Tree Self Portraits Inspired by Gustav Klimt and Rebecca Rebouche

When I discovered the contemporary artist Rebecca Rebouche, I knew I would have to teach a lesson based on her work.  Her "Tree Series" paintings drew me in because of the balance of simplicity and detail and the obvious playfulness she enjoys in the process.

My art students love drawing trees and some even believe that they know How To Draw a Tree, as if there is just one right way to do it.  Here is where I introduce another favorite artist, Gustav Klimt, with his painting "Tree of Life."  In looking at this intricate, swirly, gold-tinted tree, we see that the possibilities are endless.  

Although Rebecca Rebouche and Gustav Klimt lived 100 years apart, when we compare their work we can see some similarities. 

Third and fourth graders looked at Rebouche's "Tree Series" paintings and Klimt's "Tree of Life" painting.  In addition to the symbolic meaning of the trees themselves, both artists included other objects in the branches of their trees to represent things that are important to them. Click here to learn more about the symbols in Klimt's "Tree of Life." 

We often start the year by drawing or painting self-portrait.  In planning the self-portrait process, I wanted students to focus on what truly makes them special and unique.  Rather than trying to, once again, help students show this in a traditional head and shoulders self-portrait, I decided to take a more abstract approach.  These tree drawings by grades three and four are a type of self portrait. 

Can you guess the students who created them based on what they chose to include in the branches?

Watch these beautiful videos to see Rebecca Rebouche at work and see how she draws inspiration from the natural world.

I can't tell you how long it took me to get these picture posted.  I have no idea why they showed up all as one long line, but please humor me and scroll to the right to see all of these beautiful trees!

Chalk Pastel Landscapes inspired by Wolf Kahn

"The horizon, though in actuality a dividing line, must become, in a painting, a place where sky and land meet and mesh and become seamless." 

It's stick season in Vermont.  It's cold and dark and gray.  However, the work of artist Wolf Kahn reminds me that there is beauty and color in the forest all year long.   

Wolf Kahn's artwork makes me feel calm and centered.  If I can't go out for a walk in the woods, looking at his paintings and pastels of forest and mountain landscapes is the next best thing.  Although Kahn primarily lives and works in New York City, when looking at his work it is obvious that he also spends time in Vermont.  Kahn has a part-time residence in Brattleboro!

Wolf Kahn is a German-born artist who combines realism with an art style called "color field."  Color field painting is when the color is the main subject of the piece of artwork. 

First and second graders looked at examples of Wolf Kahn's trees and landscapes.  We used chalk pastels to create color field backgrounds, then add trees and other landscape elements.  

Here are some examples of first and second grade art inspired by Wolf Kahn.  In addition to the peaceful subject matter of these landscapes, many students noticed the effect that blending the chalk pastels had on them. Don't you feel calmer already?

A colorful take on #stickseasoninvermont inspired by  #wolfkahn #chalkpastel #landscapes.  #waitsfieldschool #gradesoneandtwo

A post shared by Nora (@artclass_allday) on Nov 7, 2017 at 10:51am PST

#wolfKahn #chalkpastel #landscapes.  #timelapse of students collecting their work.

A post shared by Nora (@artclass_allday) on Nov 7, 2017 at 10:53am PST

Birds & Birches inspired by Lois Ehlert

"Do you think birds know when it's going to snow?" 

asks Lois Ehlert in her book "Snowballs."

We looked at Ehlert's creative collages and then made painted paper using the watercolor resist technique.  We used music pages for our birch trees and collaged colorful birds in the trees. These gorgeous collages and Ehlert's amusing illustrations remind us that winter is anything but cold and gray!

Painted Trees inspired by "Where's the Elephant?"

 

Elephant, snake and bird live in a beautiful jungle. Then someone starts cutting down trees and soon their home is destroyed. This book uses colorful, whimsical illustrations to make kids think about the effects of deforestation.

Artists in grades K-4 read "Where is the Elephant," by Barroux and discussed the author's message.  Then we used Sharpie markers and liquid watercolor paint to create many different types of trees inspired by the illustrations in the book. To inspire our tree paintings we went outdoors to observe our surroundings and used the inspiration guide below.  This reminds us that there is no "right way" to draw a tree.  Our bulletin board also features a hiding elephant, snake and parrot, just like the book.