Printmaking is so much fun!

Students in grades 1-4 have been exploring the art of printmaking on both Gelli plates (3rd & 4th grades) and on recycled foam plates (1st & 2nd grades). Students were asked to each start on WOW Piece 2 this week, which is due March 18th.  Students are required to type a paragraph artist statement and may take a form home to help them (it was also sent home the first week of school).  WOW Piece 2 is for our art show at the end of April.

Students in Miss Hoffman's class were all working hard this week! 

She's been working on this rabbit coming out of a hat for weeks!  Love when students bring an idea and supplies!  We brainstormed together and it's coming along beautifully!

Fiber artists enjoy sitting at the Creation Station (old Culver's booth donated this past summer).

Even with her dominant arm in a sling, she brought an idea to make an aquarium out of a cookie tray and got to work!

Mrs. Smallwood's class made a large banner in honor of The Great Kindness Challenge!  Love!

Silly pictures are the best!

Welcome Back!

It's great to be back after an enjoyable break!  First and second graders are continuing printmaking this week with recycled styrofoam.  Love how this one matches the shirt she wore that day without even realizing it!  

Printmaking with recycled styrofoam!

It's the greatest thing when another teacher brings you a box full of recycled treasures, such as clean styrofoam trays! Kids had a great time making prints today!

It's great to be back!

Pecatonica Elementary is such a great place to work!  It's an honor to both live and work in the same community!  I received many well wishes and gentle hugs since my return.  It's wonderful to be in the Studio again!

We jumped into the art of printmaking this past week!  Ask your child about monotype printmaking.  Some students created prints using markers and styrofoam (BRING IN THOSE TAKE OUT CONTAINERS, please!) and some students experimented with the new Gelli plates.  The Gelli plates feels like gelatin without the mess of cooking.  Don't worry, we still got very messy and had some great discoveries in the process!

 If you forget the directions, here's the menu!

 Showing off her work!

 Students help each other so I can circulate the other studios.

 Mini-demo before opening studios.

Some students chose to visit other studios this week.  The wonderful thing about TAB is the freedom of choice of chosen mediums to create authentic child art!

Hope everyone had a great time at the Fun Fair this weekend!  I am working on creating an Animoto video I will post soon!  

New mini-studio!

This week in the Dragonfly Studio, students explored the art of printmaking! This is a mini-studio, which means it will come and go as student interest grows.  Students painted rubber leaves with metallic tempera paint and made prints.  

Also be sure to check out your child's Artsonia account and leave them comments!  It's a great way to share your child's artwork with family as well!  You should have received a handout from your child's teacher at conferences with information about the digital exhibits this school year.  Make sure to register and confirm your account.

Busy printmakers in action.

Not too busy to give me a smile, though!

Building with straws and puzzle pieces require great focus!

Some children love to "think BIG!"

Loving the use of technology to explore great art websites, such as The Art Institute of Chicago!

Has your child mentioned the Dragonfly Studio this year?  What are they enjoying the most?  What are they looking forward to?