So we've moved on to Vincent Van Gogh.

What a sad life, huh? His father was a minister and he tried to live a life according to the Gospel -- VAn Gogh actually gave away all his possesions, just like Christ said to in His Word. That was not well received, however. He then lead a poverished life -- even while creating such masterpieces. In his lifetime, no one 'knew' him -- it was in his death ( from suicide ) that he became known. He did all his paintings in a matter of 10 years......amazing. But oh how we know all that matters none in the end......

'A Starry Night' ~ Van Gogh, 1889

At first the kids were not too thrilled about this new artist. As we began discussing it though, that changed. They noticed the difference between Mary Cassatt and Van Gogh right away. Here are some of the points from the kids:

• lots of lines, curved
• used his imagination ( they thought Cassatt did not )
• dark, dreary, sad -- emotionally
• looks like more fun to paint than Cassatt's

We all enjoyed this one ~ recreations:

Kaden choose to draw his

Jayda's

Mine, I've been holding out on showing my recreations, but I've been having fun too!

We are wrapping up our study on Mary Cassatt this week. We've enjoyed taking a peek at her work -- all the mothers and babies -- a wonderful presentation in each of the paintings.

Today was our last one.

The Child's Bath ~ Mary Cassatt, 1893

The kids' thoughts as we discussed the painting:

• is it the Nanny or the Mother who is washing the child?
• lots of patterns within the painting, walls, floors, the lady's dress
• shapes - circles for the basin and the pitcher is roundish as well; squares in the floor pattern
• the child's face is very round
• very quiet and initmate time, so it seems to us, the viewer

Jayda's recreation

Children Playing on Shore, 1881 ~ Mary Cassatt

We are really enjoying Ms. Cassatt's artwork. I especially love all the children and mothers within her work.

In this one, the kids found the colors to be 'mellow.' Nothing bright or exagerated. Here are a few other ideas that sparked conversation:

• wearing dresses to play in the sand
• why is the girl in the hat not showing her face?
• hot day b/c the one girl's cheeks are red
• the shovel is particularly long, esp. for a young child
• wearing the same outfit, are they twins?

Continuing with Mary Cassatt, last week

Woman and Child Driving ~ 1881

Here are a few points the kids came up with as we discussed this piece:

• the driver, the woman, looks determined to get to her destination or she is not excited about her destination?
• the little girl seems to have no emotion or is she upset? not wanting to go?
• why is the man in the back not named in the title? is he not important
• the scenery is peaceful and pleasant

   

For this week's artist study we are continuing with Mary Cassatt.

 ~ A Woman in Black at the Opera, 1880 ~

The children thought this particular painting was lacking in emotion. The only thing that seemed to show any kind of UMPH was the man in the background looking at the woman in black through his binoculars. Though he wasn't the main attraction in this painting, we found him to really stick out.

The children also discussed the clothing worn in the picture; they said it must be a very nice place due to their style of dress.

Here are a couple of their re-creations

Young Mother Sewing by Mary Cassatt, 1900

We are starting with Mary Cassatt b/c I personally enjoy looking at her work; I'm the mother so therefore, I choose.

 A couple of the kids said they felt 'peaceful' when looking at this painting. I agree, it looks very peaceful. We took turns sharing what was happening in the room where we couldn't see; what the little girl was looking at.

Then we took at stab at re-creating it. Keep in mind, this is the first time we've done this or worked with watercolors.