INSIDE THE ART ROOM

Holiday Spirit

2011-12-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the art room. We have stockings hung and snowflakes on the windows. Our preschoolers have created beautiful Christmas wreaths to decorate with. We sure have been having a festive time.

Our Collaborative Masterpiece

2011-12-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mr. E and Gallery 2404 for this great mural idea. I thought that this quaint village would look wonderful in the artroom, so here is the results. The pre-k class did a beautiful job on the boarder and the 1st grade made the grass with light snow on it. The 2nd grade made the wonderful sky and the 3rd worked on the moving vehicles. All of the houses and other buildings were made by our very creative 5th grade class. A couple of the 8th graders added some finishing touches. I am so proud of every student that participated in this masterpiece. It looks fantastic. Great job!

2011-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

Our eighth grade class has studied the works of Max Ernst, Salvidor Dali and Rene Magritte. We looked at the philosophy of the surrealist movement. Each student then used their own dream imagery and automatic drawings to create a sculpture. They are really very interesting and extremely creative. Good job grade eight!

Fall Extravaganza Art Projects

2011-11-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the projects that will be auctioned off this Saturday at our annual fundraiser. Each class worked together to create one wonderful work of art.
Pictured are:
grade 5 - mirror framed with embossed copper
grade 3 - fruit and veggie print
grade 6 - tissue paper painting
grade 4 - handmade paper weaving
grade 1 - painting with glass beads
grade 7 - gold and black leaf print

These are just some of the projects....join us on Saturday at the LaMalfa party center for a wonderful evening of festivities.

Delaunay Designs

2011-11-03T05:44:00.000-07:00

Our 5th grade class studied the artist Sonia Delaunay. We loved how she took geometric shapes and overlapped them to create interesting designs.
Each student worked very hard and created their own abstract work of art.

Coming Soon to St. Helen School

2011-10-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

Don't forget our annual tradition of Halloween face painting. Next Monday we will have face painting stations set up in the cafeteria, primary hall, next to the gym, and in the 6th grade. Our wonderful 8th graders will be painting pumpkins, ghosts, and all sorts of Halloween designs at the cost of 50 cents a piece or 3 for one dollar. All proceeds will go to charity.

2011-10-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to look a little spooooky around St. Helen School. I think that everyone is excited for our big Halloween party on Oct. 28th. The second grade class is getting in the spirit of the season by creating spiderwebs and next week we will be adding spiders!!!!

4th Grade Op Art

2011-09-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

We have been having a great time creating optical illusions. The fourth grade class drew out their op art with a sharpie marker and then added vibrant liquid water color paint. These pieces are turning out so cool. I will be putting them up on our Artsonia site as they are completed. So, check them out and see all of the talented artists that we have in the 4th grade.

It's Apple Pickin...oh, I mean.....Apple Printing time.

2011-09-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Our first grade class has been learning all about Johnny Appleseed this week. I decided to incorporate this into a printmaking lesson and voila........we have apple print wreaths. Each student designed and decorated their wreath using an apple and good, ole tempera paint. They turned out beautifully and next week we will add the finishing touches.

Happy 50th Anniversary St. Helen School

2011-09-12T08:28:00.001-07:00

September 11,2011, what a wonderful day for St. Helen school, our 50th anniversary. Bishop Pevac presided over a beautiful mass, followed by the dedication of our wonderful tile mural and our science lab. Each hall celebrated a different decade of our school and a reception was held in the gym. It was great to see so many alumni come back to enjoy this moment in time.

Now that we are all settled in.......

2011-09-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Students are starting their first projects for the year. With the younger grades I am doing "circle painting". It has been a lot of fun and the results are fantastic. Stop by the art room at parents night Sept. 8th or during our mural unveiling on Sept. 11th, to see the results. I think you will be impressed.

Art Camp

2011-07-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

Our first art camp has just finished up and boy, did we have a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of what we created. Our theme this year was Medieval and Renaissance times. We built castles, designed our own, unique coat of arms, did street painting, and sculpted gargoyles...and that was only a portion of what we accomplished.

Now, on to next week. Nature art with the little ones. I will post some pictures....should be a great time.

End of the Year Fun

2011-06-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

We are all cleaned up and ready for summer. I had some wonderful helpers that made the work go by quickly. For their reward.....I got out the finger paints!!!! Just what junior high kids needed, what a way to end the year.

Have a wonderful summer!

Seventh Grade Ceramics

2011-05-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

The seventh grade just finished their ceramics unit. We studied how to create coil pots and the variety of techniques that are used. Each student then worked hard to create their own unique coil pot.

2011-05-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

We are coming down to the last weeks of school and, here in the art room, we are finishing up some projects. In the first grade, each student drew out their own, unique cartoon character. We then transferred the drawing onto a styrofoam printing plate, and then printed them out. What wild and interesting characters were created.

Check out the Art Show

2011-04-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

St. Helen Student Art Show

Artwork will be up until May 1st. Come and check out the wonderful artwork by our incredibly talented students.

more about our mural......

2011-04-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures from our week with Mr. Woideck. All of the classes had the opportunity to work side by side with Mr. Woideck. It was a wonderful week of creativity and learning.

I have already fired about 200 of the 253 tiles that were made. They are turning out beautifully. In August, the mural will be put together on the wall outside the art and science rooms. After it is all assembled, it will be covered up for the big unveiling on Sept. 11, 2011, the 50th anniversary of St. Helen School!

Introducing Mr. Woideck

2011-03-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

We are very fortunate to have George Woideck of Young Audiences here at St. Helen school. Mr. Woideck is a very talented and established ceramic artist and arts educator. He will be working with all of our students to create a beautiful clay tile mural that will hang in our school.

Nothing like drawing from real life!

2011-02-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

This year I have decided, instead of apples and pears as a still life subject, that the students should study the work of Wayne Thiebaud and then use a cupcake for the still life subject, real cupcakes...yuummmmmy. Well, it helps to have a daughter who is studying to be a pastry chef. She made red velvet cupcakes for the 5th and 6th graders. Each student had to draw the cupcake first and then, after all the clean up, we ate them!!

Smiles all around.

Walk Like An Egyptian

2011-02-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

We have so much fun in the art room. This week the first grade went back in time to when the pyramids were built and the pharaoh ruled. We talked about what life would have been like in Ancient Egypt and then created a Nemes type headdress....and yes, we did sing and dance to the song "Walk Like and Egyptian".

2011-02-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

The seventh graders had a lot of fun learning how to make "new" paper out of the old scraps. Each student had the opportunity to make several sheets of paper. The paper will then be used as a cover for a hand made book of their block prints.

Study of a Cupcake.....yummmm

2011-02-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

5th and 6th graders have been studying the work of artist, Wayne Thiebaud. Here is one of the wonderful charcoal drawings. I will be posting some of our soft pastels and paintings when they are finished.

2011-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

As the winter weather starts to loom over the art room, I thought that it would be good to embrace the snow. What could be better to do this then making snowmen. First graders used old wine corks to print out a beautiful snow man. These wonderful pieces of art will be on the artsonia (http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=9155) website tomorrow. Check it out!!

2011-01-27T05:26:00.000-08:00

Did you ever notice how many wonderful sculptures there are in northeastern Ohio?? The 4th grade has been studying them...Dale Chihuly's Polymer Tower, Naguchi's Portal and Oldenburg's Free Stamp, to name a few.

It is very exciting when a student recognizes a sculpture and then wants to learn more about it. We are also creating our own sculptures out of paper mache. We based the design on the Pop art of Claes Oldenburg. It is exciting to see them come to life. I will be posting more pictures as they are finished.

Whats Happening?

2011-01-19T04:48:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten kids take pride in making a "fire" out of tissue paper, using warm colors to create the flames. This "fire" collage will be placed inside of jeweled lanterns that they will be making this week.

So many exciting projects happening inside the artroom.

Look Whats Hanging in the Jr. High Hall

2011-01-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

Some of the eighth graders have finished painting their self portraits, can you guess who is who? As the others in the class finish, I will be switching out paintings, so you never know who you will be seeing hanging on the board. Keep an eye out!!

2011-01-04T10:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

I hope that everyone had a great holiday season and enjoyed the break. I must admit, it feels good to be back at school and into a routine again.

Here are some third grade "knights in shining armor". We have been working on incorporating symbols into our designs to create more meaning. Each student created their own, unique design for their helmet. They look so gallant!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

SNOW DAY!!!!

2010-12-14T03:43:00.000-08:00

Kirigomi Snowflakes

2010-12-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-03T11:16:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-12-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-22T08:30:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

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!!

2010-11-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a happy halloween!!

Things Are Looking Spoooookkyyy....wwwooooooo

2010-10-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

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??

2010-10-13T05:01:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-10-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-01T10:36:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-09-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-09-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-09-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

.....more Art Camp

2010-07-01T08:51:00.001-07:00

Art Camp!!!

2010-07-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Stop Motion Animation Winners!!

2010-06-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Max!!

Congratulations Ethan!!

You did a wonderful job. Keep up the good work. I am sure that we will be seeing your names on the big screen in the future.

2010-05-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

The school year is coming to a close and the 8th grade class is getting ready to graduate. But....before they leave us they will be painting an "Andy Warhol" style self-portrait. As a tribute to this years class, these portraits will decorate the halls the last couple weeks of school. Good luck and God Bless the class of 2010.

2010-04-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

5th and 6th graders are finishing up their still life paintings and pastel drawings. Check out the display in the main hall to see some of their amazing work.

Lights, Camera, Action!!

2010-03-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

Junior high students are busy getting ready for the "First Annual St. Helen's Film Festival" Here is one of the short film entries.

I'm seeing the lights of Hollywood in someones future!

Ready, Set, Action!!

2010-02-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

Junior High students are getting ready to become film makers. Each student worked on character development and story ideas for a stop motion animation film. Students are pictured here working on making background scenery and characters out of modeling clay, paint, legos....etc. Filming and editing start next week!!

Crazy about Kandinsky

2010-01-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

First grade students had the opportunity to learn about Wassily Kandinsky (they love his name). They each are creating their own version of his famous painting "Squares with Concentric Circles" and I think Kandinsky would be proud.

Better the second time around

2010-01-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

St. Helen school has been recycling paper this year and part of that program is to save the scraps in the art room. So, this week we have put those scraps to good use by creating paper pulp. The kindergarten classes made bowls out of the paper pulp and the 3rd grade class was able to make some beautiful paper. This paper will be used later in the year for another project that they will be doing. Now that's what I call recycling!

2010-01-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

Were starting 2010 with some still life drawing exercises that will lead into our painting unit. Pictured are some 5th grade artists sharpening their artistic eye by drawing from observation.

2009-12-10T10:58:00.000-08:00

Check out the beautiful window at Mangia, Mangia restaurant. It was painted by 5 St. Helen junior high students. They certainly captured the feeling of the holidays.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-12-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

We are getting ready for the holidays. All of the students are taking a few moments in art class to make snowflakes to decorate for the annual Christmas dinner, which is going to take place on Dec. 18th.

Mini Matisse

2009-10-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

After watching "Droppimg in on Matisse", students in Kindergarten and First grades have been making their own paper cuts in the style of Henri Matisse. The movie told about Henri Matisse, the Fauve painter. Students learned about his life and his artwork, especially his paper cuts. Each student then created their own Matisse-style artwork.

2009-09-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

The junior high students are learning to really look closely at what they are drawing. We focused on the figure and then created these graphic silhouettes.

2009-09-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

We have had a great start to the school year. Everyone is excited to get going and make art. After going through all the rules and procedures of the art room we did some exercises to train our eyes to really see, like an artist sees. Pictured is our eighth grade class doing some blind contour drawings. Some interesting drawings came about from doing this. We will be concentrating on improving our drawing skills for the first part of this quarter.

2009-08-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

WELCOME BACK!!!
I am very excited for this year. It is wonderful to have a room to get ready. I have ordered some new materials and have spent my summer working on new lessons in sculpture, 3-D design and drawing, so get ready for an incredible year.

Congratulations Class of 2009

2009-06-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

The eight graders have finished their final project. They painted a shoe in the style of the artist that they did their research paper on. I must say, that their were quite a few very creative shoes, but I think that the Andy Goldsworthy shoe, that was covered in moss and rocks, takes the top honor of craziest shoe.

Congratulations to the class of 2009. It has been an honor and a pleasure to have taught you and watch you create over the years. You are all AWESOME!!! I will miss you.

1st Place!!!!!

2009-05-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Amanda O. for winning first place in pastel drawing at the Regina Art Show. Her artwork titled, "O'Pear" is done in chalk pastel. We are so proud of you.

2009-03-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

Students in 2nd and 3rd grades have started making relief prints. They are turning out beautifully.

2009-03-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

This 3rd grader is busy making geometric designs for printing. Each student learned about a variety of geometric shapes, overlapping, and the importance of the background.

Delectable Designs

2009-02-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

"Cakes" by Wayne Thiebaud, 1963

2nd grade just finished their "Cake Paintings" and they look delicious. We studied the art work of painter Wayne Thiebaud, looking closely at his paintings of cakes. Each student drew out their cake. They then painted them using tempra paint. Each student learned to mix paint to expand their basic palette of blue, red, green and yellow.

2009-02-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

The students here at St. Helen's have been very busy making ceramic hearts to sell next week. The proceeds from the sale will go to help Alyssa Marie. Alyssa is a 10 year old girl with a rare skeletal disease. Her family is in need of help to get her the medical treatment that she desperately needs. The students were happy to help and I am so proud of them for their kindness and generosity.

Kindergarten Creations

2009-02-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday we had the paper bowls that the kindergarten class made displayed at our open house. They looked awesome!!! I had many, many people comment on how wonderful they looked. Each kindergarten student took their time and made a beautiful work of art. I am so proud of all of them.

What Are They Doing???

2009-01-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

Our 5th graders have a new found appreciation for Michaelangelo, since we have studied his most famous fresco painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. After looking at slides, each student is getting a feel for what it would be like to paint on a ceiling. We taped paper on the underside of the art tables and students tried to create their own frescos laying on the carpet squares on the floor.

These 8th graders are really "handy"

2009-01-15T11:06:00.000-08:00

Eighth graders have just finished their sculptures based on the work of artist George Segal. Please stop by during the Open House on February 1st to see them displayed. They did a wonderful job.

A New Start

2009-01-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, I hope that everyone enjoyed their time off. We are back in the swing of things here in the art room. Every class is starting new projects and I will be sharing them with you over the next couple of weeks.

I posted a short You Tube video. This video is part of a documentary that the 6th grade is watching titled "Rivers and Tides". It is about the Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy. He is one of my favorites. He works outside using only what he finds in nature to create his art. Take a look, I think you will like it.

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

We are finishing our Christmas crafts and listening to Christmas carols all week. Here is Ben and Billy finishing their gingerbread houses.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

2008-12-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

Seventh graders are busy toning their canvases to paint on.

St. Helen's is very fortunate to have received a donation from the Greenwalt family. James Greenwalt was a local artist who painted beautifuly. The donated items came from his studio after he passed two years ago. This donation consisted of many stretched canvases, paint brushes, portfolios, rulers, 6 easels and many, many, beautiful art books.

Thank you to Mrs. Pinzone for storing them for us while the art room was being constructed.

Draw Like An Egyptian

2008-12-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

6th grade just got finished with their Ancient Egyptian unit. The class learned how to draw figures in the "frontalist" style, just like an ancient Egyptian artisans.

2008-11-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

Our 3rd and 4th graders have finished their "Haring" posters and are now doing some basic figure drawing. The picture above shows a student posing/modeling for the class. Students then try to draw what the model is doing. It is a very difficult assignment but our students are rising to the occasion and producing some wonderful drawings.

2nd Quarter is Under Way

2008-11-11T11:31:00.001-08:00

Everything is off to a wonderful start for the second quarter:

1st graders are working on their costumes for the Christmas play

2nd grade started some beautiful watercolor paintings

3rd and 4th grades are learning about the artist, Keith Haring and will soon have a display up in the main hall way showcasing what they have learned

5th grade is making stunning jewelry to wear

6th grade is learning hieroglyphics to add some interesting detail to their Egyptian collages

7th and 8th grades are studying value and perspective this week, next week we will start on a projects that puts into practice what they have learned.

Above is an ink drawing that we just finished with in Jr. High. Erin did a great job!!

2008-11-06T06:43:00.000-08:00

The Cleveland Museum of Art is having a wonderful show, it is titled "Artistic Luxury" and it is definetly luxurious. Above are two pieces that are highlighted in the show. They were created by renound French jeweler Rene Lalique. The 5th grade studied his technique of using beautiful jewels to color his pieces. They then used seed beads and model magic to create their own unique necklace.

Fall Extravagnza Projects

2008-10-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

6th grade project

1st grade project

3rd grade project

Things are Getting Pretty Spooky Around Here

2008-10-24T09:22:00.001-07:00

First grade is working very hard on their Halloween silhouettes. Everyone is very excited for our grand Halloween party tonight. Hope to see everyone there. I will be working the "fishing" game, please stop by and say HI.

Working of Fall Extravaganza Projects

2008-10-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Pictured are some of our seventh grade students working on their quilt for the Fall Extravaganza on November 1st. This quilt is made out of the students old jeans and t-shirts. The design is based on one of the Quilts of Gees Bend.

Look whats new in the art room

2008-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

We have almost moved all the way into the art room. Classes are going great, as you can see. The first grade class is gluing a design for their personal emblem. They are doing a great job. Friday the new kiln was brought in. It will be hooked up this week and I will be doing testers very soon. Students are busy working on their Fall Extravaganza projects also and they are doing wonderfully.

We are off and running!!

2008-09-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

A new school year has begun and we are off to a great start. Students are still having classes in the cafeteria, but that will soon change. The art room is finished and we are expected to start classes in the new facility at the end of the week. Kindergarten and first grades are starting to study geometric shapes, second and third are using oil pastels to create a night scene (I was inspired by the black out). Fourth, fifth and sixth grades are using new gel pens to create a beautiful Autumn masterpiece. Seventh and eighth graders are working on a collaborative project using negative space. I will be displaying these works of art when they are finished.

2008-07-30T08:05:00.001-07:00

ART IS BACK. The Cleveland Museum of Art has reopened its 1916 building after three years of renovation and construction. It is a wonderful experience to walk through the galleries and view the incredible works of art that are displayed throughout the nineteen galleries. The Museum of Art is FREE and opened Tuesday thru Sunday. If you have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

Things are going great with the new art room. The new floor is in and supplies for this coming school year are being ordered, but before I start talking about the new school year, take time to enjoy your summer!!!

A Look Inside the New Art Room

2008-07-03T12:27:00.001-07:00

Everything is looking so nice in the new room. The accent wall color is called "baked clay". How appropriate since this year we will be getting a kiln and starting to introduce each student to the joy of creating art out of clay.

Summers here and the time is right...

2008-06-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

School is out and supplies are put away till September. I won't be posting as often as I intend to do during the school year. When I get into the new art room I will post pictures of how the room is progressing. I am very excited to create art in this new space.

Also, if you have not heard. The PTC has been very kind and generous by providing school supplies for this next school year. So no more searching for Prang watercolors, or Fiskar scissors!! All the supplies that each student will need will be provided for them, including art shirts.

I hope all of you laugh, play and have a wonderful summer!!

Congratulations Class of 2008

2008-06-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Congratulation to the class of 2008. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to teach you. Keep being creative and looking at the world with your own unique vision. Best wishes in your high school careers.

Pastel Landscapes

2008-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of the landscapes that the 3rd grade created after looking at artist Tracy Helgeson's work. Above is Nina's work and the Emily's, they are beautiful. The whole class did a great job. Unfortunately my scanner is not working well and I am only able to post 2 pictures. Thanks to Mr. Mills though, next year we will have a new scanner to go into our new classroom.

Things are coming to a close for this school year. It sure has gone by quickly. Students will be getting there second term work this week to take home. I can't believe that it is almost over.

We're getting messy in 3rd grade.

2008-05-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

The 3rd grade class has been finishing there landscapes. The class viewed the artwork of New York Artist, Tracy Helgeson (check out her website by clicking on her name). Each student then studied a picture and drew the background, midground and foreground lines. They went over the lines with liquid glue. After the glue dried, they filled in the area with soft pastels, layering the color.

Art Around Our Neighborhood

2008-05-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

Cheyenne, Megan and Shannon did a great job painting Mangia, Mangia's window last week. The design was a collaborative effort between the artists. Each artist gave up their afternoon to paint this mural. The time and talent that they put forth sure paid off. It turned out beautifully!!

Congratulations Brian!!

2008-04-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Brian, for winning 1st place in painting at the Regina Art Show. We are sooo proud of you.

Congratulations also goes out to Lyndsey for receiving an Honorable Mention for her mixed media work.

Welcome to Our World

2008-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

8th grade Fall Extravaganza Project

Hi All!!!
I decided to start a blog about the activities that go on in art class. Why, you may say. Well, because I have seen to many really good art projects end up in the school trash because they did not fit in a book bag and I have also had parents ask me what their children have been doing in art because they have not seen anything come home. So, in response to this I have set up this place in cyberspace so parents, student, friends and family can see what we do.

I also feel that St. Helen's has so many talented students that the bulletin boards just don't give everyone justice. I am hoping to update this blog on a weekly basis through out the school year. I will also post any homework that needs to be done. This, usually, only pertains to the junior high students, and happens infrequently. But, it will be posted here in case students have lost their instructions, forgot the due date, missed class..... and the hundreds of other scenarios that may occur.

So here goes our venture into the world of blogging. Hope you stop back frequently to check out what goes on inside the art room.