In Second Grade we started our ceramics unit by tying in their number corner's look at pinnate vs. palmate leaf types. The resource I used from the American Museum of Natural History's website is here. We left our campus and explored the amazing Capital Crescent Trail as a class. We collected various pinnate and palmate... Continue Reading →
One thing I am very proud of this year was how I have enforced the habit of sketchbook work in all of my upper level students. Each month I required all of my students in all of my classes, sophomore through seniors, 4 pages or 2 "spreads" worth of work in their sketchbooks. Some of... Continue Reading →
My AP Drawing 1 class took on the task of diving deep into the world of animal symbolism in art. We decoded Renaissance artists use of animals to convey meaning, and we looked at how contemporary artists are using animals as symbols now. Students read “Decoding Animals in Art History, From Immortal Peacocks to Lusty Rabbits” by Abigail... Continue Reading →
In my sophomore Studio I class we have been practicing different approaches to the figure. For the most part, we used vine charcoal and a little bit of black chalk pastel for extra oomph! We started this unit with sweeping gesture drawings, focusing on capturing the overall movement of the figure. Then we looked at... Continue Reading →
In a normal year, my sophomores would have encountered paint and have dealt with value during their freshman Foundations class. Unfortunately, this year that is not the case, because as we return to fully in-person instruction we are still a year behind on some of our materials explorations. Now, some of my students in Studio... Continue Reading →
Inspired by the weird box of boxes I hoarded over the years and saved from the giant purge of our old art classroom, I started the year with this quick warm-up project. Students were asked to create small works of art inside (and outside) of these small boxes. The whole process was completely up to... Continue Reading →
So throughout the pandemic, the construction on our campus has continued and finally, this year, our entire arts department has moved into a new space: The Mater Center. Named after a fresco of Mary as a young women dubbed "Mater Admirabilis" meaning "Mother Most Admirable" it is both a dining hall, theater, worship space, and... Continue Reading →
This year my Studio II class was one of the MOST resilient group of students I taught. They dealt with the most disruptions to their schedule in an already chaotic year, and STILL, despite everything they showed initiative, challenged themselves to try new things, and gave each other loving support and praise as they lifted... Continue Reading →
In our Studio II class we discussed how objects can become symbolic when we give them context or use them to tell a story. In this case we chose items that told me (the viewer) more about them as a person. In a way this simple object suddenly became almost a self portrait without having to be a... Continue Reading →
Here is a smattering of some recent work by my amazing students, just to show off a little! I am SO proud of them and all they've overcome and done this year! I cannot believe the year is winding down, but I am also ready to cry big fat tears of joy while I watch... Continue Reading →
Emma Teaches Art! 