MiSs Rs ArT RoOm

Clay Flowerpots

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Clay Flowerpots using sculpture techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and texture (actual, visual, implied) inspired by American Artist (1955-Present) Jeff Koons
• Use ceramic techniques (hand building, slab method, pinching, coiling, scoring, slipping) and design principles (proportion, variation, repetition) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Pinch Pot (a simple, handmade pottery technique where you shape a ball of clay into a hollow bowl or cup using only your thumbs and fingers)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Large Vase Of Flowers (1991) Jeff Koons

2. Read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

3. Discussion Questions "Can you identify the parts of a flower such as the leaves, stems, petals, and seeds? What does a flower need to grow? How many different types of flowers can you find in your garden? How can we use the art elements (texture, value, color, line, shape, form) to make every flower unique? How could we turn a flat flower into a three-dimensional sculpture? If your clay flower could grow anywhere in the world, where would it grow and what would make it special? How can we use lines, shapes, patterns, and textures to personalize our flowerpots? What secret surprise could you add to your flowerpot that a viewer would only notice if looking up closely? What did you find challenging about making a flowerpot? How did you keep your flower petals attached? How can artists use exaggerated shape and bright colors to attract attention? Why might an artist make a flower sculpture much larger than a real flower? Did you know humans have been making clay pots for over 15,000 years long before paper, cars, or even metal tools existed?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use slab method to form the basic shapes (circles, ovals, rectangles) of the positive space (foreground, flower) of the Clay Flowerpots

2. Use coil method to form the details (leaves, petals, center) of the positive space (foreground, flower) of the Clay Flowerpots

3. Use modeling tools (wooden chips, shells, pencils, clay stamps) to add an imprint to the Clay Flowerpots

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Flowerpots for Assigned Tables 

2. Mound Of Flowers (1991) Jeff Koons

3. Discussion Questions "How does understand the artist change our understanding of his sculptures? What made Jeff Koons unique? What can we learn from Jeff Koons? Why do flowers look the way they do? How do flowers grow? When do flowers grow? What do you enjoy most about this painting? What do you like least about this painting? How would you do things differently? What other subjects could be sculpted in the contemporary art style? How do these flowers look the same? What do each of the flowers look like? What colors do you notice are in the flower sculptures? What are the parts of a flower? How can artists add texture to the flowers? How can artists use addictive and subtractive methods of clay work? how does Jeff Koons use texture in his sculptures?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Add details (flowers, petals, leaves) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, flower) of the Clay Flowerpots

2. Add imprints (swirls, stripes, shapes) to the negative space (background) of the Clay Flowerpots

3. Add embellishments (glitter, sequins, small beads, yarn) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, flower) of the Clay Flowerpots 

Day Three, Art Start 

1. Retrieve Clay Flowerpots for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (rubber mats, modeling tools, rolling pins, air dry clay) 

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, flower) for the Clay Flowerpots

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Clay Flowerpots

3. Apply Gloss Finish to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, flower) of the Clay Flowerpots 

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

Ladybug Pinch Pots

Learning Targets 

I can...

• Create an original Ladybug Pinch Pot using sculpture techniques learned in class
• Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional), analogous colors (red, blue, purple), and texture (implied, actual, visual) inspired by The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
• Use ceramic techniques (slab method, coil method, pinch pot) and design principles (balance, repetition, movement) based on Children's Book Illustrations
• Define Assemblage (a work of art made by grouping found or unrelated objects)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Catarina Naranja (2010) Anonimo
2. Read Children's Book The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
3. Discussion Questions "What happened when the two ladybugs landed on the same leaf? Why did the grouchy ladybug fly away? Why does the ladybug want to fight? What does the ladybug say to the animals? What did the ladybug do when the whale would not answer her? What do you think will happen to the grouchy ladybug after a day? If you were the grouchy ladybug what would you have done? Where did she fly next? What happened when the ladybug reached the whale's fin? What did the whale do with his tail? Where do we find the ladybug at the end of the story? Why does the ladybug tell each animal they are not big enough? What kind of animal is this? What sound does this animal make? What letter of the alphabet does the animal's name start with? What sound does the letter make?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use modeling techniques (hand building, forming shapes) to make three-dimensional spheres for clay ladybug
2. Use assemblage techniques (attaching, slip/score, smoothing) to connect the three main body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) of the ladybug 
3. Use addictive techniques (eyeballs, long legs, wings) to add additional body parts to Ladybug Pinch Pots

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ladybug Pinch Pot for Assigned Table
2. Pedacitos de Historia (2010) Benito Cabanas
3. Discussion Questions "What do ladybugs do during winter months? Why does a ladybug have spots? Are there different kinds of ladybugs? How fast can a ladybug fly? What is the ladybug's scientific name? Have you ever seen a ladybug? Where can they usually be found? In the garden? On a window sill? What color are ladybugs? How many legs do ladybugs have? Can you name other types of insects? Which insects can fly? Why do they call ladybugs, ladybugs? How does a ladybug fly?"How do ladybugs protect themselves?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use assemblage techniques (attaching, slip/score, smoothing) to connect the details (eyeballs, long legs, wing) of the clay ladybug
2. Add embellishments (beads, rainbow wire, buttons) to decorate the outside (bug) of the clay ladybug
3. Add imprints (texture plates, stamps) to outside (bug) of the Clay Ladybug Pinch Pot

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ladybug Pinch Pot for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, water bucket, tempera paint)

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (red, blue, purple) to fill in the positive space (bug) of the Clay Ladybug Pinch Pot
2. Use analogous colors (red, blue, purple) to fill in the negative space (leaf) of the Ladybug Pinch Pot
3. Cover Ladybug Pinch Pot with a clear coat of the Mod Podge for a glossy finish

Artist Examples

Student Examples