Weekly Assignment 6

May 11-15

HOME

There's No Place Like Home

"There's no place like home, There's no place like home." Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz uttered this repeatedly as a way to find her way home. Unlike Dorothy, we have all been home. For weeks. We might utter something different if we could. "There's no place like the theater, there's no place like the theater", or There's no place like Get Air, There's no place like Get Air." For some of us, home is a feeling that we carry within us, perhaps because we long for a home, or have a vision of HOME than is different than our current situation. HOME and all of its meaning is a powerful word that conjures up many feelings. Art is powerful when it can evoke emotion.

This week I'd like you to focus on HOME. And I've got some great options for you. The first is to create a HOME from cardboard. Yes! Cardboard again! That handy dandy recycled paper product that you can find just about anywhere. Check out the art and slideshow on the left, and then using your home or your idea of home as inspiration, go ahead and create your own home. The second option is for extra credit. Go ahead and find objects from your home and create the individual letters of the word H O M E. Line them up and then snap a photo of the word- HOME. Then, send me the photo.

My plan is to collect your cardboard houses and put them all together into one large piece that represents HOME. Then, we will raffle off our HOME ART. The proceeds we make will be donated to COTS. (Committee on Temporary Shelter) Feel free to get inspired and add details that might not be there. Feel free to cut out a window and add a photo of yourself looking out and hoping for the pandemic to be over. Check out the street artist, Evol and use his cardboard house art to inspire your own.

Email me when you are finished with your cardboard home and I will come pick it up.

Email me a photo of your word HOME.

Email me if you need cardboard!

Happy Week 9 of the Pandemic!

Join our Google Hangout - Monday 2:00-2:30

Weekly Assignment 5

May 4-May 8

My Life During the Pandemic

Portrait Project

There are times in life that are so potent, so unusual, so significant that it is important to document them. This is one of those times. There has not been a pandemic in over 100 years and never in our lifetime has life shut down the way it is right now. This is a remarkable and notable moment. This week's assignment is provides an opportunity to capture YOU at this moment in time. You have been home for seven weeks now and life has changed. Using the photographer Gregg Segal as our inspiration we will be taking portraits of ourselves this week. His portraits are powerful and capture reality in a rich visual way.

Take a look at the slide show to the left for details and step by step directions for this week's assignment. I can't wait to see your portraits!

Remember -

1. Email me if you have questions!

2. Our Google Meet is on Mondays from 2:00-2:30. Check your email for the code!

Weekly Assignment 3

April 13-17

Faces

Welcome to week 3 of online art assignments! A big shout out to those of you who did the Layered Organic Shape Drawing! If you haven't yet sent me a photo of your drawing, please email it to me so I can post it. Also, send me a photo of your Coronavirus Art. I'm still collecting them - so send them my way. Better late than never! Your coronavirus art is pretty awesome.

I've created a student gallery on this site. Go check it out here.

This week begins the first week when art assignments in exploratories are no longer optional. All exploratory teachers will be expecting you to do the assignments by Friday of that same week. We are making the assignments short and engaging, so stay with us! ART is so good for you! It's fun, makes you happy, and adds a bit of joy and spirit to your day.

Our third assignment is all about face MASKS!

As you know - the Center for Disease Control urged Americans to wear cloth face masks in public to prevent the spread of the virus. Many people have been sewing colorful cloth face masks for themselves, as well as for others who need them. This is such a caring response and a smart way to do our part in flattening the curve. This got me thinking about masks. Masks have been a part of the human experience for centuries. The use of masks in rituals or ceremonies is a very ancient human practice across the world and masks continue to play a role in our lives today.

Take a look a the work of artist Kimmy Cantrell. He's a self taught artist who has been creating the most beautiful masks for many years and he is inspiring.
Check out the youtube video before you begin. Then:

Part 1

Watch the Youtube video The Art of Kimmy Cantrell. Then, gather your materials. You will need scrap paper, a pencil. cardboard scraps (any kind of cardboard will do) , a pair of scissors, glue, and crayons, or markers, or paint, or oil pastels.

Part 2

Create a sketch of your idea - draw it out first. Sketches are important because they help you get your ideas flowing and give you something to play with as you work. You can change your idea as you go. Artists always do. Trust your intuition and follow your gut.

Part 3

Play with shapes....see the idea sheets below. Start by coming up with a head shape. Then play with different shapes for the other facial features. Find shapes that make you smile and make your heart sing. Layering shapes makes the mask even better, so think of shape layers as you plan.

Part 4

Draw, cut and arrange your facial parts. Once you've decided on your arrangement, go ahead and glue them down. Let them dry.

Part 5

These look great just in brown cardboard, but for an extension - add color.

Part 6

Email me a photo of your finished mask.

Part 7

Relax! Smile! Feel proud of yourself.

Tip: No cardboard boxes in your house? Use empty food boxes, like cereal boxes.