Words that POP!

 Keeping with my modern art theme 4th and 5th graders learned about the American Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) and his comic book style of art.  We also talked about onomatopoeia (a 4th and 5th grade ELA connection).  I originally got this idea from the blog, There's a Dragon in the Art Room.  I showed the students examples if Lichtenstein's art and we discussed the ways they look like comics and the scale of his art.  Then I showed his art that focused on using words, like the painting Whaam! and we discussed how the words made us feel and other examples of words to use. I also found a clip from the 1960's Batman TV series which show the action words! After writing the block letters students began painting with primary colors.  It's amazing the variations with just using the 3 colors and black.  Another day we looked at comics with magnifying glasses, discussed Ben day dots and how to make nice dots, then kept painting.  Later we outlined the words to really POP off the paper!

   Here is a great video from CBS Sunday Morning - It is an interview with his son and is a great introduction to how Lichtenstein grew from being called America's Worst Artist to record auction sales.

Magritte Cloud Collage

How does a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds make you feel?

In preparation for next summers renovations I have been cleaning out materials that have been stored in the closet for years, many have been here before I arrived 8 years ago!.  The art room receives some interesting donations...I found a roll of blue sky and clouds wall paper and I of course thought of the Belgium surrealist artist Rene Magritte (1898-1967).  As a class we discussed surrealism and I introduced some of Magritte's art focusing on his symbols: clouds, bowler hats, birds, green apples, umbrellas and pipes. We also talked about the humor in some of the artworks like Magritte's famous painting  "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" ("This is not a pipe"). We made a watercolor background and collages of symbols, some like Magritte and some original.  

Alma Thomas inspired collage

  

First graders learned about Georgia born artist and educator Alma WoodseyThomas (1891-1978). She was a pioneer for African American women in fine art. 

 Thomas is best known for her nature inspired abstract color block paintings of from the 60-70s. 

Students created torn paper collages in the style of her painting The Eclipse with an emphasis

on the colors of the rainbow.  When dry they were cut into circular shapes and look great

displayed in our new hall!