What's Going on in the Classroom: Dyeing Fabric

As a last exciting project of the year, we're doing some fabric dyeing. Essentially it's tie dye, but we do delve into the world of traditional Japanese Shibori dyeing to start off. We learn all about the history and traditional folding etc. Then student either bring in a piece of cloth that they would like to use or they use a piece of muslin that I provide. Students have to choose (or make up!) their folding method.
We spend a day soaking the fabric in large buckets of dye and then we seal them in Ziploc bags overnight. The next day, the fun begins! Outside, I have several tables set up for soaking the cloth in a salt bath, then taking of all rubber bands and other items, and then rinsing in a clean water and wringing out. We had some pretty cool results this year! I think students will probably do some embroidery on their pieces as well. Here's to the end of the year!

What's Going on the in the Classroom: Stop Motion Animation

As the school year winds down (Can it really be over?! It went so fast!) We're doing some fun projects that I really like and are easy for the students. They are so stressed out with AP testing, exams and end of the year papers that I like to keep things light. One of the projects we do is a group project where students work together to create a stop motion animation film. Students create their own props, characters and backgrounds and then take all the photographs. We just finished taking the pictures and this coming week we will be in the lab working hard to put it all together. Students have had a lot of fun with this and I can't wait to see their final results. I will try to post them here as well!

What's Going on in the Classroom: Photography Field Trip

Hello all! I know it's been forever since I posted! I'm not going to lie, I do not have a good excuse :)
However, we are moving right along with the school year and it's almost over! I can't believe how close the end of school is getting. Most recently in photography we have started doing film photography. Students are all taking their own film photos, developing those negatives and making their own prints. Some love it, some hate it, but it's been a great experience.
We also took some time a couple weeks ago to go on a Photography Field Trip to Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. There was a ton of cool history and information to learn about the pottery and a million interesting photo ops!

What's Going on in the Classroom: Acrylic Painting and Mixed Media Triptychs

I know it's been awhile since my last blog post. All I can say is that our school's art show has finally come and gone and that is my excuse for taking up all my time and keeping me away from this here blog!
We have been working on many different things in our foundations class, but here are the most recent! An acrylic portrait and a mixed media triptych. These two pieces gave my students experiences with acrylic, chalk pastels, oil pastels, and colored pencils. They also studied different color schemes and coloring mixing during these assignments.
With all that in mind, check out these examples:

What's Going on in the Classroom: Plaster Sculptures

I really wanted to give my foundations students a subtractive sculpture experience this year. So we did a little research on Henry Moore and specifically talked about abstract art with an emphasis on how to show an emotion. Students then carved these plaster beauties below. For my first time through this project, I think it turned out okay!

What's Going on in the Classroom: Clay Stamp and Studio Portraits

Hey all, just a quick update on what's going on in the classrooms in which I teach! My foundations students recently completed clay signature stamps that they will use all throughout this year and on to other years if they continue with their ceramic endeavors. Check them out!

Also, my photo kiddos are working on their midterm which is a studio portrait. Take a look at them hard at work!