Earth Day Project

My daughter had to create an Earth Day Project for her school(she's in Kindergarten).  They were focusing on forms(though the homework sheet said "shapes").  We made a vase of flowers on a "table".  I love creating with Margaret...she is very "artsy" minded.  I think drama/dance might be her "THANG".  It is always a special time though...and she always tells me after how much she enjoys our time together making things!! 

African Inspired Found Object Masks

Let me say...I thought this project was going to be the death of me after yesterdays attempt.  First, we were short a special area teacher...so all our classes the whole day were about 6 students larger(yes..all our classes are setting between 20 & 25 students).  This was the first time I used found objects in such a way to create a mask armature.  This was the first time I had used plaster strips in a full class size setting.  This was the first time I though...the men with the white coats are coming to get me!!!!  Let me share the idealized version of this project with you!  However, please know...it wasn't a pretty picture yesterday!?!?!?! ha ha

This nine weeks 4th grade has a "found object" sculpture.  I thought that this would be a perfect time for an African inspired mask!  We watched a YouTube video about African masks the first week.  We then discussed the purpose & functions of masks.  Students had to decide on a "purpose/theme" for their mask.  They then drew a sketch to prepare themselves for creating it the following week.  I also had them write at least three sentences telling me about their masks meaning and purpose.  

For the next class time, I had students bring in supplies/found objects for the project.  That went so-so....lucky I had a bunch stored up in an empty room next to mine!!  I made a "BUFFET" of supplies they could select from.

Before students were allowed up to the "BUFFET"...they had to look at their mask sketch and think about the shapes to forms aspect...and decide what would be best for creating that. 

They had scissors & tape to work with back at their tables.  With it being plaster wrapped...securing the pieces onto the cereal box board was important, but did not have to be "overdone".  The first day's group really struggled with building up and out with their mask.  They were still thinking 2-D/Flat.  I had not used the plaster strips in this setting....so when I cut them...I cut them too small.  This caused the students to struggle.  They had a difficult time covering their forms completely.  The plaster wrap would get smooshed up and they weren't able to flatten it out again.  There was plaster EVERYWHERE!  Floor, tables, students...and some on their masks.  After they left...I had a planning period..so I tried to cover the spots they did not....and I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. UGH!  I really questioned if I would be able to carry on with this project the rest of the week.

These are pretty sweet...right?!?!!!  This was today's group(the second class to try them).  The whole class time went amazingly well!!!!  I had to do nothing else to ANYONE'S mask!!  The students did all the clean up.  It was a totally different experience.  I'm now excited about this project....though...we'll see how tomorrow goes?!!?!? ha ha  Can't wait to paint them and add embellishments.  Will post more pictures as this project progresses.  

Plast'rcraft by Pacon

http://pacon.com/?s=plast%27r+craft&orderby=relevance

I got this amazing big box of Plast'rcraft by Pacon this summer, and decided to test drive it with a student I give private art lessons (she had just finished 4th grade).  I'm not a 3-D person...but LOVED this project & product! 

We started by creating an armature using plastic water bottles & masking tape.   My student created a rhino/bear creature....and I made the fish.

The directions are simple!  However, I should have thought things through a bit.  Precutting  the Plast'rcraft into smaller strips would have been best for a project such as this.  Cause once you get messy....it is harder to backtrack. 

The product went on well...and clung to our armature.  If you like the texture of the gauze, then you can leave it.  If you want a smoother surface...just dip your finger in water and rub.  The plaster fills in the spaces nicely for a smoother finish.  

I think having a solid armature is important.  The masking tape we used came from Dollar General, and wasn't the greatest.  I ended up using the Plast'rcraft to "hold" things together.  Next time I'll make sure my tape is a better quality.  

We still need to paint them, but they turned out great!  I was amazed at how strong they came once the product dried.  I know...should have guest plaster based products would do such a thing!?!?! ha ha  A project like this in a classroom would work, but would have to be broken up into 3 different class times more than likely.  Day 1, sketch & create armature.  Day 2, cover armature in Plast'rcraft.  Day 3, paint sculpture.   Managing supplies is also essential.  It is going to get messy...so be prepared! 

I have an idea one doing step 1 & 2 the same day...but that post will have to wait till I actually give it a try!  Stay tuned...and try Plast'rcraft by Pacon!  It is really fun stuff!!!

LIKE PACON ON FACEBOOK!!!  THEY OFTEN HAVE SPECIAL OFFERS/GIVEAWAYS/INFORMATION POSTED!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pacon/167928493245302

Green/Recycle Art Work Shop

I love this project!  You use paper towel rolls, and give your students (teachers in this case) the primary colors...plus black & white.  If you wanted to do it as a tints/shades lesson...I'm sure that would be amazing too!  Instruct them to use short lines when applying the paint to the surface(only painting half of the roll).  They can create patterns, line designs, faux weaving,....really...however you want to guide the lesson!  You then place a small dot of hot glue to the back and display them together.  You can glue them to the all...or even a piece of large posterboard/construction paper.  I love them grouped up!

Janet showed the group how to create paper pulp ornaments.  She uses the small scraps in the bottom of her scrap paper box for this.  She has students separate colors.  Next she soaks them over night.  Lastly she blends them in small amounts in her "art" blender.  Small amounts are key as not to burn the motor up!!!    

She uses bath towels & paper towels to suck out most of the excess water.  Then you just leave them out to dry!!  Kind of fun, and I imagine it being done in small groups while the rest of the class is working on another project.

These were large mixed media pieces they created on cardboard.  They had access to old tissue paper that we used to transfer color on an earlier project, scraps of fabric, yarn, and other materials.  They were also allowed to use paint we had used from a previous project.  Below a teacher included her weaving that we created out of plastic bags and cereal boxes.  For students, I'd plan on at least 3 class times for a project this size & involvement.  

We did a few other projects, but I did not get a chance to snap pictures of them :( boooo  What a great day we had.  Only around 10 teachers at this PD, but we had such a good time together!! (normally we have about 25 come)

EXCITED!!!

The all school art show is coming soon....and I'm so EXCITED!!!

The projects are different from anything we've done before...and I think it's going to be AMAZING!

NASHVILLE SMART! Scrap Made Art

Have you heard of SMART!  I hadn't either until I was contacted last week.  I received an e-mail from Kelli Monday, Project Manager.  She had been following Art With Mr. E & my Pinterest boards, and thought I might be interested in hearing more.  My student teacher & I were excited to hear the vision for SMART!...and to share ideas we had with her.  

SO...WHO IS SMART! ?  

It is a retail store for reused/recycled (scrap) art supplies created as a social enterprise under the umbrella of Progress Inc, a nonprofit organization that supports developmentally disabled adults.  The scrap items will be donated from our community (you, friends, neighbors, and businesses) and will be processed by individuals we support for resale.  

WHY?

Their mission is simple.  They want to provide reused/recycled art supplies, at a low cost to the public while enriching the lives of the people we support at Progress Inc. with employment, learning job skills, and generating revenue to continue our mission of helping individuals to reach their full potential.  In addition, their goal is to also provide inexpensive art supplies to the community, teachers, artists, and craftspeople while helping our environment by eliminating excess waste into our landfills. 

PRETTY COOL, EH?!?!?!  I'm excited for them to be a part of our community.  Their goal is to open a place by March of this year!  If you are in the Metro Nashville area...contact Kelli if you'd like to be a part in some way...or find out how you can be a part!!!!  

[email protected]  

Step 2: Kindergarten

So here is the second step in the kindergarten project from my last post!  We have one more day of work till the final reveal! This was not as easy as it seems?!?!?! OH MY GOODNESS!!  Monday I felt like I was banging my head on the wall!!!!  I had to rethink the lesson...and Tues/Wed went so much better!  I took all the students painted paper and cut it up on my paper cutter.....then gave each table a pile of paper to use.  I also used the pre-cut tissue paper circles.  Stay tuned for the rest of the story...umm.....project!

The Start of Something: Kindergarten

I gave my kindergarten classes blue, yellow, and white last week...and we talked about creating greens.

They painted newspaper...which will be used this week to create their art work.  

STAY TUNED TO SEE WHAT THEY CREATE!

Recycle/Found Objects Garden

Kindergarten was in a flower state of mind after the O'Keeffe projects..so on with that theme. I had someone donate a ton of green ribbon(not sure why anyone would be in possession of that much green ribbon to begin with...but hey...I'll take it!!!), another person donated med. bottle tabs(the big circle part of the flower), and someone else had given me bags of beads and bobbles. It was a bit out of the ordinary for my students(I usually push drawing, painting, and collage at the kindergarten level), but they LOVED IT!!! The beads bouncing everywhere was a bit unnerving, but worth it in the end.