Snowflakes

Mrs. Millham came into the art studio just as Mrs. Belaski's Kindergarteners were finishing up these beautiful "make-and-take" snowflakes. We decided it would be a good opportunity to get a picture of the entire class along with their finished work. I'm thankful for such perfect timing! Say "Cheese," or better yet; say, "Snowflake!" We are ready for winter!

Painting Spirals

Spirals are everywhere; from the tiniest organisms to the largest galaxies. 1st Grade students at PPS created these vibrant paintings after viewing a series of images of spirals seen throughout nature (including snails, hurricanes and fiddle-head ferns). On day one of this lesson, students drew a spiral and used it's shape to guide the direction and movement of their paintings. On the second day, students finished painting and embellished their spirals with colored oil pastels. These 1st grade artists have demonstrated immense creativity, color sensitivity, and expression through movement.

Using our Imaginations to See

If you are interested in fun and easy drawing activity to activate the right side of your brain, I've got just the one for you! Take some strips of tape and place them randomly on a piece of paper. Turn your paper around until you "see" an animal or creature in the tape. Then use a pencil to outline the animal; you can add more details with colored pencils and markers.

Why is Drawing Important?

I just wanted to share this video because it really aligns with my thinking. We all appreciate the arts, but it's important to think deeply about why we appreciate them, and why we need them...

Drawing Featheriness

Feathers make excellent subjects for drawing. Kindergarten students studied a variety of feathers today, representing them using a wide selection of materials to demonstrate their fluffy, light-weight nature. Students were able to select materials they found necessary. These materials included graphite pencils, water-soluble graphite crayons, charcoal pencils, vine charcoal, handwriting pens, metallic crayons, white cray-pas, and watercolor paints.

Drawing Means Taking Risks

This trimester we are focusing on taking risks as artists. In order to grow as an artist, a person must try new things and allow space within the art making process to make mistakes. To aid in creating that space, I have been offering students the opportunity to draw using new approaches, such as drawing without looking, drawing from photographs or drawing without knowing what will come next.

Welcome Back to the Art Studio!

This trimester we will be honing in on developing our drawing skills! Did you ever wonder how your favorite artists became so good at drawing? Practice. That's right, you don't need to come from an artistic background, or hold some sort of magical power to be a great artist. You just need to draw! The more you draw, the better you get. I promise. When you get home every day after school (or work if you're an adult), do a quick 10 minute drawing. After a few weeks, you might really surprise yourself! Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Summer Art

I hope everyone is having an exciting and creative summer. I know I have! Summer is a fantastic time to recharge artistically. Here are some images of the paintings I've been working on for the past few weeks. These paintings were all created using acrylics on canvas. Ask me in August about Acrylic Paints and I'd be happy to share more information about their qualities and capabilities. See you when school starts; until then, keep creating!

At the Intersection of Battery and Maple

Poker Hill Landscape

Red Mountains

Route 15, Jericho, VT

Printmaking!

Last week at PPS we continued our studies in printmaking by learning about the traditional Japanese art form known as Gyotaku (meaning "fish print"). Gyotaku began in the mid-1800s as a way for fishermen to record their catch. Before selling their fish at the market, they'd make a print of the fish they caught using ink and rice paper. We used rubber fish and reptile molds for our prints: they came out great!  

The Colchester District-Wide Art Show

I've been getting ready for our annual district-wide art show for these last few weeks. It's never easy to select artwork for these shows; so many students exhibit talent, creativity and imagination at this age. I've tried to represent as many artists as possible. Here's a list of PPS students who will be represented at this year's show, May 5-8 at the CHS gymnasium (Reception Night: Thursday, May 7th 6pm-8pm Refreshments Provided). I hope you'll attend:

2H Jude, Whitney, Tyler, Shaylen, Isaac, Jacob, Maddie, Briland, Ella, Sara C., James
2L Julien, Ty, Madelyn, Dakota, Devin, Fiona, Kayden, Kaylie
2BAli, Greta, Ava, Mayzee, Abigail, Jayden, Alex
2W Owen M., Amani, Charlie, Rylee, Leah, Emma, Molly, Sam, Isabella,

1H Emily, Brady, Ariana, Izzy, Nellie
1D Kala, Gunnar P, Aneysha, Madison, Ava, Nyachido, Becky,
1Silv Olivia, Destany, Caleb S., Simon, Choe S.
1P Travis, Jane, Nate, Parker, Bella, Hailey, Eve, Jet
1Shep Eva, Hailey, Kellan, Tanya, John, Emily,


KR Madison, Colby, Clara, Breezie-Lynn, Kylee, Brayden,
KA Caroline, Athalie, Spencer, Lillian, Clara, Eliza S., Chase, Ana, Will, Alee, Eliza F.
KB Maggie, Alee, Kevin, Desmond, Elzie, Tre

Video Demonstrations

Lately, I've been making videos of my demonstrations before class so that I know my instruction is at its best. I've been trying to model my thinking with my words while I teach, which isn't always easy. I think this demo has been pretty popular with the kids (especially since there's a special cameo by Mr. G about halfway through).

Paying Attention to Detail

This special friend came into the art room for some extra drawing time on Wednesday. He loves buses and drew this incredible drawing using only a pencil. Each bus (I think there are at least 15) is unique. Only a focused and deliberate artist can pay attention to that many details! Keep up the good work, Buddy!

2015 Champlain Valley Regional Art Show

I just got back from hanging our student work at the Champlain Valley Regional Art Show. This exhibit is held every year at the University Mall in South Burlington and includes artwork by schools throughout the Champlain Valley. Artists represented range in age from kindergarteners to seniors in high school. There is such a great deal of variety in the works on display this year; please bring your friends and family to check it out! The Porters Point School display is located near the Khol's entrance along with the rest of the Colchester School District.

Here is a list of PPS students with artwork on display in this year's show:

2nd Grade - Addy, Lucas, Leah, Ben, Savanah, Isabella, Danielle, Sarah, Graeson, Abigail, Brayden
1st Grade - Jane, Aarohan, Alaina, Jacob, Sanel, Samantha, Destany, Gigi, Alyssa

Kindergarten - Maximus, Minnie, Sullie, Abby, Makayla, Khloe, Kolby, Andrew, Eliza F., Desmond

Textured Papermaking

One of my favorite illustrators, Eric Carle, has inspired me to continue our work in collage. We made these stunning papers today using printmaking brayers, sponges, liquid watercolors, salt, texture rubbing plates and paint scrapers. The floor's still wearing visible swipes of paint, but I think the experience was well worth it. I can't believe how creative our students are! Next week, we will start cutting these up to create our collages.