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In Case You Missed It: Frank Stella Inspired Children’s Art Project

By Marcia Beckett | January 28, 2018 - 7:56 pm |July 5, 2024 artists, contemporary artists, drawing, fifth grade, fourth grade

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Abstract artwork featuring intertwined red ribbons and geometric shapes on a dark background framed with a colorful border.

Two and a half years ago I posted this lesson about using Frank Stella’s artwork as inspiration for children’s drawings. I love Frank Stella’s work. After visiting an art museum and seeing an exhibit of the progression of his style, I was hooked. It is so fascinating and there is a lot to look at. The sheer size of these prints are stunning. In case you haven’t figure out by now, my favorite style of art is BUSY, abstract, super … Read more… →

Interview with MazeToons artist Joe Wos

By Marcia Beckett | January 21, 2018 - 7:18 pm |July 5, 2024 all grades, artists, contemporary artists, drawing, lines

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Cartoon maze by artist Joe Wos featuring characters navigating paths, starting with a boy in a yellow shirt and ending at "The Doctor is In" booth. This MazeToons creation invites you to embark on a whimsical adventure.

I have a treat for you today! While I was researching ideas for a maze art project, I came across some really intriguing and fun mazes by an artist name Joe Wos. I am totally in love with the creativity, fun and artistry of these mazes. Joe has made a career out of his illustrated comic mazes, which he calls MazeToons. Joe agreed to be interviewed for my blog. Here is the interview. 1. Tell us about yourself. How did … Read more… →

Yayoi Kusama Children’s Book

By Marcia Beckett | October 21, 2017 - 8:56 pm |July 5, 2024 all grades, book review, books, contemporary artists

2 Comments

I am in love with this new children’s book about Yayoi Kusama. The illustrations are gorgeous. I love Yayoi’s style and her artwork. Known for her polka dot installations, polka dot pumpkins and mirrored rooms, this artist is sure to captivate your students. From the inside cover: “Growing up in Japan, Yayoi Kusama dreamed of becoming an artist. In the fields of her family’s nurseries she drew flowers and plants and stones, imagining the world around her as streams and … Read more… →

Interview with an Artist: Justin Bua

By Marcia Beckett | October 15, 2017 - 12:27 am |July 5, 2024 all grades, contemporary artists, interview, painting

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Caricature of a female artist singing passionately into an old-fashioned microphone, wearing a white dress with red polka dots.

Today I have a special artist to introduce to you. His name is Justin Bua. I was able to get an exclusive interview with him, so keep reading to learn more about his art.. in his own words! From his website, “Justin BUA is an award winning urban artist. His DJ poster has sold more than any other print of our era. His celebratory paintings of hip hop imagery document turntable, b-boy, MC and graffiti culture. BUA is one of … Read more… →

Mixed Media Artist: Sabrina Ward Harrison

By Marcia Beckett | March 19, 2017 - 10:35 am |July 5, 2024 art journaling, collage, contemporary artists, fifth grade, fourth grade, third grade

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Three abstract paintings with text, colorful circular designs, and expressive brushstrokes in various shades by mixed media artist Sabrina Ward Harrison.

We recently had artist Sabrina Ward Harrison visit our school to give an artist talk and workshop with the kids. Today I am going to introduce you to her artwork and life as an artist. In Part Two of this post, I will share with you some of the amazingly diverse mixed media collages that the students made in response to learning about her artwork. All of the artwork on this page was made by Sabrina. Her message to the … Read more… →

4th and 5th Grade Profile Drawings: In the Style of Egyptians, Mixtec Codex and Duncan Tonatiuh

By Marcia Beckett | January 19, 2017 - 9:41 am |July 5, 2024 art history, book review, books, contemporary artists, drawing, fifth grade, fourth grade

Duncan Tonatiuh: Author/Illustrator Visit

By Marcia Beckett | December 12, 2016 - 6:10 pm |July 5, 2024 all grades, art history, book review, books, contemporary artists

1 Comment

An illustrator depicts a woman pointing upward as four children sit around her, with corn stalks in the background.

On Friday, we had a visit to our school by author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. See his artwork here. He is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City. His artwork is inspired by Pre-Columbian art, particularly that of the Mixtec codex. His goal is to create images and stories that honor the past, but that are relevant to people, especially children, nowadays. His books are beautiful … Read more… →

Article in Arts & Activities Magazine

By Marcia Beckett | September 17, 2016 - 6:50 pm |July 5, 2024 artists, book review, books, contemporary artists, interview, published, third grade

3 Comments

Magazine open to an article titled "Anthropomorphic Animal Collages" in Arts & Activities Magazine, featuring colorful animal artwork and text.

I’m pretty excited my article in the October issue of Arts & Activities is on the cover! I wrote about an art project my students did after learning about the artist William Wegman. I had the awesome opportunity to interview Wegman on the phone and include the interview as a large part of the article. I’m very glad that they included a bunch of my students’ artwork (3rd grade). You can read the whole article here: http://pubdev.ipaperus.com/ArtsandActivities/AAOctober2016/?page=20 If you would … Read more… →

Frank Stella Inspired Pictures

By Marcia Beckett | August 4, 2016 - 1:47 pm |July 5, 2024 abstract, contemporary artists, drawing, fifth grade, painting, printmaking, sixth grade

3 Comments

Colorful abstract drawing with swirls and curves in shades of pink, blue, green, purple, orange, and yellow.

First, I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who follows my blog. I appreciate your support in reading my blog, leaving comments, pinning images and sharing my posts. Whenever I get a positive comment or email from a reader, it just MAKES MY DAY and makes all the time worthwhile. Without this kind of feedback and support, I would not continue blogging! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who bought resources during the TPT Best Year Ever … Read more… →

Published Article

By Marcia Beckett | May 28, 2016 - 10:52 am |July 5, 2024 all grades, contemporary artists, published

5 Comments

Great news! I have been published in the Summer issue of School Arts magazine. I wrote an article about artwork my students made after learning about the art of contemporary artist Justin Vining. You can read the article here. I wrote a blog post last year all about this project: Inspired by Artist Justin Vining. I love Justin’s artwork and you can see pictures of his artwork on his website.

Jesse Reno: ambition over direction

By Marcia Beckett | March 25, 2016 - 10:42 am |July 5, 2024 abstract, all grades, artists, contemporary artists

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A colorful abstract face with various patterns and textures, featuring two horns and closed eyes.

When I found out that Jesse Reno was going to be at the National Art Education Conference this year, I was stoked. I’ve been following his artwork and blog for several years and I love how layered and complex his paintings are. You have to watch his process of transforming one thing into another while painting. He has several videos on his blog where you can watch him paint. I was excited to hear him talk, but it would have … Read more… →

Stuffed Animal Still Life Drawings with 1st Grade

By Marcia Beckett | March 2, 2016 - 10:31 am |July 5, 2024 1st grade, animals, artists, contemporary artists, drawing, first grade, Uncategorized

13 Comments

1st Grade children drawing stuffed animals with crayons and markers. Text reads "Stuffed Animal Still Lifes.

Do you want to know what will really get first graders excited about drawing still lifes? Have them bring in their own stuffed animals! I invited the kids to bring in their favorite stuffed animals to draw. I also had a garbage bag full of my own stuffed animals from home in case someone forgot to bring in one. I demonstrated how to observe the shapes and positioning of the stuffed animals and then I let the kids get to … Read more… →

Abstract Paintings Inspired by the Art of Shinique Smith

By Marcia Beckett | September 12, 2015 - 10:32 pm |July 5, 2024 abstract, collaborative artwork, contemporary artists, fifth grade, fourth grade

8 Comments

Abstract Paintings Inspired by the Art of Shinique Smith

Have you heard of the artist Shinique Smith? I just love her artwork! It’s very gestural, colorful and it just draws me in to look at more closely. I love the use of fabric with graffiti-like painted marks. Her art combines traditional art media with non-traditional materials like clothing and stuffed animals. She is influenced by street graffiti and Japanese calligraphy. She works in paintings, drawings, installations, wrapped bundles, sculptures and videos. There was an exhibit of her artwork in … Read more… →

Hybrid Machine-Animal Drawings

By Marcia Beckett | August 23, 2015 - 8:21 am |July 5, 2024 abstract, collage, contemporary artists, drawing, fifth grade, sixth grade

2 Comments

Illustration of a tree figure and a green bear with a water gun, labeled "Hybrid Machine-Animal Drawings.

After looking at the art of contemporary artist Nicolas Lampert, my students combined two or more different objects or creatures to create hybrid drawings. Here are the steps to this lesson: 1. Start by discussing the machine animal collages and the machine insect collages by Nicolas Lampert. Ask questions such as” How do you think Nicolas made these pictures? How do they make you feel? Why do you think he combined animals or insects with machines? How would these … Read more… →