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Bridget Houghton » Staff Profile

Staff Profile

My name is Bridget Houghton and I am thrilled to be your student’s visual arts teacher this year at
Westgate Community School. I am so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of your student’s creative experiences and Artistic Growth. This year will be my third year as part of the Westgate Community. I received my BA in Art Education from the University of Wyoming and I am currently pursuing an MA in both Art Therapy and Social Emotional Learning. 


Throughout the year, I aim to expose students to a wide range of different artists, art styles, and art mediums such as charcoal drawing, printmaking, and kiln fire clay among others. Through instruction and encouragement, students will talk intellectually about art and discover the beauty in the world around them. They will learn how to use the elements of art and design principles within their own work and recognize them in others' work, including their peers. They will also learn about how art has evolved throughout history and explore multicultural art from around the world.

 

Classes

Posts

9/5-9/8

Good Morning Everyone! 
 
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fantastic long weekend!! I cannot believe it is already time for K-6 Specials to rotate! I am so excited to get a new group of kids and see what their creative minds bring to our first projects of the year.
 
This week in art: 
 
7/8 - Pointillism and Color Theory - This week in drawing we are continuing to work on and finalizing our Pointillism projects. Students are creating artwork showing their understanding of color theory using the stippling technique to create an image of their choice. Students are going to be utilizing the law of simultaneous contrast to create new colors and values within their marker creation. This project will be due this Friday (9/8).  
 
5/6 - Expectations/Routines and Collaboration - This week, due to the new rotation, students will be learning the ins and outs of art class, our daily routine, and the classroom expectations, as well as adding their part to the school-wide collaborative mural that will be going up towards the end of the semester. At the end of the week, we will begin our discussion of our first full project focusing on line and shape. 
 
3/4 - Expectations/Routines and Collaboration - This week, due to the new rotation, students will be learning the ins and outs of art class, our daily routine, and the classroom expectations, as well as adding their part to the school-wide collaborative mural that will be going up towards the end of the semester. At the end of the week, we will begin our discussion of our first full project focusing on line and shape. 
 
1/2 - Expectations/Routines and Collaboration - This week, due to the new rotation, students will be learning the ins and outs of art class, our daily routine, and the classroom expectations, as well as adding their part to the school-wide collaborative mural that will be going up towards the end of the semester. At the end of the week, we will begin our discussion of our first full project focusing on line and shape. 
 
Kindergarten - Expectations/Routines and Collaboration - This week, due to the new rotation, students will be learning the ins and outs of art class, our daily routine, and the classroom expectations, as well as adding their part to the school-wide collaborative mural that will be going up towards the end of the semester. At the end of the week, we will begin our discussion of our first full project focusing on line and shape. 

8/28-8/31

Good Morning Everyone! 
 
Happy Tuesday! I hope you are all having a great start to Spirit Week!! I apologize for the late upload of our weekly art endeavors, our first rotation for K-6 is coming to an end, and it has been a bit hectic. 
 
This week in art: 
 
7/8 - Pointillism and Color Theory - This week in drawing we are starting on our next project focused around Pointillism and Georges Seurat's neo-impressionist work. Students will be creating artwork showing their understanding of color theory using the stippling technique to create an image of their choice. Students are going to be utilizing the law of simultaneous contrast to create new colors and values within their marker creation.  
 
5/6 - Value - This week, students are completing their final project of this rotation, utilizing value to determine the forms within a human skeleton. Students will be drawing on black paper with white charcoal to create a sketch of the human skeleton using highlights and shadows to give the illusion of depth to their artwork. 
 
3/4 - Color - Students are trying out a new art medium this week through printmaking. After studying the work of American Pop artist Andy Warhol, students are creating a self-portrait study where they get to experiment with different color schemes through the use of a stamp-printing method. 
 
1/2 - Color - Students are studying the work of Jim Dine and his use of analogous colors. Students are going to experiment with colored tempera paint sticks to emulate the simplified shapes used by Jim Dine while incorporating their knowledge of analogous colors. 
 
Kindergarten - Color - This week students are learning the basics of the color wheel and how it can start to be broken up into color families that are easy to recognize. We will be focusing on Primary and Secondary colors and how they relate to one another. 

8/21-8/25

Good Morning Everyone! 
 
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!! I cannot believe it is already the 3rd week of school! Grades have been uploaded so please go in and check your students' grades for this rotation. Our first rotation for K-6 is coming to an end next week. 
 
This week in art: 
 
7/8 - Texture and Composition - This week in drawing we are starting on our final papers for our texture project. Students are creating artwork showing different implied textures while incorporating shape and composition to make their artwork visually appealing. This project is due on Friday, 8/25. 
 
5/6 - Line and Pattern - Students are finalizing their zentangle silhouette project this week. Students will transfer their silhouette images to the watercolor backgrounds we created last week. Once they are done transferring their silhouette and zentangle patterns, students will go over their lines with Sharpie to make their designs bold. 
 
3/4 - Line and Color - This week students are starting on their final paper for their Paul Klee line project. Students will be drawing in a continuous line, experimenting with different line styles, without intersecting their lines. Once they finish that, they will use oil pastels in the color scheme of their choice to create a blended pattern throughout one side of their line, leaving the other side white. 
 
1/2 - Shape and Value - Last week students completed their first drawing project, focusing on Abstract Art through their study of Joan Miro. This week, we are steering in a different direction, focusing on a more realistic style of artwork through still-life drawings. The focus of these drawings will be to create shape and value. We will be studying artworks by Samantha Bell, Dan Duhrkoop, and Richard Romero. 
 
Kindergarten - Shape - Students this week will be delving into the world of Abstract Art through the work of Reginald Laurent. Students will learn about Abstract Art and how artwork does not have to include a subject or recognizable image. They will get the chance to work with a new process called crayon resist painting. Students will begin the project drawing with white crayon on their paper and then use watercolors to reveal their image. 

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back to School!
 
Hello, I am Bridget Houghton (I go by Ms. H) and I am your child's Art Teacher. Art is one of the 4 electives your student gets to take at Westgate throughout the school year as part of our program. I started my teaching career in 2021 and continue to learn every year. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a young child in hopes of following in the footsteps of my grandmother. I hope to offer a safe and welcoming environment where your students can grow and learn to tackle challenges that are put in their path. Additionally, I am an avid lover of all things Disney and my family, friends, and pets. I have subscribed you to my page so that you will receive weekly updates to your email automatically. On my page, I will be posting an update for you to look at regarding our focus in art class each week, as well as information regarding art competitions, the District Art Show, and incoming guest speakers to the classroom. 
 
I look forward to meeting and learning about and from your students! If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. 

End of the Year Artwork Collection

Good Morning,
 
This year will be slightly different in how and when students will be able to collect their artwork from the school year. 
 
This year student artwork will be available for collection on May 25th during the Open House/Carnival for families to gather. It will be in the art room sorted by child and grade level. Please come stop by and collect your student's creations! If artwork is not collected, I will regrettably have to recycle their work as we do not have room in the building to store student artwork over the summer.
 
If students or families cannot collect their artwork that day, please email me to make arrangements to collect your work sometime earlier that week. 

Q4, Week 8

Good Morning, 

I hope you all had a good weekend!

This is the final week for grades as they are due on Friday. Any missing assignments will be due on Wednesday, 5/17. After Wednesday, missing assignments will be changed to 1s in the grade book. Please look at Infinite Campus with your students and ensure all their work is turned in.

7/8 – Digital Photography – This week we will be going over the basics of digital photography and what makes a good photographic image. Students will have 6 photographs due by Friday that demonstrate the use of

1) the rule of 3rds

2) Off-center subject (vertically)

3) Off-center subject (horizontally)

4) Birds Eye View

5) Worms Eye View

6) Up Close

5/6 – Reverse Pop Art Portrait – Students will be studying the Pop Art Movement and in particular Roy Lichtenstein. Students will be using transparency paper to paint their self-portraits in reverse. Starting with the small details and working their way to their larger background colors.

3/4 – Clay Tic-Tac-Toe boards – This week students will be finalizing their tic-tac-toe boards out of clay. Students will also complete a written critique referencing their clay creations.

1/2 – Bebo Birds – This week students will be studying the folk artist Bebo and studying his unique and colorful style. Students will start by creating a colorful patterned background using quick stix tempera paint and then add their Bebo-style birds on top using black acrylic paint and a paintbrush.

Kinder – Camouflage Butterflies – This week students will create their own camouflage butterflies going along with the butterfly unit that they worked on with Ms. Charlie. Their work will be a collaborative install on one of the walls in the school and will be visible during the carnival on May 25th.

Absence

Good Morning, 
 
I will be out Thursday and Friday this week (5/11-5/12) and there will be a sub in my room. I will be letting students know today and tomorrow so that they are aware and not caught off guard. 
 
Kind Regards, 
Ms. H

Q4, Week 7

Good Morning! 
 
It is officially week 7! We are getting closer to final grades and summer fun. Please check in with your students about all of their grades and reach out to teachers if needed. All makeup assignments for me are due on May 16th. I will not be accepting makeup work after that day. 
 
7/8 - Intro to Photography - Students will learn about photography and its history dating back to the 5th century. Students will have the chance to look at/examine my personal camera collection and see how photographs were taken before the invention of the digital camera or cell phones. Students will also be creating their own photograms using a process known as a cyanotype. A cyanotype is a photograph made using a light-sensitive chemical and UV sun rays. They will create a story within their photograms using found objects from their house, my supply, or nature. 
 
5/6 - Clay - Students will be starting their clay projects this week. Students will get a block of clay, and use the pinch pot building method to create a Japanese rice bowl. These bowls will be able to be used once they are glazed but they cannot go in the microwave or dishwasher. 
 
3/4 - Clay - Students will be starting their clay project this week. Through their clay project, students will be focusing on repetition and symmetry through the creation of their own Tic-Tac-Toe boards. Students will choose a theme and create a tic-tac-toe board as well as 2 sets of 5 playing pieces that tie into their theme. 
 
1/2 - Clay - Students will be starting to work in 3D forms this week by using clay to create. Students will follow along while I walk through how to create a pout-pout fish using a pinch pot base. Once their pinch pot is created they will have the chance to use the score/slip method to add eyes and fins to their fish to help it swim. 
 
Kindergarten - Clay - Students will be continuing to work on 3D forms this week, but instead of using paper we will be using clay. To start out we will play around with play dough and the students will demonstrate that they can create a ball, a snake, and a pancake. These are the 3 most used forms while using clay. We will then move on to create slab-built cat faces. These will use a rolling pin to flatten their clay to cut out the shape of a cat's head. Once there, we will use the score/slip method to attach eyes, a nose, a mouth, and whiskers to our cats face before it is ready to dry and go into the kiln.  

Q4, Week 6

Good Morning, 

I hope you all had a good weekend!

 

This week in art students will be focusing on:  

K-8 – BMoCA visit – This week we will have Ms. Emily joining us from the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, Ms. Emily is going to do a lecture and discussion about the current exhibit at the museum. On Tuesday she will be working with each grade to create a 1-day project inspired by the artists we studied on Monday.

7/8 – Destination Graphic Logos - Students will use Graphic Design Principles to design a Logo for different cities from around the world utilizing the important landmarks from within the city to create their work.

5/6 – Coat of Arms – this week students will be working on finishing their own Coat of Arms based on the Middle Ages times of Knights. Students will utilize new colored pencil techniques to fill their artwork with color, value, texture and depth.  

3/4 – Keith Haring Gesture Painting - Students will be focusing on the work of Keith Haring, a leader in the pop art movement of the 1950s-70s. We will learn and review the ideas of gesture drawing, movement, and utilizing specific color schemes.

1/2 – Mary Blair Castles - This week students will be focusing on Shape and Form when creating their own Castles. Students will study and learn about Mary Blair, an influential artist that worked for Walt Disney for many years. Her artwork that we are going to pay special attention to is the “it’s a small world” ride at the Disney Parks. This ride showcases her unique color play and emphasis on utilizing basic shapes to create visual interest and appeal.  

Kinder – Roller Coaster - This week students will be experimenting with creating three-dimensional lines using strips of paper to create our own rollercoaster/playground.

Q4, Week 5

Good Morning, 

I hope you all had a good weekend! My apologies for the late post, I was out sick Monday and Tuesday.

This week in art students will be focusing on:  

7/8 – Symmetrical Light Mandalas - Students will use Graphic Design Principles to design a Mandala using weavesilk.com interactive art creation website. Students will use this website to create a mandala using a color scheme to illustrate symmetry with multiple axes.  

5/6 – Coat of Arms – this week students will be working on creating their own Coat of Arms based on the Middle Ages times of Knights. Students will utilize new colored pencil techniques to fill their artwork with color, value, texture and depth.  

3/4 – Keith Haring Gesture Painting - Students will be focusing on the work of Keith Haring, a leader in the pop art movement of the 1950s-70s. We will learn and review the ideas of gesture drawing, movement, and utilizing specific color schemes.

1/2 – Mary Blair Castles - This week students will be focusing on Shape and Form when creating their own Castles. Students will study and learn about Mary Blair, an influential artist that worked for Walt Disney for many years. Her artwork that we are going to pay special attention to is the “it’s a small world” ride at the Disney Parks. This ride showcases her unique color play and emphasis on utilizing basic shapes to create visual interest and appeal.  

Kinder – Abstract Hearts - This week students will be finishing our discussion of abstract art through the creation of their crayon resist abstract paintings.

Q4, Week 4

Good Morning, 

 

I hope you all had a good weekend! CMAS is in the final stretch! Testing will again be on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, so schedules will not be the same as they usually are. We are almost done, good luck to the 5th and 8th-grade students on their science test!

 

This week in art students will be focusing on:  

 

7/8 – Atmospheric Perspective Landscape - Students will use Graphic Design Principles to design an example of an Atmospheric Perspective landscape using the Sketch.io online drawing program. They will create a monochromatic landscape within a defined shape to illustrate the concept of atmospheric perspective.

 

5/6 - Students have a shortened week with me due to CMAS schedules, but we are finalizing our Elements and Principles of Art Explosion books. This project will be a chance for students to illustrate their understanding of the elements and principles of design that we have been learning about/reviewing for the last few weeks. This project will be due Tuesday, April 18th. 

 

3/4 - Still Life - Students will be focusing on the work of Paul Cezanne to understand and create their own Still Life drawings. A still life is an artwork made from inanimate objects arranged in an interesting composition that the artist creates. This week, students will create their final still-life drawings focusing on value, shape, and proportion. 

 

1/2 – Self Portrait - This week students will focus on identity through art. We will be reading and looking into the artistic design of the “Little People, Big Dreams” children’s books written and illustrated by Eng Gee Fan. Students will create a self-portrait inspired by Eng Gee Fan. A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, which usually focuses on the person’s face or head.

 

Kinder – Abstract Hearts - This week students will be focusing on shape. Our project will be based on the work of Reginald Laurent. Students will create many shapes that come together to form a bright and colorful abstract painting. They will also learn a new painting technique called crayon resist painting where they will explore how oil and water mix, or don’t, as students use watercolor paint over crayon drawings.

Q4, Week 3

Good Morning, 
 
I hope you all had a good weekend and start to your week. My apologies for the late update for this week, CMAS is still going strong in the building. Testing will again be on Tues, Wed, and Thurs of this week, so schedules will not be the same as they usually are.
 
This week in art students will be focusing on:  
 
7/8 - Recycling School Poster - Students will use Graphic Design Principles to design a possible Poster to illustrate and explain the importance of recycling as well as how to know if something can be recycled! We are working closely with Ms. Charlie, our school's environmental education specialist, to create a new poster for the school. 
 
5/6 - Students have a shortened week with me due to CMAS schedules, but we are starting our Elements and Principles of Art Explosion books. This project will be a chance for students to illustrate their understanding of the elements and principles of design that we have been learning about/reviewing for the last few weeks. This project will be due next Tuesday, April 18th. 
 
3/4 - Still Life - Students will be focusing on the work of Paul Cezanne to understand and create their own Still Life drawings. A still life is an artwork made from inanimate objects arranged in an interesting composition that the artist creates. Students will create 2 still-life practice drawings this week before moving on to their final still-life creation next week. 
 
1/2 - Complimentary Trees - This week students will be focusing on color and color families (also known as color schemes). We will begin by reviewing the color schemes we learned last year, before moving on to learn about the Complimentary color schemes which we will be utilized in this project.  
 
Kinder - Color Wheel Umbrellas - This week students will be focusing on color and the creation of our color wheel. Students will use paint in the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to create mix their secondary colors to create a color wheel covering the umbrella in their painting. 

Quarter 4, Week 2

Hello, 
 
I hope you all had a good weekend. This week is the start of CMAS testing weeks. Testing will be on Tues, Wed, and Thurs of this week, so schedules will not be the same as they usually are.
 
This week in art students will be focusing on:  
 
7/8 - Yearbook Cover Design Contest - Students will use Graphic Design Principles to design a possible cover for our Yearbook for the 2022-2023 school year! if you haven't ordered your yearbook yet, check online, the order window is closing soon. 
 
5/6 - Principles of Design - Students are learning about the Principles of art in preparation for their first project
 
3/4 - Op Art - Students are learning about Optical Illusion Art and how to create it. This project focuses on Line and Shape in terms of the Elements of Art. We will begin the week by practicing different methods for creating optical illusion art before starting our final project. 
 
1/2 - Landscape Art - Students will use lines and patterns to create a landscape. Based on the art of Grant Wood, we will discuss and review landscapes and how to create them. From there we will begin to create our own farm landscapes using lines and patterns within the artwork. 
 
Kinder - Self Portrait - This week students are beginning their self-portrait work. We are focusing on line and color as our elements of art for this project. Students are going to create a background using quick stix paint sticks and pen and ink to create the image of themselves on a separate paper before combining them to create their final work. 

Welcome Back, Q4

 
Welcome back! I hope you all had a fantastic break! 
 
This quarter is going to be a blast with an introduction and exploration of each element of art. This week we will be focusing on establishing classroom expectations and routines before diving into Line and Pattern next week. 
 
If you have any questions, please reach out. 

Good Morning, 
 
Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful Spring Break!! 
 
Quarter 4 is upon us, can you believe it? We are almost done with this school year! As we head into this final quarter, I have a few reminders coming from my class. 
            1) Please try to go see the District Art Show at some point. The Secondary Show (6-12 grade) is up now but will be taken down tomorrow afternoon. The Elementary Show will be going up Wednesday afternoon and will be up until April 25th. So go enjoy the art from all of the talented students in our district!
           2) Friendly reminder that I keep all student artwork until the end of the school year because of the art show. If you are curious about what your student has been creating in class, please take a look at my edlio, and Instagram, or feel free to reach out to me.
 
If you have any questions please contact me, I hope you all have a great first week back! 

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Name
Bridget Houghton
Position
K-12 Art Teacher
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