Art and Electronics

My students learned about electronics by making parallel and simple circuits. They learned how to make their art light up by using copper tape, batteries, and led bulbs. They had to work through the process by planning their designs carefully and by troubleshooting when necessary. This STEAM lesson was a joy to teach because I enjoyed watching students smile when they understood the process. They were very happy when their artwork lit up successfully and I was told, "This art project was Lit!" It was my first time teaching this lesson and I look forward to teaching it again.

Gargoyles for Halloween

After learning about the various types of gargoyles, students selected one to hand build with clay. The architecture of Gothic cathedrals was discussed and why gargoyles were placed on rooftops. The three types that students could choose to make were a grotesque (face), a chimera, or a true gargoyle where water must travel through their clay once finished. After the bisque firing in the kiln, students glazed their gargoyles with different colors. Happy Halloween!

Thank You Art

We began the new school year by studying the street artist known as tHANK You X. Students learned that the artist got his name after he included a thank you message to artists that have inspired him. My students created their original designs based on his 3D cube murals and they learned the artist continued to use this alias. I was pleased when one of my students designed their cube with the message "thank you B" as in thank you Mr. Bottoms for the inspiration. 😊

I also included the hall board that I prepared for students on the first day of school. I think the message that Bob Ross shared can encourage students to befriend those that need a friend these days.

Thank you for the inspiration thank YouX! Here is a link to @thankyoux website...thank You X

Pendulum Paintings

Pendulum paintings were created by my 8th grade art students. We discussed the forces of gravity and momentum while using a pendulum to paint on canvas. Students painted the background of the canvas first and then selected colors to be used inside the pendulum. A modified water bottle was used to dispense paint as the pendulum moved slowly across the surface. Students tried various techniques, made predictions, and told me that this was "satisfying" to watch.

Acrylic Easter Eggs

My students have tried the popular acrylic pouring method before. This time we decided to try this painting technique using plastic Easter eggs. A package of twenty can be purchase for around two dollars so I bought two bags. This allowed my Art Club members to have two eggs for painting. The acrylic pouring method was new to some but most were able to create unique examples to display the week before Easter.

 

Modern art in the Hall

8th grade students learned about the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian and his use of the primary colors and values. Students painted their unique version of his work by using the same primary colors and values. We have twenty framed paintings currently on exhibit in our main hall. These have been well received so far and I'm very pleased with their work. I think my students are too.

Youth Art Month Agamographs

Our 7th and 8th grade students designed agamographs for Youth Art Month. Students created two contrasting drawings and then cut them into one inch strips of paper. These strips were carefully glued onto folded paper. The images appear to move and change as viewers walk by. The artist Yaacov Agam was studied before the project began and he was the inspiration for this fun kinetic art.

 

 

Barn Quilts

My 8th grade art students studied the history of barn quilts and how they have been installed around Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and more recently around North Carolina. Students researched designs and then created a pattern for our hallway quilt. A large quilt pattern was also designed and painted for our agriculture barn behind our school. Our goal was to complete this barn quilt during national youth art month! #youthartmonth #NCart #barnquilts

Chinese New Year Art

My students created ink drawings of trees to celebrate the Chinese New Year. They learned about the ancient process of using ink to draw and paint landscapes. Students then added the color red to create cherry blossoms on their trees. They were also required to write a word using Chinese letters. Students also learned about the significance of the color red and the mythological creature called the Nian. Students greeted each other daily by saying Ni Hao, which is hello in Chinese.

Paper Mache Sculptures

My students created paper mache sculptures for their end of semester group projects. They worked in groups of four to five students. They had to first agree on an idea and then work together for about two weeks to see it completed. Along with paper mache, they used cardboard and other recycled materials. Some of the sculptures are over four feet tall and were exhibited in our school library. Students and teachers voted on their favorite sculptures. Some art will remain on permanent exhibit in our art class museum.