ART TEACHERS! I am sorry I have been M.I.A!

Hey there everyone, it has been such a long time since I have gotten on here. Life hit and it has been one crazy ride. A woman totaled my car, I was going to doctors and therapy, and well it is the holiday season, so I have been on the go. I had my first craft show/fair and sold some of my jewelry, art, and artistic treasures and I have been in the studio working on a lot of new pieces. WOAH! Hope everyone is enjoying life and being creative! Visit my shop, I am still working on vamping it up :)

Visit my Etsy Shop!

My after school arts club/group that I created called "The Creative Minds" was featured in our local newspaper. If you are interested in the group and creating a chapter of your own at your school, join our facebook group/page called "The Creative Minds." We are a service learning arts group that helps create beauty through the arts in our local and school communities. 

Read the Article Here!

The Art of Freedom- Exploring the work of Jasper Johns and America's History

This lesson was done my 4th grade students. I have not done this lesson in a few years and I thought this would be the perfect year to use my book and some of my history books for this lesson. 

Students brought in their own newspapers and cardboard pieces from home. 

We cut 3 sizes, small, medium, and large-pre-cut by the teacher.

Students modge-podged each cardboard piece with newspapers. Let dry, and then next class we painted the white stripes. The following class we painted the red, blue, and white stars. We then let dry, and used small cardboard squares behind each piece to make it 3-D and a relief similar to Jasper Johns work. 

This piece below is the work done by Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958 that we used as inspiration. We discussed symbolism, freedom, America, and what those topics mean to them.

We used this book by Bob Raczka as inspiration and talked about using America as a subject in a work of art and why artists have chosen to use America in their art work.

The Art of the Picture Book---The Cat in the Hat!

This year my library teacher and I are collaborating with our students and we are doing "The Art of the Picture Book" as our theme. We are using sketchbooks that students take to Art Class and Library to do different activites. I love my librarian, she integrates art in so many ways in her class and she has such great books!

My 3rd Grade students did observational drawing and we discussed styles of art looking at illustrators. We chose Dr. Seuss to start off. We used a tints and shades background discussing how to create various blue hues. We also added some red collage paper pieces as a border. I am so proud of these kiddos. They did such an amazing job!

SWEBS ticket mosaic murals!

In my elementary school we use SWEBS as our behavior management system. Students recieve tickets for positive behaviors and choices. Over the past three years we collected thousands of tickets from the kiddos which is a very cool thing. My principle and guidance counselor wanted me to possibly do something with the array of tickets collected. I figured what better pieces for a mosaic banner mural to be hung around the school made by all students! Here they are a work in progress!!! 

Art Everywhere!

Does anyone else forget how Kinders are in the beginning of the year? Hehe

Art everywhere!! The year has begun! 

My honeymoon, wedding, and trip to Paris!

I can't believe how fast this summer went by! I got married, celebrated my honeymoon in Paris and am now unpacking my classroom! I absolutely loved Paris and it truly is every artistic persons dream to have visited there! The architecture, art and environment is unbelievable! 

Pictures of my classroom!

You can tell the year started! Stuff is everywhere! My theme this year is "The Art of the Picture Book." I am working with my library teacher and together we are integrating our curriculums. 

Lascaux Cave Drawings

This year in my classroom I am integrating literature and illustrators work into my art lessons. I am working hand in hand with my awesome librarian at our school and making big connections with students! Below are images of 3rd grade students working in their "caves" creating realistic Lascaux style drawings. We are exploring animals in art and literature with this particular grade level. We discussed the importance of the Lascaux Caves and used the following resources as inspiration! http://lascaux.fieldmuseum.org

Back to school!

This year I am doing an art and literature integrated theme with my librarian at my elementary school and I am thrilled and excited! I am still working out ideas for classroom decor. I still have tons to do my room is a mess! 

Sorry I have been out of the Loop!

Hello wonderful and creative art teachers out there! Sorry I have not posted recently, it is that wonderful time we enjoy so much and life has just been busy! I am getting married next month and wedding plans are being finalized and last minute crafting and creating is being done. I will be posting late in July Beginning of August once things are back on track. I will be making my way to Paris for the first time for our Honeymoon and can't wait to check out the beautiful art there!! Any suggestions or tips would be very much appreciated. For now, have a relaxing and creative summer everyone!
Creative Wishes,
Ashley

Artsonia Rocks!

http://www.sycsd.org/spotlight.cfm?sp=11050&start=1&end=25&school=0
Artsonia has totally changed our world this year in our art room. It allowed us to communicate with families more, open a whole new world of art appreciation and has allowed us to earn funds for art supplies! We made the Spotlight on our school website! Yay for Art! This article is about my 3rd grade student Brianna who won an award and category of Artist of the Week on the Artsonia website!!

Crushed Can Value Drawings

6th grade students created these transformation drawings using a soda can. We focused on using graphite, value, and form in our drawings. They had to transform the can into 3 different compositions by crushing it with their hands or feet. They then had to use their observation skills to draw the can three different times.