One of the things we did today, was to talk about the photography of Craig Royal. Craig is legally blind but he takes amazing photographs of light and water. Here is just one of his images that we looked at today in class. I think Craig and his photographs are a wonderful example of "anything is possible"!

We are continuing our study of 2 point perspective. We have been practicing drawings shapes in both 1-point and 2-point perspective. This is a difficult concept for students to grasp, but we are working on it. We are also continuing our drawings of our city-scapes in 2-point perspective. The goal is to be finished by the end of the week!

Photo of the Week

This is the latest photo of the week submission.


It is called "Serenity" by Abigail Perez.

On of the sinks in my classroom is not draining properly lately. While this can be a source of frustration when it comes to clean up, it has also created some very pretty (but un-intentional) "sink art". During this Thanksgiving season when there is some many big problems surrounding us, I hope that you can stop and find beauty in the small things. Because sometimes can seem like a mess can turn into a work of art!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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The Reynolda House Museum of American Art
On Thursday of last week, my 3 art classes (50 students and 7 adults) went on a field trip to Reynolda House in Winston-Salem. And while the weather was gray and rainy, our spirits were not damped. We were split into 6 groups each with our own personal tour guides who told us all about the art, house, history and culture of Reynolda House and the Reynolds family. I was so proud of my students. They seemed to absorb the information like a sponge. Many of the tour guides commented on how well behaved the students were. And the tour guide of the group I was with said that it was the "smartest group she had ever given a tour to." You know I was beaming with pride when we left to head for lunch and then home.

Each tour guide had their own personal style for presenting the information about the house and art. Some focused mostly on the art while others added many details about the house and family. On Friday, using a PowerPoint I had created with images of the house, family, and artwork, we spent over 45 minutes in each class period sharing the information the tour guides had taught us. I was really, really impressed at how much the students we able to recall. And I think they enjoyed "showing off" what they had learn and hear other facts from classmates that supplemented what their tour guide had shared with them.

I was a great trip. And I would encourage anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to visit the museum to stop in for a visit the next time you are near Winston-Salem. And if you are looking for a good tour guide, I know 50 teenagers who could show you around the place!

We had a great time on our fieldtrip on Thursday! I will post more about it on Monday! Have a great weekend!

Tracking Student Progress

Today we practiced drawing and shading our hand with graphite pencil. I was really impressed with the progress I am seeing in a lot of students from August. Here are some nice examples.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

1. Warm-up: check signed newsletter

2. Skills practice: Shading with graphite pencils

3. Finish colored pencil section of drawing

4. Continue working on graphite section of drawing

5. Closing- discuss perspective in artwork

HOMEWORK:

· We will have a weekly sketchbook check on Friday. Draw one of the activities listed on the sketchbook activities page that you received today in class. Spend a minimum of 15-30 minutes working on your drawing. You may use any media and any style. Homework passes will be accepted.

Attention:

· Our fieldtrip to the Reynolda House Museum is on Thursday, Nov. 17^th! We will leave school at 7:15AM and return at 2:15 PM.

· You must have paid the $10 supply free for the class before you can go on the fieldtrip.

We have finished our 1-point perspective drawing of a railroad track. We are planning to draw a 2-point perspective drawing of a city. BUT perspective drawing requires a lot of precision and measurement, and we all agreed we needed a little break from that after our RR before we moved directly into our city. SO... last week we began our first still-life (a staple in any art class). This is a project that I really love because it combines both graphite and colored pencils. Here are some examples. As a class, we are all drawing the pumpkin still-life below.
Pumpkin still-life (still being worked on).
Still-life with flowers and vegetables.Copy of an advertisement from a catalog.
Still-life of strawberries.

Reminder: Our trip to Reynolda House is Thursday.
We will leave at 7:15 and return at 2:15.
Wear layers and comfortable clothes.
Bring money for a lunch at the food court of Hanes Mall.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

1. Warm-up: shade a form.

2. Flowmap for El Greco.

3. Shade still-life in graphite.

HOMEWORK:

Have a great weekend!

As promised here are two student examples of our railroad track drawing in 1 point perspective. Some thought it impossible, but everyone gave it their best effort. I think most students are proud and impressed with their own ability! I know I am. I am sorry the photo is sideways. I tried to rotate it. I just you'll just have to turn your head to view it correctly! Weird.Abby's RR
Amaris's RR

Also we had an art club meeting after school on Monday. We started making our hand-made books. Here are a couple of shots for the students working on their front and back covers. I'll be sure to include some photos of our books when we finish.
Jordan Jessica and Jordan
Jaime and Courtney
Tori and Hannah
Isa's "funny face"
Maria, Jennifer, Leticia, and Isa

Today we are finishing up our railroad in 1 point perspective! I hope to have some great photos for you on Wednesday.

Remember: no school on Tuesday or Friday of this week.

But...

We will have an art club meeting today after school. We will be making hand-made books. I hope to see you there.

Two Years in a Row!

Congrats to Kendall who is the winner of the 2012 NC Big Sweep T-shirt and Poster Contest (for the entire state of NC)! Kendall was presented with a certificate and a check for $100 on Wednesday during 4th period. Her design will be reproduced on the t-shirts and posters used to advertise for the NC Big Sweep in the spring of 2012. Great job Kendall. We are so proud of you!



p.s. This is the 2nd year in a row that a student from MPHS has won this contest. Let's see if we can do it again next year!

Our next art club meeting is Monday, November 7th.
We will be making hand-made books.
We will meet at 2:30 in Mrs. Highsmith's room,
and we will work until about 3:30pm.
All the supplies needed will be provided.
Once you learn how to make the books, the possibilities are endless!
Below are some examples of hand-made books.

Photo of the Week

"Fender" by Tori

This is the latest edition in our Photo of the Week series,
photographs taken by students in my classes.
This photograph has a unique viewpoint and great foreshortening.
Thanks for submitting it, Tori!

Pumpkin Carving with the art club is an annual tradition here at MPHS!

And we always have a blast!
Check out our pumpkins below.

Coral and MaddieTiffany and Courtney

Taylor

Hannah (I love the color of this pumpkin!)

Jordan
Savana and Leighanna