Peace and Relaxation

This past week we listened to music in many classes to add a relaxing background noise to our creative efforts.  Sometimes silence is needed or best for the work we're doing, while other times music can be the perfect inspiration for setting a peaceful mood while we are being productive. It's easy to find relaxing music like the video below on youtube that I find helpful even when I am studying and reading.  Do you like listening to music while you work?  What kind of music do you listen to when you are feeling creative? I used a website last year- StereoMood- that let you pick your mood and it would stream music based on your selection.
What tools, website, apps or files do you use to listen to music?

Wishing all of my ASB artists a creative, peaceful, restful autumn break wherever you might be. 

I'll be looking and listening for creative inspiration in Goa starting tomorrow! :) 

-Mrs. Garrett

This week in art!

What a busy week we've had in art! Enjoy your week long holiday and don't forget to seek out creativity everywhere you are! 

Writing on the window?!

Grade 5 has been practicing repetition (like grade 2 using patterns!) in unique and interesting ways through zentangle drawings.  Using intentionally repeated lines, shapes, and designs in detailed drawings students have been creating some incredible doodles! Ultimately they are brainstorming where they might want to showcase their skills for their final project with a specific purpose and place such an iPhone cover, shower curtain, tshirts or gallery spaces!  In art class to help start thinking outside the box with our project ideas we drew on the windows of the art room! Using watercolor crayons that can easily wash off with water (not like normal wax crayons that will ruin glass) students added designs to the windows of the art room working side by side, learning how to collaborate on a unified Art project. ( just remember not to try this at home unless you have the right supplies!!) be looking for a creative zentangle in a unique place brought to you by a group of fifth graders through the next few weeks! 

Art Apps!

I've been exploring a bunch of new iPad apps this year based on my reading, explorings, and your recommendations... (There are lots of great apps for free too!!) Here are some of the apps I have installed on my ipad so far: 

I have really enjoyed learning new things and seeing new art through apps like Earth as Art, Art Circles and Art Database.  

You can edit photos you take easily and creatively through apps like Snapseed, Aviary, reflection, and Rhonna Designs... See how many ways I can change this photo of a lantern in my home!?

Or even create new drawings or ideas through Paper 53, fingerprint, sculptor and more!

Many art apps are already listed on our cool art links tab on this blog... What are some of your favorites that you like to use? Leave a comment below to get them added to our collection :) Happy app-ing!!

Patterns!!

A pattern in something that repeats itself.  In art it could be lines, shapes or colors for example. Grade 2 explored ordinary boring patterns this week and used one another's ideas to transform the. Into more creative, complex patterns by thinking outside the box and adding more lines or shapes or colors to make patterns within patterns.  We have patterns in our lives for our daily routines, healthy habits we use to keep our minds and bodies strong, and even what we see and wear! What patterns do you notice in your life? Can you create an interesting pattern today? 

What is your material of choice?!

This week grade three started exploring the use of different art materials to represent themselves.  They have spent time practicing their self portrait drawing skills using pencils and mirrors.

They got to spend a class exploring oil pastels, crayons colored pencils and markers, watercolor paints and tempera paints to test which material (s) will work best for them. 

Ultimately they will be creating self portraits that tell a story about themselves.  If you could use any art material to create a self portrait, which ones would you choose and why!? 

Comment your favorites on this post :)