Thursday, February 11, 2016

outsider art inspired acrylic paintings

In the Wednesday elementary class, I introduced outsider art, also called folk art.

In particular I presented the works of Canadian artist, Maud Lewis.

The kids were quite fascinated by her, her life, and the role of growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis had on her life. What sealed the deal for the students though was Maud Lewis's little house, a house she decorated from top to bottom in her paintings...the walls, the wood stove, the stairs, the windows....EVERYTHING.

Once I finished answering a multitude of questions regarding Lewis and her life, the kids began to create their own works of art.

Like Maud Lewis, the kids painted scenes from their daily surroundings.

They all painted a Vancouver landscape.

8 year old

We discussed how they did not need to draw things realistically, nor paint in realistic colors. We discussed how Maud Lewis kept her colors flat and how might they to the same.

6 year old

When they were happy with their compositions, each child traced their lines with a black oil pastel and then were given just primary colors with white, black and brown to use for mixing their own color palettes.

8 year old

When they were finished painting, they had the chance to go over their black lines with either the black oil pastel or in a couple of cases, a black permanent pen.

6 year old

6 year old

I think they were all quite pleased with their work when finished. I love the array of styles that were inspired by Maud Lewis.

10 year old

10 year old

After seeing the response the kids had to this particular artist, I have no doubt I will be introducing her again to the other classes. I'm thrilled that the students took such a liking to Canada's most famous outsider artist.

8 year old










No comments:

Post a Comment