What do ARTISTS do?

of course they CREATE ART!

We know artists can paint, draw, collage, cut, sculpt, mold, weave, photograph, sketch, bead, glue, sew.

Beyond making art, what else do artists do?

ARTISTS Envision...

they visualize or picture and idea in their mind.

ARTISTS make a plan...

they think through or write the steps to make their artwork.  They sketch what a drawing might look like.  They get their ideas out of their head and onto paper.

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ARTISTS take care and respect their materials...

including taking care of their studios.  What are some ways you take care of materials? (snap that cap, don't break pencils, organize supply baskets, etc.)

ARTISTS try new things...

they are brave and take risks.  they explore and experiment with new art supplies.  they learn to use new tools, materials and space.

ARTISTS talk about art...

We have share time.  Artists talk about their ideas, the materials they used and the process of making art.

ARTISTS make mistakes... 

and are willing to try again.  We know that if we make a mistake in drawing, we try 3 fixes before a new piece of paper --front and back, beautiful oops and an eraser.  How does an artist fix a mistake in other studios?

ARTISTS observe...

artists look closely, pay attention and notice details.

ARTISTS collaborate...

artists work together.  Artists cooperate and listen to one another to create art. 

ARTISTS reflect...

they think about what went well, what they need to learn and what they can improve.

ARTISTS work hard...

they are focussed and spend time on their art.  Some artists can spend years working on a piece.  We say, "if you just started it today, it really should stay".  (there are some exceptions to this rule, often birthday cards and jewelry)

ARTISTS share materials...

they take turns and are respectful as they collaborate.   

ARTISTS practice and explore...

artists try new ways and methods to create art.  

ARTISTS exhibit their work...

share their creativity with the world

ARTISTS understand the art world...

they go to museums, look at art, read about art and talk to fellow artists, they are part of the art community.

ARTISTS use their visual voice...

artists communicate their ideas, feelings, values, concerns, current events.

Through a massive painting, Picasso expressed being upset and critical of war attacking his country.

ARTISTS contribute to society...

projects like Empty Bowls where artists use their art to raise money for people facing hunger and murals that beautify cities and towns.

Which of these behaviors do you do as an artist?

Artists do more than make a pretty pictures!


*(Thanks Kari Schepker-Mueller for the inspiration for this mini-lesson.)

Artists Express their Feelings and Emotions

Some humans express their feelings with words, some share their feelings in song, others with their body language-- a hug, a smile or a scowl.  Artists EXPRESS how they feel with their artwork.  Let's explore COLORS AND EMOTIONS in art.

First let's identify some feelings:

Now, let's find some of these in art.

Artist Bisa Butler creates expressive portraits with the art of quilting.  Portraits are pictures of people and can show us facial expressions of how a person is feeling.

Yes, Bisa sews images of people and faces with thread and carefully placed fabric.  Often, colors like blue and red help Bisa to express feelings she quilting. 

Can you show emotion without people or faces?  How?

Color can give your artwork a mood or feeling.  What feeling does it look like Pablo Picasso is trying to express in these paintings? What is the main color you are noticing in Pablo's work?  

These were painted during what is referred to as Pablo Picasso's Blue Period, a time in his life where he was expressing feelings of loneliness and despair in his art.  He was feeling the sadness of a friend who had passed away.

Blue, Green and Purple are COOL COLORS that can create a calm, melancholy or sad feeling in your art.

Color is a powerful tool in art.




So if Blue can express sadness or calm, what feelings do Red, Orange and Yellow make you feel?

Warm Colors such as RED, Yellow and Orange can give a happy, loved, upbeat, energetic or excited feeling.  Red can also feel angry or a sense of danger. 

Jackson Pollock

With the colors you choose, you have the power to affect how the viewer feels when they look at your art.

Lines can also help an artist to capture our attention and communicate moods.  There are so many types of lines an artist can draw, paint or even sew!  Lines can be very expressive.

Horizontal lines can feel peaceful and calm.

Martin Johnson Heade

Vertical lines express energy and power.

Curved lines can be relaxing and soft.

Heather Hanson is a dancer and creates symmetrical curved lines using charcoal and her whole body. People often watch her performance as she moves and dances charcoal onto large paper in order to create art .

Angled lines like diagonal lines can feel agitated or active.  Does anyone know what agitated means?

Kandinsky

Picasso

Sometimes the subject alone can be expressive of a certain mood or feeling.  The subject is the main idea or image the artist is trying to show or get us to notice in their art.  

Can you name a feeling for each of these art works?

Vincent Van Gogh

Edward Hopper

Keith Haring

Dawn Okoro

Kandinsky

Kollowitz

Kieffer

Will you use color or lines to show a certain feeling in your art?

Will you express your feelings with your art?