Sculpture Spectacular truly was spectacular this summer! Students made a variety of pieces. We began the class by creating a paper mache mask of someone who students considered a hero. We had a range of subjects, from professional athletes, parents, and superheros. Our next project was to create a relief self-portrait out of clay. A relief is an artwork with a raised surface. These were finished with glaze. Students also created a pencil self-portrait in preparation. Following this, students used oil based clay and made an animal, either real or imaginary, and an environment to accompany it. Next, students sculpted two clay pieces: one glazed pot and the other a mini food sculpture! Towards the end of our class we looked at artists who make art out of recyclable materials as well as the recycling process and created unique sculptures, some abstract and others representational. Students in Art Buffet created a variety of artworks in our three weeks together. We began the summer by making an Art Buffet classic, the dream bedroom diorama. Students learned a bit about architecture and interior design and had a ton of fun. Following this we used acrylic paint on canvas and made a reproduction of Monet's Dusk in Venice. For many, this was their first time using acrylic paint. We also learned about the life and work of Monet and his role in the Impressionism movement. In keeping with painting, our next project was to create a "bird of Illinois" watercolor painting. Switching to clay, students sculpted a log cabin while learning about America's Westward Expansion. The homes were painted and made complete with a 3-D, mixed media ground. Wrapping up our time together, students drew patterned self-portraits and made sumi-e (Japanese ink and brush painting) bamboo pictures. |