pinterest boards, spreading the lesson board love

Hi everyone, happy October!

Just a quick note/pinterest PSA- if you a pinterest-er who followed one or a couple of my lesson boards a long time ago and didn't "follow" me you might not realize I have added a whole bunch more in recent months and recently re-organized as well. I like to follow fellow pinners and then unfollow particular boards that I'm not interested in so that I automatically get the new boards.

I have noticed a lot of action via my pinterest account and pins recently and figured I'd put it on your radar.
How did we ever organize lessons without pinterest?!

Oil pastel figure close-ups

This was one of my favorite lessons from last year. (I feel like I always say that....?) 

But seriously, this was great. It would work for a variety of grades- elementary or high school as well. I did it with 7th grade and will again this year. 

Using the move-able figures- students had to create a zoomed/close-up composition using the figure, taking the negative space into consideration. I actually had them do a "photo shoot" with their ipads: take photos of the figures in different positions and then cropped the photos. For some students it was easier for them to work from the photo. 

The students sketched out shaded pencil drawings first. Then they drew them BIG on 12 x 18 slate grey Tru-ray construction paper (one of my favorites, along with their turquoise). 

They chose a color palette to work in and had to have 3 different shades of oil pastels so that they could convey the shadows. 

 They all came out awesome! And it gave students a chance to strengthen a variety of skills. Some needed to master blending, some needed to strengthen their ability to communicate dimension, etc. 

Artsonia, video references, and a new school year

Greetings!
I hope everyone's school year is off to a strong start!

I have a favor to ask-- I am planning to pilot Artsonia with my middle school students. My admin is asking for some references. Do any of you have experience with Artsonia? I'm looking on input.
- How did the launch and set up of it go for you? Would you have done anything differently?
- Is it difficult to maintain?
- How do your parents like it?
- What do you do for marketing of it? Has the fundraising element of it been profitable?
Feel free to comment or email me : rarmentano@rockyhill.org

From my spring art show.

Looking for a great video to introduce or review? I showed this video yesterday and it was awesome. (I think it's wonderful as a review actually - perfect for middle and high school.)
If you're a Frozen fan you have to check this out as well!

Lastly,
Did you see this project Mr. Masse at Zamorano recently did???! - it is super awesome and I can't wait to try it!!!

Free online class via MoMA

I received an email from MOMA yesterday that said they are hosting a FREE ONLINE PD course on Interactive Strategies for Engaging with Art. Thought some of you might be interested!

It starts July 7th. 

If any of you readers do sign up please feel free to comment on this post so others know who else may be taking the course as well. 

On another note- I have neglected my blog since mid-spring, apologies. One day soon I will update some of my final middle school lessons from this school year! 

Rhythm & design with acrylic, inspired by multicultural fabrics

Gessoed masonite (9x12)

Acrylic Paint

For the raised parts:

Mat Board scraps & cardboard squares - glue gunned 

This lesson focused on the PRINCIPLES of DESIGN, 

and specifically RHYTHM. 

It was also a wonderful way to introduce the kids to acrylic paint. 

Resource for rhythm:

I can't say enough great things about this post from the Helpful Art Teacher. 

And I HIGHLY recommend showing the short video to your students if you are trying to get across how to abstract nature or create designs that are inspired by an object but shouldn't look like the object. (I used this resource for an eighth grade abstracted nature project.)

For this project:

I supplied students with the following list of keywords and they did google image searches. 

They could google as they pleased, and had to find

three sources of inspiration before creating their design. 

Indian block printing, Adinkra printed cloth, Kente woven cloth

Mudcloth from Mali, javanese batik, Tapa cloth,

Quilts of Gee's Bend, Quilts by Eleanor McCain

They planned their design out in pencil. 

It had to be inspired by their three sources convey rhythm and repetition. 

Raised painted shapes were optional,

and I did my best to deter them from creating a centered design. 

For IPAD teachers!

My students created a slide show illustrating their inspiration and process in Explain Everything. 

I had them save each slide as an image and email the images to me. 

Then I popped all of the slides into imovie so I have a slide show of their design process to display at the art show. 

Here is one great example: