“E,” a 6th
grader, was first through the door today. She came prepared for artmaking and
carried with her a greeting card with a painting of a blossoming amaryllis plant
on it. As soon as the whole-group “five-minute lesson” was completed, she went
directly to the clay center to begin sculpting
a flower, using the painting on the card for reference and inspiration.
“E” has been
working with the idea of flowers and clay over the last several classes. One single
flower she crafted on a slender stem broke off at the base of the bloom. Yesterday she put the finishing touches on a decorated lidded jar (shown below), also featuring a flower theme.
The idea of
lidded jars has also been repeated by “E” over several classes. After I
observed that the first lid slid around on top of the jar, I showed “E” some
ideas for creating a “gallery” inside the lid to help keep it in place.
‘E” is
demonstrating many of the 8 studio habits we use to guide and describe our work
as artists in the studio – Engage and
Persist, certainly, as she returns to similar ideas and creates a body of
work around a theme. ‘E” also employs the habits Observe: demonstrating
alertness to the flower reference from home that helped shape today’s work, and
Envision, as she imagines what to
make and how to go about it, seeing the project “in her mind’s eye.”
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| Flowers brought in for a sketching skill-builder became the perfect reference for "E" to continue her work. Now where can we get ladybugs and caterpillars this time of year I wonder... |
Develop Craft is the habit “E”
employs when she learns and practices new skills and techniques. Actually, it’s hard to
name a “studio thinking habit” ‘E” is not demonstrating. Stretch and Explore comes into play when “E” takes a creative risk,
or tests out new ideas. Reflect is a
habit used throughout her work, to help guide needed adjustments as she goes
along. The last two habits are also
in play – Express: Learning to create works that communicate an idea, a feeling, or a personal
meaning and Understand Art World: Learning about art history and
current practice, learning to work as an artist within a community of artists. “E”
uses this habit when she learns about artistic conventions and practices, re-interprets and incorporates another
artist’s painting into her clay sculpture.
The 8 Studio
Thinking Habits of Mind have been on my mind
a lot these days, since I am participating in an online conference with Lois
Hetland, one of the originators of this framework, and art educators from
around the country who are using Studio Thinking habits to inform their work
with students.
