by Lori Meusch

April 21, 2008

            Spring is definitely a time for fun and flowers, and in Art, K-12 students have enjoyed both in the last month.  A variety of painting styles are being explored in Kindergarten.  We recently completed a watercolor resist in the style of artist Piet Mondrian, and move into finger-painting creepy crawlers on a rubbing.  We will finish with medallions of model magic.    First grade has successfully completed a representation of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and are moving on to a study of the Latin art of bark painting.  Second grade is studying the book TarBeach by author, illustrator, quilt maker, and former teacher Faith Ringgold.  They are illustrating a likeness of themselves flying over city rooftops. 

            Third grade is in the process of working on a Georgia O’Keeffe inspired watercolor resist flower garden.  Fourth grade will complete the year with construction of Ojo de Dios or God’s Eyes, which are a Latin good luck symbol.  Fifth grade is exploring masks from many different cultures, and will be decorating a paper mache’ mask in the style of their choice.  Finally sixth is studying the work of artist Pablo Picasso.  They will draw realistic portraits, but the lesson soon takes a twist as they cut up the decorated portraits and exchange some of the pieces with a partner to take on the Cubist look of Picasso’s work.