Art Explorer 6: Leave a Mark!

"Printmaking with Scissors"

Printmaking is an artistic process that combines paint, objects and a surface.  Paint is applied to an object (for example, sponges or styrofoam) and then pressed onto paper or another canvas (for example, a shirt). When the object is lifted, it results in a print (Schirrmacher & Fox, p. 367).  On the other hand, printmaking does not have to involve paint, it can include clay.  A popular activity involving clay, is hand printing.  As a child, I remember making a clay hand print for my mother.  I was given a lump of clay,a tray and a popsicle stick. I was told to evenly spread the clay within the tray and then, using the popsicle stick, I was to write a message along the top and to write my name along the bottom.  On the top I wrote, "To Mom. I love you" and on the bottom, I wrote, Maria Tsirtsimpis". I do not have my original print, but the above picture is what the process resembled. The art word I have chosen this week is S P A C E.  Space is determined by the size of the canvas, whether it be paper, wood or a T-shirt (Schirrmacher & Fox). Every artist must determine how to arrange their elements within a given space.  I have chosen the word space because in the following activity, space is determined by the canvas (a T-shirt) and children must cope with representing themselves and their world within a given size.  This can be difficult and interesting as children have to decided what is important and what is not.

Activity: Print Yourself

Simple Stencils

The art activity that I have chosen to create is fairly simple and easy for all ages (simple stencils for younger children and more complex stencils for older participants). It involves a blank T-shirt (feel free to use a blank pillow or blanket instead), a variety of paint colors and stencils (out of styrofoam and sponges). Each child/person will receive a T-shirt and then have the opportunity to chose paint colors and stencils.  Some of the stencils will be of pictures and objects (a house, dog/cat, person, etc.), while others will be of letters, numbers and shapes, as well as common words, such as family and friends.  There will also be sheets or blocks of styrofoam and sponges available, so that the participants can create their own stencils.  Therefore, there will be a variety of stencils, which allows the child/person to make a full representation of their personal identity and world.

Basic hand-print T-shirt (more intricate as you use more symbols)

Step 1: Take a blank T-shirt and inside the tag write your name.
Step 2: Choose or create a variety of stencils that represent you and your world. If you chose to create a stencil, you will need to draw the concept and then using a pair of scissors cut out the stencil.
Step 3: Choose and apply paint to each stencil and apply the stencil onto the canvas. Remember to slowly lift the stencil, in order to avoid smudging the print.

Step 4: After you have finished printmaking, allow the T-shirt to dry. If you wish to print both sides of the T-shirt, start with one side and then allow it to dry. Once dry, turn it over and repeat the process for the back.
Step 5: Once dry, feel free to add other aspects onto the T-shirt (sparkles or written words etc.).
Step 6: Feel free to wear the shirt, or even frame it!!

Art Explorer 4: Can you spot the pattern?

Patterns.

Patterns on clothes, sheets, walls and buildings. From simple to complex, patterns are everywhere. One may ask, "what is a pattern?" According to Schirrmacher and Englebright, "pattern suggests flow, rhythm, motion or movement as well as regularity and repetition" (2009, p. 142). Schirrmacher and Englebright also state that patterns are regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical and sequenced or alternating (2009, p. 142). For this definition, you and I could probably name a million patterns. However, the pattern I have chosen is one that is seen almost every minute of everyday. What is it?.........Bricks.

Bricks at Ram at the Rye

You are probably looking at this picture and thinking, "So what? That's boring", but its not. Why? Because it is a fundamental pattern. Bricks are an essential part to many buildings, houses and institutions.  For instance, not only is my own home made from bricks, but so is Fairview Mall and don't forget Ryerson University.  Although bricks are everywhere, they are usually the pattern thought of least. When we first got this assignment, I automatically thought that the pattern had to be elaborate and eye catching, but then I realized that everyone was probably going to do that. So, I thought simple. I came to bricks and decided, "Why not? It's a pattern. It's repetitive and has a sequence".  I then realized that bricks may be simple, but that is that I liked, the understatement.  I may have been drawn to the whole "brick idea", as I feel that in a way it represents me. Because I too am a fairly simple and often characterized as a straightforward person.
After all, the old saying goes, "the simplest things in life are the most beautiful". Don't worry, I'm not about to say that I think bricks are absolutely beautiful and magnificent, but in a way they slightly are. How? Bricks are not a recent invention, they have been used for decades and for them to still be around is kinda fascinating.  Today, bricks come in different styles and shapes that can create various patterns and designs. Here are a few...

Google images.

**Note to Future Educators**

The element of pattern, is not only important for children to know in terms of art, but also as an element of daily routine.  Thus, patterns occur in complex and intricate forms, but I believe it is important for children to recognize the simple and original patterns that make-up everyday life.