This year, we added a fun twist to our project and worked with clay to create amazing cat sculptures inspired by Laurel. In one lesson, we got hands-on with clay, experimenting with various tools and learning how to make slabs using a rolling pin. This practice helped us create our final pieces. Next, we'll fire them in the kiln. But this time, we've decided to use acrylic paints instead of glaze for a brighter look and more color options.
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After discussing with the Learning Support Department, we concluded that it would be a good idea to get some noise-cancelling headphones for the classroom. I initially purchased two pairs with a specific student in mind, but after introducing the headphones to the students, they were an instant success. I explained their purpose and demonstrated how to use them, leading to five students volunteering to try them out right away. The result was excellent, with absolute focus! Students in grades 6 and 7 selected their beloved artist and crafted a magnificent masterpiece. Can you take a guess at the chosen artist by the initial letter represented? The painting shown looks a lot like one of the artist's famous masterpieces.
We were delighted to welcome back the talented artists from Qinghai province for another amazing event. This time, they taught an exceptional workshop focused on the art of butter sculptures, which was attended by both parents and teachers. It provided a wonderful opportunity for community members to get to know this unique art form. The artists passionately shared their expertise and knowledge, offering a hands-on experience in crafting these intricate sculptures. It was especially gratifying to hear them talk about the deep cultural significance and the rich traditions behind their art. Their stories and skills brought a piece of Qinghai's vibrant culture to life, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
After the home classroom lesson of Ancient Greece, we got inspired to embark on a creative adventure in the Art room. We discussed Ancient Greek pottery techniques, styles, and historical context. Then, each student let their imagination run wild, designing their own unique pots. Instead of the usual clay, we decided to switch things up and use recycled cardboard and the magical technique of paper mache. Some opted for pure cardboard creativity, while others went for a round shape using balloons and a layer of paper mache. Here you can see a glimpse of the first two lessons.
Recently, our Grade 7 students took a dive into the vibrant world of street art, graffiti, stencil art, and of course, the enigmatic Banksy! We had some seriously deep discussions about art – the market, valuation, what qualifies as art, and what doesn't. After our art-philosophy session, these young creatives rolled up their sleeves and designed their very own stencils.
We had a blast experimenting with two different techniques. First, we made impressions with simple sponges, and then we unleashed the power of spray paint on the walls. It was a project that sparked tons of excitement and creativity. From Coca-Cola cans to fierce wolves and elegantly beautiful floral patterns, our students' imaginations knew no bounds. I wish I could've snapped more photos, but this project had us all on our toes! The artwork you see here is crafted by Jingmae, who goes by the name "Wolf." Her journey is quite remarkable. She joined us in Grade 5 without any prior art experience, and her confidence was a bit shaky at first. But fast forward to today, after a full year of dedication, I am proud to say that she has truly grown into a remarkable artist. Every year, we have students who, for various reasons, bid us farewell. This time around, it was Ben's turn to embark on a new adventure as his family relocated to a different country, right in the middle of the school year. While I always try my best to ensure they leave with a proper goodbye and their well-deserved art portfolios, sometimes it's not always possible. This year, unfortunately, was one of those times as Ben had to leave earlier than expected.
Before he set off on his new journey, Ben managed to leave a heartwarming surprise on my desk. It was an amazing drawing and a thoughtful note. Moments like these truly remind me of how fulfilling it is to do what I do. The connection we build with our students and the art they leave behind as a token of their time here is simply priceless. Paragraph. Haz clic aquí para editar. Exploring the vibrant world of Pop Art, we recently dived into the incredible legacy of the one and only Keith Haring! 🎨💫 After lively discussions about his life and iconic work, our creative sparks ignited. Using clay as our canvas, we embarked on an artistic adventure that has us grinning from ear to ear. Thanks to our trusty kiln, we're all set to unveil a masterpiece in the making. These clay tiles, once painted, are bound to be nothing short of spectacular! 🌈✨ Starting with sketches on paper, our students unleashed their inner artists and, armed with clay, brought their visions to life. The result? A breathtaking tapestry of creativity that's sure to leave a lasting impression. Stay tuned as we continue to infuse our Middle School artistry with the magic of inspiration! 🌟🖌️
In one our most recent projects, we delved into the fascinating world of musical instruments, collaborating closely with our music teacher. Together, we explored the history of our G7s favorite instruments. We engaged in thoughtful discussions, gathered recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, cork, and plaster among others. With these materials, we rolled up our sleeves and set out to craft our favorite instruments. From unique flutes, to violins, to groovy drums, to a real size bass!!! each creation showcased individual style and innovation. The application of plaster added that final touch of finesse to our artistic endeavors.
This is one of my favorite printing techniques and I believe one of the students' favorite as well. Here you can find some of the work of our 6th graders. We all love the wooden mannequin, so we were talking a bit in depth about still life and also motion in art. These wooden tools are just perfect, they are small enough to rest on a desk or tabletop and features jointed, adjustable segments that makes them ideal to create any kind of situation. Every year, we get to roll out the artistic red carpet for guest artists, and this time around, we hit the jackpot with not one, not two, but THREE amazing Tibetan artists! They graced our school with a fantastic Thangka workshop that left students, parents, and teachers beaming with joy.
Before we even picked up a paintbrush, we delved into the wonders of Tibet and the mesmerizing world of Thangka. This art form is so incredibly relaxing; It's been used for centuries in meditation, it really works like a charm. Everyone loved the experience – parents, teachers, and, of course, our talented students. We enjoyed it so much that we're already clearing space in our calendar for next year, eagerly anticipating their return. Working in Middle School with new techniques and materials. After discussion about the art of sculpting and introducing a number of master in the art of sculpting we work on our very own piece.
Last week was international week and each one of us talked about our home countries. I am from Spain and I am so proud of the fine art, artists and rich art history we have. We had lessons about Picasso, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, and of course the one and only Antoni Gaudí. They all are very eclectic artists, so with Grade 7&8 we decided to get into deeper discussion with Gaudí and his magical landscapes. In one of those magical places, Parc Güell, you can find the iconic lizard. After discussing life and work of Gaudí, we got hands on work. Here's just a sneak peak. WIP
We just built a color wheel clock! After discussing in depth about the color wheel and the relation between the colors, we came up with this idea! We always try to link the art lessons with what's going on in the student's home classroom and personally this is one of my favorite lessons. We get to talk about Early Humans and their cave art! Here our very own!
Jingmae playing around making backgrounds for a project.
Jingmae never had art before, she was a bit shy at first and not very confident. As you can see now she's getting better and better doing her thing. She became a perfectionist great artist ! What do you think about her foam painting? Big day yesterday. We held the Annual Art Show where every single student shows one artwork done during this school year. It was good fun, excellent weather, no rain, no wind, simply perfect! If you scroll down you will see a timelapse that shows you the 3 hours and a half that lasted the show in just 26 seconds. Grade 7s learned about Jasper Johns work on the last project of the year. Each student made one stencil with one number (Included one Pi number) and then they exchanged them to create their very own piece of art.
This is one of the few lessons that we repeat over the years, so much to talk about in here, Kimmy Cantrel, Picasso, Africa, recycling...
Grade 4 were studying the wonders of Ancient Greece. Last year we made some mosaic this year working on paper mache Greek vases
6th graders were learning about Neolithic back in their home classroom. After seeing this oportunity we connected both curriculums, art and home room. This is what we came up with. We ended up having a small competition to see whose arrow were shoot the further ! We are very excited as we recently bough a beautiful kiln where we can fire a significant amount of clay together. These awesome coins are the second batch we fired you can check them in the video below! It's time for a fresh mural! The previous one has graced our wall for a full 2 years, and frankly, that's far too long. It's time for a change! Our inspiration struck after diving into the world of M.C. Escher and Optical art.
6th graders learned about the Great Seurat and Pointillism! June came up with a new art movement... Fingerism! (check the video below) |
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December 2023
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