From African Masks to Picasso Collages...

The week after the students completed their African masks we switched gears and looked at Picasso's portraits. We talked about geometric shapes and viewing a face from more than one view. The students practiced drawing like Picasso in their sketchbooks, then created a collage and drew their Picasso faces on top of the collages. The results were mixed like anything other projects that we do here at KDS, but several turned out pretty decent! Check out the final results on our Artsonia account! (Link @ the top of the page!)

Sketchbook work

Teacher Sample and Picasso Artwork

New Years Resolution: Art with a Purpose!!!!

Debi West is an absolutely incredible art teacher and inspiration to me! We met this past summer at the Tennessee Arts Academy where she was a workshop instructor. After learning about the Memory Project, I asked Debi if she would be interested in having her students create portraits of my students. She enthusiastically accepted my proposal and the results were amazing!

Just a few of the portraits by Debi West's students!

In the spirit of "paying it forward" and continuing the notion of "Art with a Purpose" my students' made some really beautiful cards for soldiers that are fighting down in Iraq. A good friend of mine is currently serving in Iraq until July, when I asked her if I could send her anything she asked for mascara, a pumas stone, and cards from my students. All easy enough. I know that those cards will certainly be able to make the days of many soldiers who are far away from home. KDS students' did a wonderful job on this assignment and really enjoyed doing it!

TAEA state conference Presenter!

Can you believe it! I was chosen to present at the state conference this November on making your classroom inclusion friendly! I'm wicked excited and nervous all at the same time. Arrowmont is gonna rock! Especially since I'm going with some wicked awesome art teacher friends from Franklin and I haven't be to Gatlinburg yet.