Cactus Huggers

“Homebody” has taken on new meaning lately. We all are staying home because of the virus that shall not be named. But life goes on, and school certainly continues.

At the elementary school where I teach art, the teachers have developed an online teaching system. I have posted two art lessons online, and I was delighted by what my students made.

I’d like to share three different art projects by my students.

First will be cactus drawings.

Second will be colorful wire sculptures made by my 8^th grade students before school was closed.

Last will be still life drawings done by my older students.

First, the cactus huggers. (Please note that cactus hugging is not advised, nor does it reflect the views of the author or the Blogspot website. Do so at your own risk.)

The cactus drawings were made by tracing kids’ hands onto paper. The sky was a sunset sky, created by doing a gradation of colors from light to dark. I encouraged the kids to add needles and flowers to their cacti. Although all the cactus drawings are similar in some ways, I love how each student personalized his or hers. Each sky and cactus has its own colorful look.

This creative paper sculpture was made by a student who wanted her cactus to be 3-D.

Next, we have a cute collection of small wire sculptures. My eighth grade students were asked to make something 3-D with colorful wire. Some followed a tutorial on caterpillars but a few students freestyled and came up with their own ideas. I thought this tree was particularly charming.

This tree has so much texture. I love how the student wrapped the wire.

Butterfly resting on a flower.

The still life drawings really impressed me. It’s hard enough for kids to do this kind of art in the classroom, with me right there to help them understand shading and perspective. But this project was given online, so the beautiful drawings done were finished with no hands-on assistance by me. I thought the kids did an amazing job.

My fifth grade student really amazed me with this one.

I love that this 6th grader was not afraid to use dark tones.

My online teaching will continue for the next month or two month as school may not reopen until the fall. So I will have more student art to share in the next few months. I hope you liked seeing what the kids made and I wish you good health and safety as we shelter at home. I also hope that if you are out in nature you are keeping a six foot distance from any cacti out there. Admire the cacti. Wave from afar. Tree hugging is fine, but please don’t be a cactus hugger.