Jackson Pollack Abstract Painting II

Artist or Art Form	Jackson Pollock
Project Type	Tempera paint on construction paper & one large canvas
Name	Barbara Kopp, Isabelle Heath, Amy Peck
Grade	Kindergarten
Teacher/School	Keri Paradis/CES
Date of Presentation	2/2004
Resources Used	*Books: Jackson Pollock children's books Website:* Other: pictures of Pollock's work
Project Description	*Description: The children sat in groups of 4 at 4 different tables. At each table we had 4 construction size sheets of paper- one for each child and paint brushes, egg beaters, feathers and skewers for the children to use to decorate their papers. to create Jackson Pollock art. As the children used the materials, we walked around holding pictures of Pollock's art style, since it was difficult for the kids to comprehend that they didn't have to use typical shapes and that it was perfectly okay to drip, splatter, eggbeat and drag the utensils across the paper in order to achieve the Jackson Pollock art style. Once the kids were assured that it was okay not to have any particular form and were given permission to be free, they did a great job and had a blast! We think the kids found this to be very liberating and fun. When the children completed one piece of art, we provided another if they wanted it. When all the children had completed at least one construction size paper, we had all them gather around a large canvas. In as organized a fashion as possible, we allowed the kids to put their hands in paint and cover the canvas in whatever fashion they desired. In a relatively controlled setting, allowing 4 kids to go at a time every child in the class contributed to a masterpiece that was a true Jackson Pollock look-a-like. Materials: Construction paper, tempera paint, paint brushes, egg beaters, feathers, skewers, large canvas Presentation Time*: 10 min
Presentation Content	We read a book to the children describing his artwork. We explained to the kids how Jackson Pollock was an artist who was different from all other artists. They got a kick out of looking at the pictures in the book we read to them. We explained how in the mid 40's Pollock became famous for his non-figurative paintings and explained that his art was very large, often times on large canvas on the floors or walls so that he could walk around it. We had to make certain the the kids understood that this was a completely freeform art project and showed them a myriad of Jackson Pollock's masterpieces, explaining to them that while the picture in the book shows what it looked like, in real life, the art was alot bigger. We explained that Jackson Pollock dripped, dragged and splattered paint and that he did not use typical shapes like circles, squares and triangles.
Comments	This project was an absolute success! Once the kids understood that this was a free form art project and not simply drawing or painting the typical shapes and understood that art comes in any form, they thoroughly enjoyed allowing their creative juices to flow individually as well as participating in a group effort on one canvas. This project has the potential for pandemonium, but talking to the kids and breaking them up into groups with the collective canvas, allowed them to have fun and create unabashedly in a controlled setting. We recommend this art project highly, but recommend vigilance so that the paint ends up in the boundaries. Note: Have the kids wear messy clothing and smocks are a must!