Inspired by Picasso.

The fifth graders have been learning about cubism. They created portraits that had more than one point of view in the same picture. They activated the space in the backgrounds of their pictures in a variety of ways. They added their choice of colors to their portraits using craypas. Mixing and blending colors was encouraged. I hope you enjoy these pictures.

I hope the weather wall works!

The kindergarten students have a way of changing the weather with their artwork! When we wanted snow, they made snowmen and it snowed. Now, I am tired of cold, wintery weather and the students are drawing suns. Many of our older students have been pitching in lately as well to help the kindergarteners. Hopefully as our weather wall fills, the sun will come out. Spring is coming soon, just keep making those suns!

Thanks to the Weavers!

Special thanks to Mihoko and Frank for coming to visit last Friday. The students had expert weaving instruction from our visiting artists!

Creating Abstract Art Like Kandinsky

Our third grade student have been looking closley at the work of Kandinsky. They were inspired by his pictures and created their own work abstract artwork. First they drew 12 shapes that overlapped. Then they painted tints and shades into some of their shapes. They completed their pictures by using cray-pas to create patterns that repeat and to mix and blend. Their artwork is fantastic!

Second Grade Weavings!

Parents be ready...The second graders will be bringing home their weavings today!

Thanks for Visiting!

Thanks for visiting the art room this evening. The room was packed with visitors admiring the artwork. The loom was a big hit and don't worry it will be with us until the end of April. I am working hard to make sure that everyone at Bates gets their turn before it travels to Hunnewell after the break.

Bates in Bloom!

Bates in Bloom is a celebration of learning in the spring time each year. Tomorrow, March 21, Bates will be blooming with many things for students to share with parents and friends. Artwork will be shown from each grade level as well as the fabric that our students have woven so far! Thanks to a generous donation from the Wellesely Education Foundation (WEF), the art department has been granted a Saori Loom.

Saori is a contemporary hand-weaving program founded in Japan through which everyone can express themselves freely regardless of age, gender, or ability. In Japan alone, there are more than 30,000 Saori weavers, including many with special needs. Saori has been used here in the United States in collaboration with Very Special Arts Programs as a rehabilitation method and an art form for people with disabilities. I have learned about this expressive style of weaving through the Saori weaving studio located in Worcester, MA www.saoriworcester.com.

The students at Bates, kindergarten through grade five, have created over 55 feet of woven fabric that will be hung from the hallway ceiling for the celebration tomorrow night. The loom will also be set up in the art room so that the weaving can continue!

Be aware of a slow response...

Welcome to artturtle.blogspot.com. Here you will find postings of some of the masterpieces created at the Bates Elementary School in Wellesely, MA. The name art turtle has a couple of meanings - I like turtles and I am not the best at responding to emails, so be aware that I may respond slowly to comments posted here on this blog. You could say slow like a turtle...

It all started at the ICA.

The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) runs inspirational classes such as the one on Blogging and Podcasting that I have just taken. It has inspired me to try blogging. Keep in mind that I am a beginner, but this seems like a great way for us to communicate about what is happening in the art room. Feel free to leave a comment, but be aware that my responses may be slow...