Hallmark Institute of Photography

As an Art Educator, I like to develop conceptual projects for my students. I also like to challenge them to think differently. And I try to expose them to different educational institutions and options for their life after high school.

Today, I had the pleasure of having Derrick Zellmann from the Hallmark Institute of Photography, visit with my classes and tells us a little bit about their school. Although I will not include their website with this posting, I will include Derrick's. 
http://derrickzellmann.com/

He will be coming back in the spring when the weather is much nicer and he will present a Photography workshop or two to my students. What an amazing opportunity!  

Latest Information for School this week...

Due to Hurricane Sandy.. we will be closed again on Wednesday October 31st. Enjoy the day and don't eat too much Halloween Candy!!

Please Note: the Cycle change has been postponed until Monday. That means, Seniors and Freshman you are still in shop for the rest of the week, providing we have school.

Sophomores and Juniors... two more days of Academics...gives us a chance to finish our classwork. Will Thursday run on Monday's or Thursday's schedule?  Don't know yet.

But on a good note....Gives you Digital Photography students even more time to take photographs especially of Halloween!!

Be safe. Be smart and don't eat any unwrapped candy from someone you don't know.

Trick or Treat....

Let the clean up begin....

I hope that everyone made it through the storm safely!!

With the cycle change scheduled for tomorrow...Seniors will be back in Academics...

Digital Photography Class~
We will be working on a series of 36 photographs of varying view points.....it's not just about tilting your camera to the side...

for example.....

 

It means looking at something in a new way....take this sunflower..most people look at it from the front..but focusing an alternate view makes the photograph more interesting. You also need to think about compositional elements such as the rule of thirds, fill the frame, framing along with the Elements of Art: Line, Shape, Color, Form, Texture, and Space.

 

 

Although 36 photographs seem like a lot, it in essence is a single roll of film. In a traditional photography class, you would be required to shoot several rolls of film for each assignment. Digitally we are doing a lot less work. Your 36 photographs can be several different angles of the same subject.

 

Studio Art Class~

Your theme this cyle is "Connection to Nature". And after Hurricane Sandy, I think we all feel a little more connected to nature. However, this cycle you will explore your own feelings about nature, what it means to you to appreciate and be out and about in nature, along with if you want, any environmental issues you feel strongly about. Having a conceptual theme like "Connection to Nature" allows you to explore and investigate many options in the creation of your art work. I will be showing you a few examples via a Power Point, plus I might show you the Video, "Rivers and Tides", it's about the artwork of one of my favorite artists, Andy Goldsworthy. I have shown it many times in my classes and each time I see it, I learn something new.

 

Drawing II~

Please bring your sketchbooks to class, as we will be spending some quality time working in our sketchbooks this cycle. I am contemplating several different types of projects to work on this cycle and think we need some media exploration time before we decide on a final option. I might even give everyone several options to choose from as the last project was very technical and precise, this time we should be a little more loose and free in our designs.  More details to follow.

 

Be safe.. and see you in class!



Ohhh Sandy....

Well... with school closed for the next few days due to Sandy....B cycle quickly comes to an end.

Elements of Art~ everyone should have gotten a chance to finish their color wheel project, their Color Theory painting along with their Monochromatic painting.
Why so much painting you ask? Understanding how to mix and use color be it in drawing or painting is something that really requires some "hands-on" time. The more my students experiment with color mixing, the greater their knowledge of color grows. At this point in their experiences, I find it is better to give them free choice in the content of their work, albeit school appropriate of course.

Drawing I~ It sure has been an experience using India Ink and Crow Quill pens to draw with! It has turned out to be a slow process, so we will continue to work on them next cycle.


Be Safe everyone!

Photography....

 

The photographs you can get from a cell phone camera sometimes suprise me!

 

That is the main reason I have my Digital Photography students' use their cell phone camera instead of requiring them to purchase a separate digital camera. Although there are some really economical cameras on the market right now. Current technology in cell phone cameras is almost as good, if not better than many point and shoot camera's.

 

Do I have a Digital SLR camera? I wish. Right now, I have a nice camera on my cell phone and an old Pentax k1000 that requires film. Sure, one of these days I would love to purchase a nice fancy digital SLR camera. But for me, like most of my students, the camera on my cell phone gives me more than adequate results.

 

I have learned though, when I go on outtings with my history loving friend Linda, who has a very nice Nikon Digital SLR, I need to bring a car charger for my cell phone. For as I try and capture as many photos as she can, it does have a tendancy to drain the battery of the cell phone.

 

While I have Digital SLR camera envy, economically, it's not the right purchase for now. Maybe during the upcoming holiday sales.

Middle of October

Wow! Time sure flies! Middle of October already! Thanksgiving Break will be here before we know it.

Right now.. my sophomores in Elements of Art are being introduced to Roy G. Biv.
Who is that? The color spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. Learning the color wheel is a right of passage in art class.

My Drawing I students are learning about the Element of Art: Texture. They are creating an animal drawing, choosing an endangered animal to render first in pencil and then using Crow Quill Pens and India Ink. They will be creating visual texture using lines, shapes, hatching and cross-hatching. I had them choose endangered animals instead of a favorite kind to expose them to just a little bit of environmental issues. They will also be creating a Microsoft Publisher brochure about their endangered animal. Look for the completed drawings and brochures during Open House next month.

Professional Development

Somedays it's good to be an Art Teacher, well for me, most day's really. But today was an exceptional day. Several times a year student's get a day off because we have Professional Development Days. These days give content area teacher's a chance to spend the day together learning something knew, sharing, planning for future events, etc.

Today the Art Teachers of the CTHSS got a chance to go to the Florence Griswold Museum. For those of you who have never been there, you should really make the trek, it's easy to find, exit 70 off of I-95 in Old Lyme, CT.   Florence Griswold Home and Museum is the birthplace of American Impressionism. What is that you say? Well, you just have to see it to believe it. Impressionism to me is all about capturing light and color and how it changes throughout the day. I highly recommend paying the museum  a visit.

Especially this time of year, from October 5th  thru November 5th, they have a special exhibit all over the grounds of the musuem. This year, it's a Wee Faerie Village.
For just a small additional amount, you can tour the village. Works are created by artist's and a few teacher's and their classes from all over Connecticut.

Want to learn more, just click on the link below.

Florence Griswold Museum

If you are one of my students and you go to the museum, bring in your Yellow Florence Griswold Museum sticker or your Faerie bracelet and I will give you a free extra credit grade!

Go out and make some Art!!

Just a reminder.....

As you enjoy this long holiday weekend......

Digital Photography Students:
Please go out and take some "Portrait" photos! I have created an "Event" in Google+ for both sections of Digital Photography. You should be able to post/share your final Portait Photograph in the event. The event closes at 2:00 pm on October 12th, which coincides with the due of the assignment. If you have any technical difficulties..please let me know right away!!

Drawing II, Studio Art, Drawing I and Elements of Art Students:
Please be sure and purchase a sketchbook for class assignments. It is a necessary tool for your artistic growth and development. Any issues obtaining one..please let me know.


For all:  Extra Credit Opportunity!
For the entire month of October, if you happen to go to the Florence Griswold Museum and view the current photograph exhibit or tour the Fairie Village. Please bring in proof of attendance, a brochure and/or admission sticker from the museum. I will give you an extra credit project grade!

To everyone I met during this past weeks, Parent's Night at Grasso Tech, thanks for coming in and participating in my art project! It was a pleasure to meet you and your student has earned an extra credit project grade!!

Parent's Night

I love Parent's Night! The excitement of having your student and their family coming into school, in the evening time. Usually I stress and worry and make sure my room is clean and sparkling, I want to make a good impression after all.

This year, I've taken a different approach. My Art Room is a mess! Not a dirty mess, but a mess nonetheless. I can't help it, my students and I spend all day in the creative process. It's not always neat and orderly.

So, if you happen to come to Parent's Night tonight, please excuse the mess, we've had a busy day.

Whewww!!

Wow!    The school year is in full swing and I haven't yet updated my blog. Time to do that now.

Wonder what we have been doing??

Drawing II class: students spent time learning about content and composition by first making a paper sculpture and then creating a pencil drawing illustrating their previous knowledge of shading and modeling. Pictures will be forthcoming, but right now the majority of their work is on display near the main office.

Digital Photography: Beginning with identifying the difference between a "snapshot" and a  "photograph" we moved on to review the Elements of Art. Mother nature cooperated and allowed us to venture outdoors to apply and solidify our working definitions of the Elements of Art. Photographs will be shared soon. Students also began using Google+ on their cell phones to allow easy uploading of photographs. As this class is attempting to use the best available technology, it is a work in-progress.

Studio Art: The first cycle, they were offered "hands-on" application of different drawing mediums. As we move through the year, their ability to create themed works of art will be enriched because of the time we are spending trying out art materials.

Elements of Art: Throughout the year each cycle will focus on a different Element of Art. This first cycle we have been working on the Element of Art~ Line. After spending time in class studying petroglyphs, students started creating their own using oil pastel resist. What is that? Students created a "scene" much like early civilizations did in their petroglyphs, of their everyday life using oil pastel. After finishing with oil pastel, they applied the "resist" part, which was a mixture of india ink and dish detergent. Why dish detergent? Not sure, but chemically it helps the black india ink adhere to the areas of their paper that was not covered in oil pastel. Although the india ink when applied completely covered their artwork, the next step was to take it to the sink and gingerly wash the ink off. What was left was the finished artwork, which was left to dry. Once dried, they will be ready for hanging. I plan on having one of the display cases filled with them for our upcoming Parent's Night.

Drawing I: Students began the cycle by trying out different shading techniques. Although we will predominately use shading and modeling for our artwork. After being introduced to vocabulary terms and our friend the view finder, students spent time drawing plastic fruit and other still-life materials. This first drawing project lets me evaluate students on their past knowledge and helps me modify lessons so that all students can reach their creative potential.

3-Dimensional Design: After studying the art work of Henry Moore, we spent several days sketching draped figures (student models). Students then began crafting armatures for their own sculptures using found and fabricated materials. The next step will be to apply plaster-of-paris gauze strips and for the larger pieces, paper mache.

Please stay tuned for more information and art work photographs!

All students should be getting a sketchbook and if they haven't done so, turn in that Art Contract.

Question and/or concerns: email me at paula.roswell@ct.gov

Google+

Digital Photography students............

Over the next few days, go ahead and download the Google+ App. It's free. You will search for my profile, Paula Roswell, you will "follow" me for now. In the coming weeks, I will be setting up "circles". These circles, hopefully, will enable you to share your photography assignments with each other.


Can't get the Google+ app? How about a digital camera? See me for issues/concerns.

Sketchbooks........Just a few examples......

Greetings Parents/Guardians~

While I was out and about today doing errands, I stopped at Michael's in Lisbon to see what sales and discounts were possible as I am asking students to obtain a sketchbook for class.

 

Every sunday, they along with A.C. Moore have 40% off any full priced item coupons in their flyers. You can also also obtain a coupon by going to either website. Sketchbooks are also available at Wal-Mart, The Job Lot, Rite-Aid, Big Lots and Staples.

 

I happened to hit a sale today,which ends Saturday September 8th, the two yellow ones were 50% off and the two black ones 40% off. I selected those based on my personal preferance of size and paper weight and I hope to fill them up with artwork this year!

 

 

What you obtain for your student is based on what is best for them and their situation and I do not require any specific type or brand. The most important thing is for them to obtain and use one.  

 

 

Any questions please contact me at

paula.roswell@ct.gov

 

Digital Photography Students

Homework assignment:

 

First- make sure you turn in your art room contract, it is a graded homework assignment. If we haven't met yet, don't worry, it's not due until Sept 11th

 

Second- whether you will be using a cell phone camera or a digital camera, the most important thing you should be doing now is taking photos!

 

Of what?- well school appropriate images of course, other than that, go out and have some fun!

 

Remember we want to be taking Photographs and not Snapshots!



Drawing II, Studio Art and 3-D Design Classes

Make sure you turn in your art room contracts, as this is a graded homework assignment!

 

Supplies you will need: Sketchbook

A sketchbook is a valuable tool used in any art class; whether we use it for daily sketchbook activities, project thumbnails or on sketchbook "play days".

 

Why type of Sketchbook do I need?

I recommend obtaining a sketchbook that is no larger than 11 x 14 inches. As anything bigger gets a little hard to haul around. It is your choice whether it is spiral bound or not. I have many different kinds of sketchbooks, so find the one that is right for you.

 

Where do I find them and how much money should I spend?

This questions also depends on your circumstances and preferences.

Sketchbooks can be found at Michaels Arts & Crafts, Staples, A.C. Moore, Wal-Mart and the Job Lot. You can expect prices to range from $5:00-$15.00, depending on where you shop.

 

Which one should I choose?

Ultimately that choice is up to you. However, I would suggest you feel the paper for texture and thickness, as the quality of your renderings will be influence by the paper weight.

 

Questions?

Please feel free to email me at:

paula.roswell@ct.gov

Welcome!

Welcome to Digital Photography Class!!!

 

We will be utilizing Google+ to capture, share and edit photographs

and for assignments and classwork.



Welcome!

Hello!  Welcome to the future home of my art class blog. I will be using this site in the upcoming school year!  Stay tuned for more information.