Friday, April 26, 2024
WINGS OF ART: Aimee Nichols has only been teaching at Cornerstone Christian Academy for one academic year, but she has already instilled confidence in her students and taught them to “color outside of the lines” with their creativity and artwork. One of her assignments this year was for her students to color a feather to be used collectively in a huge wing piece, perfect for photo opportunities.
SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A SUNFLOWER: Students in each grade level were taught about the life and art of famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and created sunflower paintings using watercolor paint and watercolor pencils.
POP ART: Another assignment that students in Aimee Nichols’ class completed was a self-portrait made with glow-in-the-dark paint. A blacklight room was created at the art showcase to enhance the effects of the portraits.
BLUE DOG: After learning about American artist George Rodrigue, who became famous with his blue dog painting, students were asked to create their own "blue dog" using oil pastels. They then were instructed to place their "blue dog" anywhere in the world where he could show off his blue color.
WINTER RAIN: Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Cornerstone Christian Academy created a fun piece of artwork depicting themselves holding a yellow umbrella out in the rain, showing that you can “take the rain with the sun and your days will be fun.”
TOILET PAPER SCULPTING: Realistic sculptures of hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza and donuts were displayed at the CCA Art Showcase, but what most people don’t realize is that the sculptures were made completely out of toilet paper.
FACES OF FRIDA: Students in second through fourth grade learned about the art and life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who was known for her self-portraits, strong fashion sense and brightly colored flowers adorning her hair. The students were instructed to create their own “Face of Frida,” complete with her unibrow.
Art teachers can be some of the most inspirational and influential leaders in a student’s life, allowing them the freedom to express their creativity and personality through art.
Aimee Nichols has only been teaching art at Granbury’s Cornerstone Christian Academy for one academic year, but her unique projects have taught her students to think “outside the box” in terms of their artistic abilities.
The walls of Cornerstone Christian Academy were covered top to bottom on April 19, with all kinds of art projects made by students in Nichols’ classes during the CCA Art Showcase event.
From realistic food sculptures made out of toilet paper to glow-in-the-dark pop art, every piece was original and unique.
“We do things, obviously, on age development levels, but I really tried to get the kids’ hands in everything — in clay, in painting, in 3D art. I'm planning on bringing a kiln next year, and doing some clay pieces,” Nichols said.
Because CCA is a Christian school, Nichols tries to tie in Bible verses or a Christian concept to her art assignments.
“The biggest challenge I have as an art teacher is having kids tap into the creative sense,” she said. “They want to know the right and the wrong way to do something, and it's very hard to say, ‘Color outside of the lines.’ It's a challenge for them, so it's so exciting when they finally get to unlock that and I see that spark; it's amazing.”
Nichols has 20 years of experience teaching art. She started her career teaching preschool and at the children’s ministry in her church before deciding that “the best job in the world was to be an art teacher.” She currently teaches kindergarten through ninth grade at CCA.
She said that at first she was a little apprehensive about teaching high school students, but they’re actually “some of her favorite kiddos to teach.”
“They’re so much different than the elementary. You can do more expansive projects with them. The relationships I’ve formed have been amazing as well as getting to watch the kids have a love of art,” she said.
Clare George, a seventh grader at CCA, said she got to know her classmates better during art class and the projects allowed them to work collectively as a team.
“It really just kind of made it easier to make friends since this is my first year here,” George said.
She said her favorite assignment was getting to make pottery, and the technique of scoring and slipping — to scratch hatch marks on a piece of clay to join pieces together — was a crucial tool that she learned this year.
“I feel very proud of what I've accomplished,” she said. “I can really see the projects that I made at the beginning of the year and the projects that I made more recently — I can see an improvement.”
George’s friend, seventh grader JayLynn Nielsen, said her favorite technique she learned in Nichols’ class was shading.
When asked what her favorite thing about art in general is, Nielsen simply said, “my teacher.”
“She's not like an art teacher who expects everything perfect,” she said. “She actually tells you what you're doing wrong, and she lets you be you in your own creative way. She doesn't correct you on your drawing. She feels like everyone deserves a chance.”
Nielsen also gave advice to future aspiring artists saying to “believe in themselves.”
“Do not lose faith. If you have a dream, go for it,” she added.
Next year, Nichols said she will be teaching an Art II program at CCA and hopes to teach Art III — a college prep program — for her third year.
“I’ve taught at two other places, and this is by far my favorite,” Nichols added. “It’s a great community and has a great atmosphere here; it’s wonderful.”
https://www.hcnews.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/photo-gallery-a-brushstroke-of-brilliance/collection_cdf98636-cae0-11ec-a48a-77abe5cba5c0.html
