Rhythmic Rings

Recycled art by the third graders! We rolled, and rolled..and rolled paper and created a collaborative recycled paper installation outside the art room. Each student created their own panel to contribute to the installation. Beyond the use of paper, we used tons and tons of recycled caps from old markers, glue sticks and recycled items from the lunch room. Nice junk sculpture 3rd Grade!

t.p TUBE art

I pre-chopped TONS of recycled t.p. tubes (thanks to all of the devoted recyclers in our community!) for this project during recycled art month in the art room. Then, the second graders arranged and rearranged the tube pieces into arrangements on mat boards. The second graders dipped one side of the ring into art paste and then attached it to the board. Next class period, they painted. Easy-peasy lemon squeezy.

Cork hOoks

Winter break has been a great time to catch up on DIY inventions that have been put on hold during the school year. I was in need of hooks in our kitchen for towels, aprons, etc.. so I did some digging in my collection of odd recycled objects and found a spool of old thick gaged wire, and some corks. Simply, drill a hole into the cork about 3/4 of the way through to stick the wire in. Finish the hook by making a swirl to hang from the wall. To make the towel bar drill all the way through the cork (about 5 or 6 corks) and string onto the wire like beads, leaving enough wire at each end to create a swirl to hang.  Easy, limited materials and time invested in these kitchen hooks!

Polka Dot Painting

As we begin "Pretty Polka-Dotted Pigs on Parade," the first graders spent their time in art class today painting polka dots using a variety of corks (small, large, various textures) and tempera paint on large sheets of colored construction paper. We talked about rhythm, movement, shapes and patterns before I let them go wild with the corks. As I talked with students and listened to conversation throughout the room, it was interesting to hear what they were seeing in the simple cork designs! One student discovered "roots" produced by the cork's printed texture in the paint.  Some saw globes, clouds, and rivers as the paint mixed on the paper, and others created objects in dots such as cats and castles. Polka dotting will continue during their next art class as many students didn't finish today, experiementation and converstation was a great use of our time.

Tree of Life (Part 2)

Third Grade: “Tree of Life” watercolor paintings. Part one: object printing with found objects and black paint (see previous post!) Part two: embellishing with an assortment of watercolors. I found glitter watercolors and metallic watercolors, both added great surface textures. Needless to say, but I’ll say it anyway…I’m yet to meet an elementary student who doesn’t enjoy a dab of glitter.

"Tree of Life" Step One: Object Printing

I really enjoy how this student divided up the space and created the root system!

Love the whimsical quality of this student example

The process

The theme this month in the Swallow Art Classroom is Nature. The Third Grade is focusing on the "Tree of Life" symbol and it's use around the world. First, we studied trees in many different forms through visuals from around the world. Then, the students were given a large selection of found objects to chose from...here are a few examples. WOW, this was messy. Following this project with the Third Grade, I sent a letter home to parents entitled "I'm not messy, I'm creative!... A disclaimer from the art room, we use washable materials and the paint should come out with a little extra scrubbing...!  It was nice to receive positive feedback from parents, such as "a messy day is a creative day in my mind"

Hummingbird Art Boutique: Gallery Opening

Tonight, April 9th from 6-9 PM there will be an art opening at the Hummingbird Art Boutique on Oakland Ave in Shorewood, WI.  Come to check out recycle-based art by local artists!

Paper Pulp Beads

Paper pulp made from newspaper and boiling water in a large kettle

Let the paper pulp sit for about one hour and then drain as much water as possible from the mixture. Next, roll the pulp into desired bead size using the palm of your hand.

WOW,  dinosaur eggs! Let the beads dry for about one week.

Once the beads have completely dried, you can paint them! I used some left over acrylic paint, but any paint will do (be resourceful!)

Again, let the beads dry....

Apply clear coating, such as the amazing modge podge! Lastly, drill holes to string the dino-egg beads. :)

Recycled Paper Beads

During my student teaching, I had the unique experience to teach a small class of all girls titled "Folk Art." This was a lot of fun and offered a new perspective to the art room. A lesson that I taught was "Recycled Paper Jewelry," Inspired by the women of Uganda. Here is a great website to check out for more information, images, and if you ever need a school fundraiser this is a great one! http://www.beadforlife.org/. The students were required to make a "set" consisting of 3 items. The girls were so creative! One student found some images of Andy Warhol and his work and made oblong Warhol earrings (the red necklace and earring set below.) Way to go girls! This was a great lesson to integrate culture as we as environmentally friendly art. Some good papers to use: wrapping paper! (those wrappings that you don't want to ruin by opening can now be turned into jewelry) magazines, newspaper, fibrous handmade paper, homework, sketchbook pages, letters, valentines... enjoy!