FIRST THINGS FIRST!!!
This is YOUR art room.
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You are going to take good care of it, so that every single one of our 700 students can enjoy it!
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BUT... this room also will take care of you! :)
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If you are ever stressed out, there is a bin of relaxation you can peruse after washing your hands (because germs). In this bin, there are many things you can look at and bring to your table -- a few fidgets, a bottle of calming sparkles and even a blanket to help you keep calm and focused.
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Just be gentle when you use them, so that they last a while.
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Also, are you colour blind? Mrs. Jurgensen has a pair of Chroma glasses that you can try to see if it helps see the colours a little better.
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Art and Perception
One interesting thing about art is that it is a personal experience.
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Everyone sees the world in a different way, and so, art becomes an expression of how we interpret our sensory input.
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Let's look at a couple of paintings by Van Gogh, for instance.
What do you notice about these paintings? How do they make you feel?
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Many people now believe that Van Gogh had a condition called Visual Snow.
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Visual Snow is a type of neurodivergency -- a different way the brain is wired.
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Other types of neurodivergence include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.
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Let's take a trip down Van Gogh's brain -- as well as Mrs. Jurgensen's!
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Introduction to Art
Before we get into the real art-making process, it is a good idea to talk about what art means to you. Let's take a couple of minutes and chat with our table groups; what is art, and what is it for?
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Then, choose a speaker for the group, and share with the rest of the class what you have concluded as a group.
Now, let's take a look at some interesting art and see if this changes our minds!
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What do you think art is, now?
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What is it for?
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Let's watch yet another video and see if something rings true!
Let's listen to younger Mrs. J and see what she has to say.
But... first things first!
Art is NOT only drawing.
Drawing is line, only one of the seven elements.
Even if you can't draw, art is your birthright!
We have been creating since we were cavemen!
our hopes...
...and our fears.
No caveman compared their work to each other, or was discouraged when things didn't look the way they wanted. They HAD to do art -- it was their way to visualize and plan for the future! Even the ones who could not draw, did hand prints and other fun things on cave walls..
That being said, EVERYONE can learn how to draw.
Everyone's drawing skill can improve. Even as an adult!
Did you know Mrs. J was 22 when she finally started learning how to draw?
She used to only doodle before -- which is why she loves Mr. Doodle!
All you need is to want to get better, and to have an open mind.
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If art makes you FEEL happy, then it SHOULD be your career!
We will be working through some exercises during the next couple of weeks with a focus on your drawing skill. The good thing is, it's just like riding a bicycle... once you "get" it, you won't forget it! You may need to practice a bit if you haven't done in a while, but you will always be able to get the hang of it again.
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Now, get some inexpensive paper and draw anything you like!
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AND GO!
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