Impressive Art Education

     Even though I am not a professional educator, I know the signs of good teaching. Students flourish under a good teacher. They are proud of their efforts. They want to keep them and explain them. This is especially true with art education. There are many borderline competent teachers in this field. It is one thing to be an artist or to understand art... and a far different thing to be able to teach art, especially to kids. The Sawaya kids attending Fort Meigs Elementary are fortunate to have such a teacher. It's so easy to throw down paper and paint and let them rip, with little framework for success. Then watch as they throw their 'artwork' away, moments later. Nothing invested, nothing gained. (See my recent 'shop time' posting.)  I could write a paragraph for each of these photo series. There's a lot to say about any artwork. I'll try to be brief.

First of all, SAM. 1. 'Angry Monkey' Art from a crushed aluminum pop can. There's a lot to like here. Make something 'good' out of something 'bad.' See potential. Have fun. Use multiple techniques (paint with brush, drizzle) Learn to 'present' your work, framing. Small, simple lessons from a piece of consumer waste. 2. Pumpkins. Show volume with pastels. Repeated shapes make for a pattern. Very impressive. 3. Golden monkey skull. Think Indiana Jones. Gold foil worked in three dimensions with color tinting. Add jewels for eyes. Invent an 'African-look' border. Wow! When Sam 'monkeys around' with art, look out!   

Two more from SAM. Actually, one from Vincent, two from Sam. Show kids famous art. Talk about why it made an impact, what made it different. Teach them the technique. Turn them loose. Sam's bold strokes on his olive trees and sun reflect the heart of impressionism. Will a fifth grader ever really comprehend impressionism? Probably not, but you've got to start somewhere. Finally, learn about - and from - other cultures, with Asian styling, based on classical Chinese and Japanese forms. It's a two-for-one. Learn about culture, learn about art.

Next BEN. Little Ben. What kindergartener isn't going to love a painting named: 'Monsters don't eat broccoli?' Brilliant combinations of cutting, pasting, painting and stamping show 'instruction following' in different areas. They also develop different small-motor skills. The monster's eruption through the borders of the composition adds a certain graphic violence and show just how strongly monsters can feel about the healthy green vegetable.  2. A plethora of colorful flowers explodes on paper as on your senses. 3. Preparing perfect penguins requires the prerequisite of patience.  Things have to be cut and pasted in the right order or perfect penguins, perhaps, won't prevail. You've got to love a matching scarf and earmuffs.

Finally JOSH. Many of the same ideas apply to these pieces. Subject matter that involves kids makes for a successful experience. Tropical fish, castles and a valentine. What's not to like?