Reflection #3: Visual Arts

What have I learned about the principles of visual art and looking and understanding a piece of art? I have learned that there is more to art than just looking and thinking it's a nice painting. I have learned that there is more to the piece. Every person is so different and can interpret art in their own unique way. How I may I interpret a piece one way, another can interpret it in a much different way than I have. That is what I learned is that there really is no wrong way to view and interpret a painting and say it's right. Everyone has their own interpretation and what it means to them personally. Children's illustrators use the principles of art in so many different ways than another illustrator, but they all use the principles of art. Children love pictures and books and they can easily identify the principles of art in a book, I think. We can teach them about the illustrators and why that illustrator paints those different ways. They want to create an emotion and feeling for children as the audience.

So what can I do to effectively teach students about art and its techniques and styles? I can introduce the elements and principles of art to them and focus on one a week. I can also introduce an artist or other artists that use that technique in their art. I will have students paint or draw that element or principle so that they can learn and also learn about other artists as well.

Now what--why will that be important to me and my students? I think art opens up creativity so much for children as well as adults. Because each student is so different and unique, their work will be unique too from any other person's in the classroom. If I have to feel like they're allowed to be creative and draw how they want to, they will want to do it more and more. Not only will they be creative in the arts, but I hope that they will be creative in their other subjects in school and in their own personal lives outside of the classroom. If they can express their opinion and their creativity, they will feel like they are confident and successful in whatever they may be asked to do.