Dinosaur Tracks

And a word from our student teacher...

Our Reagan Art Students completed clay tile “Dinosaur Foot Prints”. This activity introduced the students to clay as a medium and furthered their understanding of the use of texture in art. The students were introduced to the history of ceramics in a short PowerPoint then they were given a PowerPoint and a worksheet detailing the major genera of dinosaurs. From this information, they were given the choice to choose any type of dinosaur they wished.

Using rolling pins and other supplies, they learned how to work with clay. Their task was to make slabs that they then cut into individual four inch squared tiles. The next step was to have the students create a relief sculpture that looked like a “Dinosaur foot print” and apply a glaze of their choice that mimicked stone.

The final product was a marvelous variety of work that came out quite well.

-Jon Matney, student teacher, UTA

In cased you missed it...

The GPHS art teachers spent time talking to our art students about the wonderful opportunities at the Grand Prairie High School Fine Arts Academy...

Of course a month later we find out after this year there is no longer a Grand Prairie High School Fine Arts Academy but will now be a 6-12 Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy magnet school! We will open August 2013 and we are THRILLED. Here's a pic of the day we presented it to the middle school academy students! 

We went to Seussical at GPHS and were amazed not only with the performance but the incredible set by Jordan Fetter and his technical theatre students! Art is everywhere!

Last but not least, I finally put up my WORD WALL! Thanks to Mr. Whitaker, my awesome assistant principal and evaluator who encouraged me to do it. I also learned that I have a panoramic option on my iPhone camera, oooooh :)

Teapots

The 7/8 Academy Students are working on Alice in Wonderland inspired teapots. It's been a challenge to say the least but so far so good! Thank goodness for the clay experience of our wonderful student teacher Mr. Matney. We sure will miss him when he's gone!

The Beauty of Fruit

Through out the school year in the Academy 6th grade class, we have focused on the beauty of art; the varieties of color, style and approach. Many times we seek out inspiration through photos and other references but it was time to make our way back to the basics, and what's more basic in art than a simple still life? We picked natures own beautiful resources and selected a variety fruits with interesting color and interiors. Students brought their fruit and after some slicing and arranging, we had our very own fruit photo shoot.

Once printed the students have begun to sketch, and color in the variety of color and value with oil pastel and baby oil (yes, baby oil, it blends the pastel similar to paint!) So far the pieces are simple, yet impressive.

 Of course eating the fruit afterwards was fun too :)

Stay tuned for the completed works.

MLK Entries

It took quite some time but the MLK entries to represent both Reagan M.S. and Reagan F.A.A. have been completed and ready for judging! Students were directed to create a portrait of a person who they feel have lived or are living out the dream of Dr. King. The variety and skill of work is outstanding and I couldn't be more proud. Great job Knights!

Jackie Robinson by Noah L.

Ghandi by Raul O.

Martin Luther King Jr. by Grace T.

Ms. Q by Donovan C.

Abraham Lincoln by Edward G.

John F. Kennedy Jr. by Tyler J.

Ray Charles by Giorgi W.

Martin Luther King Jr. by Mark L