Good Morning!

 

Welcome back. I hope you all enjoyed your Labor Day weekend. This week K-6 are starting a new specials rotation! 

 

What's on the Docket for this week?

 

Kinder - Starting a new rotation. I will now have Mr. Baker's Advocacy class. We will start off our art adventure creating our contributions to the school mural inspired by Thank You X, an LA-based street artist. Then we will round out our week by completing our first project - Our Rainbow Self Portraits. Students will learn about different types of lines and colors to create the background for their self-portraits and attach their faces after our backgrounds are dry. 

 

1st Grade - Starting a new rotation. I will now have Mrs. Hamilton's Advocacy class. We will start off our art adventure creating our contributions to the school mural inspired by Thank You X, an LA-based street artist. We will then round out our week by talking about lines and patterns, while creating a Farm Landscape demonstrating what we learned. 

 

3rd/4th - Starting a new rotation. I will now have Ms. Small's Advocacy class. We will start off our art adventure creating our contributions to the school mural inspired by Thank You X, an LA-based street artist. Using their prior knowledge of the human facial proportions, students will then set to work designing the covers for our sketchbooks, by creating their own original character. 

 

5th/6th - Starting a new rotation. I will now have Mrs. Calder's Advocacy class. We will start off our art adventure creating our contributions to the school mural inspired by Thank You X, an LA-based street artist. Using their prior knowledge of the human facial proportions, students will then set to work designing the covers for our sketchbooks, by creating their own original character. 

 

7th/8th - This week students will be finalizing their fantasy cityscapes. Last week we focused on the planning process, learning one-point and two-point perspective and how to create a city using those methods. We are now finalizing these, and they will be due next Monday, September 9th. 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Happy Tuesday! 

 

What is going on in art this week:

 

7/8 Drawing - We are spending the week working on our final drafts of our Historical Figure portraits which will be shaded with text. These text portraits challenge the students to think about the shadows and highlights within their reference image and how they can use words and typography to enhance their chosen portrait. 

 

5/6 Art - This week students are using their time to finalize their Still Life drawings. Students are working from objects that they chose from home, and 'zooming in' on different aspects of the objects to show more close-up details instead of only focusing on the object as a whole. 

 

3/4 Art - 3rd and 4th grade are also coming to the end of their first project, focusing on Landscapes and patterns using outlines and zentangles. Students received a reference image of a landscape and they are using that reference image to find the shapes within their landscape to fill with varying complexities of zentangle patterns 

 

2nd Grade - My second-grade students focused on lines and patterns this week, creating their own Farm Landscape. Towards the end of the week, we will focus on shape and color, finding our unique take on a self-portrait. 

 

Kindergarten - Starting the week off strong, we are finalizing the self-portraits we learned about and worked on last week. For the remainder of the week, we are looking back at our rainbow and starting to learn our color wheel and put together some of our color families and how they work with each other. 

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a fantastic rest of your week! 

Westgate Students and Parents, 

 

Welcome back to another exciting school year! I hope you all had a wonderful and restful summer break, filled with fun and creativity. My name is Ms. H, and I am thrilled to be your art teacher this year!

 

As we begin this new journey, I am looking forward to the artistic adventures that lie ahead. Art is not just about creating beautiful pieces to share with friends and family; it's about expressing yourself, exploring your imagination, and learning to see the world from different perspectives. This year we will delve into various mediums and techniques, from drawing and painting to sculpture and digital art. 

 

Our art classroom will be a space of creativity, innovation, and respect. I encourage each student to bring their unique voice and vision to their work. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and in our classroom, they are embraced as opportunities to grow and discover new possibilities. 

 

I look forward to seeing all the amazing art we can create together this year! Let's make this a year filled with inspiration, creativity, and joy!

 

Warm Regards, 

Ms. H

Happy Wednesday. My apologies for the late post. This is the final week for our first rotation for K-6 so it has been high energy in the art room.

This week in Art:

7/8 – Soap Carving – This week, students are transitioning from additive sculptural methods to subtractive sculptural methods. They studied the works of Michelangelo and how he used large marble blocks to carve out his sculptures. Students had the choice of picking a plant/animal native to Colorado or creating an abstract design for their soap carving. After finishing their sketches, students will be provided with a pencil, toothpick, paperclip, and a plastic butter knife to carve their soap into their desired design.

5/6 – Character Creation Illustration – Students started designing their own characters last week, giving them a backstory and physical appearance. This week they will create a watercolor illustration of their character, using emphasis through colors, lines, shapes, size, or location within their painting. In their Language Arts class, they will create a short story to accompany their paintings of the character they imagined.   

3/4 – Cubism Objects – Students studied the works of Pablo Picasso and how he would combine different views of the same object to create one singular image. Students have brought in objects to draw for their project and have drawn these objects in their sketchbooks to practice. Students will then paint one object and cut it up, rearranging the pieces to complete their final cubist art pieces.

Kindergarten – Warm and Cool sunset – Students will be focusing on the warm and cool colors, using them to create a sunset over the ocean using Quick Stix paint sticks. We will also be finalizing our clay by painting them with watercolors.

1/2 – Self Portraits – Students are completing their final art project for the year which is a self-portrait. Self-portraits are a great way to measure a student’s artistic progress year to year. This year we are inspired by the artwork of Yali Ziv, a portrait artist from Israel. And to finish off, we will be painting our pottery on Friday.

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fun and restful weekend.

This week in Art:

7/8 – Cardboard Lanterns – Last week, students began the construction of their first larger project, using cardboard and tissue paper to create a lantern. This week students will be finalizing these lanterns and conducting a self-critique, thinking about the process they took, how they think it turned out, and contemplating different ways they could recreate this project if they were to try it again. Later this week they will be transitioning into their second project which will be focusing less on details and more on a simplified form.  

5/6 – Clay Story Books - Last week, students began their kiln fire clay project through their planning process and starting the base of their project. This week students will be finalizing details on their projects and leaving them to dry before our first kiln firing this weekend. Towards the end of the week, students will be starting the planning process for their painting project and completing that next week while we wait to be able to glaze our clay creations.  

3/4 – Clay Boxes - Last week, students began their kiln fire clay project through their planning process and starting the base of their project. This week students will be finalizing details on their projects and leaving them to dry before our first kiln firing this weekend. Towards the end of the week, students will be starting the planning process for their painting project and completing that next week while we wait to be able to glaze our clay creations.  

Kindergarten – Clay Patterned Drop Bowls - Last week, students began their kiln fire clay project by learning where clay comes from and how we can use it to create all sorts of things. This week students will be using different clay tools to create marks and details on their projects, before “dropping” them into plastic bowl molds and leaving them to dry before our first kiln firing this weekend. Towards the end of the week, students will be learning about ways to create three-dimensional effects without a three-dimensional medium while we wait to be able to glaze our clay creations.  

1/2 – Clay Coil Bowls - Last week, students began their kiln fire clay project by learning where clay comes from and how to use it to create all sorts of things. They were able to start their coil bowls last Friday and will be finishing them this week in class before leaving them to dry before our first kiln firing this weekend. Towards the end of the week, students will be learning about ways to create three-dimensional effects without a three-dimensional medium and completing their second sculpture while we wait to be able to glaze our clay creations.  

Good Morning, 

Welcome back from break! I hope you had a fun and restful break. 

This semester, K-6 will focus on transitioning from two-dimensional to three-dimensional creation, while 7/8 is going into sculpture for Quarter 3 and then digital art for Quarter 4

This week in Art: 

7/8 - New Year's Agamograph - Students will be thinking of a singular word they want to use to describe how they want their 2024 year to go. They will use that word and a picture to create an optical illusion artwork known as an agamograph where you see one image when looking at it one way, and a different image when you look at the artwork from a different point of view.  Later this week, students will begin their first larger project by using cardboard and tissue paper to create a lantern, choosing which style from history they want to use as inspiration. 

5/6 – New Year's Agamograph - Students will be thinking of a singular word they want to use to describe how they want their 2024 year to go. They will use that word and a picture to create an optical illusion artwork known as an agamograph where you see one image when looking at it one way, and a different image when you look at the artwork from a different point of view.  Later this week, students will begin their kiln fire clay project through their planning process. Next week students should not wear their most expensive/favorite clothes as they might get them dirty when working with the clay.

3/4 - New Year's Agamograph - Students will be thinking of a singular word they want to use to describe how they want their 2024 year to go. They will use that word and a picture to create an optical illusion artwork known as an agamograph where you see one image when looking at it one way, and a different image when you look at the artwork from a different point of view.  Later this week, students will begin their kiln fire clay project through their planning process. Next week students should not wear their most expensive/favorite clothes as they might get them dirty when working with the clay.

Kindergarten - New Year's Agamograph - Students will be thinking of a singular word they want to use to describe how they want their 2024 year to go. They will use that word and a picture to create an optical illusion artwork known as an agamograph where you see one image when looking at it one way, and a different image when you look at the artwork from a different point of view.  Later this week, students will begin their kiln fire clay project through their planning process. Next week students should not wear their most expensive/favorite clothes as they might get them dirty when working with the clay.

1/2 - New Year's Agamograph - Students will be thinking of a singular word they want to use to describe how they want their 2024 year to go. They will use that word and a picture to create an optical illusion artwork known as an agamograph where you see one image when looking at it one way, and a different image when you look at the artwork from a different point of view.  Later this week, students will begin their kiln fire clay project through their planning process. Next week students should not wear their most expensive/favorite clothes as they might get them dirty when working with the clay.

Good Morning Everyone! 

 

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving week!! Grades have been uploaded so please go in and check your students' grades for this rotation. Our rotation's final grades will be posted on Friday, December 8th. 

 

This week in art: 

 

7/8 - Acrylic Painting - This week in painting we are finalizing our Chuck Close-inspired Portraits. On Wednesday, we will be starting our final project, working with Ms. Charlie, and exploring the environmental impact of Industrialization. For this project, we are focusing on the work of David Ambarzumjan, a German contemporary painter. His collection of works titled "Brushstrokes in Time" emphasizes the juxtaposition of what was, what is, and what may be, through an exploration of our relationship with nature. Students will be brainstorming and emulating his work thinking about the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the environment around us. 

 

5/6 - Line and Pattern - Students are finalizing their zentangle silhouette project this week. Students will transfer their silhouette and zentangle designs to the watercolor backgrounds we created. 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. This creates distinct positive and negative spaces within their artwork. 

 

1/2 - Shape and Value -  This week, we are focusing on a realistic style of artwork through still-life drawings. The focus of these drawings will be to use shape and value to create a realistic drawing of objects in front of them. We will be studying artworks by Samantha Bell, Dan Duhrkoop, and Richard Romero. 

Good Morning Everyone! 

 

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!! I cannot believe it is already the 3rd week of Quarter 2! Grades have been uploaded so please go in and check your students' grades for this rotation. Our rotation for K-6 is coming to an end next week. 

I will be out at the end of the week (Thursday and Friday) and there will be a sub in the classroom.

This week in art: 

7/8 - Multi-Media - This week in painting we are starting on our final papers for our multi-media animal project. Students are creating artwork illustrating an animal using watercolor and pen/ink techniques. This project is due on Wednesday, November 1st. They will then complete a critique and start researching their next project. 

5/6 - Line and Pattern - Students are finalizing their zentangle silhouette project this week. Students will transfer their silhouette and zentangle designs 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. These will be due on Wednesday, November 1st.

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. This creates distinct positive and negative spaces within their artwork. These will be due on Wednesday, November 1st.

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 continuing their adventure in the world of Abstract Art through the work of Reginald Laurent. Students will learn about different ways to combine lines, shapes, and colors in Abstract Art and how artwork does not always 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 crayons on their paper and then use watercolors to reveal their images. 

Good Morning Everyone!

 

I hope you are all having a good start to your fall break! It is that time of year again, Inktober is back and in full swing! For those of you new to Inktober, it is a drawing challenge every October to test your creativity. Each day there is a new drawing prompt that you complete a drawing for. Drawing prompts are only one word and can be interpreted in so many different ways. I have created a PDF with the prompt list as well as a worksheet that has space for your drawing from each day. I highly encourage students to participate over their break and get their creativity flowing. If you have an older student, to further challenge them, you can have them set some boundaries (ex. all black and white, using only continuous lines, tattoo style, etc). Students can also post their creations on Instagram and tag the Inktober official page for a chance to get their work featured. 

 

 

If you have any questions or would like more information please do not hesitate to reach out to me! I hope you all enjoy your two-week break!!! 

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).