Works in Progress...

I haven't had a ton to post recently in the way of finished projects, since many of my classes are working on longer term projects, particularly my 7th and 8th grade classes that are painting... Here are some pics so you can see what we're doing:

5th graders have spent the last four classes creating slab mugs out of clay. Once they created the mug form, the boys embellished their mug with monstrous features and handles to create their very unique creature/monster mugs. Once they're bisque fired, the boys will glaze them. Today was the last day to add details - here is a student working and a rather dark photo of the pieces drying in the kiln room.

Second quarter 6th graders are just finishing up their warm/cool portraits with tessellations- pics to come this week. They will begin their first drawing from observation during our next class- this quarter, they will draw their shoes...
7th grade artists are currently working on acrylic paintings on canvas boards inspired by the artist Georgia O'Keefe. Students are applying O’Keefe’s techniques and her favorite subjects as inspiration- zoomed in flowers, shells and animal bones and skulls (which we borrowed from the LS science room!). Some students are painting more abstractly, as O'Keefe sometimes did, while others chose to be more representational. Every student is focused on gradually blending colors for a smooth effect, bold shapes and the intricate structure of their chosen forms.

8th grade artists are busy creating acrylic paintings on 16"x20" stretched canvas. Students first created an interesting composition by completing an accurate drawing of one of four still life set-ups around the art room. After transferring their drawings to the canvas, students are now using acrylic paint to render the still life in color. They are progressing beautifully- just taking a long time! I treid to take these pictures so you can see both the painter and what they're looking at...

My advisory has been working for the last 3 periods on a gigantic gingerbread house. You may recall that my advisory last year created one as well as a collaborative project with the kitchen staff. Most of the schools that use the same food service company as Calvert participate in the contest and there is a cash prize for the winner. My girls decided to do a beach house this year (complete with graham cracker crumb sand, fruit roll-up ocean, roof thatched with pretzel sticks, palm trees, etc.) and it's looking super cute- here are some photos of them working on it today: