Thursday, January 27, 2011

AP Studio Art Classes gain popularity!

"http://chronicle.com/blogs/arts/ap-studio-art-classes-grow-in-popularity/28526"

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

iPad pilot

Currently, I am taking part in the iPad pilot group for PCSD. I have found a few creative apps for Visual Arts that I like. I have experimented with Sketchbook Pro more than the others and it has a lot of great drawing features and tools and allows users to create layers and alter, resize, and transform those layers. The biggest downfall so far is that the stylus for the iPad does not have a point which makes it hard to draw details without zooming in to create them. The ability to change brush sizes helps though.
I am still hoping to find more resources for Art History. I would really like to find one on Contemporary Art. Art 21 by PBS is a resource we use in IB Visual Art. Maybe they will develop an app soon!
In IB Visual Art, my students are taking turns experimenting with the iPad. We even had a discussion on ideas for apps that they would like to create in the future. This technology opens up so many possibilities for students of this generation.
One of my IB students, Kelly creates many of her artworks on her Wacom tablet. So I was very interested in her opinion of the iPad creative apps and the capacities and drawbacks in comparison to the Wacom tablet. She spent about 20 minutes playing around on it today. She has a very intuitive ability and did not have to be instructed or go through tutorials for how to use the Sketchbook Pro app. Here are the two drawings she quickly sketched out today.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Busy...

I have been very busy lately with home and school stuff, so I have not worked much on my artwork from previous posts using the idea of rocking chairs and heritage. I will have more time this summer!
I did however, over the long weekend, begin another project. I was inspired by these patchwork owl ornaments sold this past season at Crate and Barrel. I created my own pattern for my own version.
I also have plans for Bees and Birds as well. I have an idea to create a mobile using an animal combined with  a paper moon or flower using this idea from Photo Jojo featured here. http://content.photojojo.com/diy/photo-globe-frame/
I love both idea because I love the patterned paper and fabric combined with the hand-crafted quality both projects have. This is also something I can do in the evenings that is light and relaxing but still challenging and creative!