September 1, 2021

 Hi and Welcome to a New School Year! 

This semester has started differently for me. I am out on maternity leave and have yet to meet my art students this year. I have really been trying to avoid my work email, but something told me to check it today, and I am really glad I did. 

An unexpected email popped in my box from Mrs. Sarah Jackson and her daughter Michelle. Michelle's Girl Scout troop is currently working on their Arts and Crafts Fun Patch and they enjoyed the resources provided here on my blog. 

Thank you ladies for suggesting to add the Fun Fashion Activities: Jewelry Making, Knitting, and More website to my interactive links page. I will be out on Maternity Leave until early November and I am pretty sure I could learn something new from this website! 

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: @mrs.martinez_artclass

Hello !

 Hello Friends! 

It has been a few years since my last blog post. Our school district moved to blackboard and thus this blog eventually became obsolete.  I am still teaching and will do my best to update this blog soon.  Thank you all so much for the kind emails and messages you have sent. 

Ms. Wilson, Jake, and Sam, I want to especially thank you for reaching out to me. Teaching this year during the pandemic was real tough. I felt like I was burning a candle at two ends. Your email lifted my spirits and reminded me why I chose to teach and advocate for the arts. I have added the link you suggested to my interactive links page. 

If any of my followers would like to see new work from my students, please follow us on
Instagram: @mrs.martinez_art class


Sincerely, 
Claudia Peña-Martinez

Reflective Silhouettes

Objective: To create an ink self-portrait silhouette on a page from a book leaving a word or phrase un-obscured in the background text.

Materials: 
Pencil
Digital Camera
Computer (Adobe Photoshop Program or another photo editing app)
Page from a book
Permanent Marker

Procedure:
1. Ask a friend or family member to photograph you using a digital camera or iPad in a 3/4 pose.
2. Use Adobe Photoshop to manipulate your photograph into a stencil or another photo editing app. 
3. Print the manipulated photograph
4. Draw yourself on a page from a book using your manipulated photograph as a reference. 
5. Fill in your portrait with a black permanent marker leaving one word or phrase un-obscured in the background text.
6. Give your artwork a title. 

Examples of Student Work: 

© Live Art, Breathe Art 2015

© Live Art, Breathe Art 2015

© Live Art, Breathe Art 2015

Tool Time

Objective: 
To make a composition using a non-painting tool for the composition, tool and subject matter. 

Materials: 
Pencils
Sketch book or scratch paper
Various forms of non-art tools (fork, spoon, brush, etc.) that can be dipped in paint.
Watercolor paper 
Acrylic Paint
Permanent Marker

Procedure: 
1.  Choose from a variety of tools or objects to create a drawing. 
2. Create studies (practice drawings) in your sketchbook or scratch paper emphasizing effective use of the elements of art and principles of design (line, shape, texture)
3.  Use your object to create an abstract painting using acrylic paint on your watercolor paper. This      will be the background of your drawing. 
4.  Once the acrylic paint is dry,  draw your object by repeating all or parts of the tool chosen over your abstract painting

***Tip: Be open to what happens during this process.  ***

Assessment: 
Write a self reflection discussing the pros and cons of working in this unconventional manner. 
What did you like or dislike about this project? Why? 
Did the struggle outweigh the enjoyment and sense of discovery or vice versa? 

Examples of Student Work: 

© Live Art, Breathe Art  2016

© Live Art, Breathe Art  2016

Welcome to the new school year!

I am thrilled to be starting my third year at Jackson Middle School.  I am also looking forward to a year filled with challenges and excitement.
This year, we will focus on:

• Developing Craft
• Engaging and Persisting
• Envisioning
• Expression
• Observation
• Reflection
• Exploration
• Understanding the Art World

If you have any questions or concerns about any part of the school year please reach out to me either during my conference period, by email at cpenam@neisd.net, or by phone at 210.356.4400

Please note that it is important that you arrive on time and ready to learn as we will have a lot of exciting material to cover each day. 

I look forward to getting to know you better and helping you achieve all of your education goals for the year. 

Let's work together to make this the Best Year Ever! 

Studio habits slideshow from walleriusz