Art Beat
By Nancy Hoover
October has flown by, jam-packed with multiple art treats for all!
Our "Degas" ballerina arrived to pose—tutu, ballet barre, and all after classes learned the history and saw the legacy of this prolific and immensely talented artist. Edgar Degas (1834-1917, Paris) was a contemporary of the Impressionists and early 20th century Modernist painters. Over half of his many brilliant works focused on ballet and the dancers.
All of our girls loved meeting and sketching Meg Brooker, who has been dancing since she was in the 1st grade and whose dance credits include an international resume and work with the Duncan Dance Company. She was an excellent model as we listened to period music and worked in pastel to achieve Degas-like renderings. We appreciate Meg's beautiful grace and patience as we drew, and learned so much about life drawing and ballet. It was wonderful to see the talent and keen eye of our students! Thank you, Meg! In the coming weeks, we will paint our images on canvas for a future exhibition.
The Kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders made their foray into clay with "nest" pinch pots, animals, and "taco" fish, to be painted in the coming weeks. They also enjoyed learning about shadow and light in pastels of clouds and pears. The entire K through 5th grade worked in acrylic to portray fish and friendly beasts.
Our Middle School students have begun independent studies for portfolio and competition.
Each student will complete a drawing, painting, sculpture, monoprint, and mixed media piece before the end of the school year. Many girls are well on their way with amazing finished pieces festooning the art room!
Our Frida Kahlo acrylic canvas mosaic (120 paintings!), completed in April 2009, was accepted into the Mexic-Arte Museum's current "Viva la Vida" exhibition, as well as a piece painted by Mrs. Hoover. The show is on display through November 22nd. Our Middle Schoolers will take a field trip to the museum to see it, and will also visit the Ransom Center to view an actual Kahlo painting on November 3rd.