Van Gogh Inspired Collage

For this project, we were assigned to complete our own version of Van Gogh's "Starry Night".

We first completed the sky portion of the project using tissue paper on construction paper. For this area, we were allowed to use different shapes or patterns as we wanted. After the sky portion was complete, we used construction paper to represent a landscape to the project.

For this particular lesson, we used tissue paper, construction paper, and other media. For my collage, I incorporated metallic markers to add additional lines and movement to my work. To complete the project, we added cut out designs of a landscape.

For use in my own classroom, as I am hoping to be instructing younger aged students, I think it would be good to introduce this idea using finger paints.   First, the students would be shown Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and then have a discussion about foreground, middle ground, and background, and the students would need to recreate their own version of 'Starry Night' using their fingers and paint as a medium. 


I believe that art history, like history in general, is an important way for students to learn about the past and how it things started or later came to be.  Knowledge of the past and individuals in the past may inspire or encourage students that may need an additional push to try something new or reach for a goal.  There are many ways to incorporate art history into the classroom including many fun games, projects, and activities.  SmartBoard games and activities would be alot of fun to get students more actively involved in history of art lessons.   

Elements and Principles of Art

     The Elements and Principles of Art project was a great way to get more hands-on experience with each of these components.  Through finding our own examples of each component, I was forced to think deeper about what makes each element or principle individual (or for some- connected with others).   
     The following are my favorite 5 images that I included in my Powerpoint presentation. 

 

The picture above is a picture I took while on a train headed to Oregon.  This picture is one of my favorites that I have displayed in my home.  The components of this photograph provide a great example of space in a piece/ photo.  There are distinct areas in the photo- the close items (foreground), the items that are located towards the middle of the landscape (midground), and the trees and moutains in the furthest area from the camera (background).

 

 

The rose picture was to show contrast.  I love the way that the camera focused on the flower.  In this shot, I was able to see different areas of highlights and shadows, as well as crisp, focused lines, and other areas that are more blurred around the edges. 

 

 

The duck photograph included was to demonstrate the rhythm/ movement principle.  The waves flowing out in the water indicate that there is movement in the photograph.  Movements as indicated in the photo guide a person's eyes towards the direction that the ducks are moving. 

 

 

 The picture of my dog demonstrates the emphasis principle.  The placement of Drake on top of the snow between the snow and the trees demonstrates the main point of interest in the photograph.  The eyes of the person looking at the picture is drawn to the focal point, or the dog. 

 

 

The photo of the tree on a wall plaque I have illustrates the balance principle.  The symmetry shown in the tree shows that, though not everything is identical, the tree itself is symmetrical in shape and overall characteristics.  I love the sense of balance found in this tree.