FEB 26

Love Mug

Students began by creating layered hearts using chalk pastel rubbings, gently blending colors to explore softness and warmth. They rubbed pastel over textured surfaces to build rich patterns and then layered multiple heart shapes to form a nurturing backdrop. Next, students drew hands and a mug using oil pastels, focusing on bold outlines and color blending to make the shapes stand out against the soft pastel background. A cardboard roll was added to the mug to create a 3-D relief, giving the artwork depth and making the mug feel like it is coming forward from the surface. Finally, students added heart-shaped steam rising from the mug, symbolizing warmth, kindness, and comfort. Through this process, students practiced layering, blending, texture rubbing, and combining 2-D and 3-D materials to create a comforting image of “love in a mug” meant to soothe a soul. 💛🎨

Submission for P.S Art

Fifth grade students requested more drawing-based projects to help them improve their drawing skills. Using reference images of bicycles, they carefully planned their compositions by dividing their paintings into foreground, middle ground, and background. Students added environmental details to give clues about the season their bike was traveling through, such as blooming trees, falling leaves, or snow. I introduced basic color theory concepts, including how to create tints and how to make unsaturated colors by mixing complementary colors. Students mixed their own tones rather than using colors straight from the palette. Finally, they outlined key parts of their paintings to give the images greater clarity and definition, helping the bicycles stand out within their seasonal landscape.

Year of the Horse 🐎

Kindergarten students created mixed-media Lunar New Year Horses using collage and simple construction techniques. Students began by color blocking their horses with felt pieces, first exploring how pre-cut scraps could fit together like a puzzle before cutting additional shapes as needed. They looked at reference images to choose and design the horse’s eye to give their animal expression. To create movement and texture, students added paper loops for the mane, selecting bright colors and arranging them to show flowing hair. Students also practiced cultural connections by writing the Chinese character for “horse” in red calligraphy, a color associated with luck and celebration. This project encouraged problem solving, texture exploration, and creative composition.

Self-contained kindergarten students explored printmaking and texture to create their Lunar New Year horse artworks. They began by using patterned brayers and stamps to build a vibrant, layered background. Students then worked with burlap cutouts to form the horse, exploring how this textured material can represent the body. For the mane, they added burlap strips and frayed edges, creating a natural, hair-like effect. Finally, students selected and placed an eye to give their horse expression and personality. Through printmaking, collage, and texture, students created bold and tactile works of art.

Ramadan Fanoos: Exploring Light Through Mixed Media (K–2)

Students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade explored the beauty and symbolism of fanoos (Ramadan lanterns)—objects that light up the night during the holy month of Ramadan. Through two different artistic approaches, students learned how artists use materials to create the effect of glowing light. Each artwork reflects a personal interpretation of warmth, celebration, and illumination during Ramadan.

SC 2nd grade Collage & Bleeding Tissue Paper (Left Image)

Self-contained 2nd grade students began by outlining a large fanoo shape using bold black marker (Sharpies). Inside the lantern, they layered bleeding tissue paper, allowing colors to overlap and blend when water was applied. This process created rich, vibrant color transitions that mimic the soft glow of lantern light. Students explored color mixing, texture, and placement while developing fine motor skills through tearing and arranging tissue pieces.

K-1 Bilingual class

Wax Resist with Tempera Cakes (Right Image)

In a parallel process, students used crayons and tempera cake paints to create a wax resist effect. After drawing their fanoo and adding a central candle, students pressed firmly with crayon to define details and patterns. They then painted over their drawings with tempera cakes, watching as the wax resisted the paint. Special attention was given to keeping the candle area bright, helping to emphasize the illusion of light glowing from within the lantern.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

In celebration of Black History Month, 2nd grade students created expressive self-portraits inspired by the work and purpose of Jean-Michel Basquiat. After a read-aloud about his life, students discussed how he used art to express his thoughts, identity, and experiences, even through challenges. Focusing on the idea that what’s on the inside matters most, students layered paper and oil pastel, working back and forth to build their portraits. They were encouraged to draw loosely and trust their instincts—making marks freely and responding in the moment. This process helped students embrace creativity, take risks, and create meaningful, personal artwork.

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