8th Grade Self-Reflective Mandala's

 As a capstone to the 8th grader's Color Theory study, they created a Mandala using the Elements of Design. The students were asked to create a Mandala that reflected their personality. They were given a 12 x 18 piece of black construction paper, chalk pastels, and blending stumps. The Mandala could be symmetrical or asymmetrical, it was up to the artist to decide! We waited to cut the Mandala design from the black paper so they would have a place to touch the paper and rotate it without smudging their work. This seemed to work the best. As they finished they spray fixed & mounted on colored construction paper.

High School Cubism

Wow. Here are some examples of a high school 2D lesson in Cubism.  We just wrapped up a still life unit with cutting up our still life's and "jux-ta-posing" them in cubist style. This project in particular was a great one to reflect on how well I taught to their level, I learned a great deal, and so did the students (mainly about patients!) Some of the students were more than willing to cut up their still life's (that took about one week each, two different drawings) and some really had a hard time, maybe next time I will explain the entire process from the get-go. overall, fun project!

Requirements of project: incorporate charcoal still life, incorporate colored still life, incorporate mark making element (drawing, charcoal, ink, etc.) incorporate paper element (newspaper, magazine, etc.)

8th Grade "Masks From Around the World!"

 

The 8th grade students studied "masks from around the world!" and created a mask of their own based off of a theme of choice. I was impressed with the outcomes of the masks, as we were working in theme in class the students seemed to have "creative blocks." Big bummer, but the next class period it seemed to have been overcome because they were able to create some interesting concepts and solutions.

7th Grade Aboriginal Dreamtime Paintings

The 7th Grader's Studied Australian Aboriginal "Dreamtime" Paintings. Following one day of Aboriginal culture, traditions, music and arts the 7th grader's created their own "Dreamtime" painting that represented their own life. They used tempera paint and Que-Tips on Construction paper.

Changing Times

I have been quite busy over the past nearly 2 months, and haven't been able to keep up with updates from my student teaching experience. I have moved onto my Middle School/High School placement in another rural farming community in Wisconsin. It's been great... here are a few updates!

Fifth Grade Mixed Media Self-Portaits

The Fifth Grader's worked on the figure, specifically portraiture for the entire ten weeks I was student teaching. As a capstone this to this project (The Giving Quilt Project) as well as their Portrait unit, we worked on self portraits combing tempera paint and attached fabric. It took about 5 (45 min.) class periods to complete from start to finish. I mounted the portraits the day we hung the show at the assisted living facility-nothing like cutting it close!

Fourth Grade Environmental Prints

The Fourth Grader's focused their portion of the quilt project on "Environmental Awareness." In order to do this we went on a nature hike and collected elements of nature (trees, leaves, flowers, bark) Next, the students did a sketch, then an engraving on Styrofoam relief plates (amazing!) At this point we could being printed on paper (a proof) and then finally on muslin fabric. The students did a great job, however we had some trouble with the sizing of the fabric and resisting of the ink.. with practice I think I can improve it.

Second Grade Quilt

The Second Graders created non-objective prints on fabric squares, sharing printing techniques with one another. The student's practiced self control, respect, and recognizing strengths in one another. The students added final details with embroidery floss stitches. This was the first time I was working with students and metal needles, needless to say, I was a bit nervous- but all went well.

First Grade Quilt

The first Grader's focused on "Providing Shelter" to those in need. We looked at homes from around the world, and then the First grader's used their imaginations to create a magical house. We used transfer crayon from paper to fabric, then added finishing touches with glitter paint and "construction paper crayons."

Kindergarten Quilt

"Giving the gift of a smile"

The Giving Quilt Project

 Over the past month the students of Glenwood City have worked collaboratively on a community outreach project between the Elementary School and Havenwood Assisted Living. Each class at Glenwood Elementary school created a class quilt representing a way in which they can give to their community. The Giving Quilt Project began with the story, "The Quilt Maker's Gift," By Jeff Brumbeau, Illustrated By Gail De Macken. Following the story the students were asked how the quilt maker in the story helped others and how they thought they thought they could help others in need. Each class developed a list of human basic needs, which led each grade to a theme. The students also discussed how one act of kindness has the ripple effect on one's many communities, similar to a pebbel being dropped into water. Through this project the students developed an understanding of their many communities, and how we rely on one another. The Show is currently on exhibit at Glenhaven Assisted Living Facility in Glenwood City Wisconsin.  This unit served as a capstone project to my student teaching at the primary level.  It was a great learning experience in donation applications, community outreach organization (parent volunteers!), and show installation. We held a reception for the student artists last week- it was great to see the students sharing what they had created with their families!

La Dee Dah

Check out my new work at
La Dee Dah!

311 Main St. East
Menomonie, Wisconsin

Henry's Van Gogh

Throughout September the First grader's studied Van Gogh, emphasizing his still life studies. We focused on composition and filling the space of the canvas. As the sunflower season came to an end, the students enjoyed sharing stories about sunflowers they have seen in their environment. Here is Henry's Sunflowers. Henry told me the first time I met him that he wants to be an art teacher when he grows up because he loves artwork,  and teaching others. I enjoyed my time working with him.

Be Nice to Spiders

 Be Nice to Spiders was on it's way to the dump from a closing library, but ended up in the safe haven of the art room. It's a great book to teach children (and adults!) the important role spiders play in our world.















Following  Be Nice to Spiders the Kindergarten's spun their own webs rolling a marble coated in tempera paint over their cut out matboard circle in a pie tin.

 

Then, we studied the anatomy of the spider, and created one of our own (some scary, others whimsical.) The girls in the class enjoyed creating a pattern  for their spider's, using construction paper, while the boys were more interested in creating fangs.  Each spider had a personality of it's own! We threaded the string through the web so the spider could move up and down "spinning" it's web.

5th Grade Portraits

The 5th graders of Glenwood Elementary school have been studying portraiture for the first quarter of the year. I felt apprehensive about instructing portraiture, but as we went through the unit I learned quite a bit myself (one of the great aspects of student teaching.)  They did a great job creating realistic portraits focusing on proportion, and simply learning to draw what your eyes see. To reward the students for their great work , I thought we would do a abstract portrait, to lighten the mood, and apply what they have learned in a different way! I took a picture of each of the students using the Photo booth program on my laptop. The students then highlighted shadows, using mixed media to create a self-portrait. The enjoyed seeing themselves in a whole new way!

Halloween 2010

Happy Halloween, Folks.

By: Molly

 

Here is another example of a Kindergarten Self-Portrait. Molly has really grasped the idea that the head is similar in shape to an egg, ha! I love the lip to nose proportion- still working on that idea. Overall, great first attempt at the self portrait, Kindergarten Molly.
For the past five months Justin and I have been living without internet, and for the most part it has worked for us. It's great to put "check my facebook" on my list of things to do, but on the other hand it limits my time for blog updating. I've found myself reading nearly twice as much and researching the old fashioned way-with books, when needed. For now, coffee shops-laundry mats-and hidden nic's and cranny's on campus will suffice my internet needs-but please excuse my slow updates.

Currently, I am in the finishing stages of my school wide unit lesson plan at Glenwood City Elementary school, titled The Giving Quilt Project. I will be hanging their show in the community in the week to come- with pictures to follow, pinky swear.

By: Clayton

Kindergarten Portrait Unit.
Clayton's attempt with guided instruction.
love it-

Footie Pajamas.

Halloween will be here before we know it, consider this inspiration. I'm not sure what is going on here, nevertheless I wish I still had the footie pajamas.

Threads

Close up of one pair of earrings, recycled beads from antique necklace and thread.

yer'ings

From time to time I've sold my jewelry at galleries, local shops, and farmer's markets... here are a few of my items. I hope to get an Esty site up and running in the near future.

letter to myself

a simple way of sorting my thoughts, and some imagined flowers

Journal Page

Following a lesson in non-objective painting, I gathered some of the discarded snippets from some of the students in the art barn to create these pages in my sketchbook. Interesting concept-maybe i'll return to this idea for a larger installation piece someday...

Creative Journaling

With limited supplies, time, and storage I began to create miniature works of art in my summer sketchbook, nothing special- just ideas, words, lists, images, paint, drawings, thoughts, poems, and drawings by the children I was teaching.

Recycled Wood Sculpture

This was produced by a 6-year old camper 

"His name is Mr. Cookie, and he has a mustache. "- Jessica

here are a few of my favorites...

Here are a few of my favorites from students this summer. Try and not smile- it's tough. Love 'em.

Ceramic Chicken Mug
Stoneware with a variety of low fire glazes.
Elementary Age Camper

summer 2010

This is the 'Art Barn' at Camp Towanda where I was employed for the summer. The camp is located in Pennsylvania about 13 miles from the NY boarder.  I resided in the art barn as an art specialist for about 8 weeks instructing children ranging in age from 6-16

tomatoes

Tomatoes breed like rabbits. simple needs, glorious results.

hello Wisconsin

What is better than garden fresh tomatoes in late summer? Not too much! I just got back to Wisconsin from a summer job out East,  what a beautiful sight to come home to.

e g g s

shot of egg forms 

tissue paper, coffee filters, glue, latex, coffee stain

nesting

“ We are all inherently biological “

Vines, Coffee Filters, Glue, Coffee, Liquid Latex, Clay

2010

Also part of the Rotten Orange exhibition, Excerpt from artist statement:

The vessel made of vines is representational of one lifecycle. From the moment we are born- we begin to age. Our biological hourglass begins at day one, in our fresh, full, inexperienced body. The eggs that have dropped from the vessel will never return, yet the vessel still holds a sufficient amount of eggs, or experiences to be had.

This was my first installation piece in a gallery exhibition. Again, turning my interests back to vessel making, I spent many days in my garage modeling bird nesting behaviors to create a wooden vessel. Similarly, spending many nights creating hallowed paper egg forms to fill the vessel to appropriate levels, and emerge onto the gallery floor.

wane

Wane
18 x 24 in
Mixed Media Monotype Collage
2010

Excerpt from my statement from The Rotten Orange exhibition where these prints were shown:

I have been dancing around the concept of aging, yet subconsciously admitting the basic theory into nearly everything I produce. This specific group of work has outlined my interests in lifecycles and aging of the human body.  My initial interests in the aging process of living organisms surfaced as a reaction to tending for a summer garden. As the primary caretaker to the small family of seedlings, I became sensitive to not only their needs, but also the transitions through their short-lived life. As the plants slowly waned in the fall, I found myself interested in comparing these small particles of life, to human life. Observing these organisms through their short lifecycle has humbled me to consider my own lifecycle. I am just another organism, aging everyday.

My commitment to this concept emerged while experimenting with the Monotype process, as an appropriate mode of transportation through its organic qualities. I have since stemmed into mixed media monotypes to illustrate ambiguous stages in a given lifecycle. I reference the skin commonly in my work as our outer shell, exposed to the elements and sensitive to care, consequently offering an honest biography of age. Beyond the influences of skin I have turned my attention to hair for it’s common associations with aging. I admit, I too neglect to fully understand the aging process. Cheers to that, as my studies proceed.

Decaying Plots

Decaying Plots
18 x 24
Mixed Media Monotype Collage

Monotypes

I took a win-term Monotype class last winter, and fell in love with it's process based, unpredictable qualities.  During the course I emphasized my interests in the aging process of living organisms. My interests in the Monotype process carried into the Spring when I did a series of Mixed Media Monotype collages for my senior exhibition, and a few other collaborative university sponsored shows. Here is one print from my series, Origin 18 x 24

cups on cups

Here are a few other cup "test tiles" that I experimented with while  dabbling in glaze recipes during my undergrad. I hope to turn my attention back to ceramic vessels when my situation permits- hopefully sooner rather than later.

concentration

My studio concentration of Ceramics was completed in January of 2010.  While studying glaze recipe development I created this little mistake, which turned out to be my favorite little tea bowl. More to come...

first blog post. ever.

Hi, I'm molly. I'm new to blogging.  I admit, I have literally been thinking about starting my blog for the past year, but hey better now than never right? I am currently student teaching in Wisconsin, where I also studied Art Education, dabbling in many different mediums and processes. I'd like to treat my blog as a place to store anything and everything that offers guidance to my creative journey through life. My next series of posts will serve as a recap on the past year.