Editor's note

Make an impression on your art students and they, in turn, will make expressive impressions of their own! How to do this? You can begin with our Cover Story, "First Impressions," found on page 16. This project serves as an excellent high-school-level introduction to the art of the monotype print. Spontaneity and a painterly quality are just two reasons why this form of art appeals to teen-agers, not to mention the great tradition of artists such as Cassatt, Whistler and Degas, whom used monotypes in conjunction with their paintings.

U.S. history meets art in "Presidential Prints" (page 18). First comes research and line drawings of past presidents, followed by a review of printmaking and prints by Munch, Durer, Hokusai, Picasso and Warhol. A class vote decides which printmaking form students prefer, culminating in children creating their own linoleum prints of presidents. The experience is capped off by the creation of a book, "Presidential Prints and Profiles," of which each student receives a copy. The fact that each student could make 18 prints from the same lino block certainly highlights one of the functional aspects of printmaking.

"Marbling On a Budget" (page 20) explores another form of image transfer--done with a pan of water and size instead of the usual "printing block." Thorough instructions and lists of necessary tools and materials are provided so that you can experience this age-old art with your students. The resulting marbled papers can be admired and displayed as artworks themselves, or may be used in subsequent creative projects such as making book covers, picture frames or stationery.

This month's "expressive impressions" also include a form of etching. "Scratch-board Sunflowers" (page 32) outlines a successful art lesson for the elementary level. An art-history prelude makes a study of Vincent van Gogh's use of the sunflower in his work, with special attention paid to his use of spatial relationships and value contrasts. Geometry comes into play, as students break down the subject matter--sunflowers--into basic shapes. Finally, it's time to draw on the black scratchboard, resulting in sensitive etchings that make their creators beam with pride.

Among our "Success Stories and Items of Interest" projects for a variety of grade levels and media. "Curls of My Dreams (page 36) tests and strengthens students' drawing skills. "Teddy Bear Still Lifes" (page 38) is an effective still-life drawing lesson for first graders, using subject matter that appeals to this special age group. And, our new occasional series, "On the Art Career Track," continues this month with "Advertising with an Attitude" (page 39).

There are other art treasures within this issue--such as "Art Across The Curriculum: Print & Poem" (page 22) and "Teaching Art With Art: Living Waterways (page 29)--assembled with one goal in mind: to help art teachers across the nation make and elicit expressive impressions in the art room.

As you utilize the resources provided in this issue, we invite you to share your art treasures through submitting a manuscript to Art & Activities. It would be a wonderful way to make an impression on thousands of your fellow readers and their students. Visit our Web site for full details on how to submit materials (www.artsandactivities.com). We look forward to hearing from you.

Maryellen Bridge, Editor in Chief

COPYRIGHT 2001 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group