A New Sheet of Drawing Paper

The start of each school year is like a clean sheet of new drawing paper. I look forward to a fresh start each year with new lesson ideas, new students and new art supplies. Opening a new package of brushes and paint colors is always fun too. Twenty frames have been filled with new paintings of ocean animals and they will be on exhibit in the main hallway during September. Students are now collaborating on a legacy mural that will be installed once completed.

The Value of Drawing

These are celebrity portraits drawn by my students in 8th grade. I push them every day to increase the values and introduce them to quality drawing tools. Although some complain they finally admit that they like the end result. They have more confidence at the end of the year and I always enjoy watching students improve. They are on exhibit in our main hallway.

Hot off the Press

These are the first two prints ever to be made on the new printing press. The press was acquired through a grant that I wrote last fall. Students have researched the meaning of sustainability and are creating prints that reflect what they hope to see for our future. Students are looking at their artist’s proofs, signing them and then making adjustments. I look forward to exhibiting these prints together in the town library.

Zoetrope

My students are making zoetropes this week. A zoetrope is an example of a pre-film animation device. This is just one example of many that my students have made. They had to carefully plan each drawing so that the illusion of movement was created. They really enjoyed seeing their ideas come to life. Perhaps some will go on to study film and become future animators.

3D Printing

We now have a 3D pen for printing works of art. The Art Club experimented with it first by creating 3D hearts for Valentine's Day. Stay tuned for more creations as we use this cool technology more in art.

Thinking About Spring

Students are thinking about spring weather and painting colorful watercolor landscapes. Twenty 16 by 20 frames were donated to the art program so these 8th grade paintings will be on exhibit in our main hallway soon. We have some talented painters!

Winter Watercolors

My 8^th grade students painted winter scenes using watercolors. Students were reminded to include a foreground, middle and background. I also demonstrated how snow can be shown by using the white of the paper and with shadows. Their paintings are currently on exhibit at the Locust, NC Library until February. Merry Christmas! Have a Happy New Year!