Hooked on Art

Larry Gibson's 3rd period class

We ended our Youth Art Month adventures with  Larry Gibson, art educator (and President elect of AL Art Education Association) at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, AL. What a beautiful facility; what an incredible group of middle school artists; what fun we had sharing  facts about American iconic artist, Georgia O’keeffe! Using cattle markers (Yep, you read correctly), students painted large “zoomed in” images from natural objects. All 4 classes worked quickly and produced some amazing imagery.  Mr. Gibson had them complete the assignment after we left.  Check out http://www.aaeaonline.org for images of these wonderful young artists working on their creations.

Becky Guinn & Becky Cairns showing Georgia O'Keeffe's work to Pizitiz Middle School students on the coldest day of spring!

Note: Cattle markers are huge oil sticks that work as oil pastels  and blend with the heat from one’s hand(finger tips). There is a film on the stick itself that should be scraped or cut away to reach the creamy pigment.  Each stick is cradled in a cardboard sleeve that is nice to hold without getting the oil paint all over one’s hands (Until you begin blending!).

Since the weather would not cooperate, students worked inside the school foyer.

Completed student work of a gladiolia blossom.

Big blue blend . . .

Wonderful form in this middle school student's art work.

This 6th grader knows what she's doing!

Just as Georgia O'Keeffe chose other subjects than flowers, this student was intrigued with a sea shell.

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, AL invited the AAEA Art Advocacy Van to bring the Hooked on Art Program to Decatur. Visits to 8 elementary schools and Decatur High School was coordinated by Laura Phillips, Carnegie’s Director. Included at this time was the YAM Art Exhibit at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center.

Art teacher, Beth Young looks on at Austinville Elementary

A multicultural Hooked on Art Program based on Hopi Indian dancers was presented for 7 of the Elementary Schools. Sommerville Road Elementary made Javanese Shadow Puppets and Decatur High art  students experimented with watercolor on YUPO paper. During the 3 days in Decatur, Becky Guinn demonstrated her painting techniques to 6 classes in 3 schools. Paintings were left in two elementary schools for the school’s use. Becky Cairns made the 3 days in Decatur work through preparation, navigation and perspiration!

Great work ethic at Banks Caddell Elementary

Students ask and answer questions at Leon Sheffield

Decatur Elementary schools “rock!” Their art educators genuinely love their  students and have a passion for the arts. Each school  we visited was  a warm an inviting place to learn. The core teachers, aides and administrators were welcoming, professional and in control of the learning environment. The Hooked on Art staff was greatly impressed. We also had opportunity to visit with some parents and community leaders at the “YEA (Youth-Education-Arts) Decatur!” evening sponsored by Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak. Support for the arts and Decatur youth by the community was evident.

Mrs. Guinn demonstrates watercolor on YUPO for Mrs. Waldorf's art students at Decatur High.

West Decatur students in Tammie Clark's art room with Mrs. Guinn and Mrs. Cairns

Frances Nungester students add feathers to their Hopi dancer puppets

Group photo of Linda Williams' students at Leon Sheffield Magnet School

This Decatur High student experiments with YUPO paper as he looks at a still life Mrs. Waldorf had set up.

As you can see, the Hooked on Art  staff enjoyed their  time with the students and teachers of Decatur. We understand, however, there are more schools to visit here . . .

"She can drive!"

One  highlight of our visit to Decatur came as Mrs. Guinn backed the AAEA art advocacy van up for the Sommerville Road students to see.   The  students began to cheer and clap as one student  yelled, “She can drive!” Their realization was a singular, emotional moment for the adults present.

March, being National Youth Art Month (YAM), was super busy for the Hooked on Art staff.  We began the month in Daphne, AL at Bayside Academy’s Fine Arts Day.” Becky Guinn demonstrated using liquid watercolor in spray bottles on YUPO paper.  She moved the paint around with her brush, mixing colors as she worked.  The Kindergartners and 1st graders enjoyed the demonstration. Mrs. Guinn also showed artwork that she has created since losing her limbs.  Becky Cairns, science specialist helped explain  Mrs. Guinn’s use of prosthetics and myoelectric arms. This intrigued the  children and they asked many questions that Mrs. Guinn and Mrs. Cairns answered. Paintings done as demonstrations were left for the Bayside Academy’s use.

"Becky Guinn Demonstrating her Painting for Students"

Note:  YUPO is a type off water media paper that is 100% polypropylene and can be used with any technique suitable for watercolor painting.