Make your own Diamond Poem

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/diamante/

EC postage stamps

Every holiday season the U.S. Postal Service issues new stamp designs. They include Kwanza, Hanukkah, non religious Christmas themes, and a Madonna and child (NO, not the singer!).

Who painted the picture?
Where is the original on display?

Find out some information about this year's Madonna stamp with some internet sleuthing:
Search using Google or get right to it by looking on the USPS website: http://www.usps.com

10 EC

An extra 5 points if you describe the painting using at least three of the elements or principles of art. (Look in the sidebar if you need a refresher on the descriptions.)

Post to this Blog
or write on paper and turn in to Mrs. W
Due by Dec 17

EC Art in the News

Today's (Dec 10, 2009) Billings Gazette has an article about "Curious Finds", an exhibit on display at the Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM). The newspaper features the collection of a local man, Gary Oakland. Read it and answer a few questions. Respond to this Blog or write your answers and turn in by Dec 17th.

For 15 EC points tell me:
1. What is the style (or school) of art that he collects?
2. When (and how long) was this style painted?
3. What makes this style of art different from Impressionism?

Another 25 EC points if you go down to the YAM to see the entire show, "Curious Finds", which includes art from other Billings collectors. Bring me a signed brochure or card (the front desk folks know you can get extra credit).

Art Walk Dec 4th - EC

25 points Extra Credit

Dec 4th from 5-9

Downtown Billings Galleries

Christmas Stroll

Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM) Small Works auction

Bring a map that has been stamped or signed by at least two galleries.

Due by Dec 9th.

Bonus 5 points to name a collaborative art project up for auction at the YAM. (Hint, they have the same last name because they are a mother and son.)

EC Art Talk

Mrs. W will play excerpts from two artists featured on the DVD Art Talk.

Alleghany Meadows is a Ceramist

Nancy Lovendahl is a sculptor

The DVD is also available after school during Open Studio.

Post 5 observations you made about the artists and their work (includ names and mediums but those don't count in your observations!) to the blog or turn in to Mrs. W

Due by Friday Dec 4th

10 points EC

Ec in the news - two chances for EC!!

Today's Billings Gazette 12-1-09

Opportunity 1:

Write 4-5 sentences about a Butte artist and his unique style of art.

Post to the blog or turn in to Mrs. W

Due 12-4-09

10 points ECToday's Billings Gazette 12-1-09

This one is available for World of Work students also....

Opportunity 2:

Write 4-5 sentences about "scam" artist tyring to use his artwork to settle his debts. Hint: He has been in the news recently about the bogus American Police Force and the empty Hardin detention facility.
Post to the blog or turn in to Mrs. W

Due 12-4-09
10 points EC

try this

“Lymph Node” Comment & more at RiffWorld.com

more EC!!

Visit Rimrock Mall on Tuesday Nov 24

between 6 and 7

to celebrate the Career Center graphic design student display

25 EC points

Bring some sort of evidence - description, picture on your phone, etc.

EC Mr. Verzatt's show

20 point EC

visit the gallery area of the Student Union Building at MSU-B

take a photo with your camera phone, or write the title of a work on display.

Due by November 24.

Mission 10,000 Rockets

Draw a rocket of tomorrow.

The first 10,000 drawings will be showcased in a dedicated gallery website in addition to Artsonia. They will be placed into a commemorative Mission: 10,000 rockets book.


The three top winners will have their drawings turned into 3-D models by Microsoft employees and scientists who work with Digital Globe for Bing Maps.
Submit to Mrs. W before Thanksgiving break.

x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Get to know your wild neighbors
Robert Bateman wildlife
http://www.gettoknow.ca/us/contest/rules.php

• Art entries should depict a species which can be found in forests, or in your neighborhood. Pets or farm animals like dogs, cats, and horses do not count.
• Learn the name of the species and where it lives!
• Art entries should be full colour and no bigger than 17" x 12".

Submit to Mrs. W before Thanksgiving break.

EC supplies

10 points EC for foil or masking tape......

our paper mache projects need to have wings, eyes, arms, legs, etc. made out of bendable foil armatures. Please help restock the classroom supply of foil - pay it forward : )

Bring foil or tape to class by 10/23.

EC in the news

EC in the news

How did a forensics expert solve an art mystery? 5 pts

Which famous artist did it involve? 5 pts

10 pts......respond to the blog or put in the turn in box.

due by October 23

EC during MEA break

Earn Extra Credit while you are on break!

5 points per photo
Take photographs that emphasize one of the Elements of Art (on the cupboard doors in our classroom) or the Principles of Design (across the front of the room above the whiteboard). You can either email them to me (waddingtone@billings.k12.mt.us) or bring the photos in to show me after the break. If you email, please resize the photo so we don't choke the district server : ) 1. The subject line should include your name, per, and name of the element you are showing: ie. Sam H, per 7, Color 2. The body of the message should point out why you think that element or principle is the most important part of the picture. ie. The colors used in this restaurant are analagous - they are side by side on the color wheel - yellow, yellow orange, orange, and red orange. Plus there is a deep brown which you would get by adding an opposite color (complementary) blue.
Photos are due by Tuesday, October 27th.

Review the elements here. See photographs of an artist who uses these in his outdoor art - Andy Goldsworthy.

EC in the news

Today's newspaper had an article about Egypt severing (cutting) ties with a famous museum over artifacts.

Which museum?

Why is Egypt upset?

How did the pieces in conflict end up in the museum in the first place?

5 EC points

Respond to the blog or put your answer on scratch paper and turn in to the turnin box by Wednesday Oct 14.

Mid-term grades and Oct news

We will be posting grades today which will be printed and sent home Friday. This is just a progress report. Mr. Verzatt, my student teacher, has been working with the 7th graders for almost three weeks so he has been grading their recent projects. He will have the 8th grade art classes from today on.

Extra credit opportunities

Friday Oct 2 Art Walk
5-9 p.m.
Downtown galleries and museums will be open for free.
Bring a signed brochure or business card by Tuesday Oct 6.
25 pts for 2 or more galleries
OR the Yellowstone Art Museum

Write a Six sentence paragraph (same format you learned in English) about the piece of art in the back of the classroom. They are all done by Montana craftsmen as part of Montana's Circle of American Masters folklife project. This month's posters depict traditional Montana Indian art made by contemporarty artists.
http://art.mt.gov/artists/artists_mcam.asp

Due by Oct 14 - 10 points

Extra Credit Opportunities

Due by Tuesday, Sept 29
to count for midterms:

YAM (Yellowstone Art Museum)
Dollar Day Saturday Sept 26
OR
go to www.smithsonian.org/museumday
to print off free admission tickets as part of a national
Museum Day promotion.
25 points

Draw an underwater fantasy scene using some of
the shells from our drawing project. Base it on the Draw Squad handout
or invent your own....8th graders should notch it up with lots of their own images.
Show your best shading techniques.
15 points

Van Gogh for Open House

Parents
Open House is this Thursday September 17th
6:30-8:30

Come see our oil pastels inspired by the artwork of
Vincent Van Gogh

Friday Finisher

In honor of those who sacrificed for Sept 11, 2001

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZFkZiwMLZ4

First Friday art on Montana Ave

The galleries along Montana Ave are open late every First Friday.


They know you can earn 25 pts extra credit if you pick up a card or brochure and have them initial it.

Respond to this post or drop off the signed card to the turn in box by the following Tuesday.

EC - Museum Dollar Day

Art for a buck

visit the YAM this Saturday, August 29

Bring an initialed brochure or card describing one of the current exhibitions or post to this blog your reaction to a specific piece of art. Be sure to write down the artist and title. What was unusual about the piece that caught your eye?

25 points due by Tuesday September 1st
Yellowstone Art Museum
401 North 27th Street
open 10-5 Saturday

Welcome to a new school year

I'm excited to find art opportunities with you that are outside our classroom on the top floor of Castle Rock. Keep checking the blog for extra credit, interactive art activities, and art happenings around Billings.

Your first chance to earn extra credit will be to use the words on the walls and cupboards that describe the elements and principals of art. Two prints of the Brooklyn Bridge are located on the bulletin board in the back of the classroom. Write a short paragraph comparing and contrasting the two images. If you need a refresher, the images can also be found on the Picturing America website:
Walker Evans
Joseph Stella

Deadline extended!!

Your work can be posted to this blog or turned in at school by Friday September 4th
10 points

Jump start your summer art fun with drawing!

Since our weather is cold, rainy and snowy to start our summer, here are some websites for ideas:

http://www.hitentertainment.com/artattack/howtodrawcastles.html

http://www.drawingcoach.com/

http://www.drawspace.com/ You can view the lessons for free.

http://www.how-to-draw-cartoons-online.com/cartoon-flowers.html

http://www.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/learn-to-draw.html

extra credit opportunity

See Mrs. W for a handout (go to the link at our webpage to guide you through internet exploration of environmental artists Andy Goldsworthy
and
Christo and Jeanne Claude

Due by Monday June 1st for up to 25 point extra credit....no extensions!

End of semester celebration

Celebrations will take place

in Mrs. W's art classes

on May 28th.

Students volunteeered to bring treats. All of their art work will be on display through a slideshow and they will take home their projects. I hope you will either come join us during your student's art period or take the time to have them share their sketchbook and portfolio of work at home.

You are invited!

Mrs. W is one of the teachers in this staff development program. If you would like to see her projects and other cool ideas from teachers in the district, feel free to stop by the Lincoln Center.

Extra credit opportunities...downtown!

Friday May 1st
5:00-9:00
Art Walk

Downtown galleries, museums, and eateries showing art will be open late. Stroll around town to feast on the artworkwhile you meet the artists.

For more information and a map, click here.

Get a card or map stamped or initialed.

Bring to Mrs. W by Tuesday, May 5th for 25 pts extra credit.

For the DC participants

I hope you have a great time in DC next week. You have a small booklet to complete for Art / W.O.W. instead of the projects we will do in class. Here is a link to a fun interactive site related to the Invention at Play exhibit in the Smithsonian's Museum of American History. Share something you make!
Test your knowledge of artifacts in the Smithsonian collection.

4 day weekend break

Earn Extra Credit while you are on the 4-day break!

5 points per photo up to 25 points

Take photographs that emphasize one of the Elements of Art (on the cupboard doors in our classroom) or the Principles of Design (across the front of the room above the whiteboard).

You can either email them to me (waddingtone@billings.k12.mt.us) or bring the photos in to show me after the break.

If you email, please resize the photo so we don't choke the district server : ) 1. The subject line should include your name, per, and name of the element you are showing: ie. Sam H, per 7, Color 2. The body of the message should point out why you think that element or principle is the most important part of the picture. ie. The colors used in this restaurant are analagous - they are side by side on the color wheel - yellow, yellow orange, orange, and red orange. Plus there is a deep brown which you would get by adding an opposite color (complementary) blue.

Photos are due by Friday, April 17th. Review the elements here. See photographs of an artist who uses these in his outdoor art - Andy Goldsworthy.

Kaylee's Spring Break photos

Kaylee took photos
during our snowy spring break.
Here are a few of the Elements and Principles of Art
that she found:

Thanks to her Mom for developing the 35mm film!

Art out and about

Extra Credit opportunities this weekend.....

Friday evening stroll the 2500 block of Montana Avenue
5-9 p.m.
Be part of the first First Friday!
Toucan, Prodigal Gallery, Harry Koyama, Del Alma, Thompson-Tanner-Degenhart

Bring something
initialed by a gallery owner
to Mrs. W by Tuesday, April 7
25 extra credit points.

*********************************************
Saturday
Green Eggs and YAM
That is not a misprint!!

Dollar day at the Yellowstone Art Museum this Saturday, April 4th.
See the art, decorate an egg.
For more information click here.

Bring something
initialed by the YAM staff
to Mrs. W by Tuesday, April 7
25 extra credit points.

EC in the news

We played Art History Bingo in the morning classes Tuesday.

For 10 Extra Credit points,

what is the name of the artist

and the title of the original piece of art the following image is based on:

from Relish, Celebrating America's Love of Food, April 2009, p. 4

Respond to this post or write your answer on a piece of paper with your name and put it in the turn in box in your cupboard by Monday, April 6.

Pysanka Eggs

We will be making traditional Pysanka eggs in Art during the week of April 6-9.
Monday we will be in the computer lab learning about traditional egg patterns from the Ukraine and about the egg art of Faberge.

5 pts extra credit for each blown egg you bring to school up to 5
(that's a huge omelet!)
Or
bring 25 cents for a raw egg provided by Mrs. W.


Parents, if you want to make your own Pysanka egg,
join us for Open Studio on Wednesday April 8th from 3:10 to 5.

Egg cartons of all types are appreciated for nests to transport the artwork home.

March Mancala Madness

7th graders are completing their papier mache projects this week. Many of them made mancala boards in the shape of an animal. We learned about the game and its origin with a PowerPoint in art and Geography with Ms. Veit. Here is the link to the online mancala game we played on the electronic whiteborad.

Spring break Extra Credit

Earn Extra Credit while you are on break!
10 points per photo

Take photographs that emphasize one of the Elements of Art (on the cupboard doors in our classroom) or the Principles of Design (across the front of the room above the whiteboard). You can either email them to me (waddingtone@billings.k12.mt.us) or bring the photos in to show me after the break. If you email, please resize the photo so we don't choke the district server : )

1. The subject line should include your name, per, and name of the element you are showing:
ie. Sam H, per 7, Color

2. The body of the message should point out why you think that element or principle is the most important part of the picture.
ie. The colors used in this restaurant are analagous - they are side by side on the color wheel - yellow, yellow orange, orange, and red orange. Plus there is a deep brown which you would get by adding an opposite color (complementary) blue.

Photos are due by Tuesday, March 10th.
Review the elements here.
See photographs of an artist who uses these in his outdoor art - Andy Goldsworthy.

scratchboard link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0uMU6bfAew&feature=channel_page

part 2

7th grade shapes to forms

shapes to forms

2-D to 3-D

After you show some fabulous value and contrast with the spotlight on your forms.....

you can create all kinds of cool scenes and landscapes. Here is a castle!

Mobile mania

8th graders visited the Shangia Circus at the ABT on Monday.

Here are links to fun onlnie mobile makers:
http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/mobile.htm

http://www.mathcats.com/explore/virtual/mobile.html

for calculating the length of the wires and size of your pieces:

http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/counting_on_art/act_calder_calculating.shtm
choose the "mobile maker" from the pull down list and click GO

You can select your branches and shapes. Play with size to get your mobile to balance. You can also click "balance" if you get frustrated. Once your mobile is created and balanced, set it in motion.

We will use the spinner in the classroom to set our mobiles in action.

Fame..Glory...Pizza...sometmies even Moolah...

Contest Opportunities

Mrs. W will submit entries from art classes prior to each deadline.

Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest
Redesign the tomato ketchup packet (from food service / fast food places). Specific requirements for colors. Details and templates in classroom or at Heinz website.
Winners have artwork reproduced on packets, $1,000 for student, $1,000 for the school (for art supplies) and $1,000 worth of Heinz ketchup for school and a poster.
Feb 27

Google Doodle 4
Forms in classroom; information at GoogleDoodle4.
Design a doodle using Google logo and the theme "What I wish for the world..."
Mrs. W has registered for 6 submissions for our school.
March 31

Saturday Live
Billings Public Education Foundation
Details in classroom or at the Foundation website.
April 4
pizza party for 15

How do you use the value scale?

We created a chart in our sketchbooks that showed 5 techniques to add value to drawings. 7th graders used their new skills to draw a cool 3-D treasure chest with the help of Mark Kistler's Imagination station.

If you'd like to make one too, follow along here! Click the Lessons Tab and then click on the treasure chest. Have fun!

upcoming Art Walk

downtown Billings
February 6 from 5-9 p.m.

For more information about the event and a map of participation locations,
click the logo above.

25 pts Extra Credit to go to two or more galleries or art spaces

One day only!!

5 pts. Extra Credit

What artist's birthday is today, January 28th?

Hint: Use a common search engine like the one that begins with the letter "G"

Write your answer on a slip of paper and put in the turn in box by Thursday, January 29th....or write a comment to this blog with your answer.

Teen Art at the YAM

Wednesday, January 28th from 3:30 to 6:00

Pizza and Art Production Workshop

Transform a hammer and be a part of YAM's warehouse renovation.

YAM Teen Ambassadors

Mrs. W will give you 25 pts extra credit for attending.

Anyone can make art....

...one line at a time. We made Zentangles to loosen up and get in the mind set of making art. For more inspiration, see the official Zentangle website.

Semester wrap up

As we finish up the fall semester, I want to encourage you to continue to look for art opportunities in our community. February will feature new art at area galleries for the Art Walk on Friday, February 5th. One of the most exciting show is the annual Art Auction show at the Yellowstone Art Museum. All of the pieces can be viewed at the YAM or online prior to the auction in March. Many works are by artists who live in the Billings area. I hope to see you out and about, amongst the art and artists of our region!

Mrs. W