Dinosaurs April 28, 2013

We’ve been drawing dinosaurs in my K/1 and 2/3 classes last week.  Step by step, students created their dinosaurs with various shaped bodies, necks, legs, tails, heads, and optional wings, fins, patterns.  I scanned in their drawings and we went to the Computer Lab for Art last week.  Using Paintbrush, students were able to “paint” their own dinosaur drawings, and paint them multiple times!  This week, the students will come to the Art Studio to find their drawings photocopied and enlarged onto paper for watercolor painting and easel painting.

 

 

City Life April 23, 2013

After viewing Alexander Calder’s Circus, students were inspired to create a story of their own.  One class chose “city life” as their class theme, and the other class chose “summer olympics”.  Using metal wire and found objects, students constructed their sculptures as individual pieces that fit together as a large collaboration.  Some students took on an added challenge of creating a kinetic sculpture, one that moves.  Arthur Ganson is another inspiring artist/engineer whose sculptures are housed at the MIT Museum, if you’re interested in seeing kinetic art in real life!

Some scenes from the city (view the whole collaboration in the display case in the main lobby):

  

 

Wrapping Up April 13, 2013

The Morse School Art Show comes to a close today.  I thought i’d wrap up with some quotes from our guest book and some photos from the Tuesday evening reception.  What a success, once again!

“This is a wonderful art show!  There is so much talent and hard work displayed- it is very impressive!”

“So beautiful!  Glad I came.  I’m so impressed by the work by the Morse artists.”

“Beautiful! I love the range of artwork and all the different styles.”

“Wow! The Morse school has so many amazing artists!  Congratulation!”

“What a great show. Thanks for giving the students work such a great venue.”

“I am a neighbor who was out on a walk and stopped in.  I am very impressed with both the quality of the art and the quality of the projects/assignments.  Clearly a strong art program- so nice to see!”

“Wonderfully made!!!”

  

 

Clay Creatures and Poetry April 11, 2013

To celebrate National Poetry Month, the 1st graders have been reading poems by Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein in the Art Studio.  Inspired by the poets’ imaginary animals and creatures, the students invented creatures made from 3 different animals.  Today, they used their sketches to sculpt 3D versions.  Here are some students at work:

A pig/bee/beaver

A lion/elephant/shark:

And a leopard/koala:

After vacation, the students will write their own poems about their creatures, along with glazing the sculptures!

Art Show Field Trip April 10, 2013

In case you missed it, the Morse School Art Show is on display all this week.  Last night was the reception; roughly 85 students with their families, plus teachers and neighbors came out for the event.  I’ll post some pictures of the evening tomorrow!  Several classes have been walking up to Gallery 263 this week during Art class, to check out the show.  Here are some shots of the 5th graders admiring everyone’s work:

Coiling April 9, 2013

The 2nd graders are just starting to create coiled flower pots.  Once the pots have been coiled all the way, they will use the technique of sgraffito to draw life cycles of frogs, butterflies, and plants on the sides.  What a fun way to tie into their science curriculum!  More pictures in a few weeks of the finished pots.

 

Morse School Art Show Sneak Peek! April 7, 2013

The Art Show is up!  Come to Gallery 263 on Tuesday from 5-7 for the artists’ reception!  Here are some teasers after today’s installation:

  

  

3D value scales April 1, 2013

The 4/5 spec. needs class created paper mache initials.  They began with wire armatures, which they compared to skeletons.  Newspaper and masking tape was added to bulk up the letters, which they compared to muscles and fat.  And finally, a layer of paper mache was obviously compared to skin.  These comparisons all came from them!  After the initials were hard and dry, we discussed value scales and how to make colors lighter and darker.  They painted the letters with gradually increasing lighter values.

See more at the Morse School Art Show, coming soon!