End of the First Week

This week I will focus on what the fourth graders are learning in art class right now. The fourth graders learned what "surreal" means (not real) and have started creating surrealistic works of art. We saw several examples of artwork by Salvador Dali and others. The students looked for pictures in magazines to start in a collage approach with things put together in a new and surprising way.  It seemed to me that they were having a great time finding images that really did not go together in a traditional way of thinking, but could make our viewers surprised. So far it has been a good experience as they have been "thinking outside the box."

Welcome to the new year! Pursue your dreams!

The school year has started and with only a couple of exceptions I have met my students for the upcoming school year! A couple of kids were absent.  I have hundreds of students and have seen many familiar faces and some new ones this week. Most of the classes simply had time for a "meet and greet" session where we get to know each other in a shortened art period. I am looking forward to seeing each of them once a week for 50 minutes and getting to know their creative side. I enjoy working with them and they often knock my socks off with their creative ideas. A few told me that they had been to the American Gothic house in Eldon, Iowa and had their picture taken at this famous landmark,  as in the painting by Grant Wood. If you click on this blog post, I will try to link you to a site about this landmark.  Someone even said they went to the Chicago Art Institute over the summer and saw this famous painting in person.  Grant Wood was a poor Iowa child who had very little money and whose father died when he was very young. Despite difficulties in life, he loved art and found ways to draw, working with charcoal from the fire at times. They say that early on he loved to draw chickens.  I hope nothing in life will be able to stop these children from pursuing their dreams as well.

Back to School!

As summer winds down, and we see the back to school ads arrive, I am reminded of times my own kids and I went shopping for the items on the list from the school: things like pencils, notebooks, paintset for art class (and we say Prang or Crayola brand because those have actual pigment and will actually paint colors). I have been reflecting also about the other school supplies I hope we will bring: a positive attitude, enough rest to be able to learn, hope and faith that we can find a good path ahead together, and most of all, kindness. If we have those things, the rest will follow. Have a great start to the school year!
Mrs. Finney

Stencil Paint on 1898 house!

We are continuing to work on our 1898 house and this summer I have been doing some stenciling of borders. This border is designed after the original (bottom layer) of wallpaper that we uncovered, under other layers and under paneling. I drew the design from the original border and cut it holes in plastic to create a stencil. This is a big project with hopeful results. Redoing this old house over the years is a huge labor of love.

Fun Painting Site on the web

If you want to do some electronic painting, (no mess!) try Bomomo.com

Here is my picture created by playing on that site.

Doggy Lisa

Here is my dog as the famous painting.

Summer Time!

Having been done with classes for a week now, I stopped in to water my plants and put some files away. The room is cleaner with everything pretty much put away, but very empty...empty and quiet without the children. I absolutely love working with children, seeing what they create, hearing what they have to say. It is good to have time to regroup, sort files, read, reflect, study and yes, relax, but it is also good to see a little face smile up at me in the grocery as several did tonight. I was glad to see each one, happy to be a part of their lives. Have a wonderful summer, kids! See you in the fall!