Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets using collage techniques learned in class
• Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and value (lightness, darkness, tone) inspired by Contemporary Artist (1929-Present) Yayoi Kusama
• Use shading techniques (tone, darkness, lightness, depth) and design principles (composition, repetition, balance) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Pipette Painting (an art technique where liquid paint is applied to a surface using a dropper instead of traditional brush) 

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Pumpkin (2018) Yayoi Kusama

2. Read The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis

3.  Discussion Questions "Does this pumpkin symbolize abundance, harvest to transformation, or playfulness? How was the pumpkin significant in different art movements? How does this painting, with its quiet simplicity, offer insight into how art can serve as a form of resilience or refuge during dark times?  What does it suggest about how art reflects emotional and historical realities? How can we apply this idea to other areas of life or creative expression? In what ways can simplicity and calmness be forms of resistance to suffering? How might this reflect the artists view of the world? Can you think of other ways artists (writers, filmmakers) use everyday objects to explore bigger ideas like time, mortality, or beauty? How does knowing about the artists personal life change the way you view these pumpkins?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, rectangle) to draw an assorted vegetable (pumpkin, onion, squash) for the pumpkin collages

2. Use geometric shapes (oval circle rectangle) to draw details (stems, leaves, table) for the pumpkin collages 

3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (pumpkin) and details (stem, leaves, table) of the Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets for Assigned Tables 

2. Red Colored Pumpkin (1994) Yayoi Kusama 

3. Discussion Questions "If you had to paint something from your own background or daily life, what would you choose? How does art help us celebrate ordinary things? What emotions or ideas do you think this artist is trying to express with these choices? How does this painting challenge traditional still-life paintings you have seen before? What makes it feel more modern or different? What objects from nature would you choose to paint or draw to show themes of growth or life? How do you think color alone can make us think of objects or seasons, even if they are not there? How does the artist use lines and colors to represent a well-known object? How does the use of subtle colors change the mood of the painting? Why do you think artists' styles change over time? Can you think of an example of an artist, musician, or write whose style has changed as they have gotten older or experienced new things?"

Lesson Activities 

1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (stems, leaves, vines) to the positive space (pumpkins, foreground) of the pumpkin collages 

2. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (pumpkins, foreground) with neutral colors (black, grey, white) for the pumpkin collages

3. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background, blanket) with neutral colors (black, grey, white) for the Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, paint brushes, water buckets) 

Lesson Activities

1. Add pumpkin parts (brown stem, green leaves, vines) with neutral colors (black, white, grey) for pumpkin collages

2. Use texture techniques (eraser, cloth, sponge) to add details (stems, green leaves, vines) for the pumpkin collages

3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Pumpkins On Plaid Blankets

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Charcoal Pumpkins

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Charcoal Pumpkin using collage techniques learned in class
• Use neutral colors (black, grey, white), shape variation (geometric organic), and value (lightness darkness) inspired by Contemporary Artist (1929-Present) Yayoi Kusama
• Use drawing techniques (blending, smearing, smudging) and design principles (movement proportion repetition) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Infinity Nets (a painting composed of tiny dots and marks)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Pumpkin (1990) Yayoi Kusama

2. Read Yayoi Kusama From Here To Infinity by Sarah Suzuki

3. Discussion Questions "Who is Yayoi Kusama? What was the reaction from her family about her interest in becoming an artist? What kind of art is she known for? Why do viewers enjoy going to the museum to see her work? What disease did Yayoi Kusama Suffer from when she was a child? What element of art did she use when creating her artwork? What does the symbolism of the pumpkin in Kusama's art represent? When did Yayoi Kusama move to get her start as an artist? Which work of art was created by Yayoi Kusama?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use geometric shapes (oval circle rectangle) to draw an assorted vegetable (pumpkin, onion, squash) for the pumpkin drawings

2. Use geometric shapes (oval circle rectangle) to draw details (stem, leaves, table) of the pumpkin drawings

3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (pumpkin) and details (stem, leaves, table) of the Charcoal Pumpkins

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Charcoal Pumpkins for Assigned Table

2. Pumpkin (2012) Yayoi Kusama 

3. Discussion Questions "How does a pumpkin feel? Is a pumpkin hard, soft or slimy? What does a pumpkin smell like? Can you hear anything? Do you think we can eat this pumpkin? Does it remind you of anything else you have smelled or touched before? What color is the pumpkin? What color are the seeds? What is inside of a pumpkin? What is on the outside of a pumpkin? What can we learn from pumpkins?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (stems leaves table) to the positive space (pumpkin) of the pumpkin drawings

2. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (pumpkin) with neutral colors (black white grey) for the pumpkin drawings

3. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with neutral colors (black white grey) for the pumpkin drawings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Charcoal Pumpkin for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (construction paper, oil pastels, charcoal)

Lesson Activities

1. Add pumpkin parts (brown stem, green leaves, shell) with neutral colors (black white grey) for pumpkin drawings

2. Use texture techniques (eraser, cloth, sponge) to add details (stem, leaves, table) to the pumpkin drawings

3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Charcoal Pumpkins

Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use biomorphic shapes (irregular, round, life form), line variations (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and complementary colors (red green; blue orange; yellow purple) inspired by Japanese Contemporary Artist (1929-Present) Yayoi Kusama
• Use collage techniques (overlapping, layering, cropping) and design principles (composition, balance, repetition) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Infinity Nets (a painting composed of tiny dots and marks)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Mushrooms (1995) Yayoi Kusama

2. Read Yayoi Kusama From Here To Infinity by Sarah Suzuki

3. Discussion Questions "Who is Yayoi Kusama? Why does she use dots? How did she become an artist? When did she start making art? What is she inspired by? What happens when two colored dots overlap? Does it create a new color? What is Nihonga Painting? What is the psychological or spiritual significance of dots? What is the biggest misconception about art? How old was the artist when she created her first dot picture? Are the dots carefully placed or random? Do the polka dots go in a line? What are the size are the polka dots?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to make a composition for the Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

2. Use drawing techniques (layering overlapping cropping) to add the parts (stems, tops) for the mushrooms of the mushroom collages

3. Add design details (polka dots, hieroglyphs, biomorphic shapes) to the positive space (mushroom) of the Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms For Assigned Table 

2. Mushrooms (2005) Yayoi Kusama

3. Discussion Questions "Why are mushrooms so colorful? What are some differences between mushrooms? What types of shapes can you use to break up your drawing? What colors are mushrooms? What is the meaning behind a mushroom? What types of mushrooms are there? How many kinds of mushrooms are there? What is your favorite type of mushroom? Do you know any interesting facts about mushrooms? What is the strangest mushroom you have seen? What kinds of mushrooms are dangerous? Why are mushrooms so large or small?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use value (reflective, highlights, shadows) to add contrast to positive space (mushrooms) of Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

2. Use value (cast shadow, reflective light, highlights) to add contrast to negative space (background) of Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

3. Use implied texture to add details (polka dots, hieroglyphs, biomorphic shapes) to positive space (mushrooms) of Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (scissors, glue sticks, pencils)

Lesson Activities

1. Use complementary colors (red green; blue orange; yellow purple) to fill in the positive space (mushrooms) of Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

2. Use complementary colors (red green; blue orange; yellow purple) to fill in the negative space (mushrooms of Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

3. Use metallic colors (gold silver bronze) to outline the line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) of the positive space (mushrooms) of the Yayoi Kusama Mushrooms

Artist Examples

 

Student Examples