Week 3: Painting Basics and Abstract Intro

For the third week of school, the students were introduced to painting mini-lessons about technique, shapes, lines, overlapping and value. The first class I introduced the artist Wassily Kandinsky, an abstract artist who used elements such as line, shape, movement and color. I wanted the kids to understand that you can put the elements together like a puzzle and make a picture people recognize, or use the same elements to make a de3sign. These are often fun at the end when I turn them around to "find" a recognizable image with my imagination! The kids pick up on this and do the same just about every time! The first lesson they were required to keep the brush clean and not mix the colors. The paintings become much brighter! Next they had to use a variety of lines and overlapping shapes that were discussed during the lesson along with my teacher example. The next lesson was value mixing with white (tones) and black (shades). The students still cleaned the brush but had numerous piles of color all over the plate! The abstract subject did not change for this second lesson, which made it easier for them to know "what to paint" Try this at home and let your imaginations free!

Week 2: Mini lesson time! Intro to Drawing Materials( 1st-5th Grade)

This week I focused on letting the kids use their imagination with materials that are always available in the drawing center. I focused on stencils using pencils (lol!) and outlining with markers. By outlining, the students prepared their drawings for the color on the next day...watercolors! The first day I make a teacher example by combining various stencils to create a original drawing (the example on period was a kangeroo and baseball player). Then I ask that they add additional environments and details using their own ideas...Stencils by themselves do not seem that interesting, add your own artistic flair! The second class I introduced the UK contemporary artist named "Bansky" to show how modern art is incorporating stencils into public places. Check out his artwork at www.banksy.co.uk/‎!Finally, the students received a short intro to watercolor techniques, which they used to color the artworks...enjoy!

Week 1: Bookmaking

The first period I see a class its mostly about rules, procedures, introductions and art room expectations...This does not lend to much time for art making, however the class does like to leave with something after my boring speeches! The last few years I have started off with simple bookmaking projects that I can ask to become blank books or give them extended time with a subject (summer memories, family, robots!). I am more concerned with the technique than the content so that they can make more books at home on their own. The Kindergarten and First made envelope books by sticking the flap into another envelope and licking (you hear lots of "yuck!" at this stage). Then they just continue to place the triangle flaps of their envelopes to create the additional pages. The second grade and up made Diamond books where we carefully fold 8 squares from paper (long way is hotdog, width way is hamburger!). You make on scissor cut when folded in half, then the pages fold together for a real nice book. Kids like stuff, just something to put in their pockets and carry around! This is a great way to get them to begin drawing spontaneously!

Take a closer look: The place the magic happens...the art studio!

To begin the year, I am posting photo's of what the inside of my art studio looks like. I am very fortunate to have such a great space where the students work in small groups. This year I have added a smart board, which I am so excited and grateful for! Technology will be used to enhance the students learning, I cant wait to use it! The room looks a bit empty this early in the school year, but it sure fills up quickly as time goes on!

Welcome to Mr. Mac's Artroom!

Thank you for visiting the new art blog of a public school art teacher in The Bronx! My name is Mr. Mac and I am now entering my 11th year as the art teacher at P.S. 23, an elementary school in the South Bronx. I want to encourage, inspire and share the artwork that is created on a daily basis in my artroom, which I have been very fortunate to have over the years. I will be posting photos and lessons that I teach to the students each week, and would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions from you! Enjoy the imagination and creativity that I have the pleasure to see every day!