Think Create Art

Inspirational Thursday!

2012-02-16T06:59:00.000-06:00

Circles!

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4th Grade Mural- Day 1

2012-02-14T14:09:00.001-06:00

Today was CLAY DAY!!! The 4th grade classes rotated into art all day to create the first step of our clay mural- "See The Rainbow- Be The Rainbow". Local artist Susan Gallagher and our amazing PTA art room chair Mrs. Centuori were here, along with a few parent volunteers, to help make today run smoothly. It was so nice to have the entire day dedicated to this large-scale project. (The 4th grade teachers are amazing and supportive throughout this entire project...we are so lucky!!) It was a day full of clay, new tools, fabulous creations, and positive energy! The clay mural is off to a wonderful start. Each student starts with a paper templet. They drew their design last week in art. The design had to be something that represented them (soccer ball, guitar, art supplies, a word, animal, etc.) Every idea was awesome and so creative. Today, they took the templet to the clay to create the shape. Bas relief technique was used on each piece. The details are phenomenal! The last picture is our sketch of the finished sculpture. WE LOVE COLOR!!! Now, time to dry, then fire in the kiln, glaze and assemble. More updates will follow! Happy Valentine's Day!!! xoxox

Keeping the Art Room Clean

2012-02-13T10:31:00.000-06:00

Close to 200 kids are in my class room each day. And a little over 600 people throughout the week. Very normal for an art teacher. I love it actually- it's so nice knowing the names of all the students and a little bit of their personalities. It's awesome when they stop by just for a visit or to say hi! However this wonderful, full of life little art room becomes filled with a lot of icky germs! I try my absolute best to keep the art room clean and germ free. I like to keep the space around me clean all of the time. I love the messiness that art creates and I have a good system for that- but the germs is another story. School in general is a place full of germs. There are hand sanitizers throughout the school and teacher/parent reminders to wash hands, cover mouth, etc. which does add some peace of mind. But it still is such a challenge to keep the art room clean because of all the hands-on activities that happen all day. Students that are here for class use the art room supplies, they share the table space with each other (plus the previous and next class), we live in Cleveland with some crazy winter weather so there is a lot of coughing & sneezing- it is busy and non stop- and germy. I don't really like to think of the amount of germs in my class room is, but it has to be bad. Sometimes I'm shocked that I am not sick more often! Lysol wipes are my life savors! Even though they are rather expensive, they are the best way to help keep the art room "almost germ free" :) I think it is the best way to clean the table spaces though at the end of class and the day. Of course, the art room is messy with paint, supplies, etc. but what are some good ways to keep the art room germ free? Anyone else use Lysol wipes? (I buy mine in bulk at Costco) I would love to know your thoughts! Thanks! ThinkCreateArt

Artistic Inspiration Thursday

2012-02-09T07:08:00.002-06:00

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

-William James

Sometimes it is nice to stop, take a deep breathe, and remember the reason why I became an art teacher. To remember the reason why I LOVE being an art teacher. To remind myself that my job is important. To forget about what is happening outside the door and just teach art! The laughter, smiles, excitement, and happiness I see every day makes reminds me of all these things and always seems to re-assure me to continue doing what I love and a loving what I do.

Heart Designs

2012-02-08T10:21:00.000-06:00

Next week, on Valentine's Day, we are beginning the 4th Grade Mural Project! It will be fun and crazy as the entire 4th grade will be rotating in and out of the art room throughout the day. More on that later! But for now, here is the quick Jim Dine inspired art lesson that 3rd grade and 4th grade classes will whip up during the day with a sub. Since she will be traveling to the classrooms, the kids already have their markers so it is easy clean up. I might have her bring oil pastels (like in this example above)- we will see! Either way the hearts turn out bright, beautiful, colorful, full of patterns and love...a perfect creation to make on Valentine's day!
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Henri Matisse Inspired Still-Life Collage and Paintings- 3rd Grade

2012-02-07T14:13:00.001-06:00

Henri Matisse was an artist from France, known for his beautiful lavish colors and playful patterns. He was also known as a Fauvist painter. Since Matisse is also well known for creating collages, we began by creating the table and background using colorful scrap paper. All sorts of wonderful patterns and bright colors were used! Later we will be painting the still-life over the collage. These are off to such a great start!

We Heart Chihuley Art- 4th Grade

2012-02-03T11:29:00.007-06:00

4th grade students are learning about the extraordinary Dale Chihuley! His glass works are incredible and so inspiring. The video posted from You Tube is so cool! In the past, I have painted, cut, "hair-dryer" plastic water bottles to create sculptures. These always turn out beautiful and the kids love the process. This year, trying something a little different- so stay tuned!! The goal is to create mini chandeliers to fill our hallways.

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Spiral Weave-5th Grade

2012-02-02T11:42:00.004-06:00

5th grade students began their weaving unit by setting up their loom. We used paper plates and yarn to get this going. The spiral created at the end is just wonderful! Tying knots can be a challenge, but quickly picked up! I have seen "hoola hoop" weaves using the same idea and would love to make those with a smaller group one day.

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Op Art Display

2012-02-01T11:39:00.001-06:00

Lots of "ooooo's & aaahhh's" with Op Art!

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We heart art!

2012-02-01T09:38:00.005-06:00

Heartworks are being created in the art room this week by 3rd grade students. After chatting about the wonderful Jim Dine and looking at his artwork, students were inspired to create beautiful heart themed paintings. Of course they thought it was so cool that he is from Ohio! I love the individuality painted in each piece. The colors are brilliant and the outcome is fab!

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Birch Tree Watercolor Paintings- 4th Grade

2012-01-31T10:44:00.003-06:00

4th graders used watercolors to paint these stunning birch tree paintings. The colors are bright and beautiful but still have a winter feel. I have seen other birch tree paintings on art blogs and have created them in the past. It is one of those projects that is always successful. My next class that does this is going to put a twist on this classic project.

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AMAZING Op Art- 5th Grade

2012-01-25T10:08:00.004-06:00

5th grade students created INCREDIBLE Op Art! We began the optical illusions by tracing circles with tape rolls creating the spheres. They filled them in with black and white checkerboard. Then we added the cones in the background (horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines) and filled them in with colors of their choice. Shadows and highlights were added at the end to help the spheres "pop out". These are fabulous and look amazing hanging in our hallways! This project is going to be presented to The Board of Education by some 5th grade students in the near future. I know they will be very impressed! Op Art ROCKS!

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Madalas- 3rd Grade

2012-01-25T09:55:00.004-06:00

After discussing radial balance by looking at Rose windows and mandalas from different cultures, 3rd graders used oil pastels to create symmetrical designs. Inspired by design and organic shapes the students really created beautiful mandalas! They were so surprised that this has a math connection (reflection and line of symmetry). This was a great one day project!

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Name Creatures-4th Grade

2012-01-23T11:05:00.004-06:00

Name creatures, aliens, insects, robots, whatever you want to call them are a great in between type of project. First we folded the paper in half, then wrote a name (first or last) in cursive- making sure the opening part of the paper is on the top. Outline the name with a black marker and trace the name against a window. Every student is stunned at how cool this is! I love their reactions when they open the paper to see the symmetrical design. This project is such a "WOW" kind of artwork! Creating symmetry by tracing the cursive name, then adding symmetrical designs and color with marker is such a great way to review symmetry and create fun and exciting art!

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Element of Art Abstract Faces- 4th Grade

2012-01-18T14:00:00.006-06:00

I love the way the 4th grade abstract faces turned out! We used all of the elements of art (value, color, line, shape, space, texture) to complete the transformation. They look like they were created from the computer! So cool!! For the face we used markers (one cool, one warm) eyes/lips colored pencils, shirt and background we used oil pastels (geometric shapes in background, organic shapes on shirt) and tempera paint for the hair. We will be presenting this art project to The Board of Education in a couple of weeks.

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Starry Night Scenes- 3rd Grade Paintings

2012-01-18T13:53:00.004-06:00

3rd grade students loved painting like van Gogh! Take a look at these beautiful works of art! They will look beautiful hanging in the halls and stunning once they get home.

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Abstract Faces- 4th Grade

2012-01-09T07:18:00.003-06:00

4th Grade students began creating their Abstract Portraits. This project combines most of the art elements- color, shapes, lines, texture, and value. The kids reactions about this project is always funny and they are so shocked that they still look like themselves when they are done. I give them a sheet that has the steps of what to do which is a nice change of pace because they have a lot of freedom with colors and shapes. ThinkCreateArt

Op Art- 5th Grade

2012-01-04T11:16:00.002-06:00

Op Art rocks!! It is so interesting, unique, fascinating, original, cool- the list can go on and on! Op Art or optical art, is a style of art that makes use of optical illusions. Optical illusions trick us into perceiving something differently than it actually exists. Op Art works are abstract andare usually black and white. When the viewer looks at them, the impression is given of movement, floating, warping, flashing patterns, tunnels, or hidden images. Bridget Riley is an artist well known for creating Op Art. 5th grade students have started creating Op Art using spheres and cones. First, they traced 3-5 different size circles on white paper. Inside each circle they created a grid that looked like an eye shape. They did this in both directions so the grid (or checkerboard) was created. Using a black sharpie, they outlined and colored in the spheres. Next week we will add the cones. So far- so amazing! The kids LOVE Op Art!

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Starry Night Paintings- 3rd Grade

2012-01-04T11:07:00.003-06:00

Hello 2012! 3rd grade students kicked off the year by studying Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. I love that they know the artist already from 2nd grade and just love the painting. After discussing the famous artwork, we took a look at Google Art Project to get a better idea about the brushstrokes, texture, and style of the painting. It is so cool to go inside the painting! Students started sketching their own versions of Starry Night and some even began the painting process. They are already fantastic so it will be great to see the final ones!

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Happy Winter Break!

2011-12-20T13:55:00.004-06:00

Happy Winter Break! Merry Holidays!!! Enjoy the time with your family and friends. Peace, love, and happiness!

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Paper Mache Snow People-4th Grade

2011-12-14T10:23:00.003-06:00

4th grade students just finished making Paper Mache Snow People. They are painted with tempera and bundled up for the cold weather! These will look great on the mantel or could even be turned into an ornament. The kids are so excited about their sculptures! They are fabulous in person and this is such a great winter project.

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Poinsetta Collage- 3rd Grade

2011-12-08T11:16:00.003-06:00

Some of the 3rd grade classes are busy creating these beautiful Poinsetta collages! (Switched up some projects for some classes) They painted their own paper the first week, then cut and collaged the next. Beautiful gifts to take home for winter break!

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Beautiful Winter Landscape Paintings! 5th Grade

2011-12-06T14:01:00.007-06:00

The 5th grade students produced some amazing winter landscape paintings! Each one is unique and very well thought out. I love the charm and personality each painting has. A lot of thought when in to each one. These will look stunning in our hallways and fabulous when they get home!

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It's that time of year....4th Grade Snowmen

2011-12-02T11:12:00.002-06:00

4th graders are beginning their paper mache snowmen! We have created the bodies with newspaper and masking tape. Yesterday, the paper mache part began! It's messy, gooey, sticky, and FUN!!! It's that time of year in the art room! So much is going on! Stay tuned for pictures of the finished snowmen.

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The Beginning of Winter Landscape Paintings- 5th Grade

2011-11-29T10:58:00.003-06:00

After discussing the foreground, mid-ground, and background, 5th grade students began creating a winter landscape. Each one is very unique! From ski lodges to big cities- these paintings look incredible! I can't wait to see the final paintings!!

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