Understanding and Applying Value

Students completed value scales to learn control and value quality.

Then applied these techniques to object studies.

Students then began to sketch their first still life, with attention to good composition and light pencil pressure.

Students begin to shade their work, addressing technical skills such as smooth value transitions, smooth pencil shadings and 8 distinct values.

Introduction to Drawing

For my Art 1students, I begin instruction with technical drawing skills.  Learning to "see", as opposed to relying on symbols and imaginary lines will provide the artist with a framework for development.  The process consists of blind contour, upside down drawing, and value studies.

End of the Year, 2012

Once again, the end of the year has arrived.  While tomorrow is the students' last day, today the halls are nearly empty.  I am proud of each of my students accomplishments, but most especially of those who graduated last night and are beginning the journey to adulthood.  Our students received a total sum of college scholarships and grants in excess of $1.5 million, and several of our young people are headed to the armed forces.  I could not be more proud of their successes, and I was honored to have been part of the process.

Congratulations to everyone for another great year!

Symbolic Mixed Media

Students discussed symbolism in art and literature, and how to represent a complex idea visually.  We discussed the theme "life" and what it meant to each student individually.  Students then took their concept and chose an object to represent it, developing their piece using mixed media of their choice. 

Here one student utilized the spider web as dream catcher, as a spider can place the web deliberately in a space, but then elements of luck determine what lands in the web.

Here another student developed the idea of weathering the storm / the unavoidable, and using cut paper, cardboard, and paint created a symbolic tornado.  The student incorporated glitter to remind the viewer of the silver lining, and the benefits of hardships.  

Freshman Coral Reef collages

Freshman students used a dye transfer technique with tissue paper to create coral reef collages.

Stippling Work

Art 3 and 4 students selected images of their choice and completed a stippling representation.

Monotype Prints

After learning the process of creating monotype prints, students used nature as a loose inspiration and set to work.   Each student had to submit three successfully completed prints, one of which had to be at least two layers of color.

Some Social Comment Pieces

Students identified issues in society that were of concern for them, and developed possible methods for best expressing that issue visually. Then they began the process of designing, constructing, and completing those pieces, with a summary of their purpose to accompany the installation.

Some examples from Art 3 and 4:

And some examples from Art 1:

Child Neglect

Global Warming