6th Grade Chuck Close Inspired Self Portraits

Sixth grade students began this project by studying the artist Chuck Close and the evolution of his portrait style.  While the students were working on an assigned artwork critique form, I photographed each student.  The could come up with their own pose, and for the more shy students, I told them they didn't have to look at the camera.  I used http://www.dumpr.net/ to turn their photo into a sketch and printed them out.  The students then outlined the major lines of their face and used a light box to transfer the drawing to tag board.  Because only a few students will fit on the light box at a time, the students added a 1x1" grid on their tag board while they were waiting.  In each box, they drew a simple design, pattern, or object.  Finally they used colored pencils to color in their designs.  For each section (background, hair, skin, and clothes) they had to use a different 2-color combo.  This was another tedious project, but I am so pleased with the results!

Thanks to the blog post from "For the Love of Art" for the inspiration for this project!

5th Grade Dale Chihuly Inspired Chandeliers

Oh, what a process this was!  Once all of the bugs were eventually worked out, this was a fun, quick, and easy recycled art project with pretty impressive results.  I had originally found this project in a magazine (however, what magazine that was escapes me) and I decided this would be a great way to show the students how art can be created from materials we would normally just throw away. 

Dale Chihuly was the inspiration for this project, and luckily many of my students have had the opportunity to see a Chihuly piece in real life, thanks to an exhibit at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  After receiving quite a collection of water bottles, the students began adding color with permanent markers (I found this was the easiest way to apply translucent color with the materials I had on hand).  Once colored, I cut the top of the bottle off and the students either cut strips down the side of the bottle, or they cut a spiral around the bottle.  Next, they made a hole somewhere on the plastic and threaded a piece of fishing line through the hole.  They continued this process until all bottles had been attached.

So here's what DIDN'T work: I wanted the plastic to start taking on a form that would not be recognized as a water bottle.  I originally had the students take a hair dryer to soften the plastic to the point where they could manipulate and change the form.  Unfortunately, we kept shorting out the electrical in the art room, so we had to put this project on the back burner.  We started another project with the hopes of coming back to this one, and in the meantime, I discovered Pinterest.  :)  I found this example of cutting the bottles into a spiral and the rest is history!   

4th Grade Value Snowmen

6th Grade Orgiami Chinese Dragons

Thanks to my student teaching supervising teacher several years ago for this fun project!  Sixth grade students first studied the history and cultural significance of Chinese dragons, looking for common physical characteristics among examples I provided.  Using this website for instructions, the students first folded the head of the dragon.  For the body, they made a simple box fold.  Next, using a limited color palette, the students added details using scrap construction paper.  These colorful and creative dragons will soon be hanging about the room!