Cartooning Around in 2-Point Perspective and a Little Howard Finster Folk Art

Don't you just love Jessie from Toy Story?  She is one of my favorites.  This cool watercolor painting is also one of my favorites.  The details are pretty amazing.

So how did this project come to be?  Well, I just happened to see this picture hanging in my house.  I thought that it would make a good project for 8th grade.  I was interested in incorporating some two point perspective in the 8th Grade project.   Also, I always like to talk about Georgia folk artist, Howard Finster.  Click HERE for more posts on Howard Finster.  I chose to focus on two point perspective rather than the folk art aspect..

Directions:

I spent a few days reviewing two point perspective.

I explained to the students that we were not doing a folk art lesson, but we were focusing on an idea similar to the one that Howard Finster had in his Mickey Mouse painting.  I did require them to do at least one building in two point perspective. 

The students picked out a cartoon character for their painting.

I had them get the landscape drawn.

Then, they traced their cartoon character on the light table.

Just to switch things up, we painted with watercolor.  I think acrylic would have been a better choice.

Here are the results.

I found this tidbit of information interesting.  Keith Haring, famous pop artist, was known for visiting Howard Finster's Paradise Garden often to get inspiration.  He gave Howard the sculpture below.  Look closely at the bottom of the sculpture.  It appears to be a collaborative piece with Finster's Coke bottles on the bottom.

Here is a great video discussing Howard Finster and his art.  Thanks to Dan Traveling for sharing on YouTube.  In the video, you will see the Keith Haring sculpture at 3:59.

1965

Paper Mache Maracas (Hispanic Heritage Month)

Thought this would be a cool collaborative project. So, I reached out to our Spanish teacher and we decided to make maracas in art class this year with paper mache'

Each one is very unique.

We decorated them with tempera paint.

Always a good idea to photograph them to be able to share with other classes on our wheel.

Supplies: 

Solo Cups

Dried Beans

Plastic Beads

Masking Tape

Storage containers for beads / beans so they won't roll away.

Put 10 to 15 beads / beans in one cup.

Place other cup on the top and tape together.

Use plaster strips to paper mache.

Let dry over night.

Paint next class. We use hair dryers a good bit in the room to help painting supplies dry quicker.

Fun lesson for the kids and the maracas were actually surprised at how loud they were!

1969

7th Grade INSPIRED by Tim and Lisa Kluttz

Tim and Lisa Kluttz are a husband/wife team of artists.  Recently, we posted on the Kluttz couple.  For a look, click here. (Tim and Lisa Kluttz)

Directions:

I gave the middle school (7th grade) students some examples of Tim and Lisa Kluttz artwork.

The kids drew their ideas with a pencil.

Then, they painted with acrylic paint.

Once the paint dried, the kids outlined their work with a sharpie.

As you can see, some of the students used the Kluttz examples, but they put their own twist on their piece of artwork.

Nice job, 7th Grade!  There are some exceptional artists in this group of kids. 

Patience.  It is hard for middle school to have it with their artwork.  It's hard for adults to have it with their "lifework". 

Here's The Lumineers "Patience," off their new album, Cleopatra (2016).  Short song, but I like it because I have been know to be impatient with songs.  The kids beg, "Let it play, Mrs. Ray."

1965

Picasso Portraits of our Head of School

This lesson was well received by the whole school. I had photos of our Head of School from our webpage. The students learned about Picasso and how to make the face have 2 angles. A good resource was Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Art-Lesson-Picasso-Face-Roll-and-Draw-Sheets-595660

We also searched Art Ed Blogs for many resources 
http://artprojectsforkids.org/portfolio/marker-cubism-face/ 
http://pixshark.com/picasso-self-portraits-for-kids.htm
http://ktjoarts.blogspot.com/2011/07/picasso-self-portrait.html

Supplies:
12x18 Large piece of watercolor paper. Tag board works too
Watercolor paint (Sax Liquid Watercolor)
Brushes
Sharpie
Pencil

The results were fabulous. These were made into note cards for our Maclay School's Headmaster to use.

Enjoy - 1969

Me and My Sign, Showing School Spirit

In the first month of school, I was struggling with a project that I liked for first grade.  After discussing this problem with my teacher friend, Laura Harrison, she had a suggestion.  Laura said, "Why don't you get kids to draw a self portrait with them saying something about first grade?  She said, You can have them holding a sign."  I jumped on this idea.  There is nothing better than having a great co-worker to bounce ideas back and forth with in a crunch!

Directions:

I cut a rather large sheet of paper.

I drew a rectangle on each paper.

When the kids arrived, I explained the project idea.

I had them draw themselves holding the sign.

The kids painted with tempera cakes.

Here is a funny.  One of the little girls had to go to the restroom.  I guess she could not remember my name.  She says, "Mrs. Artica, may I go the the restroom?"  I cracked up.  I told that sweet child, "That's not my name.  I am Mrs. Ray.''  

Hey, at least she did have the word Art in my name.

You gotta love those fun first graders!

Here is a perfect song for this post by The Ting Tings.

1965