In February, Art Start students learned how to make abstract quilt designs.  We studied Amish quilts that resemble modern works of art (like
the two shown above left and center).  We discussed use of color, pattern, repetition, unity, variety, and borders.  Each student used blocks
to create unique practice quilt designs.  (above right)  The following week, students made their own abstract quilt designs utilizing a cut paper
collage technique.  Color palettes were limited to four colors.  Each quilt design had to show symmetry, overlapping and a border.  All other
choices were left up to the students.  Their creative decisions lead to an impressive variety of patterns and designs.  Great job, artists!
home
home
Art Start
February, 2007
Johnny, age 6
Hannah, age 7
Ellery, age 6
Brianna, age 10
Emily, age 7
Emmy, age 7
Melissa, age 8
Micaiah, age 11
Austin, age 8
Jon, age 6
Kristina, age 6
Mary Clare, age 8
Sarah, age 6
Michayla, age 7
Tyler, age 7
Noelle, age 6
Ryan, age 9
Micaiah, age 11
For the last class of the session, students  
sketched objects from Mrs.Thornton's
nature collection like seed pods, feathers,
and shells. (see photo at left)  We folded
each drawing sheet into fourths and chose
one object per rectangle.  Drawing from
observation teaches us to see things more
clearly than we normally do. These natural
objects make great drawing subjects,
because they are rich in texture, detail, and
unique shapes.   As you can tell from their
drawings, these young artists worked
carefully and used keen observation skills.
Emily, age 7
Hannah, age 7
Brianna, age 10
Mary Clare, age 8
Johnny, age 6
Melissa, age 8
Michayla, age 7
Tyler, age 7
Ellery, age 6
Emmy, age 7