch's series of celestial images, and created decorative suns and moons. I'm smitten by these pieces, I admit.
And of course, like everyone else, I've done this project below, too; my original motivation came not from a fellow blogger, but much before the internet existed: from an art ed text I found dated from the50's or early 60's, I believe. - 18"x 24" tempera, grade 3
And these 4th grade trees are 12"x 18" tempera, a limited color project. Two colors to use together for sky, two for ground, two for tree.
I don't usually select Kindergarten pieces because I'm not sure they understand, but I was smitten by this piece and I had a frame that fit it perfectly. Tempera, maybe 10"x14"? It's an odd size.
And finally, this moody painting done with tempera, painted over a textured surface created by drawing with Elmer's Glue-All, and sprinkling sand into the wet glue. I posted about this here and here.You will find a better photo of the unframed piece there. The original idea for the technique was found here. Gotta give credit where credit is due!
Some truly spectacular works!
ReplyDeleteFantastic gallery!
Thanks! Many pieces are from before I started blogging!
DeleteHow lovely to have a permanent gallery! It sends the school community such a powerful message about the value of art and education.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christie. I love seeing it every time I'm in the school, and I love that there is now high school work, too.
DeleteAwww thanks for the shout out! Your work is so amazing! I am feeling recharged in the art teaching world and I will posting more ideas soon and keep up with my blogger friends! xo
ReplyDeleteOOH that's good to hear! I know how hard it is to keep up with the blogging, but you are always so insightful!
Delete