PROJECT ONE
Perspective
Students worked on studies of perspective before embarking upon the task of re-creating Van Gogh's Bedroom at Arles; in their own style. Enjoy the twist, but take note of the care the students took to accentuate the foreground, middle ground and background - such detail.
PROJECT TWO
Perspective
Students added drawn and cut-out magazine images to a transferred image, for the sake of identifying the foreground, middle ground background areas. Additionally students wrote stories about their composition. A sampling is below the slideshow.
Mario & Luigi
by Conner
Mario was running for the mail shouting, “Oh boy the mail!” He is excited because he was looking for a letter from Princess Peach.
After Mario picked up the mail, he rushed down to the basement to tell his brother, Luigi, that they both had been invited to Princess Peach’s birthday party. But Luigi had a lot of laundry to do, because he was busy finding new mushrooms and it took hours to find some.
Mario felt upset because he really wanted to go to the party. Luigi said to Mario, “Just go without me, Mario.” Mario didn’t want to go without Luigi. “Luigi,” said Mario. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Luigi thought that it would be nice for Mario to help. Luigi said, “You can help me with the laundry!”
by Conner
Mario was running for the mail shouting, “Oh boy the mail!” He is excited because he was looking for a letter from Princess Peach.
After Mario picked up the mail, he rushed down to the basement to tell his brother, Luigi, that they both had been invited to Princess Peach’s birthday party. But Luigi had a lot of laundry to do, because he was busy finding new mushrooms and it took hours to find some.
Mario felt upset because he really wanted to go to the party. Luigi said to Mario, “Just go without me, Mario.” Mario didn’t want to go without Luigi. “Luigi,” said Mario. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Luigi thought that it would be nice for Mario to help. Luigi said, “You can help me with the laundry!”
By Liz
People don’t really think of Chinatown when the term “life-changing” is brought up. It’s simple enough, maybe it has a weird edginess to it, but it doesn’t really strike anyone as something that would change fate.
Then again, when people picture Chinatown, they don’t really picture frogs raining down from the sky.
February 8th, 1940: The first documented case of unusually high temperatures and frogs falling from the sky – On the Chinese New Year. Onlookers said that the frogs were encased in ice, despite the out-of-place 77 degree weather. Temperature and percentage of frozen frog rains were completely normal outside of the center. The crowd also enjoyed the traditional papier-mâché dragon flying above their heads. It looked “Quite realistic”.
Conversation between Head of Xxxxxx Police department Xxx Xxxxxxxx and Officer Xxxxxx Xxxx:
“Alright, let me get this straight. You mean to tell me that in the center of Chinatown, and only the center of Chinatown, the temperatures spiked 45 degrees above average, the snow completely melted, and then frogs started hailing from the sky?”
“Yes, sir.”
“In the middle of February?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sacre bleu.”
“Shall I report this to the other officers, sir?”
“No, you can leave it… What would we do about it? Arrest the clouds?”
“Point taken, sir. I’ll head home now.”
“Where are you off to this early?”
“My daughter brought home one of the frogs. She’s waiting for it to melt, and with all due respect, sir, I find frogs that have fallen from the sky more intriguing than the crime rate of Xxxxxxx.”
Officer Xxxx later informed his superior that the frog disappeared on the 20th.
Jan. 27, 1952: Attendees of the Chinese New Year festival in Xxxxxx felt unnatural rises in temperature. Some reported seeing abnormal changes in weather, such as frogs encased in ice raining from the sky. One spectator, Xxxxx, observed a lamb walking around the center, dripping wet. Xxxxx found it odd because 1952 was the year of the dragon.
Telegram sent from Xxxxx Xxxxxxx to her husband Xxx Xxxxxxx:
AT CHINATOWN SQUARE
UNUSUAL WEATHER
WILL BE LATE HOME
I WILL BE CARRYING A SHEEP
BEST REGARDS
Feb. 13, 1964: Chinatown square is once more assaulted by frogs falling from the sky. Additionally, onlookers reported a penguin flying above the square. Events blamed on a gas leak when attempting to blow up cultural dragon puppet. The fact that the dragon was still flying above the square caused suspicion. Event also blamed on gas leak, labeled hallucination.
Medical note written by Nurse Xxxxxx Xxxxx on Feb. 13 of 1964:
…I found an unusual number hallucinating accounts this afternoon. Many of the patients saw things such as frogs or dragons in the sky. I recollect one speaking of a penguin. Oddly enough, I saw no toxins in their system, and only 4 of the patients’ families had a history of schizophrenia…
Jan. 31, 1976: The final documented case of Chinatown-Frog incident. No onlookers. Chinatown Square is deserted on Chinese New Year, for the first recorded time. At 12:04 PM, frogs begin to fall from the sky. However, temperatures remain static. The frogs stay encased in the ice. A lamb falls to the ground of hypothermia. A penguin can be seen flapping its wings against the wind and snow. A white and black heron flies out of a pagoda. As the heron is a natural predator of the frog, it begins to attack the blocks of ice. A man with a rifle is seen shooting the bird from outside the square. The bird was not harmed, but the man was reported to be watching a large red dragon puppet fall from the sky.
Letter from bird-catcher and ex-officer Xxxxxx Xxxx to his daughter:
I’ve shot the beast. I have heard that your pet will find a new home soon as well. However, before you get rid of it, I would like to tell you something about Chinatown Square. I understand that you own a home next to the lake. When you are next available, contact me.
Next time it rains,
- Xxxxxx Xxxx
- Feb. 1, 1976: Xxxxxx Xxxx pronounced dead after meeting with his daughter. Xxxx passed away at roughly 8:00 PM. Autopsy of the body revealed that Xxxx asphyxiated on a frog leg his daughter served him.
Subject Xxxx still refuses to tell us what their conversation was about.
People don’t really think of Chinatown when the term “life-changing” is brought up. It’s simple enough, maybe it has a weird edginess to it, but it doesn’t really strike anyone as something that would change fate.
Then again, when people picture Chinatown, they don’t really picture frogs raining down from the sky.
February 8th, 1940: The first documented case of unusually high temperatures and frogs falling from the sky – On the Chinese New Year. Onlookers said that the frogs were encased in ice, despite the out-of-place 77 degree weather. Temperature and percentage of frozen frog rains were completely normal outside of the center. The crowd also enjoyed the traditional papier-mâché dragon flying above their heads. It looked “Quite realistic”.
Conversation between Head of Xxxxxx Police department Xxx Xxxxxxxx and Officer Xxxxxx Xxxx:
“Alright, let me get this straight. You mean to tell me that in the center of Chinatown, and only the center of Chinatown, the temperatures spiked 45 degrees above average, the snow completely melted, and then frogs started hailing from the sky?”
“Yes, sir.”
“In the middle of February?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sacre bleu.”
“Shall I report this to the other officers, sir?”
“No, you can leave it… What would we do about it? Arrest the clouds?”
“Point taken, sir. I’ll head home now.”
“Where are you off to this early?”
“My daughter brought home one of the frogs. She’s waiting for it to melt, and with all due respect, sir, I find frogs that have fallen from the sky more intriguing than the crime rate of Xxxxxxx.”
Officer Xxxx later informed his superior that the frog disappeared on the 20th.
Jan. 27, 1952: Attendees of the Chinese New Year festival in Xxxxxx felt unnatural rises in temperature. Some reported seeing abnormal changes in weather, such as frogs encased in ice raining from the sky. One spectator, Xxxxx, observed a lamb walking around the center, dripping wet. Xxxxx found it odd because 1952 was the year of the dragon.
Telegram sent from Xxxxx Xxxxxxx to her husband Xxx Xxxxxxx:
AT CHINATOWN SQUARE
UNUSUAL WEATHER
WILL BE LATE HOME
I WILL BE CARRYING A SHEEP
BEST REGARDS
Feb. 13, 1964: Chinatown square is once more assaulted by frogs falling from the sky. Additionally, onlookers reported a penguin flying above the square. Events blamed on a gas leak when attempting to blow up cultural dragon puppet. The fact that the dragon was still flying above the square caused suspicion. Event also blamed on gas leak, labeled hallucination.
Medical note written by Nurse Xxxxxx Xxxxx on Feb. 13 of 1964:
…I found an unusual number hallucinating accounts this afternoon. Many of the patients saw things such as frogs or dragons in the sky. I recollect one speaking of a penguin. Oddly enough, I saw no toxins in their system, and only 4 of the patients’ families had a history of schizophrenia…
Jan. 31, 1976: The final documented case of Chinatown-Frog incident. No onlookers. Chinatown Square is deserted on Chinese New Year, for the first recorded time. At 12:04 PM, frogs begin to fall from the sky. However, temperatures remain static. The frogs stay encased in the ice. A lamb falls to the ground of hypothermia. A penguin can be seen flapping its wings against the wind and snow. A white and black heron flies out of a pagoda. As the heron is a natural predator of the frog, it begins to attack the blocks of ice. A man with a rifle is seen shooting the bird from outside the square. The bird was not harmed, but the man was reported to be watching a large red dragon puppet fall from the sky.
Letter from bird-catcher and ex-officer Xxxxxx Xxxx to his daughter:
I’ve shot the beast. I have heard that your pet will find a new home soon as well. However, before you get rid of it, I would like to tell you something about Chinatown Square. I understand that you own a home next to the lake. When you are next available, contact me.
Next time it rains,
- Xxxxxx Xxxx
- Feb. 1, 1976: Xxxxxx Xxxx pronounced dead after meeting with his daughter. Xxxx passed away at roughly 8:00 PM. Autopsy of the body revealed that Xxxx asphyxiated on a frog leg his daughter served him.
Subject Xxxx still refuses to tell us what their conversation was about.
Rats Don’t Go To Parties!
By: Ashley
“Oh no!” said the monkey named Elijah. “The zoo patrol have me on a wanted poster! How will I ever pull off that I am a regular citizen now?”
“Well Elijah” said the bird, Ally. “You could try to do normal human things… like yoga?”
“nah” said Elijah.
“Book club?” offered Ally.
“nope” said Elijah
Ally kept giving ideas and Elijah kept shutting them down. One after the other Elijah was losing hope of staying a regular citizen.
“Ok, I have one more idea. Are you up for a party” said anxious Ally.
“ na- hey I would totally be up for a party!” proclaimed Elijah.
So then Ally the bird and Elijah the monkey went party planning. First they decided how they were going to decorate.
“Have you ever been to a party” asked Elijah
“No” sighed Ally. “but I have watched them through the window next to my nest.”
“What do they have at the parties?” asked Elijah.
“well… they have stars and plants and food and lots of lights” said Ally with excitement.
“ok, lets search the junkyard” said Elijah.
So they went searching through the junk yard. In the junkyard they found moldy food, partly broken glass cups, expired beverages, and dusty streamers.
“Why would anyone throw this stuff away” said Ally.
“You know what they say” said Elijah. “One mans trash is another man’s treasure”
As Ally and Elijah continued to search they came across a rather friendly mouse.
“Hello” squeaked the little mouse. “My names is Ms. Squeakally, but my friends call me Squeak for short… want to be friend?”
“sure” said Ally.
“Ok” said Elijah. “ a rat like yourself could be of fine assistance”
“actually, I am a tame deer MOUSE” explained Squeak.
“ Rat, mouse whatever just-”
Ally cut in “Ooooooh, it’s time for the party!”
“PARTY!” said Squeak. “ can I come?”
“You?” shouted Elijah “Rats don’t go to parties!”
“Actually I am a tame deer mouse” said Squeak a little frustrated.
“Rat, mouse whatever, we don’t have time to stress we need to find more stuff” said Elijah shuffling away.
Squeak searched and searched but all she could find was a little gas tank and iphone stickers.
“We have to go so this will have to do” said Elijah as he scurried off with all the things she collected.
“bye” shouted Ally from afar. “it was nice to meet you”
“the pleasure was all mine” sighed Ally.
As Squeak walked alone in the evening sunlight she heard a sound.
“Boooo! Worst party ever!” it was coming from the abandoned warehouse Ally and Elijah were headed off to before.
She peaked in and saw angry people throwing apple stickers and huge gas tanks at Ally and Elijah.
“The party isn’t going as they wanted it to go?” she wondered as she walked away.
“Oh no” said Elijah “the party isn’t going the way we wanted it to go!”
“And the cops are going to come if the party isn’t spectacular” said Ally.
“What to do, what to do” wondered Elijah.
Then a big BOOM interrupted his thoughts.
“Bing Bang Boom, here comes the party mouse!” squealed Squeak.
She came in with decorations, food, and a confetti cannon.
“I love a good party” she sang “especially when I can help out!”
She decorated put up a snack spot and soon everyone was enjoying themselves.
“I enjoy everything you are doing… and it means a lot” said Elijah “but, rats dont go to parties”
“I am n-” Elijah cut Squeak off.
“But even if you were a rat or not you are a friend, and friends go to parties”
“awww” said Squeak.
By: Ashley
“Oh no!” said the monkey named Elijah. “The zoo patrol have me on a wanted poster! How will I ever pull off that I am a regular citizen now?”
“Well Elijah” said the bird, Ally. “You could try to do normal human things… like yoga?”
“nah” said Elijah.
“Book club?” offered Ally.
“nope” said Elijah
Ally kept giving ideas and Elijah kept shutting them down. One after the other Elijah was losing hope of staying a regular citizen.
“Ok, I have one more idea. Are you up for a party” said anxious Ally.
“ na- hey I would totally be up for a party!” proclaimed Elijah.
So then Ally the bird and Elijah the monkey went party planning. First they decided how they were going to decorate.
“Have you ever been to a party” asked Elijah
“No” sighed Ally. “but I have watched them through the window next to my nest.”
“What do they have at the parties?” asked Elijah.
“well… they have stars and plants and food and lots of lights” said Ally with excitement.
“ok, lets search the junkyard” said Elijah.
So they went searching through the junk yard. In the junkyard they found moldy food, partly broken glass cups, expired beverages, and dusty streamers.
“Why would anyone throw this stuff away” said Ally.
“You know what they say” said Elijah. “One mans trash is another man’s treasure”
As Ally and Elijah continued to search they came across a rather friendly mouse.
“Hello” squeaked the little mouse. “My names is Ms. Squeakally, but my friends call me Squeak for short… want to be friend?”
“sure” said Ally.
“Ok” said Elijah. “ a rat like yourself could be of fine assistance”
“actually, I am a tame deer MOUSE” explained Squeak.
“ Rat, mouse whatever just-”
Ally cut in “Ooooooh, it’s time for the party!”
“PARTY!” said Squeak. “ can I come?”
“You?” shouted Elijah “Rats don’t go to parties!”
“Actually I am a tame deer mouse” said Squeak a little frustrated.
“Rat, mouse whatever, we don’t have time to stress we need to find more stuff” said Elijah shuffling away.
Squeak searched and searched but all she could find was a little gas tank and iphone stickers.
“We have to go so this will have to do” said Elijah as he scurried off with all the things she collected.
“bye” shouted Ally from afar. “it was nice to meet you”
“the pleasure was all mine” sighed Ally.
As Squeak walked alone in the evening sunlight she heard a sound.
“Boooo! Worst party ever!” it was coming from the abandoned warehouse Ally and Elijah were headed off to before.
She peaked in and saw angry people throwing apple stickers and huge gas tanks at Ally and Elijah.
“The party isn’t going as they wanted it to go?” she wondered as she walked away.
“Oh no” said Elijah “the party isn’t going the way we wanted it to go!”
“And the cops are going to come if the party isn’t spectacular” said Ally.
“What to do, what to do” wondered Elijah.
Then a big BOOM interrupted his thoughts.
“Bing Bang Boom, here comes the party mouse!” squealed Squeak.
She came in with decorations, food, and a confetti cannon.
“I love a good party” she sang “especially when I can help out!”
She decorated put up a snack spot and soon everyone was enjoying themselves.
“I enjoy everything you are doing… and it means a lot” said Elijah “but, rats dont go to parties”
“I am n-” Elijah cut Squeak off.
“But even if you were a rat or not you are a friend, and friends go to parties”
“awww” said Squeak.
The Animal Anomaly
By Ally
Clank, clank, bang. Clank, clank bang. Off in the distance, the telephone pole repairman banged his way through the day’s work. He was one of the very few who had a few like he did of the chaos that had struck the streets of Coldspring, Texas. There had been a theft the night before. Two men had broken into an animal shelter and the zoo, releasing dozens of animals, and stealing some. Currently, a cheetah or two could be seen roaming in the streets, and one must be very careful while driving. Also, just to make everything worse, it was National Dress Up Like A Cowboy Day. The crazy participants in this unruly event were lassoing the escapees. Of course, all of these chaotic happenings caused quite an uprising.
Now, everyone thought they knew who the thieves were, but really, only one person did besides the thieves themselves. To be truthful, it wasn’t a person. It was Jake the dog. Now, Jake the dog had a very long story. He had been born in Tennessee, and later moved to an adoption center in Phoenix, Arizona. He was adopted by a couple with three cats. Jake couldn’t stand the cats, and they couldn’t stand him. So, Jake ran away. He lived a very good life on the streets, mostly feeding off the fruit of cacti, and hunting. He was a very good runner, and, in a few months, he made his way to a small town in Texas, called Coldspring. Jake stopped to urinate on the sign that said, ¨Coldspring, Texas Population 884¨
Jake came to live in Coldspring, and he was very happy just living in the streets. One day, a woman picked him up off the side of the road and took him to a man in a white jacket. Jake could sense a special connection between the man and the woman, and they seemed to both know a suspicious secret. The man, who said he was a vet, poked him with a needle, and the woman drove off with Jake frowning at the sight of his home getting farther and farther away. This is where the chaos began. While he had been at the vet, Jake had taken in all the smells in the room, one of which was a very unique, unusual, sweet smell of danger.
Joey the banker was driving home from work early, due to his boss’ anger at a client, which ended up sending everyone home. As he was driving, he encountered a very strange situation. In the lane next to Joey, there were no cars, but there was a cheetah, and there was a man dressed up like a cowboy apparently trying to lasso it. Joey later learned that the cheetah had been illegally released from a zoo, and the man was participating in National Dress Up Like A Cowboy Day. Once the traffic finally started to inch forward a little, Joey spotted something in the rearview mirror. This was an ad for a movie called The Planet of Rockmen. Joey made a mental note to ask his daughter if she wanted to see it. Little did he know that he would never see his daughter again, due to the wild cowboy who was, at this point, whipping his lasso at Joey’s car.
Jake the dog knew that if he let this dog-knapper get away with this, he, once again, would be in the grimy hands of the evil man who called himself a ¨vet¨, and very soon. He also knew that if he tried to escape, he could go back to living on the streets. These two ideas tempted him enough to take the risk of ¨accidentally¨ stepping on the button that opened the windows and ¨falling¨ out. He tumbled past the lasso man, and slid under the belly of the cheetah. Soon, he was running off to the next town over, which, he hoped, would soon be his home.
As the day winded down, the cowboys went home. Joey was taken to the hospital not long after he had been whipped. The cheetah was caught, and the animals were returned to their rightful homes. The telephone repairman returned home as well. Also, Jake the dog made himself comfortable in his new home. As always, before he entered the town, he peed on the sign that said, ¨West Livingston Texas Population 8,042¨
PROJECT THREE
Perspective + Mini graphic stories
Students visited with graphic novel artist Jesse Watson, via Skype and created their own stories. The stories show either the beginning, middle or end given the small number of cells used plus perspective. Enjoy!