10/26/11... a new group at Lee Elementary.

(By Devon, age 7.)
Hello this is my life in art afterschool. Ms. Brigit printed us a blog. Today is our first day in art class. We made portraits. We all took a picture of ourselves. We used the screen to see where we were. If you want to  make a portrait you have to not use any words just the picture.
We also learned when we make mistakes we can fix it or not be mad. I think you should try drawing on the back. When you're done, paint it! Sculpt it! See what it is! If it's a big mistake don't just take it apart just keep working on it!
I'm looking forward to drawing dinosaurs.

Devon.

This week the artists used photography to make self portraits. We looked at some books with portraits and talked about a few of the choices the artist makes: Composition, Pose, Expression, and Gaze. Each student had a turn setting up their own shot of themselves using the LED viewing screen on the camera, facing them. They could ask the Materials Specialist of the day to assist them with a background if they wanted one (I brought in a white sheet and a black furry cloth). They told me where in the room they wanted to be, using what light, where I should move the camera/tripod, then where they wanted to be in the frame ("No, I want to be over on the side. Keep going. Keep going. Go Back! Wait, back more...") and if they wanted a close-up or a full body shot to capture a pose. Once that was sorted out they thought about their expression and decided where to look. After we snapped the picture, the artist had to review the shot and choose the one they wanted to keep if there were several tries - but most of them had beautiful pictures the first try! Can't wait to post them - they are truly amazing, and each artists' personality shines right through! Devon asked his friends to hold up the black backdrop, looked at the camera, stepped to the side of the frame, and watched himself as he turned away. He considered a profile shot before asking me to take the picture. Upon review of the shot he said, "Yup. Perfect. Thank you!" All of the artists were extremely thoughtful and most had their unique shot planned before their turn. Their innate sense of composition really blew me away. They were also really supportive of each other's ideas and images when looking at them on the camera. Wait till they see the prints! - Bridget

First Day at the Lee School

Fourth and Fifth Grade group:
My name is Nai Nai and Jennixsa and today we met Ms. Bridget and we talked about art and we agreed to be respectful and try our best on drawing. On our Artist's Bio we said things that work for me like working with other people but not getting distracted. We hope this year in the art club we get to express our feelings on paper and get to work with new art materials we never got to use.
Third and Fourth grade group:
We are here today and our names are Jamereea and Sharline and we are writing an art blog for our art class and the world to see. Today we did an artist bio and basically this is a paper that has questions on it about us as artists and some of the questions were:  “What do you like about art, how old are you, what art utensils do you like to use", and numerous questions. Also we met our new art teacher Mrs. Bridget. Furthermore we aren’t just kids to her we are artists. I can tell this will be a fun class.

(From Bridget: Today's Materials Specialist and some other helpers did an amazing job organizing our supplies, moving tables and desks around, and cleaning up the classroom that we will call our Art Studio! We can't wait to decorate! I'm also really inspired by the Artist's Bio's. These artists have a good sense of who they are and how they want to grow as artists this year.)

First day with the Sharks (also Holmes School)

Sup we are the mighty sharks we are artists. Today we discussed the true meaning of an artist. We wrote about ourselves on a an artist bio. My name is Andrea and I suggested no hitting. My name is  Mason and I want to make a mini town. I want to make it out of paper, cardboard,  and tape.

We are the Mighty Sharks and we are artists.

first day with the blueninja

We are Devina and Omarion. We are artists. today we met Bridget we talked about her and her art show we agreed to the rules. we all filled out our artist biogrophy. I said that artists mess up and MisBridget said it is all right to mess up.The biography was anythings about my self as artist /wat there are unique favorite colors etc. what works for me. I hope this year in art club we get to draw.

Introduction, by Bridget.

Hi everyone. It's only a couple of days before my first day at the Holmes School. I can't wait to meet the kids there (and I'm a little nervous)! I'll spend a couple of hours with one age group, then on Tuesday, I'll meet the other group. Wednesday and Thursdays I'll do the same over at Lee Elementary.
I'm hoping to help create a time and space for everyone to be able to use their creativity to express themselves, get to know themselves, and connect with each other. That can be hard to do in a busy or loud place, or around people you feel shy around. Art making around others takes trust and respect - so I think in the beginning we'll take some time to get to know each other and learn to talk to someone about their artwork (and whatever else we share) in supportive ways. I also hope to give the kids a space to practice "thinking for themselves" - to let them figure things out, solve problems, and discover things by experimenting - I think that's what creativity is really about. Even if a kid in the program doesn't think of themselves as an artist, I want them to feel sure that their ideas are important, their uniqueness is their strength, and that by using their creativity however they choose, they can change the world they live in.
I hope you enjoy our blog!