April SchoolArts Magazine & Apex Computer Art

The April issue of SchoolArts is out and it contains an article about Apex Art's Computer art class!

Last year, the Computer art students collaborated with Ms Lane's kindergarten class from Douglas Elementary Arts and Science Magnet in Raleigh. Her artists drew the tigers and our computer artists brought them to life.

Check out the video below and then click here to read the article online!

Student Spotlight: Hannah - Art Three

Snapshot post- Appropriation

For the new semester, for each assignment, it is our new goal to provide "snapshot posts" so that we can track our progress, reflect on how we have grown, and see where we need to go from here. For this project, our theme was Appropriation, which is the use of borrowed elements in a new piece. We were allowed to use any material that we thought would best get across what we wanted to express with this theme. The idea that I came up with and was most inspired by was "ClipArt."




So far, I have crafted the idea of spelling out "art" using clips of famous artwork. Eventually, all three letters will be hung up with clips on twine so that it has a literal and figurative meaning of "clipart."









I think that this project is really coming along. I love the idea that I have and am super inspired by it so I can't wait to see where it will go from here. Mr. Sands really wants us to understand how artists grow with each piece of work they compose so he asked that we reflect on how we have grown throughout the project. Here are three Artist Behaviors that I believe I have taken a part of during this project to make the final piece more successful.

Artists Take Risks: For the material that I am using for this assignment, I chose to use canvas paper that Mr. Sands found in the depth of all his random art supplies. This is something that I have never worked with, so this whole project has been a huge experiment. I didn't know how the canvas would react or even if it would work, so it was a huge risk. I truly believe that in order to grow as an artist, it is very important to step out of your comfort zone, whether that mean trying a new technique or using a new material. I am loving the freedom of just experimenting with it and seeing where the material takes me!

Artists Solve Problems: As I just stated, the materials that I chose for this project were totally new for me, so I didn't know exactly how things would work out. Needless to say, things didn't go perfectly as planned, but I took those flaws and ran with them! For example, when I printed out the "clips" of artwork on the canvas paper, the colors were not as vibrant as I had previously expected. I am definitely taking advantage of this setback, however, as I think that the paler colors make a really great background that will place a lot of emphasis on the letters when they are finished.

Artists Understand the Art Community: I don't normally use technology in my artwork a lot, as I am pretty technologically challenged. I think in this project though, the use of technology has really benefited the piece. Through this project, I have learned a lot about how technology can enhance a piece, as I was able to print the images directly on the canvas paper.


Appropriation Final













So my final project for the Appropriation project is completed! I don't have a picture yet, but I will post one as soon as I get it! I am very happy with how the final piece turned out and I think that it really displays my view as an artist. Mr. Sands has been teaching us about certain qualities that artists possess, so I have chosen three of these qualities that I believe my piece portrays.

Artists Create Original Art: My idea for the project was "Clip Art." This was a completely original idea that I developed when faced with the theme of Appropriation. I was really inspired by the idea so I started brainstorming how I could get my idea across. I had to think very creatively to develop a game plan for how I was going to do that. I think that one of the reasons why I am so happy with the final piece is that I can see all the creativity and originality it took to complete it.

Artists Develop Art-Making Skills: When I had the idea for how I was going to incorporate the theme of appropriation, I knew right away that I wanted to use mixed media as my medium. I thought the best way to show the idea of works of art inspiring other works of art (clip art!) could best be displayed through using mixed media so I could use actual pieces of art in the design. I have worked with mixed media before, but not often, so I really wanted to broaden my knowledge of the topic and use other materials. I think that with this project, I was able to gain the experience of incorporating different elements in unique ways, but still in a cohesive way.

Artists Collaborate: With the middle letter, R, I didn't know if I wanted to use the same material that I had been using for the other two letters, or if I wanted to use acrylic paint. I asked a couple of the other students in my class for their opinion, and the most valuable advice that I got was to do what I was most inspired by. I think that that is key in all pieces of work, and the advice at that given time was what I needed to hear. I had been too focused on what I thought looked good and not on what I as the artist felt moved by. In the end, I chose the paint because I thought it would show good contrast, and also, I just really wanted to paint! I am really pleased with how it turned out and am glad that stuck to what I was inspired by.


The "Student Spotlight" posts are excerpts taken from our student blogs.
You can see more of Hannah's Work Here!
You can see all our student blogs here!

Student Spotlight: Michelle - Art Three

Tension:

With the tension theme I chose to go with a circus setting, and having people balance on a tightrope on one foot while having two people on their arms juggling chainsaws on fire. So far my materials have been wire, black yarn, fabric, printed paper, and acrylic. I tried to show a symmetrical compositions but putting elements in it that would throw off the balance. For example, the person on the top right is positioned to reach something, because I will later draw/paint in chainsaws on fire, but this juggler lost balance and drops the chainsaw, creating the tension. Also the elephants have different patterned fabrics. The elephant on the left has three arms but the elephant on the right has three legs.


Later I am going to add two more people on the left and right of the tightrope. I am debating where to have them positioned as semicircles or at about 45 degree angles in so their bodies would point to the bottom center of the picture to show the triangle in the composition.

Still working.. its taking FOREVER!!

 I added glitter glue, and made a candle sort of thing for the ring of fire.

The first try on the candle idea failed... :( 

To fix this I tied strings around the ring and went through several coats of wax. I also made sure to make the string wicks longer to make it last and have something thick for the wax to adhere.

Yay finally; the fire element worked!



1. Artists take risks:
While in the process of creating the design, I loved the idea of the ring of fire. I feel that the ring of fire at a circus adds so much tension. I really wanted to add it to my piece, but I didn't think it was possible. After I finished the actual painting, I thought the project still needed something more. Fire! I went back to thinking more about the fire element. Birthday cakes inspired the design of the the ring of fire. Using wax, wire, and string I made a candle sort of piece to be the ring of fire.
This was a big risk because it could have burned my whole project. I had never used any other type of medium than things I could control. Controlling fire can be very dangerous, but it all went smoothly.

2. Artists communicate through their work:
Conveying the feeling of tension can be taking different routes. Typically disturbing or odd pictures can cause tension. Other times you could paint things thats a big problem. One of my ideas was painting a scene from a third world country, or poverty. Those tense subjects would definitely be see through the art piece. But then when someone mentioned "tightrope"  ideas starting coming. A circus, fire, 5 foot animals, chainsaws, representations of the thrill and tension in a circus. They all create tension in a busy circus that leaves an audience in awe.

3. Artists solve problems:
As mentioned previously the first attempt on the ring of fire didn't work at all. This didn't make me feeling like quitting on the ring of fire, because there had to be someway to make it work. My motto is "What like its hard?" so I just needed to make a new one. I just melted some wax, got some string, and with the help of Mr.Sans (an expert at candle making) I was able to make another ring of fire before class ended!

The "Student Spotlight" posts are excerpts taken from our student blogs. 

You can see more of Michelle's Work Here!

You can see all our student blogs here!

Hey, Where Did All The Teachers Go?

Apex Art Staff Tours Green Energy Park  

During the second half of this week, not one but all four Art Teachers vanished from Apex. "Where did they go?" You might ask.. Well, here's the story.

Former Apex student now turned blacksmith

A few months ago, the Art Teachers had an idea. What if there was one place a student could go to get inspired, learn about what materials are needed for different projects and watch tutorial videos to learn about techniques? From that one idea, the Art of Apex Portal was created.

During the glass blowing tour 

However, having an idea is one thing ... writing all the content, filming, uploading and linking all the videos is another. We needed time and a location to do all that so we decided to apply ..and were accepted ... to spend three days at The NC Center for Teacher Advancement (NCCAT).

Glass gets pretty hot when you melt it :) 

First stop, a meeting with former Apex student, current blacksmith and future art teacher, Chelsea M for a tour of the Green Energy Park. This place is so cool. It uses the methane gas, produced by the nearby landfill to provide the energy for the studio. This includes the blacksmith shop as well as the glass blowing studio. We got a tour of each.

The Gallery 

Afterwards, we took a look around the gallery.. Always exit through the gift shop...  All work created by artist who use the space.

Ms Purtee #arting hard on the Artist Behaviors section

After that it was time to get to work. We spent the rest of Thursday and all of Friday filming video and creating the assessment on the "what do I think" page, as well as uploading and posting everything to the portal. It was brain numbing as we worked from 8 in the morning till 8 at night.

Ms Rossi and Ms Sudkamp video after video after video

Hopefully, all the hard work will pay off. We still have more to do but for now the portal is off to a good start!

Ms Sudkamp #arting it up at Riverwood Pottery

Appropriation in Production

Above: heart formed by hanging keys in progress...

We kicked off the new semester in Art Three with a project about appropriation. Appropriation in art is the use of pre-existing objects or images with little or no transformation applied to them however, this project soon took on a life of it's own with most projects leaning towards parody or pastiche or something.. well, see for yourself.

She wanted to create a "lightning bug". To create the image she is combining collage with scanning real objects and also using Photoshop. Impressive when you consider she has never used any of these digital tools before. Risk taking.

Look at her expression... it says, "I got this Sands". OK, go for it. I'll be back later.. (just don't hit me).

This is going to be a caterpillar (bug) combined with the the truck manufacture. The base is an acrylic painting but she wants to incorporate 3D elements such as the Styrofoam ball sitting on the table.

Goldfish that are, well, gold...

She created the ring of fire for the tiger to jump through using string and wax. I'm not sure where she got the jumble box of matches.

How cool is that.. or should I say hot!

Meanwhile, outside on the picnic table someone is hammer out the truth...

The truth can be stretched.


More projects in the works....

Two In One - ART 1

I have completely rethought how I start teaching art 1.  Taking a look at how the kids approach the project I picked something that even I found interesting but didn't restrict the students to just a few items.  Students for this project were given 1 theme;"Two In One."  This concept could be taken from a transformation or morphing of an object into another, or even 2 time periods depicted, 2 emotions, and so on.  To start the project we looked at some professional inspirational art.  ---->  Inspiration Pinterest

1. Students planned - Throwing around ideas the students were able to plan by making a pinterest board themselves, a list, or thumbnail sketches.

2. 1 page sketch - of the idea that found most motivated or interested by

3. Started on their project

Students were required to post a blog 1/2 way through their pieces.  This encouraged them to reflect on their difficulties and successes so far.  

Here are some of the finished products:

These are wonderful first projects.  I am proud of how hard these students have worked (especially due to the crazy snow days).

WHOooooHooooooo!  YAY!

4. Class critique using TAG

   T- tell something you like about the piece

   A- ask a question

   G- give a positive suggestion

Snow Days: Be Back Soon.. Maybe.

Since most of NC, including Apex looks like this (above)...

most of the Apex students are making art that looks like this (below)!

Three snow days in a row.. maybe we will be back to school on Monday...

Cartoons and Me

 

For our first Computer Art project the students had to combine a Portrait with a Cartoon. The objective was to create a new image using a cartoon and a photograph of themselves or a friend so that the two of images interacted in some way. 

They had to use a separate photo, cartoon and background. Also they wanted to demonstrate overlapping body parts when taking the photograph. Here are some of the results...

Artist Bryant Holsenbeck to Visit Apex

Environmental artist, Bryant Holsenbeck, will be the artist in residency next week here at Apex High School. Ms. Holsenbeck makes large-scale installations that document the waste stream of our society.

She has shown her work and taught throughout the United States. She has been the recipient of 2 North Carolina Arts Council Fellowships, a Project Grant and an NEA Arts and Learning Grant that she worked on in collaboration with the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission.

Ms. Holsenbeck will be working with the Art History, AP Art and Sculpture classes.