Editor's note - Editorial

Arts & Activities, Sept, 2003 by Maryellen Bridge

It is easy to see why art teacher Judith Johnson nominated her student, Neil Patel, for our Young Artist feature (see page 25). We chose his "Clownfish" for our cover because this picture inspires us to "swim right into the new school year." This engaging pastel drawing pulls us into the issue, where a collection of successful art lessons wait to be discovered.

"Walk Into the New Year with Funky Shoes" (page 20) describes a project wherein students explore various drawing styles, learn what makes a good composition, and investigate the use of complementary color schemes. "Building Dragons with Basic Shapes" (page 33) is just the thing for those of you who would like your art students to learn to paint without first making a sketch. By using a popular subject--dragons--children learn to use a dabbing technique to paint, using their imaginations.

"Nesting Instincts" (page 34) is an excellent high-school project for this time of the year. Students learn what chiaroscuro is and how to create this effect. They also learn skills when using charcoal and toned paper, and how to add and subtract values, as they create poignant drawings of bird's nests. A great way to familiarize students with some art history, "Tigers with Artistic Style" (page 38) describes how a group of students portrayed their school mascot using the art styles of various artists. Of course, this fun project will work with any mascot-whether it's a pirate or a bulldog.

In "Patterned Still-Life Paintings" (page 40), students learn about the role of pattern in many of Matisse's paintings, and how pattern can be formed by the repetition of shapes. They also learn quite a bit about mixing colors, in order to match the objects in the still life that they are observing and painting.

"Paul Klee's Magic Squares" (page 36) acquaints elementary students to this intriguing artist, helps them identify primary, secondary, warm, cool and neutral colors, as well as color value, hue and intensity. The kids also learn how to create unity by using color, pattern, shape and value. And, "Masterwork Art Lesson: Kandinsky Watercolors" (page 42), provides great opportunities for students to learn a wide variety of art objectives.

There really are too many teaching-treasures inside this issue to list here, so I will simply urge you to continue on into the magazine. You will find something here that will help you smoothly swim into this new year. Welcome back!