8th Grade Scratch Art

The 8th graders just finished their cropped, nature-inspired, scratch art projects.  This may be one of the most impressive projects I've seen so far.  I knew the project would be challenging for the kids, because it requires them to think almost backwards.  They are reductively scratching away at black to reveal white.  Prior to starting the project, we worked on cross-hatching and using lines to create value.  We also discussed cropping and it's use in composition.  I am absoloutely blown away by the quality of work the 8th graders created.

6th graders donate Dia de los Muertos Art to the VA

Here at West, we are only a few blocks from the midwest's largest and oldest Veteran Affair's hospitals.  On occasion, we have the honor of lending our artworks to them for special celebrations.  This year, the VA is hosting  a "Day of the Dead" or "Dia de los Muertos" for the veterans.  The 6th grade art students were more than happy to permenantly donate some of their "Dia" skull prints to such deserving neighbors.

 

 

West's First Craft Club

West's first Craft Club meeting took place on Friday, October 19th.  Eighteen students showed up for the "Spooky" Halloween themed craft afternoon.  We made bats out of miniature pumpkins, spiders out of suckers, monster bookmarks, and a really delicious Halloween Bark dessert.

All the students (and adults) had a blast, and we can't wait for next month's Thanksgiving themed Craft Club.  If anyone is interested in joining, please see Ms. Valentine for a permission slip. 

Empty Bowls Milwaukee

This Saturday there is a fantastic, family-friendly fundraising event.
Local artists and students contribute handmade and glazed ceramic bowls. You can purchase one for ten or twenty dollars. Many fabulous local restaurants donate soup for the event that you may sample in your one of a kind bowl! All profits go directly to area food pantries.

For hours and directions visit their website

Craft Club

A new and exciting club is starting at West! Once a month on a Friday, I'll be hosting an after school Craft Club.  We will focus on fun, seasonal and holiday related crafts.  Students must have their permission slip into me before the first one, in order to particpate.  There is a small fee of $3.00 per session, but if any student is unable to pay that, they should come speak to me.  Our first meeting will be Friday, October 19th, from 3:05-4:30 for a spooky, Halloween themed crafting experience!  I'm looking forward to seeing all you boys and ghouls there!

6th grade Symmetrical Name Mandalas

The 6th graders learned about symmetry and radial design.  They also studied different Mandalas from around the world.  They used this new knowledge to create symmetrical name mandalas. Repeating their names in mirror images, they connected their design and created a challenge for the viewer to find their names.  Fantastic job 6th grade!

8th grade graffiti

The 8th graders once again learned about Urban Street Art and graffiti. As always, we discuss at length the legalities of graffiti, and art versus vandalism. After viewing many examples, the students spent a couple of classes brainstorming and sketching ideas. This year we used the idea of Introduction Labels to be the format for the graffiti names.  Many students thought of new "tagger" names and created a graphic theme for their names.

 I know this lesson can sometimes be viewed as controversial, but their are many positive reasons for the kids to learn about graffiti.  It's an artform that many can relate to (and get really excited about) as it is a solely urban, youth driven art.  We take time to look at color, form, and composition of reputable graffiti artists' work, and it really influences the student's artmaking process.

 

For students interested in learning more about graffiti and Urban Art Mr. Neils hosts a Monday after school club called "Urban Arts", please see him.  Locally, there is an organization I've mentioned before:  Milwaukee's True Skool.  They offer many exciting art enrichment programs, including graffiti classes.  Visit their website here.

Making sketchbooks

This year I have  a self-contained EBD class of all boys.  They're very energetic and I'm excited to be working with them.  Art can often be a very important class to all students, but especially for those with exceptional needs.

To begin the semester, I wanted the students to have something they could have ownership of and keep with them to sketch or journal when the mood struck.  I decided to use our school's binder maker to create budget-friendly sketchbooks.  The boys were shown how to create a collage of (school-appropriate) images that represented things that they liked.  They also had to spell their names out with letters from magazines.  I laminated the front and back cover, and we used the binder maker to put it all together.  When they were completed, the kids were very excited to take their sketchbooks with them.

8th grade Asymmetrical Folders

For our first project this year, the 8th graders played with the idea of "two sides" to create asymmetrical designs on their Art folders. The variety seen in their work is outstanding! Some students chose nature themes, others humor, while others tackled very deep issues. I'm excited to see what the rest of the semester will produce. There is A LOT of talent in our Panther Artists!

West Milwaukee Open House

Please come and join us at West Milwaukee Intermediate on Wednesday, September 20th at 6:30.  We are having our annual Open House.  This is a fantastic way for families to meet their students' teachers, ask questions, and observe all the hard work going on here at West.  Students and families will be able to visit each individual classroom.  Stop by the Art Room and take a look at all of the previous 8th graders artist-inspired ceiling tiles!  Hope to see you there!

Welcome Back!

Hello! Welcome new and returning students! I'm so excited to start the new 2012-13 school year! The staff at WMIS have been hard at work getting rooms and curriculums ready. I spent a good portion of the summer tweaking old lessons and getting new ones ready.

On the first day of class students will receive a letter to take home to their families explaining some of what we'll be doing, the supplies needed (pencils!), and my contact information. Each student is also required to read, take home, and get a guardian's signature on the "Art Contract". The contract explains expectations and grading. If your student has lost his/her contract or letter, please email me at: valentineO@wawm.k12.wi.us

I look forward to all the amazing creativity in the Art room this year. Please check back here often to stay updated on projects, announcements, and recognitions. I try to post weekly and welcome any of your comments and feedback!

Have a wonderful first week and school year!

8th grade High Contrast Self-Portraits

I was nervous to introduce this self-portrait project to my students.  For one, middle school is a very akward time for most of us, perhaps one of the most self-conscious stages in our lives.  Working with these adolescents, I've come to realize how super-critical they are of themselves.  However, it's also a time when they're coming into young adulthood, getting ready for high school and all the exciting changes their lives can take. 
Portraits are one of my favorite subjects to draw and paint personally, and I wanted to share this love with the students.  It's a great introspection to do self-portraits, and the model is always available.  The students studied some of Chuck Close's work.  His giant, photo-realistic portraits, are easier to replicate because of his grid-enlargement system.  First, Mr. Tetting our wonderful librarian and IMC specialist (check out his website here), helped us take digital portraits of the students and edit them to be high contrast.  The students practiced proportions of facial features and practiced grid enlargement.  When they were comfortable, they began their own portraits.  I'm amazed at these fantastic results!!  

Adaptive Art Pop-up Castles

The balloons were a bit of a bust, pun intended.  I just couldn't find a way to get them to stay up.  So, instead, the Adaptive Art class made these awesome castles!  They look fantastic in the third floor display case.

Cropped Animal Linoleum Relief Prints

The 8th graders learned a lot of art vocabulary and new skills in doing this printmaking project.  We discussed how cropping can make a composition more dynamic.  The students understood this concept easily, because most of them are used to cropping photos for their social networking. 

The students were asked to find an animal and crop the animal in an interesting way for their final print.  They were shown how to transfer their image to the linoleum tile, and how to safely, and properly use carving tools in creating their print.  They were then shown techniques for printmaking.  The students were given four days and unlimited paper and ink combinations to create three perfect prints.  I'm once again blown away by the sophisitication these intermediate students show in their art.  Amazing!

8th Grade Face Tiles

Eighth graders completed these "face tiles" last week.  Sometimes the thought of starting clay units with classes is really overwhelming, but I can't seem to leave it out any semester, because the kids just love it so much. 

For this project, the students review the properties and stages of clay, as well as refresh their memories on clay vocabulary.  We then create clay slabs together.  These slabs are draped over newspaper wads to create a "bump".  From this bump students can carve into and slip and score features on to their tiles.  After a tortuously long two weeks, the students get their bisqued clay back and start on glazing.  The end results are really fun!