Get into shape!

Lines will never go away. In fact, they seem to increase as we get older and in the art room their utility increases as well. Without lines, we cannot get into shape! Shapes are critical in understanding the space around us and understanding how to create objects in a space on paper. Currently, we are getting into shape in the art classroom as we learn what makes a shape and the two different categories being geometric or organic. We are using all the lines that we have been discussing to create both kinds of shapes and then applying it in our art making. 

Next week, kindergarten will use lines and organic shapes to create a fall pumpkin picture, we shall see if they turn spooky in time for Halloween. First grade will also be creating a fall pumpkin scene with a night sky and a spider web corner, applying our lines and both organic and geometric shapes. Second grade is currently channeling their inner Henri Matisse in their fish bowl artwork that focuses on the organic shapes and whimsical nature of Mastisse’s work. Third grade is wrapping up a lesson on the impressionistic style of painting similar to the work of Berthe Morisot. To ensure we understand the significance of sing short brush strokes and not smoothing out every line and every shape, impressionistic painting might be our approach to fall pumpkins in this class. Fourth grade just completed beautiful bird collages, inspired by Pete Cromer’s work, where we cut out both organic and geometric shapes to create designs on our collage work. Fifth grade has advanced their line and pattern skills in the lesson of many layers inspired by the bright landscapes of David Hockney. Sixth grade showed interest in the Pete Cromer bright and beautiful bird collages, so they gave it a go and it might be the lesson that just keeps going because there are some 5th grade artists who focus on fine details in their work that is truly inspiring. Seventh grade is presenting their amazing Renaissance trophies we created tomorrow morning and I think they will be proud to present them, so don’t miss it! And lastly, the 8th graders created space! I cannot even describe the greatness, so you just have to experience it before we sail away into our Winslow Homer inspired seascapes.