3D Found Materials

For this lesson, I would first show them works by artists that create artwork from found objects:

Tony Cragg (dice)

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2011/10/dice-sculptures-by-tony-cragg/

Anna Gillespie (natural objects to create form)

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/02/anna-gillespie/

Babis Cloud (a horse made of computer keys)

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/10/a-horse-made-of-computer-keys-by-babis-cloud/

Zachary Abel (sculptures made of office supplies)

http://zacharyabel.com/sculpture/

I would then have them create a form, can be abstract or representational, by joining the many of the same smaller pieces of found objects.  The elements of design for this would be texture and space.  The principles of design to think about would be repetition (rhythm).  Here are some examples of sculptures made from found objects:

I wish I had a picture of the 3D sculpture I made last year using Red Solo cups.  It looked similar to this but a smaller version

3D Bought Materials

For this type of project, wire is the most common form of 3D materials to use.

I would have my students create a 3D wire sculpture of their spirit animal.  They would first have to take a survey that tells them what their spirit animal is, if they don't already know. (Mine is a butterfly!)  These surveys can be easily found online.

Here are some examples of some websites:
http://www.spiritanimal.info/spirit-animal-quiz/
https://www.spirithoods.com/blogs/news/45975681-spirithoods-spirit-animal-quiz-whats-your-spirit-animal

Once they figure out their spirit animal, they will then make their 3D wire sculpture that's atleast 2 feet, whether horizontal or vertical.

Marker Wash

In class, we experimented with markers and dry erase markers to create marker washes using water.  This creates a water color quality.  Ink washes create the same effect.

(Ink washes)

There are two ways you can create this effect:

Putting the ink or marker on a palette or mixing tray and adding the water there then paint onto the paper. (This is my preferred technique)

or

Draw on the paper with the ink or markers then use your paint brushes to add the water to where you drew the marker or ink line on the paper

I would have my students paint a still life using fruit so that they can experiment with color too and not just black and white, which ink washes usually are.  This project would incorporate value, shape and line.

This project could also be used with portraits and landscapes, not just still life.

Below are examples from my classmates

Collage

In class we created an abstract collage that applies all the elements as well as the princples of design which are

Elements: Color, Shape, Texture, Space, Line and Value
Principles: Balance, Emphasis, Unity, Contrast and Rhythm

I would have my students create an abstract collage similar to the one we did in class.

Start of by picking two colors or paper, one that can be any color and a black one.  You pick one of these to be the background color and the other one to be the one you rip (or cut) into different piece.  I would also have them use a magazine to rip or cut pieces from to include.  With these pieces, they will create an non-objective abstract collage.  They would need to arrange these into one of these:

Non-Objective Compositional Arrangements

S or Z Composition - usually breaks the space up in a 's' or a 'z' shape; can be backwards, forwards or sideways

Cruciform Composition - breaks the space up in the form of a cross

Radical Compositions - all lines should be broken, irregular or intercepted

L or Rectangular Compositions - have a large mass with a lateral place

Diagonal Line Composition - verticals or opposing slanted lines; most ideal and difficult schemes

Horizontal Compositions - have a pattern that repeats across the plain of artwork

Vertical Compositions - have a pattern that repeats up and down in the plain of artowrk

Overlapping Frames - pattern that overlaps or alternates like a checkerboard

Once students create their arrangement, have them take a picture of the layout so they can start gluing down the pieces.

*You should have all the elements and principles of design in the piece:

(The last one is mine :) )

College and Career

As teachers, it is important to not only teach our students about art, but to also try to help them figure out what they want to do after high school.

One way I would help navigate them is to make a day for them to be able to complete college applications.  My teacher in high school did this and this was helpful because at the time, I didn't have my own laptop, so filling out applications was something I could only do while at school.  I'm sure you will come across many students with the same situation as I had.  Your students will really appreciate this and when they're older and in college or working, they'll think about that teacher that cared to make sure students had a chance to figure out what they want to do once they graduate.

I would also give them a change to ask me questions about college, by having them write down questions on pieces of papers and put them in a jar (can be anonymous).  Then one day in class I would take the time to answer these questions they have.  I didn't have this because I was the first in my close family to go off to school somewhere so a lot of the things I learned is because of trial and error.  I feel that this is another way that I can be a successful and loved art teacher!

My Art Portfolio

Here are some examples of my past art works that I could include in my teaching portfolio.

 Colored Pencils and Collage

Wax based paintings

Contour drawing and painting are my strengths when it comes to my own art making. I can use any media when it comes to that but adding value to my drawings are my weaknesses.  This may just be due to my laziness, or maybe I just like a clean contour drawing.

I would like to teach lessons focusing on value because I only took Art once my freshman year of high school and I really wasn't taught how to add value and I think that would've helped me out tremendously.

I would also like to incorportae more medias when it comes to painting instead of just the basic watercolor or acrylic paint.  To learn this, I would practice painting with these medias like oil and wax as you see in the pictures above.

Ideal Teaching Situation

My ideal teaching situation would definitely be where I have a close relationship with the principal because that's who will approve your budget requests so if your principal doesn't support the arts or is someone you don't get along with,then you will never be able to do what you want with your art class.  At the school I observed at, you could clearly see that she has a good relationship with the principal because the school and halls are filled with different art works.  There's even a 3D art piece in front of the school.

Another ideal teaching situation would be the classroom size.  My teacher had a big art room and she used the space effectively.  She has the tables set up so that she can walk around to each student with no problem.  The class is also decorated very well and I feel I wouldn't have any problem with this, seeing that people already love the way my house and room is set up.  Decorating is easy for me, being an artist.  Also, having plenty of space and places to put supplies and student work.

I would also change the way technology affects the classroom.  As far as cellphones, if I have the choice, students would only be allowed to use their cellphones to listen to music.  I know I will play music during my classes but not all students like the same music so I feel like they should be able to listen to what they please.  I saw at the school I observed how technology can be bad in an art class.  In my teacher's classes, she had students that would stay on their phone versus working.  When i was in school, our phones would be taken but since they're allowed now, it's really nothing teachers can do as far as disciplining them.

I believe these things will be the most important things to have in order to have a successful classroom.