Monochromatic Colour Theory

I am sure some of you are like me and are very excited for our upcoming practicum, yet also a little nervous. I thought the nerves would decrease this semester, as we have already had a practicum. I was wrong. There are different and new concerns now: a new CT, a new class, a new PS, a new grade, older kids, an EA, a new school, different curriculum, rows of desks, different attitudes, a new principal, new subjects to teach (French, Fine Arts).....the list goes on. 

But despite my nerves I am really looking forward to leaving university behind for a little while and focusing on the practical applications of our learning. It helps that I have an amazing CT, staff to work with, and a great group of kids! All this to say that I am looking forward to teaching my Art lessons. I really struggled writing them. I was trying to include everything, while keeping art interesting, yet educational and thinking about assessment and behavioural management. Somehow I feel like in this practicum I need to take a more serious approach regarding assessment and diversity...which can be difficult. 

Anyways I was just going to share the idea that I found for my linked lessons in case anyone wants to use it. Mine was on colour theory and I used a neat website 'Kerpoof' for the worksheet and the digital colour wheel. The colour wheel is pretty neat. You can mix paint colours online!!! In other words you can make secondary and tertiary colours! It's a neat and mess free way that kids can explore how colours are created before you put a bunch of paint in front of them. After we worked through the website, I had the students create their very own monochromatic colour scheme background which involves a hue, and different tints (mixing white with the hue) and shades (mixing black with your hue). The final lesson involves creating a silhouette on top of their monochromatic background. So the lesson takes the students through a brief history of the colour wheel, some basic colour theory and vocab, and then teaches them how to apply their knowledge. 

Needless to say, I learned a lot about colour theory that I never knew (or perhaps forgot a long time ago). So hopefully my lessons will be successful and I will have 28 beautiful monochromatic art pieces to share with everyone in the UNBC art show! 
Good luck teaching your fine arts lessons everyone! 

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Just Dance

I was wondering recently how energizers would look in a grade 6/7 class and was given some neat ideas. Then today Chyanne gave me such a fun idea. When she was in her classroom observing, her CT told all the kids that they were going to do a quiz..and as this wasn't on the schedule they all were annoyed and made the 'aawwweee really' whine. Then she went over turned the lights out and the SMARTboard on to reveal a Just Dance game.....they are on YouTube. (I think she is in Grade 5/or 5/) anyways they loved it!! Even a girl with crutches was dancing! So just thought I would share this neat idea....that covers DPA, an energy booster and a bit of fine arts (dancing and coordination). Check it out!!!
Awesome Dance Video

Autumn is here.....

Fall is officially here and I am always amazed how much I love looking around at the natural beauty our Northern community has to offer.....a work of art really. I was down by the river near my house and snapped a few shots of the gorgeous views of the Nechako. Enjoy.

Colour TIme

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I have been exploring colour charts and wheels for my linked lessons as I will be teaching primary/secondary colours, and cool/warm colours. My CT gave me a neat idea for warm and cool colours; choose one or the other and think of a place or environment. If you choose an environment that is normally considered warm then use cool colours and draw a scene. So for example draw a desert scape using blues, greens, and purples. Draw a winter scape using reds, yellows, and oranges. Sounds like a new idea! For secondary colours (After i introduce primary colours) I might use paint to create them so that its a hands-on activity. Any thoughts or advice or other neat ideas?

Meet the Artist: Jane Isakson

This afternoon I had the pleasure of standing amongst some beautiful pieces of the Canadian artist and former biathlete, Jane Isakson. All the pieces in From  the Outer Edges exhibition were acrylic on canvas and they were inspired by three different National parks in Canada; Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Ivvavik National Park in the Yukon, and Gwaii Haanas National Park in Haida Gwaii. Many of her pieces feature geometric shapes that make up her beautiful landscapes. It is evident in her work that she has a love for colour....which portrays light, contrast, realism, and of course emotion. Some of her art also features some beautiful Aboriginal aspects and even colour patterns. The paintings give you that feeling that you are there experiencing the landscape and really make you consider the perspective....which I think the artist had intended. 

I would highly recommend going to the Two Rivers Gallery and taking a look. September 29th is the last day the exhibition is on. I had wonderful company with me...which is a neat experience because you can share your feelings and ideas about each piece with your friend. But if you are to go alone I would recommend bringing some really awesome music and slowly walking through (maybe some Sigur Ros?) thinking about each piece. Putting music to gallery art is always nice. 

Sky House of SGang Gwaay 

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Beautiful Faces

Today I am posting some photography of beautiful faces. I think that the human face has so much to offer and has of course inspired artists for centuries. Another aspect of a few of these photos is the unfocused background. For the couple photos in which the backgrounds are in focus, there was a reason. For instance in the photo directly below of the young vendor...I wanted to include the fruits and vegetables in the market. But I love the effect when the camera is only focused on the face making your attention hone in on only them and their features. A couple pictures were edited on photoshop and the rest are raw.

Woman, Three Hills, AB

Young girl, Prince George, BC

Vonette, Three Hills, AB

Young Vendor, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Giulia, Bologna, Italy

Young boy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Toddler, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Family, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

John, Prince George, BC

Richard, Prince George, BC

We are Nowhere, and It's Now

Seeing how this is an art blog and how I love photography I thought i'd share some. These photos are appropriate for the coming season that brings a feeling of creepiness or neglect. I am referring to halloween not October. Anyways this will be the first of a few sets of photos with different feelings or themes. These photos may not be elementary appropriate (so obviously no PLOs :) but they can still inspire.

These photos remind me of something that was once vibrant and had life....these stairs were walked on,  those chairs were sat upon during many a family dinner. It is interesting to think about that life and how those people lived; were they happy? Was there laughter in these rooms....or pain? Another thing I love about them is the contrast of colour. And the strength of colours...the bit of yellow in the outhouse....the dashes of vibrant blues and reds on the stairs, the teal pain chipped on the walls. I am constantly inspired by colours in art ...like when a painting with three simple colours can be so beautiful even though they may be in the form of shape or line...no real picture or story...but still beautiful as a collection. 

I grew up just two doors down from this small dilapidated house. My brothers and I used to call it the haunted house. As far as 'staging' goes I only moved the chairs to line up...the formation somehow seemed eery to me. But that little paper that says "the life of Christ visualized" was just laying there, as were the worn clothes and shoe. 

Now I realize this art is not beautiful ....it's difficult to find beauty in an outhouse. But hopefully it makes someone feel something.....even if it is uncomfortable. 

- Mayfare