Positive Power Phrase Project

Positive Power Phrase

approximately 1.5 - 2 blocks (about 3 - 4 hours)

Goals for our project.

    • Understand how art can be used to express emotion, to communicate, and to influence the world around us

    • Apply your knowledge of watercolor technique to a project

Essential Standard: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to create art. VA:Cr2.3.7

Overview:

Art and literature are two powerful ways that people can express themselves. For this project, you will design a "positive power phrase" that can help you get through those days when you may need a boost. You will use watercolor and other media to enhance your message.

Examples of pieces that mix art and phrases well.

. . .

    • How did you feel when school went to remote learning in November?

    • What helped you get through being at home when we were remote?

    • What things were you concerned about coming back to school this fall?

    • What would you miss most if we end up remote again?

    • Who do you go to when you need support?

    • What makes you the happiest these days?

    • What do you do to help boost your mood when you are having a bad day?

Example:

When we went to remote learning back in November I ... It was really hard for me to...

When we were remote it helped by a lot that ...

standards for examples that are well done:

  1. they fill the page

  2. they are colorful

  3. the phrase is sometimes in the art, sometimes around the art

  4. the words are not just in the middle

  5. the font for the lettering is used to help enhance the message

  6. lettering is NEAT and legible

  7. the design and the words are both used to carry the message

  8. Use of media shows high degree of craftsmanship (it looks neat, it looks like they know how to use the media)

Let’s find your power phrase!

Step 1: Journal entry. Writing can help us to go deeper in our thinking and create messages with deeper significance. For this assignment, you will write a minimum of a half page entry answering at least 3 of the following prompts. Be sure to include the prompt in your entry. (about 20 - 30 minutes)

Step 2: Empathy Map. Creating an empathy map can help you to come up with images that can be added to your piece and it can help to refine your thinking for the product you want to create. Get out a sheet of scratch paper, and get ready to work along with the video below. Your topic: things that lift your spirit. (about 20 - 30 minutes)

Step 3: Search for themes and overlapping thoughts between your journal entry and your empathy map. What items do you see overlapping or repeating? How can you use those things to design your project? What items might you want to draw or include in your piece?

Step 4: Get your power phrase! Either write your own, based on your idea development, or do a search for inspirational phrases. Remember, if you use someone else's phrase, you need to give credit to the author.

Step 5: Watch the following video. Then, on a piece of sketch paper, make a plan. Draw a loose sketch of what you might include in your project, including themes, subject matter and ideas for color. (10 - 15 minutes)

Project: Combine your ideas and thoughts into a Positive Power Phrase poster.

    • You will use a 9 x 12 piece of watercolor paper.

    • Incorporate a positive phrase, color, and subject matter/design to communicate your ideas.

  • Revisit the examples and standards above as you plan and execute your work.

  • Find just the right font, and practice your text before you start your painting.

  • You must include at least 3 watercolor techniques in your painting.

  • Your words must be clear and easy to read.

  • Use watercolor for your primary media, adding additional media to refine your work.

Turn in: Find the Positive Power Phrase slideshow. Add your work from activities 1- 3 to the slideshow, along with a photo of your finished project. Make sure your photos are clear and centered, with no shadow on the work.