Nature: The Artist’s Tutor

When I judge art, I take my painting and put it next to a God made object like a tree or flower. If it clashes, it is not art.
Paul Cezanne

My first name is spelled J-E-S-S-I-A.  I joke lately that my mother gave me that name so that I could learn to be assertive.  You see, anytime I go to the store or the doctor, or just about anywhere I have to reiterate that my name is not JESSICA.  I used to assume that people just thought that I misspelled my name, until recently, when I learned that our brains automatically complete information.  People just automatically placed the “C” in my name because their brain was completing the image for them.

Just for fun:  This free web app allows you to sketch pictures over backgrounds of clouds.  This is your brain using its very own “auto-complete.” Appropriate for our Art Clouds Blog.

http://www.klowdz.com/draw/

Just the other day I was wondering if there was some sort of mathematical correlation between tree-branches, roots, brain neurons, and lightning strikes.  Lo and behold I discovered that the similarity in design between these things is more than just visually related.

Another beautiful video that shows symmetry at work in nature:

Looking Back. . .Looking Forward

This is a scholarship essay I wrote in high school.  I came across it when I was looking through my files for student work to publish. I wrote that 14 years ago.  Hopefully I am fulfilling some of the things I outlined there.  I love teaching more than I could have imagined I would.  Thanks to my administrators and my students, who together make my job possible.  Happy Easter.  Up next:  student work through the years.

Contrast

”A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8

Bellwork:How does the above quote apply to a situation you have encountered in your own life? 

What are some other words for double minded?

Below is a painting by Caravaggio, an Italian Baroche artist.  The painting is called “The Supper at Emmaeus,” and depicts Jesus revealing himself to his disciples after the ressurection.  At the moment Jesus breaks the bread, the disciples’ realize who Jesus is. It is as though the figures are on a stage and there is a spotlight on them.  In accordance with our theme of Contrast, think about how this scene presents the still life in the center of the table.  How does the technique that Caravaggio used in the painting work with the subject matter to really drive home the “theme o’ the scene?”

Today:

Students will create miniature sculptures using found objects and set them against a backdrop of white sculpture forms.

Students will then set up a spotlight on the still-life to create dramatic shadows.

After the scene is set, students will sketch the scene in their sketchbooks, observing the value changes in the still-life.

Time of Completion:  This assignment will take place over 2 class-periods:  Approximately 2.5 hours of class-time.

*Extra Credit:

Write a 300 word essay with the following components:

Rename the painting.  Use your new title as the title to your essay.  Answer the question, “How does the subjects matter in the painting relate to today’s quote?”
 

Cut it Out!

“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.”
— Einstein

Bellwork:

In your sketchbook: Journal for 15 minutes on the above quote.  How does this apply to your life?

Can you pick out the principal of design that is mentioned in the quote?