1st Grade Blog Stars 2009/2010

First grade artists completed a unit on snow and created these oil pastel-resist snowflake backgrounds. They especially enjoyed the metallic watercolor paints, "The paints are sparkling! The water is sparkling!". They studied arctic animals and learned how to look for shapes to create more realistic drawings. They traced their drawings with silver, just to make the whole thing extra sparkly!

Declan Burke:



Alex Reed:



1st grade artists viewed the work of Gustav Klimt, focusing in particular on his work: Tree of Life, particularly the middle section that illustrates the structure of the tree and a bird on a branch:

After discussing line and shape in the painting artists drew their own unique trees. Because the Klimt is known for his use of metallic gold leaf, 1st grade artists carefully applied gold acrylic paint. Metallic ink and shape stamps and metallic colored pencils were used to add the additional shapes and patterns that echo the artist's style.

Brianna Skladany:

Mya Luptak:

3rd Grade Blog Stars 2009/2010

After studying different types of penguins, 3rd grade artists painted paper and prepared to create their own penguins. Those crazy-looking Macaroni penguins were the most popular, with Emperor penguins close behind. We created our own ice-hockey game for the amusement of our Pittsburgh-Pengiun-hockey-loving principal.

Christian Ogburn:

For this project we read a book about a family that lives inside a snowglobe. We also talked about how to create a composition where it looks like something is set on a table and how things in the foreground would appear larger. Students created very unique compositions using tempera paints and a little glitter of course.

Nicole Lucas:

3rd graders created finger puppets using color Model Magic clay. We discussed characteristics that make monsters unique. Students used basic sculpting techniques. They also experimented with color mixing.

Ian Maccumbee:

Alaina Fawcett:

5th Grade Blog Stars 2009/2010

The fifth grade students stayed warm this winter by focusing on the tropics! Each student chose a photograph of a tropical fish. They used pencil to draw their fish, and oil pastel to add texture and color.

Shawna Miller:

Dorian Epps:

Michael Stone:

Students continued their study of animals on the next project as well. First, the srtists used glue that was dyed with black ink to draw the outline and texture of a reptile or amphibian. Then, they finished the piece with watercolor paints.

Cassie Biehl:

6th Grade Blog Stars 2009/2010

6th grade artists created layered, 3D winter wonderlands as a study of background, middle ground, and foreground.

Brandon Geyer:
(yes, that is the infamous Ralphie gets his tongue stuck on the cold metal pole scene!)

Kaelyn Ford:

In the next unit, 6th graders chose personal symbols. Students studied African Adinkra symbols, Native American symbols and so many more and chose a symbol to represent some aspect of themselves. We made a simple linocut and printed an interesting composition on construction paper.

Keeyn Holloway:

Zyaire Fisher:

Glass Fusing, Jewelry Design and Wearable Art Blog Stars 2009/2010

Middle school artists have been learning to use our new glass-fusing kiln! Students learned how to carefully cut glass using many new tools. These first jewelry designs wowed us all!

Gina Schricker:

Indira Latouche:

Before we got into the glass fusing, we warmed up to jewelry making with polymer clay. Most artists focused on jewelry but this artist found his own niche creating these mini animals. Yes, that is a DJ octopus!

Nikko Mangretta:

We've just begun a unit on silkscreening. Middles school artists are working on a 2 color bird print on fabric. Stay tuned -the many cool bird prints will soon be a new art installation in our school! We'll be sure to post some pics here on the blog.

Luc Pellegrino: