I'm so proud of my drawing club students this semester. They worked really hard on some pretty demanding drawing exercises that encouraged them to look closely and to draw what they see. They went from drawing symbols of things to drawing things as they see them. Here are some before and after self-portraits. The first one was drawn in August and the second in December after weekly drawing instruction. Way to go Drawing Club!

Here are a few wire "people in action" sculptures from this week. Fourth grade students began by making gesture drawings of their classmates. Then they learned about the American sculptor, Alexander Calder. Inspired, each student created their own wire figure using line and simplified form of a person in action. They each looked for ways to suggest movement using line in their sculpture.

Fourth grade, November-December 2014

I had to snap a shot of this one before Braylen started in with color. The composition, the attention to detail and the line quality of this jungle drawing is just so special. I'll post another photo of it in a couple of weeks once he is finished.

Braylen, 3rd grade, October 2014

This fantasy jungle painting was created by Jude in the 3rd grade. The action and detail in this artwork is simply amazing. He titled his work Trouble in Paradise, which is a perfect title. Look closely - you'll see why!

Jude, 3rd grade, October 2014

Here is Sofia's brushstroke experimentation and moody sky painting. Everything about The Storm is wonderful to me; her composition, use of color and sense of movement are so sophisticated.

Sofia, 2nd grade, October 2014

Inspired by van Gogh's sky paintings, second grade students were prompted to experiment with various brushstrokes and then create their own painting including a moody sky. Banyan hit the ball out of the park with his approach to the assignment - expressive and moody work, for sure!

Banyan, 2nd grade, October 2014

I'm very proud of my fourth graders for their hard work on this lesson. We began this unit with several days of focused drawing from observation. They made many blind contour drawings of different animal models, then eased into turning the blind contour drawings into contour drawings, then finally into drawings with shading and detail. They all improved their drawing skills and gained confidence. We ended the unit by learning about the art found in the Lascaux caves in central France. The students made their own animal drawings inspired by the cave art that we studied. They finished by signing their work with their hand signature - the icing on the cake.

4th grade, September 2014

We’re beginning to finish up the art for our art and music fundraiser (more info on that to come). Greer worked hard on her Pantone design and I think that the results are just wonderful.

Greer, 5th grade, September 2014

Here are three spectacular artworks that were finished today by first grade artists Addie, Ida and CiCi.They were prompted to create an artwork of a place that they find to be beautiful, after looking at photos of a variety of places and the painting Autumn Reflection by Richard Steele. They began by stamping their overall composition and then completed their works using tempera paint and several different sized brushes. Each work is so vibrant and lively; and has a real sense of fun and beauty.

First grade, August 2014

The year is off to a wonderful start. I’ve had a great first couple of weeks and have really enjoyed meeting so many new and creative artists - I expect great things from these kids this year. So, get ready … we’ll start finishing some works in the next week or two.

This is our fifth grade legacy project 2013-14. Students worked with artist Lou Kregel to create this powerful image. Lou came in and talked to the students about her own artwork and other public art around Athens. She made the template; and then students designed and painted their own petal. It was a wonderful collaborative project where I think we all gained insight into art around this town and how public art has the ability to transform a space or place. Well done students and thanks a million Lou. Chase Street loves it!

5th grade, April 2014

*I will try to get a better photo without no glare

Going out with a bang - fifth grade made these beautiful block prints for their last art project at Chase Street.

Fifth grade students, May 2014

Our rain barrel will be auctioned off on May 16. Click below for details.

http://www.athensclarkecounty.com/3018/Roll-Out-the-Barrels

After reading Not A Box by Antoinette Portis, one of my favorite books of late to pique the imagination, kindergarten students turned a piece of boring cardboard into something magical.
Kindergarten, February 2014

A few more of my favorites.
First grade, 2013-14