​The art room is back in full gear and we have been very busy.  I am in the process of uploading the latest art to Artsonia so keep checking.

We began the year working with line as both an introduction and a review of the elements of art. 
K2 is still working on drawing monsters and has learned that just by changing a simple line they can make their creature mad, surprised, scared, etc.

First grade has already completed 2 projects, a line landscape and a watercolor painting of fall leaves using red, yellow and blue paint while mixing their own oranges, greens and purples!

In grade 2 we are  painting an abstract design created by using different types of lines. They seem to be enjoing using tempera cakes for the first time.

Students loved looking at a video of one of Sol LeWitt’s conceptual artworks being created by a group of people. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/Gc-c-pYGCrw  They in turn each created an individual directed line picture that was connected to everyone else’s in the class for display on the wall. This week they looked at Aboriginal art and created their own dot painting while listening to traditional music. (please ask them how we made the stencil of their hand)  

In grade 4 students carefully created colorful line landscapes with markers using foreground, middle ground and background. They also had some fun with a “robot” artist when we taped some markers to a wind-up toy and let it draw for us. 

Grade 5 will be using sketchbooks this year and has been designing the covers as well as doing contour line drawings of their shoes and completing the picture with warm color back grounds and cool color shoes.

Looking at surrealist art and learning about Salvador Dali is helping grade 6 complete their observational drawings of their hands by transforming the image into something unexpected.

I am looking for a few used items for the art room for some upcoming projects. 

• If you can spare some old Lego blocks I am hoping to do some printmaking with some of the classes. we only need a shoe box full for a class to print.
• Also, our 16mm movie projector died in the middle of an animation project last year. If you come across a working one in the cellar or attic that you do not need we would love to have it in the art room.
• Bright colored, thick yarns are always on our wish list. October and November are big weaving months in the art room.
• Lastly, I will be loaning out small digital cameras to grade 6 all year long for their yearbook. I’m down to 2 working ones so if you have an old one (especially the ones that take AA batteries) we would be thrilled with the donation. Nothing fancy, so we don’t have to feel bad if it gets dropped accidently.

Thanks in advance for your help.
More art coming soon, stay tuned!

Just a few quick notes about our art classes. All students in grades K2 through grade 6 visit the art room each week. Kindergarten has a 30 minute session, grades 1 through 4 have a 40 minute class and grades 5 and 6 have 80 minutes. Sometimes we complete a project in one class however most art works require more than one day so your child may not always bring an artwork home weekly. It may also be delayed coming home because it is drying, being displayed in school or I haven’t finished photographing it for Artsonia*.
 
I truly believe that everyone is an artist and just needs to learn the elements and principles of art to create, just as we learn the alphabet and sounds phonics to read. In art we will look at ancient art as well as contemporary art and everything in between while weaving, painting, constructing, drawing, animating, etc. I’m hoping by presenting a wide variety of experiences every child will find something that excites them.
 
I hate to ask but if you could be on the outlook while you are cleaning out your attics or closets this year we are in need of the following:

• Old legos or duplos for printmaking (yes we dip them in paint and use them for printmaking))
• An old working 16MM film projector (for our scribble film animations)
• Bright colored yarn remnants for weaving
• Tissues (over 200 children visit the artroom each week, that’s a lot of runny noses)

 
Feel free to contact me [email protected] if you have any questions or comment.
 
Thank you,
Mrs. Putnam
 
 
 
* www.Artsonia.com  is our on-line Art Gallery. Every piece of art your child has created in art since K2 can be viewed on there. Only artwork by children who’s activated by their parents/guardians will be viewable on the site so please make sure you are registered.(please contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns about Artsonia) Our art room receives 20% of all sales on Artsonia which is used to purchase extra supplies for the classroom!