2nd grade Hundertwasser-inspired seasons

Portrait of Friedensreich Hundertwasser  http://www.dungan-nequette.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Hundertwasser_Friedensreich.jpg

Today I started teaching a project inspired by the artwork of Austrian artist Hundertwasser.  He is one of my favorite artists, so I was especially excited to show his work to the 2nd graders!  I began by showing some paintings and prompting the students with questions such as "What season does this remind you of and why?"  It was really interesting because some paintings, I immediately thought 'fall' and nothing else, but the students might think 'spring' or 'summer' and be able to explain why.  It really reminded me how we are all such unique thinkers which is such a wonderful thing in the context of an art room.  

After the prompts, I explained the project.  Basically, they will be using pencil and paper today.  Using characteristics of Hundertwasser's work such as parallel lines, concentric circles, and repetitive patterning, they will separate their paper into four sections and use those characteristics and characteristics of the different seasons to make artwork based on such.  In the next few classes, they will use oil pastel and watercolor to create colorful Hundertwasser-inspired seasons!  

Painting by Hundertwasser http://www.artwallpaper.eu/Paintings/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/07/30/Friedensreich-Hundertwasser-Paintings-1991-silent-flowers.jpg

As the students get more work done, I will post pictures of the work that they have done.  As for now, here are a few examples of the project that a friend and I did:

Overview:
2nd Grade
4-5 days
Students will look at images by Hundertwasser and explore characteristics of his work. Using these visual characteristics, students will use oil pastel and watercolor to draw/paint the four seasons by use of colors, shapes, and lines.

Learning Outcomes:

• The learner will be able to recognize unique characteristics of artwork by Hundertwasser.
  
• The learner will be able to recognize and utilize colors, shapes, and lines in artwork that represent the different seasons of the year.
  
• The learner will use oil pastels and watercolor paints successfully to imitate Hundertwasser's art styles.
  

Essential Standards:
2.V.1.1 Use appropriate art vocabulary when discussing media, processes, or images in art.
2.V.1.4 Understand characteristics of the Elements of Art, including lines, shapes, colors, textures, form, space, and value.
2.V.1.5 Understand characteristics of the Principles of Design, including repetition, movement, emphasis, contrast, balance, and proportion.
2.V.2.1 Understand that artistic problems have multiple solutions.
2.V.2.3 Create art from real and imaginary sources of inspiration.
2.CX.1.3 Understand various movements in art and the artists that represent them.
2.CX.2.2 Understand relationships between art and concepts from other disciplines, such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and other arts.

Materials:

• 12”x 18” white paper, oil pastels, watercolor, water, paintbrushes
  
• Hundertwasser images for reference

Art Vocabulary:

• lines, shapes, colors
  
• repetition, movement
  
• parallel lines, concentric circles, repeated patterns

Preparation:
Day One: Have images by Hundertwasser ready for reference, books available, Prepare prompts for students such as “What season of the year might this represent and why?”, have example pieces poasted, have paper ready and cut to size, oil pastels available
Day two: Hundertwasser images on display, examples on display, oil pastels ready
Day three: reference images on display, oil pastels and watercolors ready
Day four: reference images on display, oil pastels and watercolors ready

Interdisciplinary Concepts:
Weather, characteristics of seasons, math patterning