Abstract Canvas Painting

Art Camp 6th-9th graders painted Piet Mondrian style abstracts on canvas. 

First we divided up our canvases into geometric shapes using masking tape. Then we painted in the exposed spaces with acrylic paint. Oh, one more rule: we used only the three primaries. Any other colors had to be mixed. 


We practiced first - we filled in color wheels by mixing the primaries, secondaries, and analogous colors. This is an excellent exercise, by the way, which can and should be done with kinders on up (start with simpler color wheels with younger children using only the primaries and secondaries). 

Many of our young artists decided that complementary colors look really awesome together, meaning colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel. Others preferred analogous colors: those that touch or nearly touch on the color wheel, such as cool colors (blues, violets, greens) or warm colors (yellow, reds, and oranges). 

After the paint was completely dry, we removed the tape and - WOW!

MORE Awesome Abstract Art!

Art Campers going into 4th and 5th grade created assembled abstract art that incorporated four individual pieces of art and one common element: a circle. Students were encouraged to use one or more different media and techniques in each of the four sections. Then they arranged and assembled the final piece:

Success!

Awesome Abstract Art!

Abstract art is about play!

All of this week's art projects involved experimenting and playing with shape, pattern, color, form, and various media. Mostly, though, it was about having FUN with art!

on white paper

Our kinder / 1st grade Camp created large (3' x 4') collaborative prints. Each group planned and created two paintings, one on white paper and another on black (which they painted black with rollers first).

on black paper 

2nd grade Campers created these abstract prints.

They worked together, deciding which colors to use, which stamping shapes to use, where to put what, and when to stop. This was a lot of work for 5- and 6-year-olds! The artwork was pretty goopy and wet, so we decided to give it a whole week to dry!

During another session, the children colored heavily on white paper, then painted over their work with watery temperas (using cake temperas - like giant watercolor trays) for a crayon resist result. Again, these were non-objective, random shapes, colors, and patterns:

Children find great satisfaction in going back to the "scribbling" stage, with no pressure from themselves or others to create representational art. 

2014 Summer Art Camp

This year the Blackfoot Art Center is hosting a ten-week Summer Art Camp for kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade. The art center is also hosting a middle school Art Camp for kids entering 6th through 9th grades. All camps will run June 9 through August 15, 2014 on Mondays and Thursdays starting at 1:00 pm;  specific days and times are shown below.*

K-1st grade       Thursday, 1-3 pm (two groups)
2nd grade         Monday, 3-4 pm
3rd grade          Monday, 2-3 pm
4th-5th grades   Monday, 1-2 pm
6th-9th grades   Thursday, 3-4:45 pm

* Subject to change without notice, please call 785-8022 to confirm days and times.

Weekly themes include lessons or projects unique to each age group. Sample themed artwork will be featured on this weblog as the summer progresses.

Children may be registered for Art Camps through the Blackfoot Community Center. Please see the BCC website for camp fees and other details. Other exciting summer camps are also available, and all are included with registration in the BCC's 10-week Summer Day Camp program. You can register at any time. Please call 785-8022 for more information.