Last week my Computer Arts class worked on their Edible Architecture projects. I can't claim this project as completely my own, I did get inspiration from Worth 1000. I found this project last year on Worth 1000 and thought I'd give it a try. Both sets of students fully enjoyed the lesson and got pulled into the project. What I like so much about it is that it uses most of the tools and textniques they have learned on previous projects. This project was a good one to talk about the warp tool, burn, and smudge. Information given to the students: Turn a building into food or a food into a building. Make it interesting and as realistic as possible. Consider all the parts, building, windows and doors, shingles, background, location, landscaping, the tenet, ** the lighting for each object. Where is the light coming from? Tutorial: Color changing objects/Warping/Burning Example Pictures: Pinterest Link Student Examples:
As you probably know, last December I had my daughter Evie. Maternity leave was wonerful but I found myself missing teaching. Though I loved being with my daughter I missed being in the classroom with my students. I found myself totally involved in teaching when I got back for the last 2 months of teaching with no "mommy guilt" to speak of. The school year ended and summer time with Evie began. In a a short 2 weeks I will be returning to school, but I find myself with different feeling than I expected.
For the first time ever I am dreading going back. Maybe its the fact that Evie has developed her personality, maybe I've gotten comfortable at home, maybe I don't want the drama involved with other teachers. But I beleive most of it is my definiton of myself has changed. I am Kim Sudkamp, mom and art teacher. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE teaching. I just found my priorities have slightly shifted. I can't leave teaching, I enjoy it so much. Moving forward I may not think of teaching 90% of the time, rather 70% of my free time.
I felt like I lost most of this semester. I was gone for the first half while on maternity leave. I found myself stopping by, having a hard time staying away from school during that time. In doing so I was able to see more of these students and got to know them better than I anticipated. Each student was required to write a blog post as part of their final exam. 5 questions picked by the students, each one paired with a piece of their own work. Here are a few examples:
What was the most difficult thing about this class? What could be done to resolve this issue?
"The most difficult thing about this class was trying to become a better artist. I came into this class barely being able to draw a stickman. I was thinking that this class would just be a like a free class but it actually turned me into a better artist. This class taught me how to use delicate strokes and how to blend things together. Most important is that I came into this class rushing every project but I leave, looking at art as different pieces instead of as a whole and taking my time." - Jacob K.
Has your definition of art clanged since from the beginning of this class?
"Over the semester I began to realize art isn't just painting and drawing, but its everywhere and shown in many forms. Art and inspiration can be found in everyday life. I also learned that most things are easiest to draw it you pay attention to the little shapes inside the big picture. While I have improved greatly, I know now that my work will always have room for improvement." - Maddie M.
"My definition of art changed in the first day of class. Going into art I thought it would just be a cruise class and I could just give minimal effort. On the first day of art I sat down and was given a mint and Mr. Creech told me to draw it. The whole time I was drawing it, I hated it and looking at other students candy drawings didn't help me. When everyone finished we compared them and commented on eachothers pieces. Thats was when I realized that art isn't about being better than the next person. Its about expressing who you are on the inside through your work on the outside. I loved art and plan to do sculpture as well." - Spencer M.
"My definition of art has changed tremendously. I used to think art was either good or bad, but now I've realized that art is in the eye of the beholder. Art can be anything you want- it could be simple, complex, a common object, or beautifully hand crafted. It all depends on what you believe to be an expression of your creativity." - Lacey P.
Which project was your most successful? Describe the theme and or topic and the process you went through to complete the project. "In my opinion my charcoal piece of the hot glue gun was most successful. I had never used charcoal before nor had I ever tired shading with any medium. The topic that I chose for this project was a hot glue gun because I asked Mr. Creech what I should do and he handed me a glue gun. The [process I went through consisted of a rough sketch followed my a faint outline. Then for the next few days I shaded it more and more making the blacks darker and adding more highlights. I thought this piece was successful because Mrs. Sudkamp entered it into the Hadley Show which boosted my confidence as an artist." - Spencer M.
As some of you might know I gave birth to my daughter Evie recently. I know posting pictures every hour is a bit annoying so I've created a new place to view them on Instagram. Check it out here: http://instagram.com/eviethestrong/
We decided to have some fun with the photos we share. Each day I plan to create a new setting for Evie to model on. Hopefully I don't run out of ideas anytime soon. More photos to come soon!
I love a good art documentary! I find myself lost in them, inspired by them, and wanting to share them with the world and often times my students. After so many documentaries I start getting confused, sometimes forgetting details I loved about them in the first place.
Focuses on: World War II, Reality in children's art, Cartoon work, political cartoons, venom war, Eroticisum, sex in art
Would I share it with my students? Though I love how he interacts with his culture and environment and feel that is an important part of art to share with my students, I would not show this film to them. Half way through I was leaning on showing it to them for historical placement and understanding inspiration. There were a few risky moments, but with a little timing those could be skipped. About two-thirds in the focused changed to drawing eroticism. He did an entire series on rear ends saying "Its the kind of smile you can hold in you hands; two cheeks."
Tomi Ungerer is known for his work in children's books, political cartoons during the vietnam war, and erotic drawings. First known for his children's books he gained a lot of popularity. Though when his erotic drawings were discussed he lost all popularity and his books banned in all libraries.
Overall personally I enjoyed this film, but it isn't age appropriate even for my high school students.
His work:
Art Teacher Rating:
2 of 5 Paints
Art ideals are spot on. I LOVE how he works with his cultural interactions but a large portion of this film would definitely be rated R. You'll probably agree with me that erotic drawings and talking about being stoned while drawing isn't the best for students. Some films I would suggest an except from, this film in order to fully understand it you need to see more than a couple minutes.
I have completely rethought how I start teaching art 1. Taking a look at how the kids approach the project I picked something that even I found interesting but didn't restrict the students to just a few items. Students for this project were given 1 theme;"Two In One." This concept could be taken from a transformation or morphing of an object into another, or even 2 time periods depicted, 2 emotions, and so on. To start the project we looked at some professional inspirational art. ----> Inspiration Pinterest
1. Students planned - Throwing around ideas the students were able to plan by making a pinterest board themselves, a list, or thumbnail sketches.
2. 1 page sketch - of the idea that found most motivated or interested by
3. Started on their project
Students were required to post a blog 1/2 way through their pieces. This encouraged them to reflect on their difficulties and successes so far.
Here are some of the finished products:
These are wonderful first projects. I am proud of how hard these students have worked (especially due to the crazy snow days).
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