Tape it up Mondrian Style

Another great project that was lead by my student teacher this school year, was inspired by her love of tape and the artwork created by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian.  First grade students began this unit by examining the Mondrian's artwork and identifying the elements of art SHAPE, LINE, and COLOR and how they come together to create a non objective artwork.  Next, we discussed how Mondrian wanted his art to connect with others and we brainstormed how and why people work together/connect with each other in clubs  such as in girl scouts, sports teams, and when playing games.  

For the first day, each table worked together to put together an extra large puzzle of one of Mondrian's artworks.  At the end of class, students reflected on some of the challenges when it comes to working collaboratively.  Students discussed  how they had to be patient and wait their turn or help their peers put the pieces in the right places.  

Students putting together Mondrian puzzle.

The next class we focused on Mondrian's use of GEOMETRIC SHAPES and we drew our own and then used tape to add color on top of them.   The theme of connecting through art was played out in a variety of ways.  Our black lines that we added to our artwork had to connect to our shapes or edge of the paper.  Additionally, by working together in class activities and planning out the collaborative mural the students understood how they could all individually come together to create a whole 

artwork.

Composition A, 1923 Piet Mondrian

Pre-K Loves Donuts!

Joel Penkman

Our student teacher lead my pre-k artists in an Joel Penkman inspired printing project.  Students used a brayer to roll paint on a donut shapes sponge, which they picked up the sponge and pressed it onto the page. This created the base of the doughnut. Next class, students used pink, white and brown paint to put icing onto the doughnuts using the same technique of rolling a brayer in paint and rolling the paint onto the sponge. Lastly, we added sprinkles and other toppings by using Q- Tips and a fork. They dipped their object in the paint and dotted it onto the doughnut in different colors to resemble Joel Penkman doughnut box paintings.  We ended the class having fun reading the book Please Mr. Panda.  

Student Artwork