Getting Back into the Groove

Loving this:

Fall After School Opportunity

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. I just got an email from the amazing Textile Arts Center regarding their fall after school programs. It sounds awesome!! Here is the copy:

We agree: the Summer is too short. But we're winding down from a great season of Summer Camp and gearing up for the Fall's AfterSchool Textiles program:

On Mondays and Thursdays from 3-6PM, your child can spend the afternoon with us!

The year will be broken down to two semesters: September - December, and January - June.

Children will be broken into two groups, alternating between Weaving and Surface Design, with aach semester culminating in a large, group public art project!

3PM Pick up from PS 321, PS 372, and PS 58

3-4PM: Snack & homework

4-6PM: Textile Projects

6PM: Pick up

This past school year was a success, and we look to have a fantastic year ahead!

To kick off the year, we're having an end-of-summer promo:

Sign up for the full year of afterschool from between 8/16-8/20, one or two days per week, and receive 15% off!

If you are not convinced, join us for an AfterSchool Open House on Sunday August 29, 2-4PM

You can also check out all the fun from Summer Camp on our facebook or flickr account!

We hope you enjoy the rest of Summer!

505 Carroll Street, 11215 | (718) 369-0222 | info@textileartscenter.com

oh my goodnesss, oh my goodness!

Can you believe the year has ended!? I surely slacked on the blog in all of the end of the year mayhem and excitement, but I plan on putting up some photos in the next week or so. Thanks to everyone for all of your support and enjoy your summer!
xo
MK

Observational Drawing

First and second graders are practicing observational drawing. We talked about how observation means to look at something closely, so observational drawing is to look at something closely and draw what you see. We also talked about how artists can get frustrated by trying to make their drawing look exactly like what they observing, but it is more important to try your best and include as many details as you can. Sometimes it looks more interesting as a drawing if it doesn't look exactly like real life. Lukas in 2nd grade said that it is more important that you put your artistic spirit into it. I like that.

So first graders looked at drawings of fish by Hokusai and Munari. We tried to guess which artist worked from observation and guessed that it was Hokusai because he included more details. Students then used sharpie to draw a fish from observation. We worked from rubber reproductions of fish that show tons of detail.
Next, they incorporated details from their imagination about where the fish would live. Most artists made under the sea scenes:

But some artists had other ideas:

See the final results on display next week on the second floor. Great work!

Second graders have begun practicing drawing bugs from observation of photos. We will be taking these skills to a whole new level to create drawings inspired by one of my favorite movies:

Get excited!

Here are some photos of second graders working on practice sketches:

Weaving

Fourth graders are almost done with weaving! Look for their pieces on display in the lobby in June. Here is an example of how one student turned her woven fabric into a fashion accessory!

Kid With A Camera!

Don't forget to participate in the annual Kid With a Camera exhibition! There is still time to submit photos, just remember that you must submit a printed photo, not just a jpeg. Click the poster to enlarge and see all the info.

May Newsletter

I can't believe it is May! Here is what's happening:

Studio 220 Newsletter: May 2010

First Grade: First graders are continuing on their sculpture unit and have moved on to creating sculptures with found materials and assemblage. Students are looking at the work of Louise Nevelson. We are exploring how sculptures can have a limited amount of colors so the focus is on form. We are also figuring out how you can transform 3D sculpture into 2D. Check out the blog for our explorations.

Second Grade: Second graders are working on an observational and imaginative drawing unit. We are exploring the different ways that an artist can make drawings and trying to see what happens when they are combined. We will be looking at the work of a number of contemporary artists who focus on drawing and experiment with a number of media. Students will work with pencil, charcoal and ink.

Third Grade: Third graders are creating collages of landscapes and dreamscapes. We are looking at what makes a piece of art a landscape. We are looking at the work of artists including Esther Pearl Watson and David Hockney to see how artists draw inspiration from a place and also add elements of their imagination.

Fourth Grade: Fourth graders are finishing up their weaving unit. We have been considering how color choices are as important in weaving as they are in painting. Students are considering what colors contrast and what colors blend together. Next, we will be moving onto a clay unit.

Fifth Grade: Fifth graders are working on collograph self-portrait prints. We have been studying portraiture and students are experimenting with how collograph painting is different than drawing.

Don’t forget to visit the art blog: www.megankimball.blogspot.com for photos and up to the minute details of what we are working on!

As always, I am in need of baby wipes! Any donations are much appreciated!

Megan Kimball

From 3D to 2D

A few weeks ago when Anna, our student teacher from NYU, was teaching sculpture, a first grader said that you could make a 3D sculpture 2D again by taking a picture of it. Brilliant! We have been playing with this idea a lot in 1-211 and 1-215. Students took their relief sculptures and made 2D representations of them with observational drawing. They then took those drawings and transformed them into something from their imagination.

Yesterday, students used LEGOs to create a collaborative sculpture. We made sure to turn the base half way through so that all artists could work on each side. They then used the same technique as with their relief to create drawings of their work. We realized that even though four people were drawing the same sculpture, each drawing would be different because they are looking at a different side of the piece.

Great work!

Painted Paper Projects

Spring is the time for painted paper collage in Studio 220!

There are a few different projects happening, but here is a look at what Ms. Rippe's 2/3 class and third graders are working on!

Ms. Rippe's class has been thinking about texture and how you can create texture with color and shape on paper. They have been looking at the work of Brooklyn artist Kim Scafuro for inspiration and noticed that she uses painted paper to collage animals. Students created a ton of painted textures and colors and then used them to begin to make an animal. In the next few weeks, we will be creating a background for our creatures.

work by Kim Scafuro

collage beginnings!

I will post the final projects when they are finished.

Third graders are also working on painted paper collage. We are learned about color families and used brushes to create pieces of paper with various textures with colors from our chosen color family. The following week, we had some fun using bubbles to paint on paper. Next, we will take the paper we have created and create imaginary landscape collages!

bubble painting result and process

We got a ton of interesting textures to use in our collages. Check back for the results!

First Grade Sculpture

First graders began a paper sculpture unit by using strips of paper to create 3D pieces of art. We explored how 2D and 3D art pieces are alike and different. Students were challenged to create a sculpture using a material we usually use for 2D art. Each student was given a number of paper strips and a base. They then used a glue stick and simple techniques like bending, folding and twisting to create their sculpture. While they worked, students were instructed to turn their base so that they would always be looking at their sculpture from all sides. Check out what they came up with:

First graders are now working with cardboard and recycled materials to create sculptures inspired by Lee Bontecou and Louise Nevelson. Here is a sneak peak: