Sewing Project

 This project was inspired by an African tablecloth that was kindly lent to me by a parent. Students designed their African panels in the visual diaries. They sketched their designs on foam printing boards. We first printed on paper and then re-applied fabric ink and printed on cotton fabric. Students had the opportunities to glue on sequence if they wished.

 The next step was to sew another panel on. It was challenging for some of my year 3 students. Luckily my year 4 students had sewn last year, but as we all know children do forget some skills especially a skill like sewing. Even though it was chaotic at times, I was pleased with the students' determination.

We then filled them with synthetic filling, thus turing them into small cushions. This project took 4 to 5 sessions.

Special Collaborative Banner

We have been working on this special banner that will be going to Africa with our friend Victor. The banner signifies the connection between Australia and Africa and vice versa.

Victor designed the banner. Students of all ages have contributed. We used calico and fabric markers.

We are organising an African Day in next few weeks to fundraise over $1000.00 to help the school that Victor will be visiting.

Here you can see Victor talking to the students. He spoke about being selfless and discussed the importance of our contributions. He will be visiting Kampala with an organisation called KWAYA Australia.

Victor will take with him a blank banner, where the children from Kampala will create art work to share with us. How exciting!

Our Ndebele hut!

It's all about African Art at Essendon North Primary School. After researching Ndebele art with the year 5 and 6 students, we discovered that the Ndebele people paint their amazing huts with geometrical and symmetrical designs. It seems that women mainly do all the painting. These amazing women also weave, work with ceramic and do amazing bead work. Anyway, so I thought it would really cool to make our very own Ndebele hut. I basically worked with a small group of Year 6 students. We used cardboard, cylinder poles, tape and staples.

 Students began to research Ndebele designs. Their wonderful artwork will cover the outer wall of the hut.

There has been an overwhelming positive response by all my students. Many students have wanted to sit in the hut to do their art work. It's been priceless to witness their excited faces. I will post the completed African hut soon...

Uganda Project

I embarked on this project for a very special reason. My friend Victor is part of http://www.kwaya.org/. Kwaya is an amazing non profit organization that assist Indigenous communities around the world. In September, 40 Australians will be visiting Kampala, Uganda and spend 2 weeks working with a school that give children from slums various opportunities including joining a children's choir. Victor was seeking help to raise funds and of course I jumped at the opportunity for my students to be involved with this special project. We are learning about the art of Africa and we are also learning about the difficulties children in Kampala face day to day. The students are very caring and together with our Junior School Council we are planning an African Day where we will be raising money, having an African Art Show, dancing and singing to African music and much more. I am very exciting and nervous at the same time. Have a look at out evolving Art room..
           Year 5 African Masks
                                                            

Year 1/2 Big Cats

                                          Year 3/4 African Landscapes

Celebrating Ben A's Artwork

One day Ben, one of my talented students, informed me that he loves doing Art at home and while he goes on holidays. So I invited him to show me his art work and boy was I impressed. Ben is in Year 4 and he enjoys drawing houses, boats, birds and other subjects. I asked him to write a brief description of his favourite pieces. Thanks Ben, for sharing your artwork.

   I got this drawing out of a book and thought it looked like an English cottage.

I saw a pacific gull fly past the window of the boat. 

                            I missed Wilson (our bird) one day.

                           I wanted to do a 3d drawing.

              If you’re having a bad day one good moment can make your day.

                           My first watercolour.

                            Mum`s favourite.

                                         I copied this from art class.

  I was lying down on the beach and I saw a fishing trawler out at sea.

                                       I tried to make it look rustic. 
            I trust that my fellow bloggers will enjoy Ben's art as much as I do ....

Year 6 - Frank Big Bear inspired Portraits

I discovered artist Frank Big Bear from another colleagues' blog. I particularly like how the artist uses surrealism, cubism and his Native American style in his artwork. My year 6 students absolutely loved his artwork.

 Once again I found this wonderful art idea from another blog. Unfortunately I cannot recall who it was. I'm sure you will know who it is if you happened to come across my blog. 
The learning intention for the Year 6 students was to capture Frank Big Bear's style in making sure that the head, eyes, nose and mouth were featured in the portraits. They needed to concentrate on achieving colour value. This was a successful mini project, the only down fall was that it took so long to complete.
Amazing results Year 6, well done!

All things come to those who wait....

Well, it's finally happened... I shared the art room with Out of School Hours Care. In other words After care. Children used the art room before school and after school and it was total chaos. I have had to accept this situation for many years, now they have moved into our brand new gymnasium. 


The building that I'm in is very old and unattractive, but it has a good feel about it. So I have started transforming the other room into an art studio. I have displayed old murals that I have kept and have even got a Mac Mini attached to my big screen TV.


I still have heaps to do, but at least it's looking like an Art space and not an ugly space. Can't wait to see the expressions on my students' face when they see the new space. I can't wait to have peace and quiet after school where I can actually dedicated some quality time to improving my program.