Year by year, VLM art students explore a principle of design in order to learn how artists make their work look so appealing, (even when the stories or ideas in the artwork may not be.)
And FIRST GRADERS explore BALANCE, like in these symmetrical folded prints, loosely inspired by the fantastic wind powered machines of Theo Jansen (below).
SECOND GRADER are studying PATTERN. In their Patterned Pictures, they made stencils to repeat shapes, like traditional artists all over the world.
Meanwhile THIRD GRADERS are looking at the big idea of UNITY, and working to connect and repeat similar lines and colors to hide a scrap of a magazine image and their own original drawing, as in the still-in-progress work below.
Finally, FOURTH GRADERS are challenging themselves to considering scale and PROPORTION. In their first project they designed and collaged the facade of a home that they might love. (These collages were used to make a series of prints!)
And FIFTH GRADERS are learning tricks to create a point of EMPHASIS, drawing the viewers eye to an important place in their work. Their Stand-Out Shell works were inspired by American Artist Aaron Douglas, and will soon be full of color.
Which do you prefer in artwork: VARIETY or UNITY, or can both co-exist?
Remember, Art Matters at Murray!
(Pics of artwork from top to bottom by: Caroline, K, Assorted 1st graders, Healy, Laine, 2nd Danielle, 3rd Alyssa, 4th & Amelia, 5th)
