Fri. Taste and Smell

After Thursday's day of studio, I came home thinking how much easier cutting my last block would be. We had all week to develope the images so by today we were ready to jump in and PRINT! The class has Jelled as a working group and the work just rolled off the press. Every print was beautiful and looked so professional.

The cutting of the blocks are too much for my elementary kids, and I would really have a problem giving them a cutter, but the whole block printing process is one that I can and will use in class. The kids could design the blocks in a small group and I can cut them and bring them back into class. They would be able to print and select the right colors and combination for their finished work.

Day 3: Collagraph - in color!

Our third day, inspired by the sense of hearing, began with the most amazing act of playing brass bowls from Nepal. I had never done this before and the experience was meditative. I hope I can purchase one for my classroom because I think this would really capture the interest of children.

My breakthrough today was credited to Bob. I was frustrated with the design of my plate from Day 2, because it felt too contrived. Bob suggested covering the plate except for small sections and then only working in that section. This worked so well for me. I had been intimidated by the big white plate (Twyla!) but breaking it down into smaller pieces enabled me to let go and not worry about the product. I love how my color collagraph prints turned out. Collaborating with other students forced me to further give up control of the product and allow for happy accidents.

Day 2: Collagraph

Let me just say that organizing the curriculum around the five senses was brilliant! I can see this concept being a unique was to organize my elementary art curriculum. I think it would be especially effective since young children are primarily sensorial learners. Educational philosophies, such as the Montessori method, focus exclusively on teaching students with sensorial lessons.

But I digress...Day 2 was filled with surprises, beginning with what was in our paper bags! I have done a similar lesson when I taught high school (learned it from MichelleT), the only difference is that one student had to describe it to another student and that student had to draw it. They loved it!

Creating a plate about the experience of touching the item in the bag was very creative and challenging. I liked using found materials and papers since my art budget is very tiny. :) I think this would be adaptable to elementary school now that Lindsay gave me some tips. Louise Nevelson could be a good artist to introduce since she used found objects in her art.

Thurs. Sound of the Bowl

There has been research on the combination of Music with Art and I see a grant possibility there. This more complicated printing method would be great for upper grades. The Singing bowls were wonderful for us and my really young students would be facinated and connect with the sound on paper the best.

Day 1: Frottage

Our first day of class was a blast! I thought mapping the enviornment via contour drawing was a unique and exciting opener for the class, and could be a great way to get kids out of the classroom and making art that is process oriented. The drawings were used to create frottage prints and learn the printing process. Not being certain of the results until the print was completed was exciting and I think my elementary students would really be engaged in this project.

Wed. things in a brown bag

There was wonderous thingies in our bags! Even after feeling in my bag I was still amazed at what it "looked "like. Translating the sensation of touch into a visual image was difficult for me so I assume it is tuff for our kids. They would love this challenge and then to "make " the object 2D....excellent way to introduce 2D/3D in the classroom.

Tues. outside around

I am always looking for ways to get my students up and outside. This method of data collection would keep even the most distractable student on task, and hone some of their observation skills that are so important for them to see art in nature. The printing would be another day's lesson .The material are user friendly and even the youngest students could have success in printing.

Tibetan Bowls

Keeping the brass bowls humming. Feeling the sound in order to translate it into a print. Great approach. I will try it with my pre-schoolers.

Patty, touch

This is approach to drawing with out seeing and recording one’s response to the feeling of touch is a liberating way to create. I can see it being utilized in an art therapy setting to help patients work through emotional and psychological issues. In the classroom it allows children to view art as more than what is representational and foster the creativity within to produce art with a deeper meaning.

Sense of sound Collagraph

The morning was amazing, the singing bowls set the tone quite literally for the packed studio session ahead. The smooth and efficient methods of Bob's masterful mind that we learned yesterday were put to use again today as we rubbed, rolled, wiped, placed, pulled and lifted image after image totally over 45 prints, a good days work out. Bob says the answer is in the studio... so more collaborations today and color, color and more color. I learned that my intrinsic palette is surely being pumped through my veins as it comes out even with severe limitations. I was extremely frustrated this afternoon by the process which requires me to give up total control. I see what a control freak I am( who me?!) As a painter I wanted to spend alot of time on "painting" the plate but needed to work in a timely fashion since others were waiting. I was trying to force the work instead of letting it go where it wanted to go. In the end I stayed late and pulled two more print quite quickly I might add and am now a happy camper, or rather printer.