Good Morning!

I am an artist and educator from Dallas, Texas, currently living in Zurich Switzerland. Here I share with you some favourite moments from my experience in the classroom that I hope you may find interesting and useful! Please browse the pages below at the right at for a sampling of teacher created units, student work and assessments.

Back to Basics - Syllabus, Assessments and Student Work for Art I

Art I, known by many names, Studio Art I, Intro to Design, is, in my opinion, a perfect format for introducing the basics of communicating in a visual language to complete beginners, and for allowing more experienced students a more mature exploration of familiar topics. 

From the beginning, a seemingly simple topic like the element of COLOR can easily become an in-depth unit with many possibilities for exploration and expression!
Here is an example of a unit I created for COLOR, which involves tasks for individuals, partners and groups.


The COLOR Unit

I. Introduction

            Why do we see color? (Science/Physics; properties of light) Who was Olafur Eliasson? http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2008/olafureliasson/#/intro

(video clips) What did he do with this property of color?
What makes the color in paint? What is pigment? (Story about cochineal beetle and mango fed cows)
What is a binder? (bring in some raw pigment and binder and a grinding set up)
--To the Class: what stories have you heard about psychological effects of colors?--
 II. Activities in Sketchbook pages:
Learn: Color schemes related to the traditional color wheel (subtractive color)
Primary
Secondary
Intermediate
Complementary
Analgous
Split Complementary
Earth Tones, neutrals, tertiaries
Monochromatic

Discussion:
WHO was Johannes Itten? What ideas did he have about color? What colors are most pleasing to you? WHO was Josef Albers? what contributions did he make to color field painting? WHO was Mark Rothko? Why (do you think) he turned to abstract painting? (read clips from the play, "Red"
Read and Respond to Excerpts from David Batchelor's "Chromophobia"

Sketchbook Activity: Fill in a grid, with a chromatic pattern that is pleasing to you! (this will be used again soon) (after Johannes Itten)

 III. ‘I Heart Color’ Portrait
Learn: General Time-line of “Modern Art” What/Who are the  Impressionists? How do they use color? (Rouen Cathedrals) Who are “Expressionists?” How did they get those names? What else were they called? Are people afraid of Color??



Activity/Project: A portrait of a fellow Student… using that students color grid (from activity above)
Activity Continued: Begin with a line drawing- look for shapes of shadows and value changes. Divide up the space in the background. Canvas Paper, brushes, acrylics.

IV.  Color Prezi  presentation by instructor  as model (include elements of science, symbolism, literary reference, cultural significance, art)

Individual Work musing on ‘Color’ written responses

Activity:    Color/Shape/ Line (Abstract Interpretation of) “Close to Me” by the Cure (?)
Out of Class: Write a poem about the color Red. Then illustrate it (Sketchbook Activity?)
References: “My Name is Red” by Orhan Pamuk, William Carlos Williams, clips: Simon Shama’s Rothko, select scenes from the movie, “Hero”, video interviews of people responding to significance of the color red.

V. Group Project!
In groups: present a color (assigned by instructor)
Presentation: will be graded with a performance rubric as well as
                                    *Evidence of: cultural significance, scientific existence, literary use, use in music, use in USA, use in other cultures, use in advertising, history of the word.
                                    *Will have a ‘creative aspect’ that demonstrates knowledge of the above information in an ‘alternative’ format. Suggestions include the following:  A movie (movie maker), a press, an original song, a class activity, a skit, costumes.
                                    *Must have personal inferences and conclusions made by individuals as a result of the research. Isn’t it interesting that . . . . I was shocked to learn. . . . . . I can see why. . . . . . . .because. . .etc.

Bonus Project: Individually or as Groups (related to the color assigned): Design a Sticker or Bumper Sticker, emphasizing the given color, and sending a graphic (not in the violent sense) message about a relevant cause. (an issue of global concern)

Ex: education, energy conservation, civil rights, cyber safety/cyber bullying, women’s rights, hunger


Some Examples of Student Work: (grade 9, ages 13-15) I Heart Color Portrait


Here is an example Assessment Rubric for this Unit:
Color Investigation
Purpose: To know more about a particular color’s origin, existence, meaning and use as an art medium.
Topics to cover in the Presentation
1.       Etymology ; or the root of the word.  For example how did we arrive with word RED to describe that color of poppies, apples, blood, and roses?  What are some variations? What about in other languages?
2.       Culutral Significance; What does your color symbolize around the world? Explore its significance in three parts of the world. How is it used in religious ceremonies?
3.       Use in Art; what art mediums exist in your color? How are they made? What are they made of? Where did it begin? Is  it used in make-up? Are there variations? Are some options toxic? Natural?
4.       Psychological Effects; Find some studies or cases or information about the effect this color has on people. You may want to interview others around the school to see how responses differ.
5.       Poetry and Literature; where has this color appeared in the literary arts. What famous poets or songwriters/musicians/singers have been inspired by this color? Think of any novels you have read, or are reading now.
6.       Others? (Do you know of a famous painting or sculpture where your color seems particulary important?- you can investigate the The Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMa.org websites for ideas) Have any artists is history relied heavily on this color for some reason? How is it perceived in the fashion world? In the interior design world?
7.       Are there any Ad Campaigns or Charity associated with this color? Why did they pick this color do you think?
8.       Everyday Speech- is your color used to describe a feeling or state of mind? Where did that come from? (ex. Green with envy)
Inferences:
Your presentation will be 8 minutes. You will probably want to ‘time it’ once to see what you can fit in.
In your closing, your group should have been able to make some comparisons, or conclusions about that color.
Visuals:
This is up to you. You have sat through plenty of presentations. How can you share your findings in a FUN and ENGAGING way?  You don’t have to be totally traditional, but showing some images, or having actual ‘things’ to reference may make your 10 minutes more exciting.  There are more ways to present information than by just reading it off a page J
You will have two full class periods to work in your groups.
See Rubric for Presentation Grading !
Color Investigation Activities and Projects:
1.     Musical Abstraction a la Kandinsky and/or Mondrian
2.     Expressionist Portrait of a Fellow Student (using contour line drawing for structure)
3.     Color Campaign Bumper Sticker and Flyer
4. Group Presentation
 Presentation:
(Portfolio Project)

(See Presentation Rubric)
Comments:
Total:


Musical Abstraction:
(Activity Grade)



Expressionist Portrait:
(Portfolio Project)



Bumper Sticker/Flyer:
(Portfolio Project)







Presentation Rubric:



PRESENTATION RUBRIC


Introduction

-Body Language?
-Enthusiasm?
-Statement of Purpose? (preview of main ideas)10

BODY of the PRESENTATION

-Organization
Clear, appropriate and interesting transitions, everyone understands what they are talking about (no reading from the slide or directly from notes) information is authentic
10

Key Objectives Explored:
-Etymology, history of the word
10





-Cultural Significance
10





-Use/existence as pigment (where does it come from?) 10





-Use in the Arts: Literature, Music, Visual Art, Make-up, Fashion, Interior Design, and/or Movies
10





Visuals

Relevant?Appropriate?
Unified and Clear design?
10






Creative Element
Audience Participation?
Commitment?
Originality?
Creativity?
10

Personal Conclusions and Inferences made
10





Overall Conclusion
Wrap up Statement
5




Time Management
5






Maximum points will be given in individual categories that show multiple and/or multicultural perspectives, global significance, and/or personal (self-made) conclusions.

More Student Work from ART 1

































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