The intermediate class has gone into full modular mode. Each week, they are introduced to four modules to help intrigue and inspire.

Module One: Each Monday, we introduce a new art Concept. This week's concept was positive and negative space. Student's interested in working with this concept were challenged with creating a tessellation.

​Module Two: On Tuesdays we introduce the second module titled the Table. The Table provides an optional project for those students who might not be interested in Monday's concept. Last week's Table was pinatas!

Here are some of the pinatas created at last week's Table. This week, was tie dye and next week will be ugly dolls.

Module Three: The third module we introduce happens on Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we take a look at an Artist that is loosely associated with the Table. This week's artist is Joana Vasconcelos.

​Module Four: The last module happens on Thursday. It's a look at Skills and Techniques that our artists might find helpful. If students couldn't relate to the Concept, didn't want to tie dye, and couldn't find any inspiration in the artist of the week, they certainly can find a video tutorial they want to follow. 

But here is the best part. Even though all the modules are there to inform and inspire, students can still choose to design their own student-driven project. In fact, we encourage it! So here is some work that has nothing to do with the modules. Reagan created these two works. The one on the left was created on the 3D printer.

This student was exploring ways to present a cityscape, experimenting with different methods for presenting the background.

This student was interested in presenting the trees differently by angling the trunks.

"Mr Sands, I brought in a plush toy. Do you have any cement?"

This photo doesn't do justice to the color variation of the skin tones. You have to see it in real life.

We ended the week with a Feel Good Friday. What's that you ask? Well, any students wishing to participate, placed their art on the table. All students then walked around the table, viewing the artwork and leaving comments on the Feel Good Friday comment sheets. 

This particular Feel Good Friday also counted as a cross-curricular activity. That's because the Culinary Arts class was selling brownies. We bought a tray so in my book, that's cross-curricular. Also, brownies are just another great way to feel good on Feel Good Friday ;)

This week in Computer Art & Animation we took a look at Adobe Illustrator; a vector based application with a bit of a learning curve. Overall, Illustrator is a powerful design and illustration app but transitioning from raster-based apps such as Photoshop to vector-based programs takes a little getting used to. 

To kick off the week, we ran a few tutorials to learn about tools this app offers and gain understanding about how they work and how the differ from Photoshop. We started with learning about shapes and gradients as can be seen in the above illustration of flowers.

Our second tutorial was perhaps the least fun but addresses the most obvious difference between raster and vector; working with the pen tool. At first, it can be  a bit tricky to get the anchor points to go where you want them to go.

Building on the shape and gradient tools, our next step was to build layers. These 2D badges are composed of several layers of shapes. We also explored the type and pathfinder tools.

What comes after 2D? Going for 3D. This tutorial incorporated all the previous lessons but asked the student to apply a little creativity to create the illusion of depth.

Now that we have an understanding of the app, we will see what we can do on our own. Next week we will have some time to explore the app further on our own and use or time to create our own Adobe illustrations. Stay tuned...

#HandTurkeyTuesday, that most special time right before Thanksgiving break. There is a buzz in the air, not because we are about to have a few days off to spend with our relatives while eating turkey and watching football... No! It's because everyone wants to draw a hand turkey. 

Have you never participated in #HandTurkeyTuesday?  Well, then you might consider it for next year. We even put together a complete presentation that goes into depth about what #HandTurkeyTuesday is all about. Or, at least, it has some examples of hand turkeys. But you don't need to go to the presentation to see the best examples of hand turkeys. We have them right here! I present to you the 2018 #HandTurkeyTuesday hand turkeys!!!!

Often, when we think of an artist, we think of their style. We think of how their work often appears to fit together because they use a similar color palette, brush stroke or line quality. This ability to develop a style might begin when the artist latches onto to something in their work and then explores that idea deeper.

This desire to explore the idea is something that seems to come quit naturally to the artist. As art teachers, we can help cultivate this concept by providing our artists the time and materials needed in which to dig deeper. 

Here is a look at some of the South B artists who are exploring the idea. Above, Maxwell, who often works on an iPad is developing a distinct style through his use of line quality and color choices.

Joshlyne started by creating zentangle designs on paper. Later she extended her designs by creating several lino cut prints.

Trey has been working in graphite developing his style by incorporating a high level of contrast.

While not a series, this collaborative piece, spearheaded by Jeana, began with the artists experimenting with paper straws. It later grew into a gruesome yet whimsical interpretation of the story of the Three Little Pigs.

This series, designed by Naomi, began with the artists creating a two point linear perspective drawing. The drawing was imported into Photoshop where the artist further explored various color mode variations.

Zoe is continuously developing her style. She renders her figures in pencil and has been exploring various media in which to complete each piece. she is also exploring different ways to treat the backgrounds.

Computer Art & animation is moving right along. We've been digging deeper into Photoshop including a look at brushes, text, layers and masks. Take a look.... 

Just about wrapping up our last Artistic Behavior Unit, Artists Collect & Synthesize. We took a look at a few artists that collect stuff and synthesize it together including Tara Donovan, Mae Chevrette, Andy Goldsworthy and the Washed Ashore Project.

​We considered things that people collect and things that are collected sometimes not even on purpose. For example, we collect a spork every time we eat lunch in the cafeteria and we collect a receipt every time we shop at the Food Lion. What could we do with these collections if we didn't throw them away?

We also talked about how things can be synthesize. What is Synthesizing? What are methods for Synthesizing? How can artists synthesize their collections? We did a little brainstorming and then the students got to work. Most choose to collaborate with others to create a work of art. 

The collections could be anything. Some students choose to use found objects and trash while others, like this group, decided on natural objects, at least as a starting point.

Bottle caps, pencils, and scrap fabric were all in the mix. Below, students at various stages in their artistic process.

A link to the Google Slide unit plan for Artists Collect & Synthesize. 

This week's Table complimented the Artistic Behavior Unit we we exploring this week, Artists Collect and Synthesize. If you're not familiar with  the concept of the Table,  you can check it our here. We took a look at the work of Environmental Artist Bryant Holsenbeck. She creates creatures out of trash and recycled materials. It wasn't to hard to load up the Table with this type of material.

Students who selected to work at the Table began by creating wire frameworks which they wrapped in grocery store plastic bags. Once the basic form was in place, the students had a selection of yearn, string and fabric to add to their creations. 

We opened the tool box to make sure we had the right tools for the job. 

For the finishing touches, we dove into the junk draw where we found googly eyes, feathers and other types of cool stuff. Below are a few of the results. 

For next week's Table, we will be taking a look at altered books!  

The Open Art Room provides opportunities to discover things about both art and yourself. One of the best ways to engage in these discoveries is to try something new for the first time. Perhaps there is a technique that hasn't been explored yet. Or maybe there is a medium that is totally new. Maybe you'll be good at it! You never know till you try. Here's a look at a few Firsts happening this week. Several of these works are still in progress.

Above: This is her first attempt at using Oil Paints.

She never tried Digital Art before so we lent her an iPad. 

After she drew this image, she asked if she could try Screen Printing it onto a t-shirt.

Carving into a block of Plaster is a first not only for him but also the first time we've introduced this medium in class.

A first attempt at Paper Quilling.

Uhm...... It's the first time we've had a ceiling tile with a hand hanging out of it holding a lunchbox

First time using Multi Stencils with spray paint. 

Last year we sat together and worked through a few water color tutorials. This week she brought this into my class and said, "Look Mr Sands, I did a water color on my own". She's not even in my class :)

We kicked off our new unit, Artists Collect & Synthesize, with a one day challenge. Groups of students had 15 minutes to go into the world and collect stuff in a bag. They didn't know why they were collecting stuff, just told to get stuff. 

Upon returning, the students were given the challenge. Create a work of art using the stuff you collect. And you have one day in which to do so. Each group got straight to work, first planning and agreeing on what to make and then constructing their project.

The group above found a wire fence, a beach umbrella and other interesting objects. They decided to construct a dog cage including self feeding and drinking tubes. they even found a wolf pup to go into the cage.

Seen above: The team assembling their dog cage artwork.

Meet Sylvia. single mom, recently widowed. This team wrote out a whole story to go along with Sylvia. In fact, the reason her husband is dead is because he became the paper that they used to write the story on.

Putting the finishing touches on Sylvia.

The Skate Broom received a lot of attention. Poorly constructed out of several rocks, sticks, and a wheel, it still was one of the hottest items in the art room.

Kick flips and ollies!!  Actually, none of that happened. Its rocks attached to a broom.

Ready for the Hot Seat?

An island complete with sewer drainage pipe draining sewerage into the beautiful blue sea.

Wrapped up our last part of our first animation unit with a walk cycle tutorial. Instead of going completely digital, we took a walk back to the art room to create some traditional drawings. Students had the option to either draw the eight frames necessary to complete the walk cycle or the could create a movable puppet.