Geometry in Edward Hopper
Discover the geometric shapes found in the remarkable urban paintings of Edward Hopper, the best-known American realist of the inter-war period who once said something doesn’t come out of nothing. Sketch and paint your own urban setting with artist Judy Pisano.
Hand Painting and Integrated Learning
Here is an idea for young children to express their feelings and emotions in a safe way while learning of colour and texture. The physical sciences are ever present as we produce art. Paint changes texture as it dries, powdered paint and chalk dissolve in water, and chalk produces bubbles when dipped in water. Also, paints change color when they are mixed together. All this and connections to the economy of producing one’s own piece of art while reflecting on the process and outcomes. Artists Mahshid Fadeai and Moojan Nazmi. Ideal for kindergarten classes, children new to Canada, ESL and special needs.
Henri Matisse & Fauvism
Learn of Fauvism, a style of painting with vivid expressionistic use of colour and its founder Henri Matisse, an early twentieth century French painter. And then through colour study with primary colours mixed in hues to explore mood and emotion, students can create work in various mediums including acrylic and canvas, vinyl, acetate and paper. Artists Mahshid Fadeai, Elizabeth Greisman, Karen Harkins, Moojan Nazmi + Judy Pisano.
Human Figure in Motion
Draw the human figure in proportion & in motion in a setting that includes foreground, background and middle ground. Using collage, create perspective and overlapping with layer upon layer. Artists Elizabeth Greisman + Judy Pisano.
What is a landscape? Learn all about horizon line, foreground, background and middle ground. Create depth, balance and rhythm with line, details, overlap and object size. Learn about Van Gogh, the Group of Seven and European masters. Create a canvas from thumbnail sketches, using washable tempera paint and white glue. Artists Mahshid Fadeai, Elizabeth Greisman, Karen Harkins, Moojan Nazmi, Judy Pisano + Marsha Stonehouse.
Mondrian and the Art of Tangrams
Geometric shapes are everywhere. Can you find them in your everyday life, in art, in design? Read grandfather Tang’s story. How can we create our own tangrams in various sizes and turn them into a Mondrian sculpture. This is a great lesson on math and primary colours while introducing an ancient Chinese puzzle and the art of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
Naïve Art is characterized by a refreshing innocence and the charming use of bright colors, child-like perspective and idiosyncratic scale. It portrays simple, easily-understandable and often idealized scenes of everyday life. The naïve artist – often self-taught – treats us to a uniquely literal, yet extremely personal and coherent, vision of what the world was, is or should be. The naïve painting bustles with color and excitement, brims with wry humor and candor, bubbles with unbridled empathy and love. Here is your chance to introduce your students to this unique art form using acrylics and paper with artists Mahshid Fadeai, Elizabeth Greisman, Karen Harkins and Moojan Nazmi, while learning of the works of famous Naive artists from the 18th to 21st century including Cezanne, Matisse, Seurat, Van Gogh and Rousseau. Ideal for all grades.
Paint your own post impressionist art piece inspired by 19th century painter Georges-Pierre Seurat best known for his work A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte. Artists Elizabeth Greisman and Judy Pisano.
Printmaking and the Backwards World
See and learn about some of the tools and materials printmakers use in their work. Make your own printing plate and see how the picture is magically reversed. Or learn the effects of layering one print on top of another and another to create interest and depth. Printmaking can be as simplistic as mono prints or as involved as creating your own stamp. Artist Charmaine Lurch.
Simple Silkscreen Surprise
So many rich topics to explore in a day of silkscreening, creating abstract art using torn paper and inks. Artists Mahshid Fadeai, Charmaine Lurch + Moojan Nazmi.
Students learn about our still life masters and learn the fundamentals of painting still life with acrylics including how to mix colours, value, composition and various techniques and styles of painting still life. Artists Mike Goodge, Judy Pisano, Marsha Stonehouse + Allycia Uccello.
With an emphasis on empathy, students discuss Van Gogh’s passion for seeing and feeling the energy and beauty of nature personified in his sunflower paintings. Students recreate these sunflower paintings inspired by Van Gogh’s persona as much as his visual representation. Techniques and materials include acrylic paint, watercolour, chalk and oil pastels on inexpensive specialty papers. Artists Mahshid Fadeai, Elizabeth Greisman, Karen Harkins and Moojan Nazmi.