Students will learn:

The Elements of Design and how they are used by artists and designers to create thoughtful and meaningful art and design.

How to photograph and save their artwork and create a digital art and design portfolio.

What is Design? 

What is Art?

How do Art & Design overlap?

How can design solve problems and create solutions?

What jobs involve art and design?

How is design used to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable?

How does art ask questions?

Does art have to be “aesthetically pleasing” (look good) to be effective?

How do artists evoke emotion with their art?

How to use lines to create gestures and cross-hatching.

The different kinds of shapes and how they are used in compositions.

How do artists and designers use negative and positive space in their art?

How to create a value scale and why value is important in creating form.

How form is used in portraiture, photography, and street art.

The difference between visual and physical texture in art.

How artists play with scale to create clever and effective art and design.

What visual tools can artists use to create a focal point? 

The science of how we see color and the many color systems.

How color affects our emotions and the expressive quality of color.

How can art create a dialogue about social and human rights issues?

I am a professional visual artist (a painter) and art educator. I am certified to teach Art to Secondary Students in Texas, and I am certified to teach Advanced Placement Art History to High School students. I have about 10 years experience teaching secondary students. 

I have a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Painting, a Minor in Art History (I love Art History!) and a Master’s Degree in Art Education.

I love to travel because I love to learn! I have lived and taught in Mexico and Italy. I have Italian heritage and I travel to Italy as much as I can with my family. Because Italy is full of art.

My sons have learning differences and music is their artform of choice. I cheer students who have learning differences because I know that means they are usually exceptional in creativity. I never excelled in traditional school until college, when I really started studying art in depth. I hope to provide that kind in-depth experience for students. 

Homework Offered
Students will be given sketchbook assignments during the weekly lessons as well as weekly art assignments based on the lessons. The lesson will post on Monday, the art assignment will be explained at the end of each lesson, and then the lesson is due on Friday. I recommend the students work on their art assignments Tues-Thurs. 

Also, I ask the students to write 5-8 sentences about their art each week explaining; How they made their art? What is their art about? How do they feel about their art? What worked? What didn't? What would they do differently next time? 
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Students will turn their work in on Friday of each week and I will give them feedback by Monday evening of the following week. There are two flex weeks at the end of the course so students can turn work in late if they need. Once the course is officially closed, I will no longer be able to give feedback. I am flexible with due dates but I encourage students to follow the suggested pacing of the course. 
Grades Offered

The information in this course is based on the textbook, Launching the Imagination, A Comprehensive Guide to Basic Design, by Mary Stewart. The information has been organized and simplified for the students' age groups. The student does not need to read this textbook. They only need to follow along with the lessons.