SOUTHWEST WHIMSICAL CACTI

Southwest Whimsical Cacti

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Southwest Whimsical Cacti using painting techniques learned in class
• Use warm/cool colors (red, orange, yellow; green, blue, purple), geometric shapes (circle, rectangle, square), and line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by Southwest Artist (1958-Present) Jenny Willigrod
• Use previous art knowledge (concentric circles, color blending, watercolor control) and drawing techniques (arrangement, overlapping) relating to Southwestern Native American Art
• Define Variety (two things different or diverse from one another)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Pear Cactus In Orange (2012) Jenny Willigrod
2. Read Cactus Hotel by Brenda Guiberson
3. Discussion Questions "What is going on in this artwork? What was your first reaction when you saw this artwork? Why do you think you had this reaction? Does your opinion about the artwork change the longer you look at it? What types of lines are in this artwork? What types of colors are in this artwork? How did the artist use space? How did the artist use balance? How did the artist use proportion? How does your eye move through the artwork? What choices did the artist make to make to make this happen? What do you remember about the artwork? What do you think you will forget about the artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, cylinder) to draw decorative vase for Southwest Whimsical Cacti
3. Use value (lightness, darkness) to fill in the geometric shapes (circle, cylinder, oval) of the Southwest Whimsical Cacti

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Southwest Whimsical Cacti for Assigned Table
2. Barrel Cactus In Green (2012) Jenny Willigrod
3. Discussion Questions "What elements of this drawing seem real? What adjectives would you use to describe this artwork? What verbs would you use to describe this artwork? What elements seem dreamlike or imaginary? What is strange about this artwork? What is exciting about this artwork? What do we know about the artist after viewing this artwork? If you could ask the artist a question, what would you ask her? Why do you think this artwork was created? Why do you say that? How do you think the artist feels about the final product? How do you think this artwork was made? Why do you think the artist made this work? What do you think the artist is trying to say in this artwork?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to decorations of the vase of the Southwest Cacti
2. Use patterns (swirls, zig zags, stripes) to add a table cloth to the negative space (background) of the Southwest Cacti
3. Use chalk pastel to smear patterns (swirls, stripes, zig zags) to negative space (background) of the Southwest Whimsical Cacti 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Southwest Whimsical Cacti for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastel, erasers, sharpeners)

Lesson Activities

1. Blend cool colors (green, blue, purple) for positive space (cacti) of the Southwest Whimsical Cacti
2. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to the cool colored (green, blue, purple) cacti of the Whimsical Cacti
3. Add illusion of depth by having flowers fill inside the positive space (cacti) of the Southwest Whimsical Cacti

Artist Examples 

Student Examples