Chandeliers

Dale Chihuly inspired Chandeliers in the works....

Happy weekend!

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Inspirational Thursday!

Do something you love today! 

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Finished Spiral Weaves- 5th Grade

The Spiral Weaves created by 5th grade artists look awesome! 
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Happy Mardi Gras!

Gotta love Mardi Gras excitement!
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Why is there a bicycle in the art room?

You don't know how many times I heard that the other day! :)  For drawing- of course!! By putting a little twist on traditional still-life drawings, 4th grade students were encouraged to draw a certain part of the bike instead of the entire bike.  The bike was upside down to create new lines, shape, and interesting space.  Some students focused on the wheels, the pedals, or the handle bars.  It was a very calm day in the art room which was nice after a hectic week with testing and 4th grade mural art.  I was so impressed with these drawings.  Everyone was extremely successful and the students created amazing bicycle drawings!
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Inspirational Thursday!

Circles!

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4th Grade Mural- Day 1

Today was CLAY DAY!!!  The 4th grade classes rotated into art all day to create the first step of our clay mural- "See The Rainbow- Be The Rainbow".  Local artist Susan Gallagher and our amazing PTA art room chair Mrs. Centuori were here, along with a few parent volunteers, to help make today run smoothly.  It was so nice to have the entire day dedicated to this large-scale project.  (The 4th grade teachers are amazing and supportive throughout this entire project...we are so lucky!!)  It was a day full of clay, new tools, fabulous creations, and positive energy!  The clay mural is off to a wonderful start.  Each student starts with a paper templet.  They drew their design last week in art.  The design had to be something that represented them (soccer ball, guitar, art supplies, a word, animal, etc.)  Every idea was awesome and so creative.  Today, they took the templet to the clay to create the shape.  Bas relief technique was used on each piece.  The details are phenomenal!  The last picture is our sketch of the finished sculpture. WE LOVE COLOR!!!  Now, time to dry, then fire in the kiln, glaze and assemble.  More updates will follow!  Happy Valentine's Day!!! xoxox

Keeping the Art Room Clean

Close to 200 kids are in my class room each day.  And a little over 600 people throughout the week.  Very normal for an art teacher.  I love it actually- it's so nice knowing the names of all the students and a little bit of their personalities.  It's awesome when they stop by just for a visit or to say hi!  However this wonderful, full of life little art room becomes filled with a lot of icky germs!  I try my absolute best to keep the art room clean and germ free.  I like to keep the space around me clean all of the time. I love the messiness that art creates and I have a good system for that- but the germs is another story.  School in general is a place full of germs.  There are hand sanitizers throughout the school and teacher/parent reminders to wash hands, cover mouth, etc. which does add some peace of mind.  But it still is such a challenge to keep the art room clean because of all the hands-on activities that happen all day.  Students that are here for class use the art room supplies, they share the table space with each other (plus the previous and next class), we live in Cleveland with some crazy winter weather so there is a lot of coughing & sneezing- it is busy and non stop- and germy.  I don't really like to think of the amount of germs in my class room is, but it has to be bad.  Sometimes I'm shocked that I am not sick more often!  Lysol wipes are my life savors!  Even though they are rather expensive, they are the best way to help keep the art room "almost germ free" :)  I think it is the best way to clean the table spaces though at the end of class and the day.  Of course, the art room is messy with paint, supplies, etc. but what are some good ways to keep the art room germ free? Anyone else use Lysol wipes?  (I buy mine in bulk at Costco) I would love to know your thoughts! Thanks!     ThinkCreateArt

Artistic Inspiration Thursday

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." 

-William James

Sometimes it is nice to stop, take a deep breathe, and remember the reason why I became an art teacher.  To remember the reason why I LOVE being an art teacher.  To remind myself that my job is important. To forget about what is happening outside the door and just teach art! The laughter, smiles, excitement, and happiness I see every day makes reminds me of all these things and always seems to re-assure me to continue doing what I love and a loving what I do. 

Heart Designs

Next week, on Valentine's Day, we are beginning the 4th Grade Mural Project!  It will be fun and crazy as the entire 4th grade will be rotating in and out of the art room throughout the day.  More on that later!  But for now, here is the quick Jim Dine inspired art lesson that 3rd grade and 4th grade classes will whip up during the day with a sub.  Since she will be traveling to the classrooms, the kids already have their markers so it is easy clean up.  I might have her bring oil pastels (like in this example above)- we will see! Either way the hearts turn out bright, beautiful, colorful, full of patterns and love...a perfect creation to make on Valentine's day!
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