Another full schoolyear
We’ve begun our time together in the art room with a personal challenge and an art challenge! I shared thoughts from 2 Peter 1:6-9. Be diligent. Give every effort to self-control Be Godly in your kindness to others. Show loving kindness. For if these actions are yours, you will prosper. With these words guiding us to show respect for self and each other, the students were also challenged to create WordArt with synonyms and phrases pointing toward respectful action. We used these words to make patterns and lines within a shape. Come on in to Orlando Junior Academy and see our kids’ creative interpretations on this theme.
Other art projects and ideas for the year ahead include inspired activities based on work by many artists. This week at Orlando Junior Academy we’re studying Morris Louis, the Washington D.C. based color field painter. Louis loved color and played with the effects of thin paint flowing across fabric. We’ll be trying this fun technique in the next few weeks. What a fun way to explore color theory!
We’ll also be turning to artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Monet to help us learn how to show movement in our artwork. We’ll take a long-distance “tour” of Claude Monet’s gardens and waterlily pond, then we’ll imagine ourselves setting up easels under the trees and beside the frog filled water – painting our own landscapes of Monet’s garden.
Of course we have our very own garden at OJA. Our November art show and Art in the Garden event is always a highlight. Our Impressionist landscapes with trees as a focal point will be on exhibit. The Tree of Life, by the Austrian painter, Gustav Klimt, showcases his intricate patterns and glitters with shimmers of gold. Look for our Klimt-like paintings and a Klimt inspired portrait of Ms. A that we’ll be painting during our Garden Event! You won’t want to miss this art show and garden party!
Gardens are happy landing spots for birds and we’ll be studying about and creating birds of many kinds and with different mediums. It will be interesting to compare and contrast bird paintings by two different artists: John James Audubon, born in the 1700’s and Charley Harper, a 20th century modern artist. We’ll also try our hand at making birds of a very different kind: Japanese Origami Birds made from paper.
This is just a taste of what’s to come! Stay tuned!
Nichole Bromme