Barnett's Art Room
Fine Art Classes: Art 1, Art 2, Ceramics
Issue 3, Volume 2, November/December 2014
Message from the Editor
If it seems like forever since a classroom newsletter has been sent, that is because it has been. So much learning and exploring has been happening in the art room, that I lost track of time and was so engrossed in what was occurring. I am pleased with the amount of thought, care, and authenticity that is going into the artwork. I hope you too can see that as you scroll down, read about the processes, and take a look at the artworks.
Can't Wait?
ART 1
Environment: Space and Place
Home
The choices of media students were given expanded. We added paint into the mix. We learned about watercolor paints and watercolor pencils. We also learned about acrylic paints.
The results were a mixed bag of homes. It was a topic that was hard for some and uninteresting to others. But, the majority took off with the theme and hit a "home" run.
Flight
Many tried new techniques they hadn't used before. Many kept trying things until they found the "right" one that their artwork needed. I am proud of how they tried to incorporate the different materials.
ART 2: Painting and Drawing
Pressure
Power
BEGINNING CERAMICS
Surface Treatments
Test Tiles: Layering Glazes
One thing we are focused on was creating test tiles. Beginning students each cut 12 test tiles. The took 6 of the tiles and left them smooth. The other 6 were imprinted with a texture stamp. They labeled one set 1-6A and 1-6B.
Now that they are bisque fired, they are trying different glaze combos. They are laying 1-3 glazes on each tile. And, what they do to 1A, they do to 1B so after glaze firing they can see how the texture could possibly effect the glazes and how it breaks, if it breaks at all.
And, of course, they are taking notes on what colors they use and how they apply the glaze. They are taking notes not only for themselves, but for their peers as well. The plan with these test tiles is to have the class share tiles so they have many choices. Maybe someone else created something awesome. They will glaze their spheres from one of the group of test tiles.
Spheres, Spheres, Spheres
Brushing on and Wiping Off
Oil Pastel Tempera Resist
What does that mean? Well, first the students colored their tiles using oil pastels. These are crayons that have oil in them. They offer a rich and shiny result. Once they were done coloring they painted over their entire tile with black tempera paint. Lastly, they held their tile under the running water in the sink. The water washed away the paint wherever the oil pastels were. The paint had sunk into the clay where the oil pastels weren't. It was fun to watch their faces as the tempera was rinsed away because I don't think they believed me that it would be. The results really helped to enhance the different layers they had carved.
INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED CERAMICS
Organic Objects
Morphing Animals
Interactions
2 students made tiles that need to placed next to each other to complete the image. Another student made a bat hitting a ball. There is a turn table with a removable record and a honey pot and dipper.
DISCLAIMER
Contact information: Jean Barnett
Email: jbarnett@taylorisd.org
Website: http://thsbarnettart.weebly.com
Location: Room 1100, Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Taylor, TX 76574
Phone: (512) 352-6326