Monday, April 28, 2014

no words needed

I adore Instagram.
Love all the images that greet me everyday.
Here are my latest from Easter.  
You can follow me.
Just click on the Instagram button over there
on the right side of the blog.


Friday, April 25, 2014

When Picasso met Mona, then Matisse

What happens when you take several lower grade elementary students
and try and introduce the idea of cubism and Picasso
while you are recreating the Mona Lisa?
Well here are some examples.
I just love them - 
They are humorous and fun.
Check out the bling on them too.
For the record, the kids didn't see their pictures quite like I did.
They hated them to be honest.
Most wanted to rip them up on the spot even though I insisted they take them home.
Drat I won't be doing this lesson again.
I still think they are wonderful





 We also made Mona - iPad style.
Now they loved creating these.
And for the record - 
I thought they would think paint by number was lame,
but they sat silently for an hour and filled in each section.
Just goes to show you that you can never tell which lessons will be awesome
and which will flop.
Ahh such is life.
I read this fun book before we launched in to our version of Matisse's GoldFish.
We made them with tissue and glue and...
we drew them on the iPad too.
I love creating the same lesson on the iPads and in mixed media.
It works all the parts of the kiddos' brains and really stretches how they see the world.
Just love these guys!

Friday, April 11, 2014

Benny and Jet


The label says,
I kept a close rein on Benny,
for I knew that just the lightest encouragement
would spark him into a burst of speed.

I wish I could fly on the back of a crow,
up above the trees,
through some wispy clouds,
and feel the warmth of the sun on my back...
just once.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A Starry Night in iPad and Mixed Media

One of my favorite paintings,
The Starry Night
by Vincent Van Gogh
was replicated by my mixed media and iPad students.
I love teaching both methods as they have similarities and differences
that stretch and are well suited for elementary age creative minds.
First we got messy...
 and then we tried to recreate the same feeling on the iPads.
Enjoy some photos from the challenge.

And here are the iPad versions.
Aren't these guys the best?
Wish I had learned about famous artists this way.
Our next lesson is a combo Picasso and Mona Lisa.  
They turned out pretty funny :)