Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect: A lesson in Expressionism

Colorful Creative World of Fred Babb

Art is FANTASTIC


Art is YUMMY

Art is MAGIC

Art is ME!

Colorful Creative World of Fred Babb

Fred Babb was one of the most colorful, expressive and funky, fun artists of our modern times. He is an absolutely perfect study for our funky fun 3rd graders who love to use color and express themselves.  Babb's story is fun to share because he started creating his masterpieces at a young age, in elementary school...about the same age as our third graders.  This also makes Babb the perfect focus artist for our upcoming Art Gallery show.  Each of our 3rd graders will be able to freely express themselves, showing their parents the artist within.

But before we let their creatively soaked minds, doodle wildly on a canvas, let's start by teaching them about the artist.  A powerpoint presentation is available for our classroom and it was created by gathering the information mostly on the Fred Babb site.  Share his life with students and then review these 10 questions.  Students can show and share with their parents at the Art Show, all the amazing things they know about Fred Babb!

Question 1:  What state was Fred Babb born in?

Question 2:  What year was Fred born?

Question 3:  When did Fred Babb begin expressing himself in art?

Question 4:  How did Fred Babb get his art supplies...where did he get his money?

Question 5:  How many children were in Fred's family

Question 6:  Fred couldn't afford paper, so what did he use as his canvas?

Question 7:  What was the name of the Magazine in which Fred found inspiration?

Question 8:  Fred did not preplan or pre-sketch his work...how did he do it? 

Question 9:  As an adult, to earn money for his family, what job did Fred Babb do?

Question 10:  What year is Fred Babb pass away?

After reviewing the questions, spend a few minutes brainstorming what art is to them.  Art can be magical, fun, colorful, imaginary, and so on...  You may need to help some students spell out the larger words.  We are just about ready to let the oil crayons roll about, but first, I want to share a sentiment from the blogger at Deep Space Sparkle.  She wrote a sweet reminder to all of us art teachers; so simple, so perfect.  

"Fred died in 2006. I would have like to have met him. He stood for everything I believe art should be; an extension of oneself that is not necessarily taught, but understood. I try to remember this each time I walk into my classroom and face the little individuals that we often clump together as a whole. I try to remember that each child has a story. Each child has an expression.  I don’t always maintain this level of thinking. Often I succumb to the pressures of classroom management and parent expectations. At times, I’m a slave to the minutes on the clock, finishing the project, encouraging the kids along.

Rushing.
Poking.
But when I browse through my collection of Fred’s Art, he slows me down. Reminds me of why I’m here. Nudges me to think in broad terms. Tells me to remember the most important thing of all: don’t let yourself be the reason kids abandon art. 

Be the reason why they embrace it…for life."  

Thank you Ms Palmer for giving us all some re-focus.  :)

Medium:  Oil Pastels

Reason for Lesson:  To learn about the artwork and the artist Fred Babb, and to explore the limitless self expression in a self portrait using color, shape and tons of imagination. 

Prep Time:  20 minutes

Class Time:  20 minutes for lesson time about the Artist, then 45 minutes for art creation.

Materials:  Oil Pastels, Paper Sacks* (will require extra prep time) or Black Paper.

* We wanted to have our kids really experience what Fred may have when he created.  Using grocery paper sacks will require extra prep time for trimming.  Obviously use the side of the bag without the seam.  However, keep the seem side to use as a barrier sheet if you plan on storing the art to prevent smearing on other students artwork.  To help grocery sacks lay flat, mount on background paper.

Tips for Lesson:

Oil pastels can be a little difficult  for 3rd graders to use.  They are so excited to dig into their work, they will need to be reminded how to use them, and how easy their artwork can accidentally change with smears.  Here is how I suggest they use them.  First, if they outline their face using a dark oil crayon, especially black, have them use it last.

Remind students to start their art from the top down.  This will help keep their art from smearing and their sleeves clean.  Using "imaginary" lines, divide the canvas into three parts.  Since we used grocery paper sacks, our imaginary line were organically included.

As suggested above, have the students brainstorm what "art is" to them.  We suggest to use the top portion #1 for coloring ART IS.

Next comes the self portrait portion...

Bottom section is for what art means to the student...fun, funky, it'll be fabulous! 

Credits for Lesson:  Original Fred Babb Site, Deep Space Sparkle, Fred Babb Bio, Our Art Lately

Answer 1:  Minnesota

Answer 2:  1947

Answer 3:  Early elementary school age, around 3rd grade

Answer 4:  Fred used his lunch money

Answer 5:  Fred was a middle child in a family of eight (8) children

Answer 6:  Fred used Grocery Paper Sacks

Answer 7:  Mad Magazine

Answer 8:  Fred experiences art through the process of creating. He does not begin with ideas, he allows them to present themselves as he works.

Answer 9:  Painter and Furniture Refinisher

Answer 10: Fred died in 2006 at age 59

Variety... James Rizzi Style

Medium: Watercolor

Reason for the Lesson: To discover the use of shape, line, color and space and to explore a 'living' artist and create their own artwork inspired by the artist James Rizzi.

Prep Time: 30 minutes or more to research information on the artist James Rizzi.  There are websites on James Rizzi and other teachers who have also taught James Rizzi concepts. 

Preparation prior to class:  Become familiar with James Rizzi the artist. Explore his work and develop a power point show to showcase samples of his artwork. Class Time:  2 hours - you will want to break this lesson down into two sessions could take some students longer to complete than others.

Materials: 12x18 water color paper, black sharpies, water color paint, small brushes and large brushes. 

Instructions to Lead Lesson:  Open with a discussion about the artists.  Here is information I used to introduce James Rizzi to the students.  

• James Rizzi was born in 1950 in Brooklyn NY. Rizzi could be the most famous living artist.
• He studied art in Florida (Gainesville), where he started experimenting with printing, painting and sculpting.
• Know as ‘the guy who draws the buildings with faces’
• Sometimes he is known as the ‘guy who draws those birds'
• James Rizzi has created hundreds of prints, paintings and drawings AND he has put his art on lots of other 3D things like---buildings, sculptures, airplanes, cars the German government have used his art on stamps.
• Rizzi’s work often shows his birthplace New York. His paintings look sometimes childishly naive, with the bright colors and fun.
• In the art magazines and books Rizzi is often described as "Urban Primitive Artist '. Rizzi himself says he is influenced by Picasso, Klee and Dubuffet.
• People who collect his work are fans and they flock around him like he is a rock star.

Show some paintings of Rizzi and discuss the characteristics of his art.

• bright colors
• no gradations within colors
• everything is outlined with a black marker
• houses have human faces/characteristics the artwork is full and busy 
• background is full too

Students begin by drawing a house in Rizzi style, a house with human characteristics like clocks, faces limbs, eyes etc. It must be a house, that means students must not draw a square human being!

This can be done by drawing basic elements of a house in any case, like windows, doors etc.

Color the house with watercolor on water color paper. Outline the details with black fine marker. Cut the house and outline it with a black marker.

Draw things in the air: stars, a moon, globe, hot air balloon, ufo's etc. Look carefully at Rizzi's paintings to discover what he has made.

To make a group work, every student has to draw one house at least.

Credit: Deep Space Sparkle