Merry Christmas!

SNOW DAY!!!!

Kirigomi Snowflakes

I was given a great book about Kirigomi, the ancient art of paper cutting and folding. There was a chapter on these wonderful snowflakes, so I decided to try it with my 6th graders. Well, that was 5 years ago, and now it has become a tradition here at St. Helen's, that when you are in the 6th grade, you learn the secret to making these incredible snowflakes. I have heard from many parents that the kids come home and decorate the house with them.

It's becoming a winter wonderland!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We started making our Christmas ornaments this week. My art room is starting to sparkle with glitter and sequins.

Here are some of the 7th graders holding up their tie dye ornaments. We made them out of plaster tape, which they cut into a star shape after it was set. They then used liquid water color and painted the star. The colors came out really vibrant. Then they added matching beads on the string. They turned out beautiful.

Wednesday I took a group of 8th graders to Mangia Mangia to paint their window. We had a great time. These kids did such a wonderful job. St. Helen's has some very talented students. When we were finished with our work we enjoyed some of Mangia Mangia's delicious pizza. What a treat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't they look cute!

Mrs. Moon showed me how to make these headbands three years ago, and ever since the little ones have been making them for thanksgiving. I usually try to focus on a fine art curriculum, but around the holidays, I must admit, I break out my glue guns and scissors and get a bit crafty. With the holiday music in the background, it makes for a festive time.

...more Auction Projects

Second Grade Cross

This beautiful cross looks like etched silver.....but its not. Second graders created these clay tiles using the bottoms of their shoes for the texture. We then fired the tiles and painted them black and accented the design with silver. Thank you Mr. Taylor for making the wood cross. The tiles were then attached to the cross and each student signed their name to this lovely work of art.













This is the 5th graders auction project. Isn't it a masterpiece? We used the theme "the sun, the moon and the stars" . Each student created a design and embossed the design on a piece of thin copper. They then painted vaseline wherever they wanted the design to shine. Each student used liver of sulphur to patina the metal. The final step was buffing the metal with ultra fine steel wool. Thanks to Mrs Rulison and her father for creating the frame and putting the mirror inside of it for us. This collective work of art is truly extraordinary.

These projects will be auctioned off this Saturday at the Fall Extravaganza.

Auction Projects

Seventh Grade Block Print



Third Grade Print














These projects will be auctioned off Saturday at the Fall Extravaganza. All the proceeds benefit the students of St. Helen School, so come and join us for a festive evening of food, art and auctions!

Class Art Projects

Here are some of the art projects that will be auctioned off at the Fall Extravaganza. Sorry about the quality of these photo and my reflection...oops.

The first artwork is made by the first grade using glass beads and glue. The second art piece is a hand made paper collage done by the fourth grade. These pieces are stunning. I am so proud of all of my students!!

What on earth are the second graders doing with their shoes on the table???

Check it out next week when the Fall Extravaganza art projects are displayed in the atrium. I am sure their artwork will make quite and "impression".

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves

Leaves are falling everywhere in the art room this week. Students in the first grade are creating colorful autumn leaves by drawing out elm, maple and ash leaves and then collaging torn construction paper. Next week we will add the final details before they grace the walls and halls of St. Helens.

Wishing everyone a happy halloween!!

Things Are Looking Spoooookkyyy....wwwooooooo

St. Helen's is getting ready for the big Halloween bash. Decorations will be going up and there is excitement in the air.

Students in K - 4th grades studied the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead (celebrated on Nov. 2nd). They learned about the tradition of making sugar skulls and decorating them in remembrance of a loved one that has passed on. They then created their own beautifully decorated skulls. These skulls are hanging up in the main hall. Stop by and check them out.

Treasures of Heaven

There is a wonderful new exhibition on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics, and Devotion in Medieval Europe. This show runs through January 17, 2011. I have attached a video of the installation of the exhibit. You can see many of the beautiful pieces that are on display, as well as, some behind the scenes footage of how an exhibition is put together. Don't miss this great opportunity to view the magnificent masterpieces that embody the beauty, depth and mystery, of our Catholic faith.

Getting the Right Perspective

You can see the sweat on the brows of these Fifth graders. They are working hard to learn one-point perspective. They are creating a drawing of the interior of a room, not an easy feat.

Look at these wonderful zentangles done by the 6th grade. Each student incorporated a little of themselves in their work. Can you guess who made them??

It sure looks like Autumn in the art room. Seventh graders have been drawing, carving and printing beautiful leaves this week. Each individual print is very unique. We will be putting all of the carved printing blocks together to create a large print that will be auctioned off at the Fall Extravaganza. This will be a true work of collaborative art, that each student had a hand in. I will be posting a photo of it, and it will be on display in the atrium in November.

We just love to paint!!

Second graders looked at the work of one of my favorite artists, Jasper Johns (I even had a cat named Jasper Johns Jamieson). We looked at his numbers paintings and learned about how to paint with hot wax. Students then drew out their ABC's using oil pastels. Next, we learned how to mix our watercolors, using the pallete on the inside of the lid to make really interesting and beautiful colors. Each letter was then painted a different color. The results......wonderful! I will have them posted on Artsonia next week.

What to do on a rainy day?

Check out the "Fun Links". I just added two more websites that I think everyone will enjoy, young and old. So, if you are looking for things to do during these gray, rainy days....click on one of the links on the side, and start having some fun!!

Its Fall Extravaganza Time!

Our wonderful 7th graders are working hard on their printing blocks. Their class project is going to be fantastic.

Don't forget to get your tickets for the Fall Extravaganza on November 20, 2010, and check out all of the class art projects.

Well, summer weather may be gone, but we can still remember some of the fun by looking at the flip-flops that our fourth grade created. Students worked hard coming up with a cohesive design and color scheme that captured their summer memories.

Check out our Artsonia webpage on Sept. 30th to see these wonderful flip-flops.

Third graders are going crazy for zentangles. Each student created their own, unique bookmark using the zentangle technique of doodling. These bookmarks will be laminated and used throughout the school year.

Our first and second grade classes are working on fishbowls that are created using watercolor paints, pencils, colored pencils and crushed sea shells. Check out our Artsonia website to see all of the beautiful projects.

Using Line

Our kindergarten kids are busy creating their own amusement parks. We use strips of paper to create ferris wheels and crazy rollercoasters that would make any rider dizzy. Students then add gift shops and concession stands and, in the end, each park is a true work of art.

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the art room. We are well into our art projects for the new school year and boy, do I have some creative students. These eighth graders are working on an abstract drawing based on the artist Paul Klee. Other classes have been working hard painting, drawing and designing. Stop by the art room Thursday, September 16th during "Parent Night". I will have some beautiful artwork on display for all to see.

Final Days of Art Camp

.....more Art Camp

Art Camp!!!