Art Lesson w/ Ms. Jennifer: Guest Teacher Ms. Maggie
Using Dots in Art:
Let’s use dots to create art in the style of mixed media artists, Howardena Pindell, John Baldessari, and Yayoi Kusama. Shape is one of the basic elements of design. The dot is a simple shape that when repeated can create patterns and textures. There are many ways to use dots in art including stickers, a hole punch, and bingo markers. These are great ways to get perfect circles in your work! When an artist uses a variety of items to create a work of art they call the finished piece Mixed Media.
Let’s learn more about the element of shape:
Howardena Pindell
Howardena Pindell cuts canvases into strips and sews them back together, building up surfaces in elaborate stages. She paints or draws on sheets of paper, punches out dots from the paper using a paper hole punch, drops the dots onto her canvas, and finally squeegees paint through the “stencil” left in the paper from which she had punched the dots.
We can use glue sticks and a hole punch to work in her style! How many layers can you create?
John Baldessari
John Anthony Baldessari was an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images. He often used the dot to create a motif in his work. Baldessari used simple dots on black and white photographs to create many of his works.
We can use old photos, magazines or drawings to make work in his style! Try using a bingo marker or circle stickers to create consistent dots.
Yayoi Kusama
Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese artist who is sometimes called the princess of polka dots! Kusama works in many different mediums but the dot is a theme that connects them all. Learn more about Kusama by visiting the Tate Modern website.
In an exhibition hosted by the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, Kusama created a large empty room and invited many children to use thousands of colored dot stickers to transform the space. When an artist uses a whole room for their work it is called an installation.
You’d have to ask your parents what they think about transforming a room in your house!
You did it! Now don’t forget to email images of your work to Jennifer@BlowingRockMuseum.org
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