Preparing Surfaces

Today in art class we talked about preparing surfaces. Some artists take loads of time to prepare the surface for their artwork; sometimes they spend more time preparing their surface than they actually do drawing, painting or printing. Preparing your surface can truly enhance your artwork's overall effect...and the process can be very freeing and fun. Today we prepared two different surfaces; we created our own handmade scratch-paper as well as painted a watercolor background (to be used for a printing project next week). 

Make Your Own Scratch Paper:

1. Color an entire piece of paper using crayons [Press hard! (You might break a few)]        

2. Mix 1/5 dish detergent with 4/5 black tempera paint             

3. Using a foam brush, cover your colored paper completely with a layer of black paint/detergent

4. Let dry 

5. Scratch your image!                                                                         

                                                                                                       

First, we colored the entire paper using crayons

Next, we painted black on top and set it aside to dry

                           Here are some pictures of Mrs. Howard's class preparing their surfaces:

Yes, she was sent to the sink right away.

Beautiful liquid watercolor paintings

Here's our black tempera painting station and a few kids at work

Colchester District-Wide Art Show

I've been getting ready for our annual district-wide art show for these last few weeks. It's never easy to select artwork for these shows; so many students exhibit talent, creativity and imagination at this age. I've tried to represent as many artists as possible. Here's a list of UMS students who will be represented at this year's show, May 5-8 at the CHS gymnasium (Reception Night: Thursday, May 7th 6pm-8pm Refreshments Provided). I hope you'll attend:

2T Ben, Cole, Nabeeha, Shaina, Nicholas, Ruby, Alissa, Beatrice, Lilly, Darien, Julien
2D Ava, Adam, Mazie, Dylan, Josh, Mustafa, Caitlyn, Riley, Mackenzie, Vito, 
2H Carter, Ian, Joseph, Raiden, Madison, Holdyn, Bailey, Janosh, Jailee, Parker
2M Abigail, Teeghan, Halle, Juri, Laila, Emily F., Hannah

1K Mason, Sawyer, Payton, Piper
1H Tristan, Sophia, Brinlee, Autumn, Noah, Jackson, Lewis, Patience, Maddie
1B Giada, Ambrose, Madison, Maddox, Lila, Josh, Honora
1W Kate, Jillian D., Brody, Dylan, Juliette, Lucy

KC Parker, Sarah, Liam, Jackson, Zoey, Reece
KA Divine, Hannah, Roselynn, Sami
KH Eli, Sawyer, Allie, Addison, Caleb
KM Hunter, Aubrianna, Kayden, Riley, Lily, Ryann, Sierra, Aubrey

Video Demonstrations

Lately, I've been recording my demonstrations before class and using them during teaching. This has helped to be able to clarify things and point out important skills. It's been working out really well! Check out my latest video demonstration: Ms. Vella's Polar Bear Drawing Dmeonstration

2nd Grade Clay Coil Pots

Students in 2nd grade have created these stunning clay pots using the coil method. This was a huge challenge, but the students really stepped up to the plate. They are incredibly well done!

2015 Champlain Valley Regional Art Show

I just got back from hanging our student work at the Champlain Valley Regional Art Show. This exhibit is held every year at the University Mall in South Burlington and includes artwork by schools throughout the Champlain Valley. Artists represented range in age from kindergarteners to seniors in high school. There is such a great deal of variety in the works on display this year; please bring your friends and family to check it out! The Union Memorial School display is located near the Khol's entrance along with the rest of the Colchester School District.

Here is a list of UMS students with artwork on display in this year's show:

2nd Graders - Emily C., Emily F. Janosh, Zoe, Laila, Riley, Addyson, Adam, Shaina, Sierah
1st Graders - Aidan, Kelsey, Ryder, Kate, Freddie, Dylan, Joshua, Wyatt, Patience, Sophia
Kindergarteners - Anya, Leah, Owen, Hayden, Jackson, Anna (KH), George, Anna (KM), Reese, Sophie

 

Textured Paper-Making

One of my favorite illustrators, Eric Carle, has inspired me to continue work in collage. We made these stunning papers today using printmaking brayers, sponges, liquid watercolors, salt, texture rubbing plates and paint scrapers. The floor's still wearing a few visible swipes of paint, but I think the experience was well worth it. I can't believe how creative our students are! Although some of our papers were more successful than others, they'll all be useful and exciting next week when we start cutting them up to create our collages. Here's a video and some pictures of Mrs. Davis' class exploring these exciting materials. 

The Wonderful World of Clay

We've started January off using one of the most loved art materials of all: clay. We've been working on foundational hand-building skills, focusing on the pinch pot method. Students in Kindergarten have created pinch pots adorned with patterns and scratched drawings. 1st Graders have taken the pinch pot method even further, using its form to aid in creating mini-creatures such as mice, kittens and birds. 2nd graders will begin their clay project in the next two weeks. Stay tuned to see their creations...