Editor's note

Arts & Activities, April, 2002 by Maryellen Bridge

It's time once more to "Brush on the Paint"! Creative energy flows free when the acrylic, oil, tempera and watercolors are brought out. Brushwork doesn't always entail paint--as witnessed by our Cover Story, "Encaustic Still Life" (page 16). Here, it is melted crayon that is applied as beautiful floral still lifes take form. The important thing is to have brush in-hand and let artistic ideas flow.

Oil is the choice in "Ladders and Easels and Stools, Oh My!" (page 18), as high-school students learn the advantages of a slow-drying medium with a rich, resonant depth of color that is unmatched. Mundane objects become things of beauty--no longer simple wooden, but dramatic and powerful compositions.

For the younger set, we offer "Primary and Secondary Patterned Portraits" (page 24), where rich tempera is used to teach first-graders the basics of color mixing, portraiture and patterns. This month's "Young Artist," Michael Wu, shows tremendous painting skills in his artworks shared on page 33. His work is quite advanced for one so young (third grade!), and we encourage him to continue in his art. His is a story that should hearten all art teachers as he recalls the support of his kindergarten teacher: "She liked my pictures and always wrote nice comments." Ah, the power of the positive to encourage young artists!

"Stop and Paint the Flowers" (page 34) plays on the old adage, reminding us of the consistent popularity of flowers as inspiring subject matter. Second-, fourth- and fifth-graders all enjoyed the fluidity of watercolors and painted some beautiful bouquets--in plenty of time for Mother's Day and springtime celebrations.

Pablo Picasso enters the game in "Cool Cats: Feline Fun with Abstract Art" (page 36). There is much to learn through this project: positive and negative space, cats as art subjects, abstraction, color mixing, the unique qualities of watercolor, and how to mount artworks. This is a treasure trove of art skills for elementary students.

Appropriate for secondary-level students, "Camouflage, Color Schemes and Cubism" (page 37) hides animal shapes among "Semi-Cubistic" compositions in "camo" colors. Is that a giraffe I see in that painting?

"Art Across the Curriculum: Spectrum of Sanity" (page 26) utilizes a watercolor painting by Walter Anderson to initiate discussion about how some artists have used their art in an attempt to deal with their mental illness. From there, the lesson goes on to look at parenting, the influence of other cultures on Western artists, and how repetition of lines can convey action.

Other "Items of Interest" this month include "Blue Ribbon Art Show" (page 38), which, through the story of one teacher's experience, shows how you can organize an art show that will truly involve the community and raise awareness about the importance of art in children's--and all of our--lives.

Encourage your students to dip their brushes into some paint and enjoy the spontaneous energy and creativity that will flow forth. Paint is a popular medium with good reason--its fluidity allows young artists freedom to express their creative spirits.