Art History 102: Extending The "Masters" in Early Elementary

Last Spring's Art Shows

I realize that school start-up season is at hand! Some have already made their way back and are getting into new routines and others will be headed that way very soon! Yet here I am still 'unpacking' my memory cards from last spring. 

The images in today's Art History exhibition are a compilation of several of my spring Author/Illustrator visits across Ohio elementaries. What a joy to capture the hard work of students and teachers alike. It is no small feat to display dozens/hundreds of projects. 

Let's start with Monet and his iconic water lilies. First off are renditions painted by kindergartners in NE Ohio. 

It's always helpful when observers of a student exhibition have a point of reference for the student work. Including a reproduction of the 'master' inspiration is always beneficial. 

Seeing an entire floor-to-ceiling wall display of the water lilies was breathtaking. 

Meanwhile, back in central Ohio Monet himself stood at the school's front door to welcome the admirers. Ironically, I visited this school in Hilliard two days in a row and was able to see the display 'emerge' over time.  

This student work 'floated' on free-standing display racks in the school's central hallways. What a joy to see the work being hung and the excitement level raising. 

Now let's leave Monet and take a look at some kindergarten work in the style of the final collage assemblages of Matisse. Bright, simple designs cut and glued together were a great introduction to this master's last work. 

The kindergarten students also studied the bold work of Miro. These colorful designs were crafted on the computer. 

From Miro to Kandinsky! 

Designs this time in the form of concentric circles. 

These filled the space above the window area, as you will see shortly. 

Now from the work of the Kindergarten children and their first grade counterparts, 

to the projects of older and more capable fingers. 

Behold. 

"The Scream" by Edvard Munch. 

These pastel works are striking and show a great deal of capability. 

While I only saw the 'completed' projects, I am guessing that the self-portrait component may have been a photograph which was then enhanced with pastels. Whatever the technique, the outcome is memorable. 

To conclude today's Art History lecture, let's end with a smile. 

Imagine if you will Leonardo's "Mona Lisa." 

Then consider updating and creating your own masterpiece with folded hands. 

Quite an array of insight and interest in this work. 

This is the second installment in what can now be considered a series. 

*As a former elementary Art teacher I LUV seeing this type of work happily on display in schools where I am visiting. 

Click the image below to see the first set of ideas.

Here's the next installment. Just click the picture for the next set of ideas. 

I have a plethora of ideas for art teachers already chronicled around here. 

Just about a year ago I organized images that I'd viewed in Art rooms wide and far in this article. 

Just last month I just had an article on primary and secondary colors featuring the designs of first graders. 

Here's an earlier RoundUP of Color Theory Ideas for Young Students: 

And finally, here is my directory of "Art Pinners" 

-- those who pin from an Art perspective! 

I share all of these resources in the hopes of capturing the attention of some new art teachers, 

to familiarize you with my picture books --

 in the hopes that you might be inspired to have your students respond to my work. 

Every one of your pins matters to me. 

I'm so grateful for your sharing the excellence-in-education that I have the opportunity to observe

through your pin and the ripples that it creates. 

Your pin will introduce my work to others. 

Thank you! 

I will be joining the family of TeachersPayTeachers sellers

and putting my entire shop on sale later this weekend. 

This is the perfect time to purchase my picture books (which would then be shipped) 

or the digital download, zipped files of my songs. 

Here's the link to my TpT store. 

I'm now at 130,408 followers!     

Click this link to go there directly! 

Now at 534 followers!