My Hand (Free Style)/(Drawing By Panes)

These two pictures were exciting for me to draw.  The first one (free style) was "before" picture and the second one (drawing by panes) was the after picture. 

Free-Style

Drawing By Panes

Celebrating Valentine's Day In Taiwan, Korea and Scotland

Taiwan

Valentine's Day is celebrated in Taiwan on February 14, but there is also a special Valentine's Day on July 7 of the lunar calendar, based on an ancient Chinese folktale. Both dates are equally as important. Many men purchase expensive bouquets of roses and other flowers for their sweethearts on these days. According to Taiwan tradition, the color and number of the roses holds much significance. For example, one red rose means "an only love," eleven roses means "a favorite," ninety-nine roses means "forever," and one hundred eight roses means "marry me."

Korea　

The traditional gift of candy takes place in Korea on February 14, but only from females to males. There is another special day for males to give gifts to females and this is celebrated on March 14. Very similar to the custom in Japan, March 14 in Korea is known as "White Day." On "White Day," many young men confess their love for the first time to their sweethearts. For those young people who have no particular romantic partners, the Koreans have set aside yet another date which is April 14, also known as "Black Day." On that date, such individuals get together and partake of Jajang noodles, which are black in color, hence the name of the day.

Scotland

In Scotland, Valentine's Day is celebrated with a festival. At this festival, there is an equal number of unmarried males and females, each of whom write their name (or a made-up name) on a piece of paper which is then folded and placed into a hat - one hat for the ladies and one for the men. The females then draw a name from the hat containing the men's names and vice versa. Of course, it is highly likely that the two drawn names will not match, in which event, it is usually expected that the male partner with the female who selected his name. This rite having been completed, the company split up into couples and gifts are given to the ladies. The females would then pin the name of their partner over their hearts or on their sleeves. A dance often follows and, at the end of the festival, it is not unusual for marriages to take place. According to another Scottish custom, the first young man or woman encountered by chance on the street or elsewhere will become that individual's valentine. Valentine's Day gifts in Scotland are frequently given by both parties in the form of a love-token or true-love-knot.

Classroom Project

A Valentine's Day card, poem or love song is considered a beautiful work of art.  And with that in mind, I would like for you to make a work of art for your special Valentine following one of the cultures listed above that we just read in class.  You may use any art supplies you wish, just be creative using your broad imagination.

Great Art

Here are some of my favorite pieces of art by a Spanish artist name Joan Miro (1893-1983).  I like these particular pieces because they are bright, colorful and I think children could use their imaginations and connect with them.  The first one is called "The Garden", the second is "In Love With A Woman" and the third is "Constellation".  Here is a link to some more of his wonderful work.   http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS414US417&q=Joan+Miro&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=HP9STd3vB9Gftgf_z7TcCQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CEIQsAQwAQ&biw=1259&bih=532



The Garden



In Love With A Woman

Constellation



Celebrating Fifty Years of Art in America

The Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth is Celebrating Fifty Years of Art in America.  It is premiering American Art (paintings, sculptures and works on paper) from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  Sunday, February 13, is Family Fun Day and admission is free from 1:00-4:00pm.  Here is the link http://www.cartermuseum.org/.

Rationales and Approaches to Art

With Art in school, there are several rationales that make sense to apply in class; however, the rationale that I connect with is Cultural Understanding.  I can relate to this because I participated in a Christopher Columbus play and The Pharaoh play and in Art Class we made Indian pottery and basket weavings (just to mention a few things). As it states in the paragraph, Art is an international language. Regardless of your culture, heritage or the language you speak, everyone can communicate through Art.  Art portrays history, savors tradition, tells stories, educates culture, sends a message and allows creative expression.  I honestly cannot say that I would not use any of the rationales in class because each one can be used as a knowledgeable tool for a child.

The approach to Art that I have experienced the most is the Media Approach.  I have made pottery, basket weaving, sewing and a self portrait related to seasons.  These activities were taught related to different cultures and as parts of history.

Native American War Shield

  

My daughter had an assignment to create a Native American War Shield.  It was interesting to learn what the designs on the shield meant.  The designs she chose were Sun (orange/yellow), Clouds, Paths Crossing (green center piece), Star (blue/yellow cross), and Alert (red arrows).