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Watch this short video. Then, look through the slideshow below to view some images of the spiral patterns that occur in nature. Observe these shapes and forms. What is similar or different about them. What else do you notice. What other thoughts do you have about them.
Watch this short video. Then, look through the slideshow below to view some images of the spiral patterns that occur in nature. Observe these shapes and forms. What is similar or different about them. What else do you notice. What other thoughts do you have about them.
Week 1:
Week 1:
Returning and Centering
Returning and Centering
We ended our year together by growing close, through shared experience, but separately. We spent our summers apart and now, finally we are returning. What does it mean to return, to come back together? And how do we adjust if this new year looks a lot different?
We ended our year together by growing close, through shared experience, but separately. We spent our summers apart and now, finally we are returning. What does it mean to return, to come back together? And how do we adjust if this new year looks a lot different?
This month, as we come back together we will be exploring the spiral. A spiral is a line or a shape (or, if three-dimensional, a form), that communicates something about returning, and about going out (expanding), about remembering and changing. It circles into the center and away from the center, symbolizing balance and growth. We are all coming back together but we have each changed and grown a little in our time apart.
This month, as we come back together we will be exploring the spiral. A spiral is a line or a shape (or, if three-dimensional, a form), that communicates something about returning, and about going out (expanding), about remembering and changing. It circles into the center and away from the center, symbolizing balance and growth. We are all coming back together but we have each changed and grown a little in our time apart.
Element of the Month: Shape/Form
Element of the Month: Shape/Form
Shape and form are related. A shape is flat, like a circle or square drawn on a piece of paper. A form is three dimentional. It takes up space. If a square shape is drawn in three dimentions it becomes the form of a cube. When a circle shape becomes a form it is a sphere.
Shape and form are related. A shape is flat, like a circle or square drawn on a piece of paper. A form is three dimentional. It takes up space. If a square shape is drawn in three dimentions it becomes the form of a cube. When a circle shape becomes a form it is a sphere.
Shape and Form of the Month
Shape and Form of the Month
There are many examples of spirals in Nature. Where can you find a spiral. Draw or take a picture of one you find.
There are many examples of spirals in Nature. Where can you find a spiral. Draw or take a picture of one you find.
Artist of the Month
Artist of the Month
Andy Goldsworth uses natural objects, most often out in nature to create works of art that reflect the environments where he works. Here is one of his works of art that uses the form of a spiral.
Andy Goldsworth uses natural objects, most often out in nature to create works of art that reflect the environments where he works. Here is one of his works of art that uses the form of a spiral.
Please consider the four (4) items on this checklist when you make any new work of art! Sometimes your art may purposefully not have color, but even if it does not, it will have contrast, shading, value or tints and shades. And therefore it will be "full". In this case you can substitute the word full for colorful.
Please consider the four (4) items on this checklist when you make any new work of art! Sometimes your art may purposefully not have color, but even if it does not, it will have contrast, shading, value or tints and shades. And therefore it will be "full". In this case you can substitute the word full for colorful.
gwx-kgsd-nex (2020-09-07 at 14:45 GMT-7)How to Make a Spiral!
How to Make a Spiral!
20200909_102841.mp4Asher shares his spiral zentangle technique.
Asher shares his spiral zentangle technique.
Simple spiral zentangle
Simple spiral zentangle
Another spiral zentangle
Another spiral zentangle
Art Menu (Week 1):
Art Menu (Week 1):
Sketch Journaling for Self Discovery:
Sketch Journaling for Self Discovery:
Each week in September you will choose at lease one topic and create an entry in your art journal. Please think ahead about which interest you the most. You may always do more entries in your journal if you choose. Remember to name and date your work (on an edge or in a corner). You can even give it a title if you like.
Each week in September you will choose at lease one topic and create an entry in your art journal. Please think ahead about which interest you the most. You may always do more entries in your journal if you choose. Remember to name and date your work (on an edge or in a corner). You can even give it a title if you like.
by Alexander Calder
1) Create an entry in your art Journal of your own work of art which uses a spiral or spirals. This entry could be inspired by any of the photographs or paintings on this webpage but remember these works of art are resources to learn from. Your goal is to create your own work of art. In your sketchbook, answer this question. What does the spiral in your artwork mean to you?
1) Create an entry in your art Journal of your own work of art which uses a spiral or spirals. This entry could be inspired by any of the photographs or paintings on this webpage but remember these works of art are resources to learn from. Your goal is to create your own work of art. In your sketchbook, answer this question. What does the spiral in your artwork mean to you?
2) How do you feel about returning to school this year? Create a drawing which helps to describe how you feel about returning to school. What colors and shapes express your emotions. What word or words could you add to the picture to help express yourself. Will you use abstract or realistic shapes to share your feelings. Will it represent a real time and place or an imaginary one.
2) How do you feel about returning to school this year? Create a drawing which helps to describe how you feel about returning to school. What colors and shapes express your emotions. What word or words could you add to the picture to help express yourself. Will you use abstract or realistic shapes to share your feelings. Will it represent a real time and place or an imaginary one.
3) List Your Gratitudes (the things you are thankful for) and Surround them with drawings, patterns or colors which express Joy. Can you make this list or the surrounding drawings in a spiral?
3) List Your Gratitudes (the things you are thankful for) and Surround them with drawings, patterns or colors which express Joy. Can you make this list or the surrounding drawings in a spiral?
Week 2:
Week 2:
Artists Who Have Used Spirals
Artists Who Have Used Spirals
Artistic Habit of Mind: Observation
Artistic Habit of Mind: Observation
This month we will be focusing on our observation skills. To observe is to pay attention to visual information more closely than ordinary "looking" and to see things you might otherwise not see. I would like you to look at one of the paintings on this page and to see what you can observe.
This month we will be focusing on our observation skills. To observe is to pay attention to visual information more closely than ordinary "looking" and to see things you might otherwise not see. I would like you to look at one of the paintings on this page and to see what you can observe.
How does your chosen photo or artwork make you feel? What do you notice? What makes you say that? What does it bring to mind?
How does your chosen photo or artwork make you feel? What do you notice? What makes you say that? What does it bring to mind?
Rain by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
by Alexander Calder
Spiral Transit by Remedios Varo
The Tree of Life, 1905 by Gustav Klimt
Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson This is a large piece of land art created in the water in Utah.
by Georgia O'keeffe
Reed Aloud of a book based on the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh
A Song About Vincent Van Gogh. You could play this while you work.
Exploring a Starry Night: Appropriate for 5th and 6th grade
Art Menu (Week 2):
Art Menu (Week 2):
4) Imagine that you travel into one of the paintings above. Draw a picture from your perspective of being in this image looking around or looking out.
4) Imagine that you travel into one of the paintings above. Draw a picture from your perspective of being in this image looking around or looking out.
5) What objects from nature can you find that contain a spiral shape. Draw a few of these shapes in your art journal and write about what you noticed when you "observed" them closely.
5) What objects from nature can you find that contain a spiral shape. Draw a few of these shapes in your art journal and write about what you noticed when you "observed" them closely.
6) Using any drawing medium, including a computer drawing program, a spirograph drawing tool, even collage, create a work of art depicting a spiral.
6) Using any drawing medium, including a computer drawing program, a spirograph drawing tool, even collage, create a work of art depicting a spiral.
7) Compose a piece of music or a poem that shares your understanding of and feelings about spirals in art and nature.
7) Compose a piece of music or a poem that shares your understanding of and feelings about spirals in art and nature.
This symbol has held many meanings. "Some of these connotations include: life-death-rebirth, spirit-mind-body, mother-father-child, past-present-future, power-intellect-love and creation-preservation-destruction to name but a few." (Source)
This symbol has held many meanings. "Some of these connotations include: life-death-rebirth, spirit-mind-body, mother-father-child, past-present-future, power-intellect-love and creation-preservation-destruction to name but a few." (Source)
Week 3:
Week 3:
Ancient Use of Spirals
Ancient Use of Spirals
Spirals have been used in ancient symbols found in a variety of locations. One example is the triskelion or triskeles.
Spirals have been used in ancient symbols found in a variety of locations. One example is the triskelion or triskeles.
"This is a motif consisting of a triple spiral exhibiting rotational symmetry. The spiral design can be based on interlocking Archimedean spirals, or represent three bent human legs. The triple spiral symbol, appears in many early cultures, the first in Malta (4400–3600 BCE) and in the astronomical calendar at the famous megalithic tomb of Newgrange in Ireland built around 3200 BCE,[10] as well as on Mycenaean pottery." (Source)
"This is a motif consisting of a triple spiral exhibiting rotational symmetry. The spiral design can be based on interlocking Archimedean spirals, or represent three bent human legs. The triple spiral symbol, appears in many early cultures, the first in Malta (4400–3600 BCE) and in the astronomical calendar at the famous megalithic tomb of Newgrange in Ireland built around 3200 BCE,[10] as well as on Mycenaean pottery." (Source)
Art Menu (Week 3):
Art Menu (Week 3):
5) Create a design inspired by the triskelion that uses multiple spirals. For the 6 spiral drawing here I used some of the charcoal I made in a fire.
5) Create a design inspired by the triskelion that uses multiple spirals. For the 6 spiral drawing here I used some of the charcoal I made in a fire.
8) Using objects from nature create a sculpture or collage inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. Include at least one spiraling line, shape or form. Document it with a photo or a sketch in your journal. Write in your art journal an answer to the question; What does this work of art mean to you?
8) Using objects from nature create a sculpture or collage inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. Include at least one spiraling line, shape or form. Document it with a photo or a sketch in your journal. Write in your art journal an answer to the question; What does this work of art mean to you?
9) Using some type of natural pigment (color making material) create a drawing or painting including or containing spirals. Examples: You could use charcoal on a rock or paper, you could use mud, or coffee, or crushed flowers (with permission). What can you think of?
9) Using some type of natural pigment (color making material) create a drawing or painting including or containing spirals. Examples: You could use charcoal on a rock or paper, you could use mud, or coffee, or crushed flowers (with permission). What can you think of?
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