Appreciation Posts

 

  

Brayden brings a scholastic professionalism to the visual art class.  He has provided evidence of developed craft, engagement and he expresses persistent enthusiasm for cars.  I'd continue to pursue these interests in how things are constructed, specifically constructed by hand.  Thank you for these excellent examples of middle school art and craft. 

Londyn here displays three portraits of Brittany Spears in preparation for her Toby Jug.  This shows observation, expression and exploration.  Londyn has also made a Cape Verdean flag stuffed felt pillow and some fabulous paintings (please upload them to google classroom!)

Jack wrote this fantastic poem to accompany a collage:  "Welcome Double Trouble.  We Build Power Behind the Scenes".  This poem was created by cutting words out of magazines and rearranging them to make something new.  Excellent job taking our Surrealist games seriously, you've written something ominous, enigmatic and new!  

While still nearing completion, this "non-finito" by Lucas illustrates a dream house.  Unlike the typical cliche of a mansion with a fancy sports car in the front, Lucas illustrates a house more modest and humble, suggesting complexity, boarding on a desire for the tranquil. 

Sometimes one does not have to reinvent the wheel to achieve greatness. Luka has mastered sewing and has mastered the Friendship Bracelet, mixing his crafts to make a stuffed elephant equipped with rope tail and button eye.  From here, if Luka decides, he can investigate various embroidery patterns.  Simple upholstery is no longer an issue.  Most importantly he has experienced now the feeling of engagement and persistence as he slowly sews a dreamy blue elephant!  Well done! 

While coming up with imagery playing Surrealist games, Rylin has developed something of a doodle language, both symbolic and representational.  Here is a magnified blow up of his language. Words, smiley faces and shapes intertwine into something between a map and a flag, showcasing a fluid, fearless brain.  

 

 

Karla took the time to render camera angles even when abroad.  She is currently finishing a stuffed dinosaur.  There is a blatant scholastic seriousness in Karla's work and evidence of drawings both observant and imaginative.  Karla communicates visually without much struggle and has a keen respect for the visual world.  

Ana has created a Toby Jug of Sophia Lorene that is done with loving care (please make sure to upload the caricatures of her into google classroom!).  The color breadth here is impressive, especially the ruby red lips.  The structure created with cardboard, masking tape and paper Mache is masterly.  

Ceramics and Sculpture is as craft Ana has demonstrated development in in a small amount of time.  Her craft displays artistic patience and knowledge. 

Quietly and modestly, Henry has developed something of a dreamscape masterpiece in colored pencil.  He has created an abstracted monstrous organism both alluring and scary.  The shapes that make up this monster are pointy and rigid, yet the fact they are constructed by colored pencil shapes, and is clearly done by a youth, makes the piece approachable.  The grid shows that this is a second draft, and thus an organism that has been created with great thought, yet is still clearly from the unconscious.  Amazing work, Henry!  

Adrian's ability create a stuffed elephant shows his mastery of patience, engagement, persistence and a growing interest in tranquility.  The art he makes is reminiscent to his easy going attitude in class.  He is open minded to new ideas and doesn't stray away from assignments, even ones that are foreign and new to him.  I applaud his good attitude and the good vibes his art brings to the class.  

Please look at this drawing Jacolby drew early on in the trimester.  Look at Jacolby today in class. 

Please tell me ... did Jacolby's art predict the future or did it not predict the future?  Is Jacolby the new Nostradamus?  Is what is drawn from Jacolby's hand to be our tomorrow???  And then what is the significance of the clock head?  

I do not have answers for these questions, but when one makes art ... strange things tend to happen.  

  

Carter came to us by way of Texas, the state where one of my favorite artists, Gary Panter, grew up.  This is interesting, because his young drawings remind me very much of early Gary Panter drawings; drawn fearlessly with a clear joie d'vivre.  There is a love of observation in Carter's hands.  There is a love of experimentation and construction.  He writes in a elegant cursive, elevating his very notes.  He can work from his imagination, his memory, from what's in front of him.  He is drawing with a confidence only found in our most celebrated draftsmen.  

Mila has demonstrated mastery of sewing, having made this and a hacky sack.  My favorite piece (please up load it) she made this year was her Queen portrait that even used a mod podge varnish.  She is an explorative and passionate artist with a respect for craft. 

Danil's Dreamhouse shows the developed drawing technique of crosshatching, the Renaissance technique of grid magnification and the surrealist exercise in imagining his goals.  Like Dex's work, Danil's dreamhouse is rural and agrarian, illustrating a desire to interact with the land.  This is not the cliche or stereotype associated with middle school dreamhouses, and it is a testimony to the maturity and complexity Danil's character.  

Camden's progression as an artist this trimester was profound.  It was fueled by his various interests, namely cars and guitars.  These interests, combined with an open, explorative mind, helped Camden develop craft to the point where he is now creating from his own fruition.  He has shown proficiency in fiber art, paper Mache, but most notably his drawing skills.  He is a complete student; playing music, making art, playing sports and being a good friend.  Great job, Camden.   

Elijah is getting the work done and finding ways to contribute to the Visual Arts.  He has worked in fiber, sculpture, collage and drawing.  He is open minded and quick to contribute to group exercises.  I suggest he continue working in group activities and interacting with the community and think about how visuals can strengthen the community.  

Emet has created something special here with his final Surrealist magnification; an intricate, abstract, dynamic symbol, rooted in fantasy illustration but on the verge of the sublime thanks to his engagement when playing Surrealist games.  The craft here is impressive because it implies that Emet has drawn a lot.  The variety of marks is noteworthy.  Emet is a student who is progressed incredibly fast, even when he was already an excellent draftsman.  He will be greatly missed here at Monomoy Middle School and I look forward to seeing what art he makes in high school.  

Marloe was in my home room last year and made this Toby Jug this year, so she is someone who has spent a lot of time in the art room.  She is open minded, expressive and a joy to have in class.  This Toby Jug (upload the caricatures that go along with it!) used tape and paint to capture a likeness.  The nose protrudes at the right spot and the color mixing is impressive.  

Jordyn is warm and thoughtful.  She draws intricate flowers even when asked to make a magnified surrealist collage, often prone to be disturbing.  She is also open minded, and persists even when her art goes in strange new directions, as with the above Toby Jug.  She is a competent drawer able to depict expression.  Great job! 

 

Sneed is someone who comes to the art class with a Cosmopolitan, learned and wise appreciation for culture.  His figures suggest influence from fashion, street culture and youth culture.  This converges with his enthusiasm to express and explore with form itself.  The surrealist games were a perfect matching for their personality.  Please take these Surrealist games traditions with you, as they can work as catalysts to come up with new ideas, which will help us in the future.  Thank you!