Hundertwasser Landscapes

Geez, I hope I spelled that dude's name correctly..........It's a big mouthful of German, that's for sure! I'm sure I saw this on Pinterest but if this was your idea, please let me know and I'll give you a plug.

My 2nd graders loved this project

because, A) they love to paint

and B) because they fell in love with the metallic oil pastels

This was a good  review of warm/cool colors and the intro to using oil pastels which was new to them. I really like the way they turned out and most students were successful as well as very anxious to take them home and show Mom and Dad!

One more Youth Art Month winner!!

I was sure one of my 5th graders had a good chance at winning the coveted YAM Billboard. Her beautiful marker drawing in the style of Canadian artist, Emily Carr, is exquisite. But to my surprise. they gave it to one of my 1st grade students from school #3. I can't wait to surprise her this Friday morning when she will be given the news, have her photo taken for the newspaper and receive a framed photo from the billboard company.

How cute is this?

I know this project has been floating around Pinterest for quite awhile, but it is the first time I've taught this lesson. Guess it's a keeper, huh?

Comparing and Contrasting Grant Wood, Emily Carr and David Hockney

I get so frustrated with myself for planning projects that drag on for 2-3 months, that is, until they are finished. Then, I DANCE WITH HAPPINESS!!!

These are just an example of the three landscapes before they were "framed" with black construction paper

I had either a DVD about each artist or a book about the artist to explain the life and work of each artist. I had the students use three different mediums; colored pencil/Grant Wood, marker/Emily Carr, and oil pastel/David Hockney. When we started with Grant Wood, everybody LOVED working with colored pencil. When we were halfway through the Emily Carr picture, they now LOVED working with markers. And of course, they said their favorite was David Hockney because, of course, they LOVED oil pastel.....Fickle little
artists!

Sorry about the colored pencil landscapes!
They didn't photograph very well!

Oh No, More Snow!!!

So I went back to school Monday and received lots of hugs and a very warm welcome. It's really nice to know that when you are absent, your friends and students really missed you! Then, today, SNOW DAY!!! Arrgghh! Only seeing my students once a week, this is really gonna throw me off schedule with a couple of deadlines looming for an art show and a contest with a fabulous cash prize. Our local recycling center sponsors a poster contest for 3rd and 4th graders and there are 4 cash prizes where the money is specifically targeted for the purchase of art supplies. Last year, one of my kiddos won 3rd place and we received $750.00! This year we're shooting a little higher-We want to win the $1,250 or the $1,000 prize!

Yesterday, I was working with a group of first graders trying to finish up a couple of projects that were started in December. I have to share the one using Piet Mondrian as an influence because of the disparity between the two projects. See for yourself-

 

This little boy worked on this for 

almost 90 minutes over two class periods and this is as big as it got!

Talk about task committmentt!

Heading back to the salt mine!!

It's been a LONG three weeks, resting and recuperating after my slip on the ice. I got a clean bill of health today from the Neurologist! I have to admit, It feels weird to be heading back to what I hope are three, neat and orderly artrooms. Will the kids be happy to see me? Will I have ANY paper left in my cupboards? Will every eraser still be there?You know what I mean, right? Only another art teacher could understand my trepidation.

I have a whole new appreciation for life, my friends. I came pretty close to meeting my maker and didn't take it lightly when I was told I had a traumatic brain injury. So take it from me when I say, be careful, very careful when conditions turn icy.  Thanks again for all of the well wishes and prayers!

:)Pat

Oops-a Daisy!!

I qualify for that tv show, Hoarders! Oh the shame! So, any-hoo, I rented a dumpster( A Quick Dump, LOL)to rid my house and garage of all clutter, misguided purchases and  disgusting junk.

So on one of my trips to the dumpster, there was a large patch of ice that was easy to miss because my driveway is black asphalt. , You know what happens next, right? Feet straight up, head down and crack! I had a friend who was on her way over to help with the decluttering and she called the Rescue Squad. I was in Intensive Care for two days and then they moved me to a private room. I fractured my skull, had a 2 inch laceration on my scalp, which was stapled shut WITHOUT NUMBING IT FIRST!!! 

I saw so many Dr.s and interns over those three days and have quite a few follow up appointments to deal with the aftermath. I have "fluids" surrounding my left eardrum, I have lost my sense of taste and smell. The good news is, I will be fine in a  month or so. Dr. said no driving for 6 weeks and I almost fainted! I have severe balance and dizzy spells but am taking lots of RX's to combat those issues.

The silver lining here is this, my fellow art teachers have compiled some quick and easy sub plans and have delivered them to my three schools.I feel truly blessed with the outpouring of support from family, friends and co-workers. Please, bloggy friends, be careful out there on the ice! Don't end up like me. I am staying at my Mom's house until I get my sea legs back. With her cooking and baking, I will soon be fluffier than I already am!!

I won a Premio Dardos award!!!!!

I was happy to learn that my blog buddy, Mr. R, from , mymessyartroom.blogspot.com gave me a Premio Dardos award for creative blogging!!

Thanks, Mr. R!!

Now, I get to nominate my favorite blogs for this sweet honor:) so here goes-

1.Phyl, from There's a Dragon in my artroom

I read her daily and hate to miss one of her posts!

2. Painting with Brains, she's my Jersey Girl!

3.Mr. E's Artroom, I have learned SO MUCH from reading his blog

4.ShineBriteZamorano- D. Masse is my art guru! Namaste, D.

The Premio Dardos award is a virtual award sent as a ‘gift’ from one blogger to another as “recognition for the creativity, effort and dedication” we each put into our blog. The award originated in Spain around 2008-2009 and has been sent from blogger to blogger ever since.