Piano Cat Paintings
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Piano Cat Paintings using painting techniques learned in class
- Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic), and line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by African American Artist (1911-1988) Romare Bearden
- Use drawing techniques (overlapping, cropping, outline) and design principle (composition, repetition, variation) based on Harlem Renaissance
- Define Theme (the underlying message, central idea, or deeper meaning that an artist conveys through a creative work)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. The Piano Lesson (Homage To Mary Lou) (1983) Romare Bearden
2. Read Mrs. Merriwether's Musical Cat by Carol Purdy
3. Discussion Questions "How do artists draw upon symbolism from different cultures to address religion, mythology, history, literature, and everyday life? Is this artist saying that art is the result of both sensual creativity (the sculpture) and strict discipline (painting)? Is the metronome that swings between the two, a mediator? What do you think of the odd inclusion of the carved music stand which contains the brand of the piano? How do the musical notes, organic shapes, and bright colors create a strong sense of movement? How do the musical notes, organic shapes, and bright colors create a strong sense of movement? How did combining images from magazines and colored paper become a turning point in the artist's career? Why were all of the musicians in Romare Bearden's art African American? Could black people and white people attend the same jazz clubs?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper
2. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, cat, piano) of the Piano Cat Paintings
3. Outline positive space (foreground, cat, piano) with neutral colors (black, white, grey) of the Piano Cat Paintings
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Piano Cat Paintings for Assigned Tables
2. Jamming At The Savoy (1981-1982) Romare Bearden
3. Discussion Questions "How do people express meaning through music and art? How do people interpret meaning in music and in art? How does music and art reflect the time and place in which it was created? What factors influence an artist's work? How can music or art communicate a theme? How dod artist tell stories and convey messaging in their work? How did this music or art make you feel? Why are some artist inspired to create art based on music? Why types of lines and colors would someone most likely use to portray upbeat jazz music? What would you say is the connection between music and art? How can art represent music if you cannot physically hear a work of art? How would you describe this artwork? Where do we experience music or art? What music or art do you enjoy playing with for fun? How does music and art evoke emotion? How do we experience conflict and harmony through the different arts disciplines?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground, cat, piano) for the Piano Cat Paintings
2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) for the Piano Cat Paintings
3. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to fill in the negative space (background) for the Piano Cat Paintings
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Piano Cat Paintings for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, water buck, paint trays)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive space (foreground, cat, piano) of the Piano Cat Paintings
2. Add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow, shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Piano Cat Paintings
3. Add details to the positive space (foreground, reflective light, light source) and negative space (background) of the Piano Cat Paintings
Artist Examples
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