Georgia OKeefe Desert Snails

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Georgia OKeefe Desert Snail using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use warm/cool colors (red orange yellow; green blue purple), shape variation (geometric organic), and line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) inspired by American Artist (1887-1986) Georgia O'Keefe
• Use collage techniques (overlapping cropping layering) and design principles (composition movement balance) based on Modern Art
• Define Spiral (a curved line, shape, or pattern)

Lesson Activities
Day One, Art Start

1. Shell Number One (1928) Georgia O'Keefe

2. Read Georgia O'Keefe: The Art In The Desert by Britta Benke

3. Discussion Questions "What kind of characteristics would you attribute to Georgia's childhood? What kind of stereotypes did Georgia have to confront as a woman artist? What three factors made people call O'Keefe the most successful woman artist of the 20th century? Where was O'Keefe born? What would Georgia O'Keefe do when she noticed her work resembled otherS? What types of things did she paint? What does it mean to overwork your paper? When were Georgia's first giant flower paintings exhibited? What is the name of the famous ranch that Georgia visited and eventually bought in New Mexico?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of shell using observational drawing skills (contour, continuous, outline) for shell drawings 

3. Add details (shadow, reflective light) to negative space (background) of the Georgia O'Keefe Desert Snails

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Georgia O'Keefe Desert Snails for Assigned Table

2. Red Hill And White Shell (1938) Georgia O'Keefe

3. Discussion Questions "How would you tell someone about Georgia O'Keefe paintings? What are some photograph techniques she incorporates into her paintings? How was O'Keefe inspired by other artists? Why does she say she painting shells? Why do you think Georgia drew the shells from her desert paintings? Why do you think Georgia O'Keefe is an American Icon?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous) to add basic shapes (circle oval triangle) to the snail drawings

2. Use design principles (composition repetition gradation) to fill in the positive space (snail) of the snail drawings

3. Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous) to add patterns (loops, swirls, waves) to the positive space (shell) of the Georgia O'Keefe Desert Snails

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Georgia O'Keefe Desert Snails for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, erasers, pencils)

Lesson Activities

1. Use neutral colors (black brown white) to fill in the positive space (snail) of the snail drawings

2. Use neutral colors (black brown white) to fill in the negative space (background) of the snail drawings

3. Add design details (shadows, reflective light) to the negative space (background) of the Georgia OKeefe Desert Snails

Artist Examples

Student Examples