Sunday, March 28, 2010

Art project.....

After having a discussion about abstract art, I had the students construct these abstract sculptures. The nice this about these is that they can be stood up on their own, or hung from the ceiling.

Cut 12 Strips of white paper for each student...2” x 12”, stacked on top of each other and stapled together at one end.

(In the photo it looks like there is one strip of white paper....there really are 12 pieces there. Biggify and see...)

Prepare Multi colored strips of Railroad board (sorta thin colored cardboard)(google it..) , 3” wide x 20 (+)” long, one for each student.


Close up of the stack....

Don’t do anything to the first strip on the stack.
Take the second strip and start rolling, bending, folding, twirling etc. into some design. Make sure the ‘strip’ folding keeps the strip aligned in a straight line. (you don't want your strips going to the right or left and then sticking out all over the place later.) (well, maybe you do!)

Two strips folded or curled....

When all the middle strips are manipulated, staple the top and bottom strips to each other at the opposite end of the first staple.
Manipulate the designs happening within the top and bottom strips to get the look you want.

Close up of stapled end....

Select a strip of 3” wide railroad board in the color and length of your choice.
‘Fence in” the white paper construction with the cardboard and decide how big a ‘fence’ you are going to make around it.

You decide this by tightening the 'fence' and looking at the resulting design within the cardboard ring.
The smaller and tighter you make the circle, the more the design gets compacted.
    Mark off where you want the strip to end for the size you pick. Actually cut it a little bigger so you have a place to glue it together to make the ring. There should be just a little overlap. Secure with 2 paper clips until the glue dries.









Here I glued three of mine together to make an interesting mobile.

This took less than one 80 minute period. They came out great and it was a good project to do early in the semester because even the 'nervous' artists were successful.

P.S. Don't even ask me why my fonts are different sizes and colors....as my student's say, " I didn't do it."
I don't have time to figure it out.......!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! Those are cool. What a great way to teach kids about abstract art! It's so fun and something everyone can do!!!!

For my classes we had a photo or still life to draw (can't remember). Then we had to take a small spot from, blow it up to basic shapes and then paint it in flat black and white values. And paint it again in color.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Great creations - I think that is a fantastic idea to give the nervous students a chance to shine right at the beginning.

Unknown said...

What a great idea. Your students must love you! You gave them a no-fail project!

Lili said...

Oh I want to go to art class too! That's cool that you actually made some yourself with the students. Great project and thanks for the tutorial! ~Lili

Evansmom said...

You should be teacher of the year. These are amazing.

Anonymous said...

Great! What a lot of fun!

Kathleen said...

I love these. YOur students are quite talented...of course, they have you for a teacher. Great work! Hugs, Kathleen

Debbie said...

Really really cool....I need a new best friend who also happens to be a really talented artist....interested? Hee hee...You are amazing!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Very creative--not difficult and yet pretty... The students will enjoy that project I'm sure.

Hope you have a great Easter week.
Hugs,
Betsy

Maya said...

These are really fun!! And I love all your seaside paintings! Do you sell them online, Etsy store perhaps?

Balisha said...

What a cool project. I want to join your class. Thanks for the wonderful directions.
Balisha

Mama Goose said...

Very cool! I will definitely do this with my boys!! Thanks for the wonderful idea.

Sarah Laurence said...

Very cool! Your students must love you. Thanks for the lesson!

Deb Shucka said...

These are so cool!!!

Lisa said...

Great project, they look very nice, either hanging or standing upright!! Enjoy your day.

cam said...

For me??
...it all started with those crazy TV guide reassignments, memba that??? Your dad's TV guide covers!!! That's when I KNEW you were amazing...what that's almost 35 years ago!!! lucky us!!

Love,
your BIGGEST fan

Sharon Creech said...

Brilliant! And beautiful! I want to be in your class. . .