Wednesday, May 27, 2009

End of the Year thoughts


Three students I have worked with closely for the past three years are finishing their last day of fifth grade tomorrow, so I decided to make them a graduation present. These are the first collage/paintings I've done in a quite a few months. I especially love making art when it's going to be a present! Each one is on an 8"x8" canvas, and made with napkins, tissue paper, food wrappers and acrylic paint. (These pictures are kind of dull - the colors are actually much brighter.) We looked up the armadillo today and found out that it is symbolic of self-protection and self-preservation. How appropriate. As they approach the tough world of middle school, I hope all of my graduates will protect and preserve the things about themselves that make them truly good natured, talented, unique individuals. I'm going to miss you fifth graders!!!

On to the summer we go...

5 comments:

Ms. Jamieson said...

I just found your blog and really enjoy it. You have done some great work with your students.

Dana Klusener said...

Thanks, Katie, for taking such good care of "my guys". I really appreciate all of the love and time you put into their lives. Your are an awesome person (and an awesome art teacher, also!)

me*crafty said...

LOVE your collages that you created.. PLEASE, tell me how you layered all of you components when doing these?????

Katie Gonzalez said...

I layered different materials like napkins and tissue paper using matte medium, which is a clear acrylic medium. It also comes in gloss finish. These paintings are done on small canvases, but I also do them on paper and gessoed wood. To attach a delicate material like napkins, I paint the matte medium on the area of canvas where I want to glue the piece, stick the piece down, then dab on top of it with more matte medium so that it is really sealed. Once attached it takes about as long to dry as acrylic paint, and once it dries it's permanent. There are also stronger mediums like gel medium that can hold heavier/denser items like bottle caps and marbles to a canvas. These usually dry clear, too.
Hope this info helps!

me*crafty said...

Yes, this will!! I can't wait to try it out!! THANKS :)