Artists: Thomas Heart Benton & Diego Rivera
Studio
Group Murals: Drawing and/or Collage
Group Murals: Drawing and/or Collage
Artist: Faith Ringgold
Studio
Story Quilts: WaterColor
Story Quilts: WaterColor
Artist: Jean Shin
Studio
Mini Sculptures from Found Objects
Mini Sculptures from Found Objects
Unit 3: Reflection
This unit began with a studio that really put me out of my comfort zone. I was never one who excelled at drawing or even doodling for that matter. So when I found out we were free-handing these drawings, I began to get uneasy. Luckily, after a couple minutes I realized that my stick figures weren't that bad. I ended up having a lot of fun with this piece and I think it really sent the message across that I wanted. I really hoped to get across that electronics are taking over the enjoyment of children playing outside. I even personified the playground equipment to show that they were sad that they aren't getting played with anymore. It ended up being a really fun studio and I was surprised how mine turned out. This is definitely something I could see myself using in my classroom. It would be really interesting to see the issues that children see these days.
The next piece that we worked on really got into the "story" unit. We were making a story quilt with watercolors and drawings. We could choose to re-create the cover of our favorite book, or re-create a memory. There were so many options, but I ended up choosing to draw the cover of the children's book "Corduroy." Its amazing how much this really did relate back to our story theme because not only is the book a story in itself, but because my memories of reading the book as a child were stories also. I can remember being at my grandmas house with the book, and taking it to preschool every since day. As Bang (2001) states, "It is these 'emotions attached to remembered experiences' that seem largely to determine our present day responses" (p. 73). This explains the feeling so perfectly. Due to the happy emotions I experienced whenever I had this book, now whenever I see it it fills me with joy. We remember things in stories. Pink (2005) stated, "stories are easier to remember- because in many ways, stories are how we remember" (p. 101). This is so true. All memories are a story, and that is was they can be so beautifully transcribed into artwork.
Our last studio of this unit was created out of found objects. I came with a ton a gum wrappers, and Alex supplied the googly eyes. We decided to show how people throw their trash everywhere and it is hurting the Earth. So, we created a person out of the wrappers and then wrote the word "landfill" with the wrappers also. We them turned the bottom into landfill with eyes, showing that the Earth is a living thing and our trash is taking a toll on it. This is something that would be so much fun to do in an elementary school classroom because you can see what the students care about helping all while seeing their levels of creativity.
References:
Bang, M. (2000). Picture This: How pictures work. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.
Pink, D. (2005). A whole new mind. New York: Riverhead Books.
The next piece that we worked on really got into the "story" unit. We were making a story quilt with watercolors and drawings. We could choose to re-create the cover of our favorite book, or re-create a memory. There were so many options, but I ended up choosing to draw the cover of the children's book "Corduroy." Its amazing how much this really did relate back to our story theme because not only is the book a story in itself, but because my memories of reading the book as a child were stories also. I can remember being at my grandmas house with the book, and taking it to preschool every since day. As Bang (2001) states, "It is these 'emotions attached to remembered experiences' that seem largely to determine our present day responses" (p. 73). This explains the feeling so perfectly. Due to the happy emotions I experienced whenever I had this book, now whenever I see it it fills me with joy. We remember things in stories. Pink (2005) stated, "stories are easier to remember- because in many ways, stories are how we remember" (p. 101). This is so true. All memories are a story, and that is was they can be so beautifully transcribed into artwork.
Our last studio of this unit was created out of found objects. I came with a ton a gum wrappers, and Alex supplied the googly eyes. We decided to show how people throw their trash everywhere and it is hurting the Earth. So, we created a person out of the wrappers and then wrote the word "landfill" with the wrappers also. We them turned the bottom into landfill with eyes, showing that the Earth is a living thing and our trash is taking a toll on it. This is something that would be so much fun to do in an elementary school classroom because you can see what the students care about helping all while seeing their levels of creativity.
References:
Bang, M. (2000). Picture This: How pictures work. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.
Pink, D. (2005). A whole new mind. New York: Riverhead Books.