Obama Inspired Art:
Shepard Fairey's Obama portrait screenprint reached the pinnacle of cultural zeitgeist in 2008-2009! Here are a few images of some of the inspired art created by SF young artists.
The first example uses the screenprint image in black line only, and students added their own color blocks with watercolor:
The second example uses the black-line image with students using scraps of colored tissue paper and newspaper to add the color and texture to the image:
This Obama inspired project was probably my favorite:
It used the classic "grid" technique for enlarging an image. It's also a nod to Chuck Close's mosaic portraits. The grid squares were then separated and with guidance on color palette choices, individual patterns were added to the grid squares and re-assembled back to complete the image. This process would make a fantastic collaborative class project.
There were also several "altered image" projects that show the inspiration from the screen printed portrait aesthetic. The image below was created with B&W copies of student photos, watercolors and gel markers. The other techniques used in the above Obama portraits could also be used with student photos. If you wish to begin with a more "silk screeny" looking image of the student, the Photoshop "stamp" filter provides that effect nicely. (Art parents wishing to try this can contact Amy for instructions on how to do this).
Another project great for the younger grades is a mixed paper collage self-portrait. Here's two different examples. The first features tissue paper that when added with modpodge or white glue, becomes glossy and vibrant. The second project uses and Eric Carle (Very Hungry Caterpillar) type technique where the students first added patterns to create visual texture on the construction paper, and then tore it up and re-assembled it into a portrait.
Last but certainly not least, I couldn't resist two different group multiple portraits of one of my all time favorites, Frida Khalo. The first is charcoal on gray conte paper and the second is oil pastel. I love the combination of the varying perspectives on the same subject - the effect of them displayed together is quite charming.
Be sure to view the other blog entries for more inspiration from Young at Art: The SF Youth Arts Festival.
