San Diego Jewish Academy Art "Special Place" Tile

E-Mail Doug at mrdoug@aznet.net or Melissa at mjmckinstry@earthlink.net

Students will select a "special place", a place in nature where they have visited and feel a close attachment, e.g., a place where they go to think, relax, escape, gain perspective, get invigorated, to savor the wonders of life, etc. They will work through the creative process to produce a tile that represents their "special place". The tile will become a part of an multimedia Earth Day installation. The goal of the installation embraces the specialness of our environment and the importance of protecting that which we love.

• Brainstorm - Visualize experiences that focus on the four elements of nature: Air, earth, fire, and water.
• Walk about drawing - Go out on campus, find, and draw the four elements of nature. Revisit the concept of "Look, hold, and draw". Find an object(s) or composition (combination of elements), look and focus on the basic shapes, do a one minute quick sketch to get familiar with the shapes of the object(s), then do a five- to ten-minute detailed sketch. Repeat this with four different objects or compositions.
• Still life drawing - Draw three to four sketches of a still life set up in the classroom using the same "Look, hold, and draw" - one minute - five- to ten-minute sketch technique above.
• Group discussion about "special places" - Work in a small group; discuss individual special places, their descriptions, and the attached emotions; then share with the whole group.
• Select five special places - Select five places that hold significance for you. Starting with the place of most interest, find images, personal photographs, Internet pictures, or pictures from other sources. If images are not available eliminate that place and move onto one of the other selections. The goal, select one special place that has significance and several images from which you can create a composite drawing.
• Create a composite drawing - Make a composite drawing from available images (take the best parts of each image to create an idealized, artistic view of your special place or the view from your special place).
  
  The image above represents a composite drawing of Point Loma which is what I see from my special place, the beach at Coronado where I have walked or jogged over 12,000 miles during my life time.

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• Write about what you see, describe textures, semlls, colors, etc. and/or write about how it makes you feel. You may use quotes if they embrace your sentiments. You may also write in a language other than English.
• Shape puzzle - Draw the shapes found in each of the rectangles into the numbered blank grid. This exercise reinforces the concept of "Look, hold, and draw".
• Revise and edit your composite drawing - Look at your drawing and make sure that every line, angle, shape looks the way you want it to look. Ask others for feedback.
• Revise and edit your text - Read your text outloud and make sure that what you wrote makes sense, that you have spelled everything correctly, and that you have conveyed your feelings about your special place in a way that takes you and the reader there. Ask others for feedback.
• Create thumbnails - Produce at least three thumbnails. This process will save you time and improve your final product, so work quickly, but thoughtfully.
• Experiment with clay tools to determine which techniques create the most appropriate representation and the associated feelings of your special place. - Work in class and then take home a piece of clay to continue your experimentation.

  Sculpture Processes
  Sculpture is the creation of three-dimensional forms. A form is a three-dimensional object defined by contour, height, depth, and width. Sculpture is created by three basic processes: carving, modeling, or assembly.

  • Carving: The sculptor removes unwanted material to create the form. This is also called subtractive sculpture.
  • Modeling: The sculptor creates a form by building it up from an amorphous lump of clay. This is also called additive sculpture.
  • Assembly (or construction): The sculptor joins prefabricated elements. This is also additive sculpture. (http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teaching_materials/curricula/curric/10000040_u_sculpture/processes.html)

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If you can't find images of your first choice, eliminate that place and pick another. Part of the problem-solving process entails knowing when to continue or when to move on to another option.

Subtotal (10 points) Please attach all images for phase 1.

Phase 2 - Describe the place or the emotions attached to the place in single words, phrases, prose, poetry, etc.
Write about what you see, describe textures, smells, colors, etc. and/or write about how it makes you feel. You may use quotes if they embrace your sentiments. You may also write in a language other than English.(10 points)

Word process your final version, make sure your name and class period are typed at the top, and that you have spell checked and edited your work. Keep in mind, the computer does not catch all mistakes, you need to read your work carefully. Get help when possible. (5 points)

Subtotal (15 points) Please attach all drafts for phase 2.

Phase 3 - Draw a detailed "realistic" composite picture of your special place
Take elements from multiple pictures to draw your own version, a composite picture. As the artist you select the elements to include or omit and how to represent them. You may choose to create a picture that shows your special place or the view from your special place.

Phase 4 - Create three thumbnails that include:

• a composite drawing that represents the special place, as well as graphic elements as appropriate; and
• text of what you see, how you feel -- a poem, adjectives, quote(s) -- something that expresses and/or describes what this place means to you.

The thumbnails should use a square format and reflect how you would translate your drawing to clay. If you need additional space to accommodate a poem or more text, make sure that the shape and proportions of your thumbnails reflect the final tile shape and size.

Subtotal (10 points)

Phase 5 - On a piece of clay approximately 6" by 6" combine the image and words to represent your special place. You may require a larger tile or a second tile if you choose to include more text.

The final piece will be assessed on the following elements:

• a composite image of your special place in nature without any human-made objects (10 points);
• text that describes textures, smells, colors, etc. and/or how it makes you feel (10 points);
• at least three surface levels of clay:
  • 1. cut aways, etched, imprinted, etc.;
  • 2. surface level; and
  • 3. additional raised, constructed levels.

  You may use more than three levels, but you must have at least three (15 points);

• reflects the use of the creative process, the final piece clearly evolved from the previous four phases

  You must include all drafts, sketches, and notes from each phase with your final project. (10 points); and

• reflects thought, effort, and care. (10 points).

  Subtotal (55 points)

Total (100 points for all five phases)

Remember, the way you present your work becomes evidence of your abilities. A neat, organized, thoughtful, and creative presentation "package" shows the reader/viewer that you care and gives them reason to care.

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The puzzle below reinforces the concept of "Look, hold, and draw".

• Look at the shapes, white and black, within each numbered rectangle to decide which is more pronounced and easier to identify.
• Find reference points within the rectangle that help you draw the shapes accurately.
  • Where does the shape start?
    Try to determine if the shape starts a quarter of the way down, half way across, etc.
    
    
    
  • Where does it end?
  • Does the shape have a straight or arched line?
  • Does the line go up or down?
  • What is the angle of the line?
  • Where is the line/shape relative to other lines or shapes within the rectangle?
• Hold one shape, line at a time in your mind until you can draw it from memory.
  This step is the most important. Too often we get impatient and draw before we really know what we want to draw. Make sure you can see the shape, one line at a time, in your mind, then and only then draw the line.
• Draw the line you see in your mind.
  Use a very light thin line when you first draw the shapes. If you make a mistake you can easily correct it if you drew with a light line.
• Check to make sure what you drew matches what you see.
• Make any corrections accordingly.
• Continue with the next shape, line.

Have fun and you will find out that you really can draw.

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Thumbnails represent scaled down versions of the final product. For this project where the final product size is 6" x 6", thumbnails might be approximately 2" x 2", large enough to show some detail, but small enough to work quickly.

Thumbnails enable you to make decisions about how you wish to present your content without investing a lot of time.

Make sure your thumbnails have the same proportions as the final product.

Include all of the elements - images, text, and other graphic devices that will make up the final product.

Keep in mind that even though thumbnails help you make decisions, changing scale to full size often changes the final layout.

Remember to enjoy the journey.

E-Mail Doug at mrdoug@aznet.net or Melissa at mjmckinstry@earthlink.net