Alberto Giacometti

Portrait of Alberto Giacometti
Jan Hladík (Czech printmaker) 2002

The final class of 2017!

We are working in one of my favorite mediums this month - needle felted wool!

Ready to study something a bit more modern?  Surrealist Alberto Giacometti utilized the changing interests of the people who lived before and after the 2nd World War as a launching point for his ideas about sculpture.

Alberto Giacometti

1901-1966

Swiss

Sculptor

Please take a few moments to study this month's artwork, and consider how it makes you feel.

Walking Man I,
1960Bronze sculpture
Alberto & Annette Giacometti Foundation, Paris

This month student will be making their own felted sculpture.  The completed works will be sent home.  Kids can decide on their own whether to gift their work to a friend, or to keep it for themselves.

To complete this month's project you will need the following supplies:

• Scissors - 1 per student
• wool roving - approx. 4 oz assorted colors per student
• felting pad, small - 1 per student 
• felting needles - 2 per student minimum
• Crayola supertip markers - set of 10 - can be shared

You may also want:

• needle felting guard (highly recommended for the safety of young students)
• extra felting needles

I look forward to seeing everyone this Friday, December 16th at 6:30!

Katsushika Hokusai

Self Portrait
1839
Wood block print
Tokyo, Nagoya

Over 200 years ago, printmaker Katsushika Hokusai created his famous prints.  Today, you can still find these images on everything from cell-phone cases, to notebook covers.  What makes his work so timeless?  We will explore this question together.

Over the coming days, spend some time enjoying this image of his work.  What do you see happening?

Katsushika Hokusai

(For pronunciation help go to Forvo, which offers several different recordings)

Japan

1760-1849

The Great Wave Off Kangawa
1830-1833
color woodblock print
Tokyo, Nagoya

To complete this months project you will need the following supplies:

• Acid free construction paper 12x18" 1 sheet white per student
• Elmer's white glue 4oz,  or glue stick can be shared
• Scissors - 1 per student
• 38 gauge metal sheet - aluminum on one side, copper on the other - 1 sheet per student
• Model magic (unfortunately, you may NOT substitute other forms of clay, the soft texture is necessary for our project) - 2oz per student
• Crayola supertip markers - set of 10 - can be shared

You may also want:

• Small package of baby wipes or paper towels

Gunta Stolzl lesson extension activities

Gunta Stolzl

Create:
Make your own backstrap loom out of simple popsicle sticks - this is far easier than it looks, and the quality of weaving that you can get is much higher than the simple cardboard looms that we used this week. Try it out!

Watch:
Modern artists still create woven tapestries.  The technique is quite different from typical weaving, but fascinating.  Check it out.  This is something you could try on your small loom if you'd like.

Learn more:
Kandinsky and Klee were also members of the Bauhaus.  Check out our previous lessons & projects on these masters

What is the difference between arts and crafts?  Watch this Ted talk to help discern the difference.
Consider:
The Bauhaus movement attempted to bring together the disparate fields of industrial technology and craftsmanship, beauty and function, theories and practice.  This wasn't always easy.  Our ever-changing world often makes us feel as if there are more questions than answers.  Check out http://findithere.com/answers.php for hope.

Sheryl

Gunta Stolzl

Have you ever wondered why female artists aren't as easy to find or as famous as their malre counterparts? We are going to get a glimpse into some of the reasons this week as we delve into the world of the Bauhaus.

Update: Blogger is giving me trouble (and I don't want to use up any more beach time wrestling with it while on vacation. LOL) so you will need to click here to view this month's picture study. Thanks for understanding. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stolzl_red_green.jpg

To complete this project you will need to bring the following items to class:

• Acid free construction paper 12x18" a single strip approx 1 x 11 inches
• Scissors - 1 per student
• popsicle stick (optional)
• assorted yarn - 10-16 yards per student various colors
• board loom 3.25x13" - 1 per student, (feel free to make your own just cut 8-10 notches into the two short ends of the cardboard)
• Crayola supertip markers - set of 10 - can be shared

• glue stick
• Pencil
• Scotch tape (optional)

Note: Please make sure that all supplies are clearly labeled with your family’s name.  Children work at large tables, and supplies often roll.  Collecting materials at the end of the day is much easier if they are marked.  Address labels work well for this purpose.  

Vigee LeBrun Lesson Extension Activities

I love my head.  I have a morning routine that includes general head maintenance like brushing my teeth, combing my hear, and washing my face.  Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun spent a good portion of her life focused on heads too; painting portraits of them, sculpting the image that those heads presented to the press, and even working to protect her own head from the guillotine during France's revolution.  Through it all, LeBrun's artwork played a key role in the politics of the day.

Ready to learn more?

Study

It is impossible for us to cover all the details of any artist's life in our short class time, and Vigee LeBrun is no exception.

• Listen to a short biography of "The Semi-Charmed Life of Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun" - episode 3 of the ArtCurious Podcast
• Older Students: Read Elisabeth's memoir.  My favorite version is illustrated.  Available for free on Kindle.
• Younger Students: Learn more about Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution.  The weirdly sideways image shows two that my family enjoyed.   You wouldn't want to be an Aristocrat in the French Revolution, and Marie Antoinette, Fashionable Queen or Greedy Royal

Create

Use your quilling tools to create more artwork! 

• Make a quilled dress for Marie Antoinette.  Template available at Libertyhillhouse.com/VigeeLebrun
• Try making a 3 dimensional quilled piece - maybe a necklace or Christmas ornament.  There are many free patterns available.

Consider

• Thirteen years of exile was probably not something Vigee LeBrun intentionally placed on her to-do list.  What happens when we don't like God's plans?  
• Read Jeremiah 29:11.  God has plans for good, even when it doesn't look like things could possibly ever turn out well.  Does that sound like a flippant platitude?  
• Look into the history behind why those words were spoken.  God's perspective may surprise you.

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Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun

Self Portrait in a Straw Hat
Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun
after 1782
Oil on Canvas
National Gallery, London

Welcome to the 7th season of SKETCH!  Can you believe that the summer has already come and gone?  I love the restful pace of long days, but I have to say that I really crave the structure of fall and I'm really looking forward to getting started with our lessons again.  

Thank you in advance for your patience during our first meeting of the year.  Supply distribution, late arrivals due to mistaken directions, finding places to sit as a group, introductory information: all of this takes time.  Rest assured that we will get a full lesson in, even if it doesn't look organized at first. 

Feel free to enter through either the front or the side door of the church. (directions here) I will have the registration table set up in the sanctuary. When you arrive please sign-in, pick up your exercise pages, and write name-tags for each child (and parents too!).  I try to use the kids' names as often as possible, but fully admit that I don't have everyone memorized despite my best efforts.

You may choose any table you'd like to work at.  My only request is that you please avoid skipping single seats. We generally use every chair on the first week, and I work hard to ensure that families can sit together.  There is a bit more space as the year goes on (and flu season hits) so the close quarters is only temporary.

You can then pick up any materials that you ordered.  It is essential that you check your order for accuracy.  I will include a copy of your order form and will note if anything is backordered. Please let me know asap if there are materials that you are missing.

Artist Exercise Pages

Each exercise page contains a short biograhical note about our featured artist, an image of the artist's work which can be colored in, and some exercises that will help get your student ready for our upcoming project.  These are designed to be done while you wait for class to begin, or to keep fingers busy during the art history portion of class.  It has been scientifically proven that doodling enhances both focus memory, so I encourage students to be as creative as they'd like with these pages.  Scribbling in the corners isn't making a mess, and it isn't disrespectful to the speaker - it is helping them learn, and that is our goal.

If you wish to create a portfolio of the work your child does throughout the year you can simply save these artist pages and attach either a photograph of your child's corresponding artwork or the original. 

Picture Study

Each month I will be sending you an image to study during the week prior to class. This will help your child to become familiar with the artist, and will give them time to really appreciate the different techniques that are used. These are low resolution and can be used for educational purposes only.  If you are looking for art to decorate your home, please purchase prints.  The artists and museums will appreciate your support.

I suggest that you place the assigned image where your child will see it often. Personally, I like to hang prints beside the children's bathroom mirror where they can look at it while brushing their teeth. This may seem a bit irreverent, but really, where else will they have time to simply gaze at a picture several times every single day? Other options include sliding it inside the front cover of the child's favorite school binder, posting it on the refrigerator with magnets, or using it as the screen saver on your computer.

This month we are going to be looking at the work of:

Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun 

April 16, 1755 – March 30, 1842

French

Rococo

As the first female court painter in France, Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun is best known, not for her  admission to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, but for her familiar portraits of Marie Antoinette.  The role of art in politics is clear as we view the  controversial social and political  climate of the French Revolution through her paintings.

Marie Antoinette and Her Children
Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun
1787
Oil on Canvas
Palace of Versailles, France

In honor of Marie Antoinette's famous MIS-quote "let them eat cake," this month we will be learning about the ancient art of quilling as we create a gift for the volunteers of the NH foodbank.

Supplies

Families who ordered material kits - You may want to arrive a bit early to collect your order.  Please check to ensure that everything is correct.  No substitutions or changes can be made after the kit is taken home.  Those who ordered the complete kit should have everything they need for this project included in the kit.  Those who ordered the basic kit will need to bring all their own materials, except for paper.

In order to complete this month's project each student will need to bring to class:

• Acid free construction paper 12x18" assorted colors - 2-3 sheets per student cut into 1/4-1/2 inch strips (a paper shredder works well for this process) and an additional sheet or two uncut.
• Elmer's white glue 4oz, can be shared
• Scissors - 1 per student
• toothpicks- 2 per student
• popsicle sticks - 2 per student
• straws - 2 per student
• slotted quilling tool - 1 per student (this tool is not essential, but it will make the process much easier, especially for younger students)
• Crayola supertip markers - set of 10 - can be shared
You may also want:
• Case large enough to hold all of your supplies
• 14x20” cardboard folder to protect artwork
• Small package of baby wipes or paper towels
• glue stick


Note: Please make sure that all supplies are clearly labeled with your family’s name.  Children work at large tables, and supplies often roll.  Collecting materials at the end of the day is much easier if they are marked.  Address labels work well for this purpose.  

Parents, please remember that this is not a drop-off group.  Come prepared to enjoy working alongside your child.

See you at 6:30 on Friday, September 16th!
Sheryl G.

Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center

Dear Artists of the Sketch Children's Art Program,

Thank you for the beautiful, wearable works of art you created for our clients and their babies.  Each one is truly unique, just as they are.

Please thank your teacher, Miss Sheryl, for choosing to bless CareNet Pregnancy Center with such extraordinary works of art.

Blessings for life from,

Your Friends at Care Net Pregnancy Center

Bedford Public Library

Dear Sketch,

Thank you so much for the wonderful felt pieces for The Very Hungry Caterpillar! How charming and well-crafted... love the packaging! I hope you enjoyed your study of Eric Carle and his work.

The children will love using this with our felt boards... how thoughtful of you to even provide a hanger!

Again, thank you for thinking of us.

Love,

Miss Luci

Registration & Bulk supply order 2016/2017

Update: 2016/2017 Class is now full.
Unless you have pre-registered or communicated with me directly, registrations received after 9:30PM on Mon Aug 15 will be placed on the wait list. As soon as space becomes available, students in the wait list will be notified.

New season, new art supplies!  So exciting.

The 7th season of SKETCH is starting soon!  We will again be meeting from 6:30-8:00PM on the 3rd Friday of each month from September through May.  This year we will be focusing on fiber arts and ink, while working to benefit the NH foodbank, our local emergency responders, and more.  A full list of our exciting line-up of artists, mediums, and community outreach efforts is available within our schedule for the year.  Make sure to mark your calendar!

Registration

SKETCH is intentionally designed as a family program, so don't worry if you will have a crying baby in tow.  Lessons are approachable for elementary students, and teens are offered their own level of challenge.  

Registration fills quickly, and there is always a wait-list, so please make sure to submit your response as quickly as possible.  This year we are trying out a new system for online registration (you will find it at the bottom of this page). If you encounter any problems at all, please contact me.  My goal is to make this process easier for you rather than more difficult.

Update: Registration is now closed however you are welcome to join our wait list by simply emailing sheryl goedecke at yahoo dot com.

If you have pre registered or have spoken with Sheryl, you are already in. Please to print and mail your registration here, or e-mail sheryl for online registration information.

Bulk Art Supply Order 

As always, in order to make your participation in SKETCH as easy and cost-effective as possible, we are putting together a bulk supply order.  The deadline for participation in the bulk order is August 15.  Late orders will not be accepted.

You may choose either the complete kit or the basic kit, and then include any add-ons you'd like.  In order to keep the prices affordable I am not able to purchase add-ons for anyone not purchasing a kit, and I am unable to substitute, add, or delete items from the kits.  Thank you for understanding.

Below is a listing of what you can expect to receive in your kit, along with links to the Amazon should you want to purchase on your own.  Please visit the supply list for this year to make sure that you order the correct quantities for your family.

Complete kit $69:

• Acid free construction paper 12x18" 50 sheets, assorted colors 
• Elmer's white glue 4oz 
• Scissors - 1 pair
• toothpicks- 2 individual
• popsicle sticks - 2 individual
• straws - 2 individual
• slotted quilling tool 
• assorted yarn - 10 yards per student
• board loom 3.25x13"
• wool roving - 4 oz assorted colors
• felting pad, small
• felting needles - 2
• 38 gauge metal sheets - 3 sheets, aluminum on one side, copper on the other 
• cardboard - small sheet
• Inktense pencils (note these are Ink pencils, not watercolor pencils) - set of 6
• #4 round brush - Princeton Neptune synthetic squirrel 
• Watercolor art board  - 1 board 8x10"
• Frisket masking film - 1 sheet 9x12"
• Spray bottle - 2.5 oz
• Model magic (you may NOT substitute other forms of clay, the soft texture is necessary for our project) - 4oz
• Crayola supertip markers - set of 10
• Pigma micron size 8 - preferably brown
• transfer paper - 12x12"graphite

Basic kit $35:

• Acid free construction paper 12x18" 50 sheets, assorted colors
• wool roving - 4 oz assorted colors
• felting needles - 2
• 38 gauge metal sheets - 3 sheets, aluminum on one side, copper on the other 
• Inktense pencils (note these are ink pencils, not watercolor or colored pencils) - set of 6
• Watercolor art board  - 1 board 8x10"
• Frisket masking film - 1 sheet 9x12"
• Model magic (please do NOT substitute other forms of clay, the soft texture is necessary for our project) - 4oz
• Pigma micron size 5 - preferably brown/sepia or black
• transfer paper - 12x12"graphite

Optional add ons:

• needle felting guard $12 (highly recommended for the safety of young students)
• long point pencil sharpener $6 - this is the BEST colored pencil sharpener I've ever owned 
• extra felting needles $5 - pack of 5

I look forward to seeing you in September,

Sheryl G.

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Year-End Celebration

Hands-on clay projects, ice-cream sundaes, a special guest speaker, and more await you this coming Friday at the SKETCH year-end celebration. Come, enjoy, and pre-register for the 2016/2017 session. I am so excited that we will have Robin Clark from the Andres Institute of Art sharing with us this year. AIA's annual international sculpture symposium is not only fascinating but entirely approachable. I know that hearing about it is going to be a highlight of your evening. To wrap up we always do a quick review of each of the artists studied, and community service projects worked on over the year. Children who wish to participate in this annual show&tell may bring one piece that they created this year (in or outside of SKETCH) to share with the group. Those who wish to show their artwork but do not wish to speak will not be pressured to do so.

What to bring: ▪ No craft supplies are needed for this month's project. Everything you need for your clay project will provided as our gift to you. ▪ Optional - an ice cream topping to share (Ice-cream will be provided. If you have special dietary needs feel free to bring a substitution.) ▪ Optional - one piece of artwork to display Guests and new SKETCH students are welcome to attend this class. We always have a wait-list, so pre-registration is an easy way to insure that you don't miss the 2016/2017 session!

Albrecht Durer

Self Portrait

1500

Oil on wood panel

Alte Pinakothek, Munich Germany

This month we are studying Albrecht Durer, a highly influential German Renaissance artist who is known for his stunning prints, paintings, and writings.   His extensive travel to Italy emboldened his introduction of classical motifs into his work, and earned him the title of official court artist to the Holy Roman Emperor (side note: the title denotes neither a religious leader, nor a Roman).

ALBRECHT DURER 

(1471-1528) 

GERMAN

The Wire Mill

1489

Watercolour and gouache on paper, 286 x 426 mm

Staatliche Museen, Berlin

This month we will be working on simple wet-on-wet watercolor techniques.  Each student will need the following items to complete their project:

• glue stick or small amount of white glue 

• Watercolors -  *can be shared

• Water brush medium point *1 per student (Note: this is not the same as a watercolor brush) click through to see exactly what is recommended for this class 

• 9x12" Watercolor paper *1 sheet per student This project is very wet, I do not recommend trying to work on construction paper or card stock.  
• Masking tape *can be shared

• everyday pencil - of any quality.  Please do not bring a mechanical pencil.  Those tend to crush the tooth of watercolor paper

• Optional: 
• Paint Palette (can substitute a few paper plates) 
• Baby wipes or paper towels for clean-up
• Crayons - for use on practice page

Theodor Seuss Geisel lesson extension activities

Theodor Seuss Geisel's whimsical illustrations are a fun way to view life.  Your book donations with your fun illustrations inside will be greatly appreciated by the local libraries.

Visit:

• Theodor Geisel lived nearby.  Consider planning a trip to the Dr.  Seuss Memorial Sculpture Gardens in Springfield Massachusetts.  I have a feeling you will recognize a lot of the characters!
• Later this year there will also be a Dr. Seuss museum opening in Springfield too.  Keep an eye on their website for more information.  
• While in Springfield you can take your own walk down Mulberry Street.  Let me know if you encounter any lions.  

See more:

• Reading Dr. Seuss's books is fun, but sometimes it is nice to have them read to you.  See if you can find a title that you don't recognize.
• View work by Theodor Geisel that was not published in his books.  His self-portraits are my favorite. 

Consider:

• Dr. Seuss is well loved, but Theodor Geisel told many lies that are still remembered today, including deceiving his father into believing that he was receiving a scholarship to Lincoln College in Oxford.  
• Think about this verse,  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  Ephesians 4:29 How can our talk build others up or benefit them?  Why can't "kind, white lies" really build others up?   

Theodor Seuss Geisel

This month we will be making book plates in the style of Theodor Seuss Geisel.  He is one of my all time favorite artists when it comes to whimsey and fun.  Both his life and his artwork capture the joy  which we celebrate during the Easter season.

The best way to get aquainted with Geisel's work is to read his books.  You probably already have many in your home already, but if not, just swing by your local library for a few of his 60+ titles.

In order to complete this month's project, each student will need:

• 12x18" construction paper, assorted colors *can be shared

• Crayons - minimum 8 color set, we recommend Prang *can be shared

• White glue or glue stick

• Black drawing marker - a Sharpie is fine *1 per student

• Oil Pastels, 12 piece set, we recommend Pentel *can be shared

• everyday pencil 

Looking forward to seeing you Friday 3/25 at 6:30!

Signac Lesson Extension Activities

Paul Signac is a fascinating pointillist artist.  Ready to learn more about him?

Learn

• Paul-Signac.org has an extensive collection of online images created by Paul Signac.  It is a great place to explore!
• Watch curators discuss Signac's work at ArtBabble

Create

• Download your own coloring page of Signac's work and see how long it takes you to fill it in with dots like a true pointillist.  

Read

• I haven't found any great children's books focused on the life of Paul Signac (If you know of one please pop me a message and let me know!
• This book, Paul Signac, 1863-1935, however is a great alternative.  It is an enormous volume covering Signac's greatest works, and is available at most local libraries.

Consider

• God created our eyes to combine lots of images into a complete whole without our conscious knowledge.  Signac and other pointillists took advantage of this in their scientific approach to color mixing.  Try your own hand at tricking your eyes.  

Paul Signac

This month we are looking at the work of neo-impressionist Paul Signac.

Paul Signac

French

1863-1935

Signac was one of the world's first pointillist painters, using small dots and strokes of paint to form his images. He spent a lot of time on the seacoast, painting the landscapes he encountered.

Paul Signac with Palette
photograph
1883

Grand Canal Venice
Paul Signac
oil on canvas
1905
Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio

This month we will be creating pointillist bags that will be filled with treats for children.  To complete this project each child will need:

• 8 1/2 x 11" scrap paper (this will be used as a measuring tool, so size is important) *1 sheet per child

• Scissors *1 per student

• Crayons - minimum 8 color set, we recommend Prang *can be shared
• Navy thread, 1 spool *can be shared

• Needles - We recommend self-threading *1 per student

• 3/4" ribbon, 1 yard any color- *1 per student (can use 1/2 inch or 1 inch if that is what you have on hand)Masking tape *can be shared

• Acrylic paint,12 piece set, we recommend Reeves *can be shared

• everyday pencil with a with NEW eraser *1 per student 

• Paint Palette (can substitute a few paper plates) *1 per student
• Optional: Small package of baby wipes or paper towels

See you at 6:30 on Friday, February 29th!