Rainbows and Tennis Balls

Well, you wouldn't think they have a lot in common, but they do!  That's what going on in the East End Studio this week.  Rainbows and tennis balls.  Well, rainbow colors and stools with tennis balls.  And of course,  a few of the projects  that are beginning to take shape for the upcoming Spring Fling Ga-la-la will be filling in the empty spaces!  And I can tell you, it will be grand.

So, take a close look at this photo.  Sure, you've seen it before, if you've been following the blog.  But you will soon see some exquisite renderings in pastel of these very same stools.  Some of the students will be taking some liberties to change the color of the tennis balls to other florescent colors, but make no mistake about it!  These are the stools that hold the artists that make the art that celebrates the creativity that's unleashed in the East End Studio!


Now, allow me to introduce Mr. Roy G. Biv.  Great guy, Colorful to say the least.  He's one of those all around, full spectrum kind of people.  We are talking FULL SPECTRUM, as in
redorangeyellowbluegreeinindigoviolet.  Mr Roy G. Biv will be appearing in all the kindergarten through third grade classes this week and he'll be showing us how to do some interesting tricks with parallel lines and all the colors of the rainbow.

I'll be posting some photos of artist's work, so don't forget to check back.

Paper Sculptures

Continuing from last week’s theme of negative space, third through sixth grade artists examined the negative space in three dimensional art and architecture.  We also considered how balance is such a critical element of three-dimensional work.

The work of Henri Moore

The work of Buckminster Fuller

Artists were given an assortment of colored paper strips and asked to create a three dimensional sculpture on a 4” x 6” paper base.  The only guidelines were to have only two contact points with the base and to alter each strip in some way, such as cutting, folding, twisting or punching.   The results were amazing! 

Watch their process and the results below.  Then click on the images to see how our artists successfully used negative space and balance to create these awesome sculptures!

This is the work of Mrs. Foltz's third grade class.


Below you will see individual sculptures in the process of creation:

Watch for the fun negative space drawing project of a very familiar, common object next week.

Patterns and Repetition

Kindergarten, first and second grade artists spent their studio time this week creating decorative patterns.   Students recognized patterns on their clothing and even on the soles of their shoes!  We also examined the paintings of several artists, including Miro, Picasso, and Kandinsky and identified the patterns these artists included in their paintings.

Using markers and six squares of white paper, students each created a series of six original patterns.  When the patterns were complete, our artists then used a square template/pattern to trace an outline for  the placement of each of their individual squares.

Click on the images below to see some of the beautiful and imaginative patterns created by Mrs. Engel’s second grade class.

Back in the Art Groove

I can’t tell you how fun it was to return this week and discover new artwork in the drying racks.  When I realized Mr. Ellis’ sixth grade class, led by art teacher Maya Schimpf, created the artwork, I jumped on the opportunity to photograph a number of the paintings to include in the East End Studio blog.  Great work, artists!  To take a closer look, click on each image.

STAND UP STRAIGHT!

Both feet firmly planted!  Now, without shifting your weight, lift one foot.   No, I said without shifting your weight . . .

Tough, huh?  That's what we're discovering in the East End Studio this week - only we're using strips of  colored paper - and we're having SO much fun.

Spring Fling

When the weather outside is frightful, it's time to be thinking of Spring Fling!  Students and art moms certainly are!   And we'll be setting aside some time in our classes for working on the wonderful projects that are developing for this exciting event.  Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, in my absence this week, art moms led their classes in a project where students learned about the concept of "negative space."   Using a sponge, paint and narrow strips of paper, East End artists were creating some amazing works of art.   Here's a look at the project - and I'll be posting some of the results sometime next week.

Happy New Year one and all!