Project One
Self Portraits
Students were reflective and selected non-traditional art mediums to create self portraits that reveals something about their characters. Enjoy what the students are saying...
Here are samplings of the students' artist statements....
Leo P5
Dear viewer,
The purpose of this piece was to use non-art material to create a portrait. As you can see the material I chose for my self portrait were beans. I chose this material because they are hard and strong which represents me as a strong person. But they are also sensitive which represents another part of me in a sad and depressing situation, where I understand someone going through a hard time in life and try my best to help them go through the situation. Beans come in different sizes, usually they’re small and they also come in different tones of colors usually either white or more of a dark tone such as brown,light brown, dark, etc. Beans are food that are cooked and they are mostly served in Latino restaurants. Beans are a big part of my culture because in Mexico, when I lived there, I ate a lot of beans and they were mostly served in all the meals I ate. They’re very yummy, I love beans!. The reason I chose to paint the color red as my background is because the color red is bright and colorful which represents that I am a happy and bright person. It is also one of my favorite colors.
Dear viewer,
The purpose of this piece was to use non-art material to create a portrait. As you can see the material I chose for my self portrait were beans. I chose this material because they are hard and strong which represents me as a strong person. But they are also sensitive which represents another part of me in a sad and depressing situation, where I understand someone going through a hard time in life and try my best to help them go through the situation. Beans come in different sizes, usually they’re small and they also come in different tones of colors usually either white or more of a dark tone such as brown,light brown, dark, etc. Beans are food that are cooked and they are mostly served in Latino restaurants. Beans are a big part of my culture because in Mexico, when I lived there, I ate a lot of beans and they were mostly served in all the meals I ate. They’re very yummy, I love beans!. The reason I chose to paint the color red as my background is because the color red is bright and colorful which represents that I am a happy and bright person. It is also one of my favorite colors.
Polina P5
In my project, I used playing cards, because I think that it represents me. In every deck of cards, there is the same number of every suit, and the cards never change. I think that represents me, because I don’t change my opinion very often, and my mood stays about the same. Whenever you talk to me, I will usually have the same personality, and act the same way. But also, a deck of cards can have different colored backs, which shows that I can be different at times, and I am a unique person. Also, a deck of cards can be very fun, just like me. Another thing about a deck of cards is that everybody knows what they look like, and they have a very distinct look, like me. I think I am a very distinct person. For my background, I used yellow paint, because I really like the color yellow, and I have a very sunny personality. I also think I’m very bright, like the color yellow. I chose paint because I like painting, and it adds a very glossy appearance, which I like.
I want people to take away that I am a constant, hardly changing person, with a distinct personality. I am very sunny, and bright too. I also want people to see that normally, you couldn’t do this project with cards, because they usually only have 3 or 4 colors: red, black, white, and maybe blue on the back. But I found a way, which might show that I am creative and unique (in a good way, of course). In my picture, I am smiling, and looking straight at the camera, which, to me, shows that I can be very brave if I want to, and I often dive straight into situations. But since I am smiling, that means I enjoy it, and I am happy with the way I am. That represents me very well.
In my project, I used playing cards, because I think that it represents me. In every deck of cards, there is the same number of every suit, and the cards never change. I think that represents me, because I don’t change my opinion very often, and my mood stays about the same. Whenever you talk to me, I will usually have the same personality, and act the same way. But also, a deck of cards can have different colored backs, which shows that I can be different at times, and I am a unique person. Also, a deck of cards can be very fun, just like me. Another thing about a deck of cards is that everybody knows what they look like, and they have a very distinct look, like me. I think I am a very distinct person. For my background, I used yellow paint, because I really like the color yellow, and I have a very sunny personality. I also think I’m very bright, like the color yellow. I chose paint because I like painting, and it adds a very glossy appearance, which I like.
I want people to take away that I am a constant, hardly changing person, with a distinct personality. I am very sunny, and bright too. I also want people to see that normally, you couldn’t do this project with cards, because they usually only have 3 or 4 colors: red, black, white, and maybe blue on the back. But I found a way, which might show that I am creative and unique (in a good way, of course). In my picture, I am smiling, and looking straight at the camera, which, to me, shows that I can be very brave if I want to, and I often dive straight into situations. But since I am smiling, that means I enjoy it, and I am happy with the way I am. That represents me very well.
Amanda P9
For this portrait I used lipstick for portrait and cut out of newspaper with Mod Podge layered over it for the background. I chose to use lipstick because I love doing makeup and of course makeup mainly goes on your face, I chose cut out newspaper pieces because I love to write and I want to be a journalist when I'm older. When I am bored at home and have nothing to do I love to try out new makeup looks, and I’m not trying to be cocky in any way, shape or form but I’m pretty good at it. I really love to write, and it has always just come naturally to me and i have started my own blog, i haven't posted anything yet but I'm working on some new material currently. I really enjoyed making this portrait because I really got to express myself in a really fun and creative way.
For this portrait I used lipstick for portrait and cut out of newspaper with Mod Podge layered over it for the background. I chose to use lipstick because I love doing makeup and of course makeup mainly goes on your face, I chose cut out newspaper pieces because I love to write and I want to be a journalist when I'm older. When I am bored at home and have nothing to do I love to try out new makeup looks, and I’m not trying to be cocky in any way, shape or form but I’m pretty good at it. I really love to write, and it has always just come naturally to me and i have started my own blog, i haven't posted anything yet but I'm working on some new material currently. I really enjoyed making this portrait because I really got to express myself in a really fun and creative way.
Iman P9
The material I used was rubber bands. Rubber bands are very stretchy, so it is easy to make it any size you want. With rubber bands you can stretch them to fit your whole face or only one small part of your face. I picked rubber bands because I like how its flexible it is and how it sticks down really easy. Rubber bands remind me of when I was little and how I loved to play with them so it reminded me when I was young. I only used rubber bands and blue paint for the background. I used blue paint in the background because I loved the color blue since I was little and I still love the color it reminds me of the sea.
The material I used was rubber bands. Rubber bands are very stretchy, so it is easy to make it any size you want. With rubber bands you can stretch them to fit your whole face or only one small part of your face. I picked rubber bands because I like how its flexible it is and how it sticks down really easy. Rubber bands remind me of when I was little and how I loved to play with them so it reminded me when I was young. I only used rubber bands and blue paint for the background. I used blue paint in the background because I loved the color blue since I was little and I still love the color it reminds me of the sea.
Maxwell P10
For this project I used metallic tape that covered my face. This tape was very easy to work with. The properties of this included that is was very shiny and reflected light well. The tape also had many colors that I could utilize for the different shades on my face. The tape also had a sticky back that allowed me to just cut it to size and stick it down. A challenge with this project was that some of the pieces of tape were not small enough to put on my eyes. This relates to me because I see myself as a person whose personality reflects others and how they treat me. I also see myself as a very colorful person who has many different personalities and sides. On my face I have two very different color that make it up. They are green and silver. I did this because I wanted to represent how I have not just one personality that makes me up. I Also did this according to the shades of color and by what made the features of my face stand out the most. For the background I chose a sky blue color. I chose this color because I like the color blue, not necessarily this shade, but I did not want the background to be the same color as any of the colors on my face. I also chose the color blue because it was not similar at all to any of the colors which were on the outside of my face and so I thought that it highlighted my face really well. I want the observer to take a few things away from this art. I want them to go away knowing more about me and I want them to go away thinking more about the many abstract ways to represent things and represent you. I want them to see how you can also use different things that you would not normally think of as things for art, to make great pieces of art that represent you.
For this project I used metallic tape that covered my face. This tape was very easy to work with. The properties of this included that is was very shiny and reflected light well. The tape also had many colors that I could utilize for the different shades on my face. The tape also had a sticky back that allowed me to just cut it to size and stick it down. A challenge with this project was that some of the pieces of tape were not small enough to put on my eyes. This relates to me because I see myself as a person whose personality reflects others and how they treat me. I also see myself as a very colorful person who has many different personalities and sides. On my face I have two very different color that make it up. They are green and silver. I did this because I wanted to represent how I have not just one personality that makes me up. I Also did this according to the shades of color and by what made the features of my face stand out the most. For the background I chose a sky blue color. I chose this color because I like the color blue, not necessarily this shade, but I did not want the background to be the same color as any of the colors on my face. I also chose the color blue because it was not similar at all to any of the colors which were on the outside of my face and so I thought that it highlighted my face really well. I want the observer to take a few things away from this art. I want them to go away knowing more about me and I want them to go away thinking more about the many abstract ways to represent things and represent you. I want them to see how you can also use different things that you would not normally think of as things for art, to make great pieces of art that represent you.
Areli P10
My project has been completed by a non artistic material of gems. The characteristic of gems are shiny and kind of bold. The reason why I chose these to reflect off of me is because the shiny parts show that I shine, and that I try my hardest to do my best. I also chose this because boldness shows that I stick out from others and that I do not want to be like others and that being the same is boring. A reason why I am different is because I don’t follow trends and others, I am not a follower I am a leader. The reason why I chose a metallic background is because it also shines and stands out. The way it reflects is the same way for my gems. What i want for my viewers to walk away with from my project is that I am not the same as others and do not want to be betrayed as somebody else or like them. I also want them to walk away with not putting me down because of the way I talk, people say i talk improper but I do great in school. I don’t want people to think less of me. Especially since I am nothing less but a bright and unique person.
My project has been completed by a non artistic material of gems. The characteristic of gems are shiny and kind of bold. The reason why I chose these to reflect off of me is because the shiny parts show that I shine, and that I try my hardest to do my best. I also chose this because boldness shows that I stick out from others and that I do not want to be like others and that being the same is boring. A reason why I am different is because I don’t follow trends and others, I am not a follower I am a leader. The reason why I chose a metallic background is because it also shines and stands out. The way it reflects is the same way for my gems. What i want for my viewers to walk away with from my project is that I am not the same as others and do not want to be betrayed as somebody else or like them. I also want them to walk away with not putting me down because of the way I talk, people say i talk improper but I do great in school. I don’t want people to think less of me. Especially since I am nothing less but a bright and unique person.
Emma P10
The materials I used to make up my portrait is mainly fabric and yarn.The fabric is to symbolize how we are all connected together, almost like a quilt. We all come together in some way.Because there is also many colors, it shows how colorful I am the yarn represents a calm nature. Because when you knit a scarf or hat, you need to focus and be sure you don't accidentally drop a stitch. What these materials say about me is that I’m very calm, most of the time, and how I’m connected to everyone, even if we don't have same interests, we can still try to relate to someone.
The background in my portrait is to show again how calm I am. Green shows off a serene nature, green can show that you're very observant and quiet. It’s a very mellow color. It also shows you enjoy being outside, just to relax outside, maybe read a book or draw. The overall takeaway is to see what a pleasant person the portrait shows. It’s to show how collected they are and peaceful. It’s a piece that you take in when you're relaxed. You start to see how the purple and yellow blend together and how all the colors start to come together and how they make up the whole portrait. Even though there are many colors that pop out all at once.
The materials I used to make up my portrait is mainly fabric and yarn.The fabric is to symbolize how we are all connected together, almost like a quilt. We all come together in some way.Because there is also many colors, it shows how colorful I am the yarn represents a calm nature. Because when you knit a scarf or hat, you need to focus and be sure you don't accidentally drop a stitch. What these materials say about me is that I’m very calm, most of the time, and how I’m connected to everyone, even if we don't have same interests, we can still try to relate to someone.
The background in my portrait is to show again how calm I am. Green shows off a serene nature, green can show that you're very observant and quiet. It’s a very mellow color. It also shows you enjoy being outside, just to relax outside, maybe read a book or draw. The overall takeaway is to see what a pleasant person the portrait shows. It’s to show how collected they are and peaceful. It’s a piece that you take in when you're relaxed. You start to see how the purple and yellow blend together and how all the colors start to come together and how they make up the whole portrait. Even though there are many colors that pop out all at once.
Quinn P9
In the beginning of the art period I was asked to create a self portrait of myself using a non original art material. This material had to reflect on my personality. With almost no time needed to contemplate I decided to use tape. I created my portrait with tape for three reasons: It is strong and sturdy, It can fix things, and its something you should never go without. You also probably noticed that part of the spots on my face are missing tape. My dad is an industrial designer, and he taught my that if you don't need something don't bother trying to make it fit. Less is more. I did not feel as if I needed tape in those parts of my face, so I didn't do it.
The project was intended to create the shades of the face (And whatever else) but on my shirt I broke that rule because I had so much colorful duct tape. I think that it worked pretty well because the abrupt difference between the shades and the colors are very contemporary, and creative.
On the original project form, I said that my only material I would use was duct tape. There was a difficulty because I thought that there were more monochromatic shades of duct tape than was available. So I made it work by blending colors on other types of tape so the viewer would still see the different shades.
In the beginning of the art period I was asked to create a self portrait of myself using a non original art material. This material had to reflect on my personality. With almost no time needed to contemplate I decided to use tape. I created my portrait with tape for three reasons: It is strong and sturdy, It can fix things, and its something you should never go without. You also probably noticed that part of the spots on my face are missing tape. My dad is an industrial designer, and he taught my that if you don't need something don't bother trying to make it fit. Less is more. I did not feel as if I needed tape in those parts of my face, so I didn't do it.
The project was intended to create the shades of the face (And whatever else) but on my shirt I broke that rule because I had so much colorful duct tape. I think that it worked pretty well because the abrupt difference between the shades and the colors are very contemporary, and creative.
On the original project form, I said that my only material I would use was duct tape. There was a difficulty because I thought that there were more monochromatic shades of duct tape than was available. So I made it work by blending colors on other types of tape so the viewer would still see the different shades.
Project TWO
Contrasting Self-Portrait
Students were given the opportunity to collaborate with Ms. Shaw our orchestra teacher, who is performing "Dorian Variations" with her students at their May concert. This particular art project will be showcased during the concert. My students had to think critically, and be reflective as they considered various mediums that best described two contrasting themes that represented themselves. Students were shown a two minute movie clip of the 1945 adaptation of the book, "Dorian Gray" after being given information about the author, Oscar Wilde. The movie drove the point home about the contrasting sides of the main character's portrait - which took on a "variation" of himself, with each passing deed the character performed.
Below is the clip and of course, the intriguing work of your children
Below is the clip and of course, the intriguing work of your children
PROJECT THREE
Executive Function Self-Portraits
Students create their final self-portraits as eighth graders, using various materials as they move about the room on a fixed schedule. Students must manage their time wisely and consider the productions of their table mates as they share the materials at various stations. Students learn to adapt, think critically and juggle schedules for highest productivity.
PROJECT FOUR
ICONS
We had just enough time to squeeze in one more project! This was a quick project where students had to think of symbols that represented themselves, family and school. Some even did extra and did a product icon. See if you can guess what is what in the sampling below.