Surface and Meaning

Mixed media surface development is one of my favorite things...not just to teach, but also to do.

My students are currently working on a mixed media collage inspired by "The Next President". They can approach it by using one of the candidate's as their inspiration or they may also take a stand on one of the issues pertinent to this coming election.

The beginning surface of the piece to the left belongs to 12th grader, Rebecca T. She's got a little bit of everything going on in there as she works to express the idea of money/corruption in politics - and I can't wait to see what comes next! Go Rebecca, Go!

1st Marking Period Requirements

• Assignments due at end of class on November 7th.

   1. Shoe Drawing

   2. Next President Collage (complete or in progress) 
 

• Blog Obligations due by midnight NOVEMBER 2nd.

You must have your welcome post written first. If you still have not “greeted” your audience, please do so before writing your other three posts.

3 POSTS AND THE TOPICS = One Assignment Grade

• Shoe Drawing

            Discuss the process, your progress and the experience you had working on your drawing. Include photos!

• Next President Collage (in progress or completed):

            Discuss the next president collage you are working on. Include Photos!  You may also discuss this election in general if you feel inclined to do so. This is not a requirement, but you can if you would like.

• Reflection on the Marking Period:

            Think about where you started (in your head and in your skills) and reflect on how you feel you have grown. Think about why you feel the way you feel and what your role in all of it is.

Steppin' into a Groove!

The first 24 days of school have allowed us to step into a nice groove. We have created decorative papers for our full year journal assignment and have completed our pencil drawings of shoes! Each student brought in a pair of shoes to plop on the table. The students created a composition using a view finder and their camera to crop an interesting section.

Most of the students opted to draw on white 9 x 12 paper, but a few students chose to draw on a sheet from their collection of decorative papers. Click here to see some of the finished drawings. Featured here is the drawing of 10th grader, Amelia M.

Blogging with Students

Last year, I created a blog requirement for my classes. I had no idea if it would be something that I would continue doing as a requirement or if I would let it go and try something different this year.  Well, I'm hooked and am excited to be planning for year #2 of blogging with my students. This year I want to involve video and podcasting! There's so much for this old dog to learn!

Entering year #23 of my career, there is an increased need to change with the times. It is my goal to use the technology available to us to share what we are doing in class and what my students are learning. The blog project satisfies that goal while also providing the students with a contemporary method of showcasing their work and ideas in a digital format.  I like looking at what my students have to say about what they are creating! I'm proud of them!

My repeat students will maintain their blogs as a continuation from year to year, so that at the end of their high school art experiences, they will have a document that shows their growth and evolution as a student artist, all in one place!

Here are a few links to some of my students' blogs from 2011-2012!

Kathleen D
Nikki D
Tara M
Caitlynne C
Helena V
Sammi S
Noa B

Our Dinner Party Brunch!

Today was the last day of final exams. For the past three days, I got to have brunch with all of my students! What a delight. We ate off of our handmade place settings and each student brought in food to share. It was a pot-luck style meal that made me feel very lucky indeed!

Tomorrow, the class of 2012 will graduate, I know great things await them!!

Thank you and congratulations! I have enjoyed our time together.

Dinner Party Brunch - free slideshow

A final exam you can sink your teeth into!

The Creative Arts Classes will share a meal during their scheduled exam period.

Each student is required to bring a food item to share with the group.

I will provide bagels, cream cheese and beverages.

The plates and cups are already there!

Place Settings featured above:

TL: Erin Costello, TR: Emily Himles, BL: Karen Graeber, BR: Courtney Quinn 

Period 7/8 Creative Arts Class will have their brunch on June 12th at 10am

Period 5/6 Creative Arts Class will have their brunch on June 13th at 10am

Period   1  Creative Arts Class will have their brunch on June 14th at 10am

4th Marking Period Blog Requirements!

The marking period blog requirement is to create a slideshow of the work you've created this year!  This slideshow must be embedded in your blog by midnight on June 1st.  You can do this by following the instructions provided in class using slideshare.com.

An alternative to uploading a powerpoint onto slideshare is to use kizoa.com or onetruemedia.com to create your slide show.  No resizing of photos is required using these methods and the site provides its own instructions!!

If you choose to create a powerpoint and then upload it using slideshare.com, simply refer to the presentation below for help.

If you have your own strategy and method for embedding a slideshow into your blog, by all means...do it!!  I can't wait to see your digital portfolio.

Happy slideshow making!

How to do a slideshow upload

View more PowerPoint from creativeartsclass