2nd Grade Winter Scene Prints

Children in 2nd Grade created multiple winter prints. We first listed all the images that pop up in our heads when we think of outdoors at winter. Children framed and labeled their prints as professional printmakers do.....(hence the numbers).

A peak at Ms. Cutelis' own work....

I have been working on various new pieces within the past 2 months. They are around the subject of nature, specifically plant forms and roots. I have always believed that nature holds all the answers and this work allows me to contemplate all the lessons held by these seemingly very quiet and unassuming living things. Because I cannot stay up late to work on these, I usually work with my kids beside me while they work on their own paintings. To read more about that go here.

The painting about is called 'Nurturing Nature'. As a parent of 2 young children I am constantly thinking about all the aspects that go into parenting. This painting reminds us about what is happening beneath is just as important as what is happening above, in fact, it may very well be more important, for what feeds the tree is what will allow the beautiful blooms to grow way up on the tops of the tree. That is called 'rearing'.

This one above is an 8x10. When we went to the Redwoods last year we saw thousands of ferns. ferns come into life rolled up into this beautiful spiral which later unwinds. I call this one 'process'. It's reminiscent of the path without the need for a end-result.

The one above I am still working with, but I am including it here for it;s part of the 8x10 sets. It's called 'Hidden beauty'. Here sits a plant form at the bottom of the ocean floor, unobserved and unseen by human eyes. Is it still beautiful even though no one sees it? even thought no one calls it that? Yes, we define ourselves in life, regardless of the criteria of others, we must learn to sway all alone at the bottom of the ocean and still know we are worth it.

I showed this one above (sorry about the poor photo quality) to my schoolchildren and they all had varied responses that were VERY vocal and strong. I wanted to bring up the idea of the inside of our bodies and how our veins are very much like plant roots. Also notice how the bulbous items come in the way of the path of the 'roots' and yet the roots go around it, and sometimes right over it. This image calls for the need for flexibility of the human heart.

In working with flexibility I had to create one for my son. I always tell him about the importance of flexibility and how flexibility is strength. These flowers above do not fight the wind, they bend with it, allowing themselves to survive. A less flexible plant might fight the plant and snap in half and die. What we often see as weakness may very well be a strength.
This one above is called, 'birth'. I took AP bio in high school and I always remember being somewhat fascinated by the 'birth' of a seed. As a kindergarten teacher years ago I also sprouted seeds. It's always such a fascination to see such a delicate thing crack open a seed I myself can't open. A human baby too for seems like so delicate and fragile, yet they somehow survive the labor process, which is no picnic. Babies are stronger than we think.

The one above is titled, 'Love'. One set of roots are embraced and curled together .

This one (24"x30" ) was the first I made in the series.....the picture does not convey the level of texture in this painting. To see close-up images go here.

The one above is called, 'idea'. When we get an idea it begins as a small seed or dream deep within ourselves. But it holds great power, wonder and potential.

Department of Education Art Show

This past week I attended the first ever DCPS art show which showcased arts across the District. I'm proud to announce that Murch had the most art pieces in the show!! Click here to go to the online album of all the pictures. This was quite an honor for apparently the space where the work is being shown is booked until 2013!!!

Save these important art dates

Murch families.....save these important art dates:

***March 5th, 10am-4pmFamily Festival 2011: D.C. Color Splash!

Click here to get more info.

***March 25th, 6-8pm, 2nd Annual Murch Art Show (6-8pm) Application forms and more information will go home this coming week.

***February 18th (Friday). Online Registration for Ms. Cutelis' Storytelling After school Club posted on blog. Only 20 spaces available. Classes will begin February 25th for 10 weeks.

*** National Gallery of Art: Free family workshops dates and time. preregistration required for some of the classes. Click here to go directly to site for more info.

FAMILY WORKSHOPS/

STORIES IN ART

(ages 4 to 7) This series of programs uses storytelling to introduce children to works of art. Led by museum educators, each program includes reading a children's book, looking at one work of art in the galleries, and completing a simple hands-on activity. The summer series features works in the West Building white the winter series explores works in the East Building.

This free drop-in programs are designed for individual families, and we cannot accommodate groups. Space is limited to 70 children per session. There is no advance registration; participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Each program lasts approximately 60 minutes. Program times, dates, and topics follow. For information, call (202) 789-3030.

Sign-in for Stories in Art will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays, and will continue until all spaces are filled.

Winter Story Series: Investigate Modern and Contemporary Art

How do you investigate a work of art? Learn to make careful observations, analyze artist's choices, ask questions, and use your imagination while exploring works of art in the East Building. This winter, three imaginative stories are paired with three sculptures in the collection. After examining each sculptor's materials and techniques, you will create your own work of art inspired by the artist's process. You will receive a notebook to accompany the Winter Story Series and a stamp for each program attended. Collect all three stamps and receive a prize!

Investigate: Jim Dine

February 13, 20, 27 at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30

(60 minutes)

East Building Ground Level

The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, illustrated by Wayne Anderson

Hear the story of an old man who followed his dreams, transforming a junkyard into a magical place. Examine the unique materials used by Jim Dine, and then create your own imaginary forest.

Investigate: David Smith

March 6, 13, 20 at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30

(60 minutes)

East Building Ground Level

Half of an Elephant by Gusti

Join an elephant on a humorous journey to find his missing half. Discover the sculpture of David Smith, and then build a sculpture with wood and metal.

The Gift of Storytelling and Puppetry

Puppets allow children to tell and retell a story and while doing it allowing them to essentially 'play' with pieces of the story. Here are pictures of the kids in 3rd grade telling the myth of Persephone. The main story remained unchanged, yet I taught the kids ways to get creative in their retelling by adding humor, and changing some basic aspects of the way the story was originally presented.

Storytelling, drama and acting allow children to experience the emotions. In retelling the story in their own way, their own words children learn about composition and how each aspect of a story is a 'moving' part that could be manipulated at the creator's will. Doing more storytelling, drama and acting allow kids to improve their own storytelling abilities for they see the huge part emotions and gestures play in the telling of the story.
Children who are normally shy amongst their peers suddenly come alive. In their mind, the puppet is speaking; not themselves. Acting and playing another person's role unleashes us from the bounds we normally place on ourselves when shy.
In order to create a play, one must first envision it in the mind. Here Zeus and Hermes float in a 'cloud' above 'frozen' Earth.
Here the characters are in the 'Underworld'
One of the 3rd grade classes is on their way to writing a modernized version of this story to tell their younger peers. We will begin this week. Keep checking for updates.

I must thank fellow blogger and now far away friend, Sally Haughey from Fairy Dust Teaching for making me believe in the power of stories and narrative for teaching. Every parent of a young child should check out this blog......Amazing work!

Totems in front of the art room

These are amazing! And to think they are essentially oatmeal containers, glue, paint and paper. Please take a minute to come by the art room and view them in person.

Values to create a 3D looking face

In third grade children have been studying values. Values are variations of dark and light on a 2D art and can be used to create a 3D look. they began the unit by looking at a simple mug and finding and drawing it's values, as well as creating a value scale using crosshatch. For this particular lesson children had to touch the various 'mountains' on their face, choose a light source and figure out which side of each face 'mountain' would be dark, light and medium values.

We also talked about the idea of contrast and how contrast is often used in art to make the lights appear lighter and the darks appear darker. The artist below created a very deep contrast.

A taste of POP art (5th Grade)

Artists in 5th Grade were introduced to the artist Lichtenstein and POP art. We discussed the process in which artists might choose a medium or a subject. We also addressed how by creating works inspired by another artist we gathered information about this process and how we can follow that process ourselves in our own work or personal interests.

Smocks, smocks, smocks

Although we have informed all families in the fall about this, I must again remind all families to make sure their child have a large paint t-shirt in their child's cubby/locker. I cannot guarantee your child's clothes staying clean without a smock. To teachers, the children need to come into art already wearing their smocks so that we can use those 45 minutes making art. If anyone out there have extra shirts, please donate them to the art room. They will be put to use on kids who do not yet have smocks.

What I do with all those egg cartons?

I must thank all the Murch parents who have been dropping off recycled 'supplies' for the art room. Here is a sample of what I do with the egg cartons. I cut them so there are 6 cups per palette. Then use black, white, red, blue, yellow and brown......

Keep them coming!!