Last year, I was in the testing phase, but this year I was able to officially launch an Art Journaling class as an elective at Union High School. This class has been my passion and we have so much fun energy and excitement every day. As part of the class, I am teaching the elements and principles of art combined with creative writing and self-expression. Every day we learn a new mixed media art technique and the students are able to combine these techniques into creating meaningful art journal spreads and entries.
We are now at the end of the 1st quarter and I am starting to see some creative elements come to fruition. As a note, we are working in old discarded library books. It has been fun to work in these recycled books as we see them come alive in color as the students turn the book into a work of art.
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| Each student created some type of name art. These were all so fun and different depending on the style of individual students. |
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| Found Poetry. This can later be be turned into artwork by adding gesso or paint. |
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Creating a creative color wheel page by mixing primary colors. The idea for this activity came from a past issue of Arts and Activities magazine. I think that non-traditional color wheels are very fun for students and this activity gives them the practice mixing colors without the stress of conforming to the standard color wheel form. Students can later journal in the different geometric areas.
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| Chalk art page created on top of black gesso with Prismacolor colored pencils. |
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| I love this student's creative adaptation to the title page in her book. She has filled her book with random graffiti in addition to her artwork and it has become a very expressive journal. |
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| Pocket Pages. These are a neat way to store photos, letters and ideas for future pages.
I first discovered altered books at local teacher workshops about 6 years ago. I have truly enjoyed the process involved in this art form. I have listed below a list of my favorite art journaling teachers.
Joanne Memmott
You need to find her posts on altered books! Joann is an amazing artist and she is also my friend and colleague. She is Co-President of the Utah Art Education Associate and has done many research projects based on arts integration. JoAnn was my very first mentor in art education and she turned me onto the power of recycled books and art journaling. She shares many of her ideas in Memmott's Art Ideas on pinterest. She used to have a page where you could buy lesson plans for a minimal fee. I could not get the link to work, but I will try to find out more about it. I have downloaded many of her lesson plans and used them in my classes. Maria and Rick Thomas Website: Zentangle.com I had the privilege to travel to Boston 4 years ago and attend a teacher training class from Maria and Rick. As a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) I use Zentangle and patterning in all of my high school art classes. This is such a beautiful and relaxing style of art and even a beginner can create beautiful art using this method. I highly recommend everything they have to offer. Online Teachers: Jane Davenport website: janedavenport.com I love love love every class I have taken from Jane. She has taught me to accept my own art and find the joy in creating art. My first class with Jane was Draw Happy II and I would recommend everyone start with either that or Draw Happy. I find in teaching high school students that this is my biggest challenge. So many students are critical of their own work and have difficulty finding self acceptance that can lead to joy and healing in their artwork. I have now completed I heart drawing, Joynal, Express Yourself and Supplies Me, although not necessarily in that order.
Marieke Blokland
website: http://bloknoteacademy.nl
I am currently taking her Mixed Media and Art Journaling class. I have taken everything she has offered and I love her fresh perspective and her cheerful teaching style.
Tamera Laporte - Life Book
Website: willowing.ning.com
I discovered Tam a few years ago and this is the first mixed media class I was exposed to. This class has been transformational for me as an artist. I seldom do all the lessons, but it is nice to have a smorgasbord of ideas to choose from. Most of the other teachers I have discovered have been because of Life Book!
Effy Wild
Website: effywild.com
I am currently taking several of Effy's classes including Book of Days, Moonshine and Radiant Faces. I have enjoyed her down to earth teaching style that is perfect for beginners.
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