ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST PAINTINGS
IN BLACK OVER VARIOUS COLORS

In this project the children studied Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline to develop these images.  Kline's sweeping and broad brushstrokes and Pollock's signature splattering were combined to make these paintings both elegant and alive.

PORTRAITS INSPIRED BY THE BRITISH ARTIST FRANCIS BACON

The macabre yet beautifully painted images of Francis Bacon were studied by the fifth graders.  Certain early Bacon portraits with a gentle striped facade over the figure that behaves almost like a sheer curtain were the specific inspiration.  The resulting images often achieved Bacon's signature sense of horror and beauty created simultaneously. 

SPACE SCENES

In this project volume defined by light was the main focus.  The spheres of the different planets had have the shaded side away from the yellow source of light which represents a star.  The space ships stimulate the imagination to wonder where the rocket came from and where it is going.

JAPANESE INSPIRED GOLD SCREEN GARDEN SCENES

The Japanese/Asian purpose of painting to create and atmosphere of soothing beauty through flat and pleasingly colored imagery was studied before embarking on this project.  After painting the "gold" background, the children made masses of flowers in water color and crayon resist with some butterflies and dragonflies too.  All the prepared imagery was glued on with close attention paid to balancing form and color.  In the end, authentic Japanese words were copied with a sharpie from source materials.