Art With Korb

September 5, 2013September 5, 2013

Continuous Line Concentrations and Getting Away with It… Art that is…

Welcome to what is the BEST ART CLASS in the WORLD!

“Unless you have a definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you.” — Zig Ziglar

Who do you recognize in this NATIONAL VIDEO?

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WELCOME PARENTS GUARDIANS and STUDENTS!

Welcome Letter – HERE

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Advanced Drawing – Continuous Line Drawings / Color / Value

What are you doing with the background, foreground, portrait?

GOALS

1.4 create, define, and solve visual challenges using 1.4.1 analysis (breaking up the artwork / subject matter to basic elements
2.3 create artworks that solve visual challenges (value, composition, observation).

How difficult is it for you to use Continuous Line and come up with a satisfying composition?

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Art Foundations – PBIS Poster Design and Work, Sketchbook Introduction, Mr. Korb’s Artwork

GOALS

Work on (1.3) creating PBIS posters that communicate ideas clearly.

How well were you able to work with your partners today? What skills do THEY have that YOU lack? What can you do to help the progress move FORWARD?

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AP Studio Art – Small Concentration, WORKTIME, Mr. Korb’s Art

AP Studio Art Course Page

Concentrations are about what interests YOU!

GOALS

(1.2) Create art that demonstrates an understanding of how your ideas relate to the (1.2.2) techniques (how will you use this in your portfolio?) (D).
(5.1) Identify the rationale behind making art (small concentration drawings) (P)

How do you see the work you are CURRENTLY making as COLLEGE FRESHMEN level? How do you see CHALLENGING yourself with such a limiting object? What can you do to make ME want to look at the drawing / artwork for more than 3 seconds?

September 4, 2013September 4, 2013

Why the Arts Matter… and what you can do to make your mark in them.

Welcome to what is the BEST ART CLASS in the WORLD!
“Unless you have a definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you.” — Zig Ziglar

Who do you recognize in this NATIONAL VIDEO?

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WELCOME PARENTS GUARDIANS and STUDENTS!

Welcome Letter – HERE

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Advanced Drawing – Why the Arts Matter? Rules and Expectations. Continuous line contour portraits. COMPOSITION.

What can you do to develop a composition based on the ideas of continuous line contour drawing?

GOALS:

1.4 create, define, and solve visual challenges using 1.4.1 analysis (breaking up the artwork / subject matter to basic elements)
2.3 create artworks that solve visual challenges (value, composition, observation).

What challenges did you have TODAY with this drawing? How are you tying the images together? What is the interaction / relationship between the people?

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Art Foundations – Why the Arts Matter, Expectations, Goals, PBIS Poster Design

What message do you think you are going to make your audience see in your poster design?

GOALS:

Work on (1.3) creating PBIS posters that communicate ideas clearly.

What strengths are you bringing to your poster design to make it stand out and be recognized? What can you add tomorrow to make the team even stronger?

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AP Studio Art – Concentration – Define from AP Book. Concentration work. Why the Arts Matter.

(1.2) Create art that demonstrates an understanding of how your ideas relate to the (1.2.2) techniques (three portfolio options) (D).
(5.1) Identify the rationale behind making art (small concentration drawings)

Share with your classmates the work you have accomplished today. What were the strengths of the thumbnails and how they translated into the beginnings of the drawings for today.

September 3, 2013September 3, 2013

Sept. 3, 2013 – Welcome Back! Now Let’s Have Some Fun!

“Unless you have a definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you.” — Zig Ziglar

Intro Letter to Parents, Guardians, and students – 2013 – 14 – Mr. Korb

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Advanced Drawing: Value Scales and Color Schemes, Introduction to the GOALS!

Continuous Line Contour Drawing… Let’s start here.

GOALS: Before we get started on this… Read the following goal, have a conversation with your neighbor, put the idea of the goal into your OWN WORDS (so that you understand it) and write out your version of the goals… so you still get the idea of the BIG PICTURE.

Apply media, techniques, and processes with an awareness so that your ideas are executed well.

Ask Me ARTnother ROUND 1 – Your understanding of some pretty basic ART questions.

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Art Foundations: PBIS Posters, Introduction to the GOALS!

Work on creating multiple solutions to poster design about PBIS.

Ask Me ARTnother ROUND 1 – Your understanding of some pretty basic ART questions.

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AP Studio Art: CONCENTRATION, Introduction to the GOALS!

Work on creating multiple solutions to single object “concentration” drawings

Ask Me ARTnother ROUND 1 – Your understanding of some pretty basic ART questions.

September 1, 2013August 31, 2013

Important Message to my Teenager (and your’s too).

I saw this on MY FACEBOOK timeline and thought, “Boy am I smart… where did I find this?” Truth be told, my Facebook Timeline is also my wife’s Facebook Timeline so… more often than not, the posts are her with me as the face in front of it. That said, you may get a comment back from me and in reality it might be from Julie… who knows? Not even me. Julie found this post and re-posted it and now I am re-posting it here. I think this is an important set of rules. Thanks to the unknown author…

MESSAGE TO MY TEENAGER:
(author unknown)

1. Yes, your freshman AND Sophomore years count towards your GPA for college entrance. Screw it up and you’ll work for crap wages your whole life.

2. No means NO. In every possible circumstance.

3. Join every sport, every club, every after school activity no matter what the cost. It’s cheaper than bail.

4. Repeat after me: I am never in that much of a hurry…I am never in that much of a hurry. Now say that every time you get behind the wheel. It will save your life and that of your best friend in the seat next to you.

5. Don’t do drugs or drink – it is so not worth the trouble.

6. Don’t get a credit card. You earn it or you live without it.

7. If I yell at you, it’s because I love you. And also, because you pissed me off. To avoid the latter, don’t be an idiot. And don’t disappoint me. More importantly, yourself.

8. Make a vivid picture inside your head of every great moment of your childhood. You’ll need those to get through adulthood.

9. Make snow angels as often as possible. Make a bucket list. Check it off!

10. Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

11. Be always benevolent. Yes, that’s a word. Look it up.

12. Call me for a ride even if you are so drunk you barely know my number. I’ll probably be mad for a while but I’ll respect you for calling and I won’t kill you. Riding with someone who is drinking will. (PS – remember #5?)

13. Be a leader, not a follower. Unless you are following the kid with the highest GPA and (s)he is going to a study group, then by all means be a follower!

14. Love your siblings, even when you don’t like them. Some day you will be trying to get them to take care of me in my old age. If they are mad at you, you are stuck with me.

15. I’ve been there, done that on more things than you can imagine. I’m not stupid and I know what you are doing. I was once you (times ten).

16. Work hard at everything you do. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

17. Cover it. (Enough said.)

18. When I tell you to clean your room, do not point at my messy room and raise your eyebrows. I’m trying to raise you to be better than me.

19. Learn to type; to budget; to spell correctly and to pray. All are equally important.

20. Never be sedentary. Someday soon you will no longer be able to move like that. Enjoy it.

AND Remember your family will Always Love You even though there will be time we don’t particularly like you!

August 30, 2013

Hal Lasko – The Pixel Painter

I came across this blog post while waiting for a severe thunderstorm to pass before I was able to go for an afternoon run. As we begin the approach to a new year of making art, I believe that it is important to look at and listen to those who have come before us. I’ve been in a spot recently where that has escaped me and the ego has been a bit too much in the foreground. Take the time to enjoy this wonderful and inspirational video. See all of my wonderful students on Tuesday.

Frank Korb

purple woods

This is the story of Hal Lasko, a 98-year-old graphic artist that teaches me 3 important lessons:

Never stop to learn
Never give up
Enjoy your life, always

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August 27, 2013August 26, 2013

A new year at WUHS, a reflection on the summer, and a new look at GOALS

Wow, the summer has flown by! What was the highlight of YOUR summer? Mine? I am glad you asked. The highlight of my summer came just as it was ending at the Burlington Fly-In on Sunday, August 25. We had worked from 6:30 – 1:30 (or so) helping the B*Jazzled group from BHS raise money for the upcoming Show Choir year and I met the son of my favorite author Richard Bach (Illusions, Johnathon Livingston Seagull, One, Stranger to the Ground… among others) Rob Bach. In addition to being related to the author of life changing books, he himself was a fantastic new friend to have made. We had great conversations throughout the afternoon and I hope to make some artistic plans later on down the road with him and his family.

“Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” Richard Bach.

After that wonderful meeting, Abby and I took an opportunity that doesn’t happen too often in life (although, in Burlington, WI it DOES happen once a year…) and we went up in an open seated Biplane with the Gypsy Air Tours (1930 Waco Taperwing). What an experience. The air, the wind, the sights, the smell… almost too much to remember. It was truly the end (almost) to a great day with my family. We ended with a great dinner of Gino’s Pizza, a bit of back to school shopping, and great tasting frozen yogurt as we enjoyed the final summer days of Lake Geneva, WI.

Abby and Me in the Open to the Sky Cockpit! Ready for Takeoff!

A view of Lake Geneva, WI – it was BEAUTIFUL!

The 1930 Waco Taperwing Biplane of Gypsy Air Tours

The school year begins for me today and my students next week. While I am always a bit sad that summer ends quickly, I am also happy to be back to the best job in the world – Art Teacher at Waterford Union High School. A lot of changes are coming our way this year – an old face back in a new administration seat – welcome back Dan Foster, an old and familiar face gone on to new adventures south of the boarder (Illinois, not Mexico…) – good bye Eric Blake. Technology initiatives, character development initiatives, new gallery fundraising initiatives… so much to do in such a short amount of time… and a new approach to GOALS in my classroom. While I will still be focusing on the National Visual Arts Standards and the National Educational Technology Standards – no kid gets excited about standards and goals… not in the classroom at least. I will be focusing my efforts in the first 3 minutes of class on breaking these goals down into ones that are understood by the kids – so that they REALLY process the meaning and ideas behind them… TEAMWORK and COLLABORATION!

Until next week –

Frank

August 23, 2013August 23, 2013

Youth Frontiers with the Sophomores at Waterford Union High School Stand up (and dance) for RESPECT (take 2)

Youth Frontiers is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that partners with schools to build positive communities where students thrive socially, emotionally and academically. Our vision is to change the way kids treat each other in every hallway, lunch line and classroom of every school in America. Bring Youth Frontiers to your school.

Our long and exhausting day with Dan and KK – it was AWESOME and an Adventure. I, and the rest of the group, were pooped at the end of the day! Thanks Guys! I only wish I’d have gotten some feedback from the kids about the experience they took away from the day. Personally, I know that I have a direction I am focused on over the next year (lifetime I hope) and walked away with a better understanding of others.

Dan the Guitar Player and Retreat Presenter

Dan is a singer/songwriter from Detroit who moved to Minneapolis when he was 18 to pursue a career in music. Seven years later, he has released three albums and has traveled all over the United States playing different venues and festivals.

In 2009, Dan came across a volunteer position at Youth Frontiers, and since then has come on board as a Retreat Staff Musician. He shares his music on retreat, and considers it a blessing to be able to work with an organization that allows him to pursue his passion and make a difference at the same time.

KK (Kesiah)

Kesiah, Retreat Director, has been with Youth Frontiers since 2007, though it feels as through it has been a part of her life since Junior High when she was a student on a YF Courage Retreat. She returned to work with YF as a high school leader, thus starting her career at YF.

She grew up in Forest Lake, Minn., with nine siblings, and when she wasn’t changing a younger sibling’s diaper or feeding them a bottle, she found her fun playing sports and participating in performance arts. After changing thousands of diapers, she felt that it was appropriate to devote her life to working with youth… and not just to be sure that their diapers were dry and the babies happy. Kesiah considers working with kids a privilege and she is delighted to walk into work everyday knowing that she gets to make a difference in the world.

Kesiah attended the University of St. Thomas where she studied Social Work and Political Science. In her spare time she loves playing and watching sports, running and doing anything outdoors. She also loves to cook for just about anyone.

August 9, 2013August 9, 2013

Why do the Arts Matter?

While I could go on and on about the arts and why they matter… I will let the American for the Arts Action Fund do it in their own words. This is straight from their website: http://www.artsactionfund.org/pages/why

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But first: #BeTheARTbeat on twitter and social media present a quick little video by artists from around the country (me included – see if you can find me)… TWEET AND RT – SHARE ON FACEBOOK, WHEREVER YOU SOCIALIZE… LET’S MAKE SURE THE ARTS ARE SUPPORTED WHEN THE WE NEED THEM THE MOST!

Simply put, the arts are essential to the proper functioning of our society. The arts continue to demonstrate their ability to provide categorical evidence of their impact on social issues that concern virtually every facet of American society. The arts are especially important for our children. Students with an arts rich education:

Have better grade point averages
Score better on standardized tests in reading and math
Have lower dropout rates

Funding for arts education programs in schools is being cut back or eliminated. Many arts organizations have had to make drastic reductions in hours, and offer fewer productions each season.

The work of the Arts Action Fund helps reverse these trends. The Arts Action Fund is the only national organization that mobilizes Americans in the fight for arts funding and arts education. We’re building a nationwide army of citizen activists who will help guarantee that arts-friendly public policies are adopted at the federal, state, and local levels. Add your voice!

Donate to the Arts Action Fund
Help the Arts Action Fund advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country.

Become a Member
Annual membership is free. Join the movement to advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country.

Support Pro-Arts Representatives
Review the Congressional Arts Report Card which grades all current Members of Congress on their support for the arts.

Tell a friend
Spread the word and share what you’ve found with your friends. You can even customize the message, if you’d like.

Contact Your Legislator
Two minutes! That’s all it takes to tell Congress to support the arts and arts education.

August 6, 2013August 6, 2013

Are You Setting Goals for the Remainder of Your Summer or the Beginning of the School Year? I am!

Goals Pages… Binders… Interactive Notebooks… Call it what you like, this is the general look of them this year.

I recently received an e-mail regarding the effective use of my Interactive Notebooks (Binders, Goals Pages… whatever the students may want to call them) in my upper level art classes. I am a true believer in setting goals. While my goals for this years Marathon Training never materialized in my calendar (ugh) I firmly believe that the use of the interactive notebook and the written goal is essential in the classroom environment. The use of the interactive notebook is great because it keeps every day in the kids art class in reach and ready for reflection and self-evaluation. Here are some of my thoughts from that recent e-mail (Thanks Sue-anne, you got me thinking!) The below has been edited for length (you’d never guess though).

“Dear Sue-anne,

It is wonderful to hear from you again and I am happy to put my brain back to use as I think about the use of the interactive notebook, goals, Marzano’s 9 and the school year that is coming upon me quickly.

“Question: “Do you think the format of the left and right side for student notes and teacher notes is essential?”

Short Answer: No

Long Answer: When it really comes to left side / right side of the pages for art design and idea / conceptual development, I have never considered left / right in a sketchbook (interactive notebook) that as something to put into practice. I look at my own sketchbook and think about how I plan my works and the organization is never in that fashion. The ONLY thing I teach and emphasize about the use of the sketchbook page is that only one side of each piece of paper is to be drawn on, marked up, written on in the event that something incredible happens. If the other side of the piece of paper is marked up, both sides will suffer in the end. I do not think that there is a need for the left / right side in this case. As a matter of fact and practice on my end, I do not use that format in any of the classes I teach.

When it comes to the interactive notebook, I use a 3 ring binder that is printed and assembled for the kids each and every day. This binder is the same for all of my classes. The differences are that I include, as the year progresses, supplementary lecture notes / note taking / chapter worksheets for different classes.

When it comes to the student to student feedback, we will often open the sketchbooks (or lay the artworks out) and the students will have about 10 – 15 minutes to walk around the room and write about their responses (positive or negative – no names – yet something substantial that they feel would be of benefit to them) to help the ideas flow, recognize something that the artist didn’t see, help develop the ideas further… I will also walk around and try my hardest to write an idea / though down for each kid. When it comes to teacher notes, I may make a notation or two in the sketchbook itself, but my feedback is generally spoken. I will be using, for my records and formative / summative evaluating, a class roster to carry with me so that, when I make a comment to the kid, I can keep track of who I have spoken to and the general ideas I have shared and then, in the end, if the thoughts were heard and dealt with.

Our daily goals are designed by looking at the US National Visual Arts Standards and the National Educational Technology Standards and then editing them to that days particular task at hand. I have changed the way I have used and written the goals over time and I have also made certain that the GOALS are not the ACTIVITIES for the day. I do list the activities on my daily website and that is more-so for the kids who are missing from class, but they are separated from the overarching goals. By doing it this way, the kids have a larger picture of the particulars that we are going to be working on for that day / period / hour and their minds are activated, turned on to the activity at hand.

The link I have to the National Standards and Technology Standards are even more simplified (unpacked) because the original ones were full of teacher speak that made them harder for the kids to understand… this is easier and the kids can get their heads around it better. In addition to the physical writing of the goals, every day (one or two… no more than that and they may be repeated for a number of days – they still get written down – interacted with) I am going to be encouraging the kids to read the goal I have posted and then rewrite it in their own words so that it makes more sense to them when they reflect later on.

At the END of the hour we take a moment to look back at the goal from the day or the activity of the day and reflect / write our response to the prompt I come up with. “What was the most successful thing that you accomplished with your pastels today?” or “What about the soft pastels gave you the most trouble?” Sometimes they will write their reflections down in their goals pages, sometimes it will be a face to face with their neighbor as I walk around and listen to the conversation, sometimes I will give them a moment to talk or write and then I will call on them for out loud responses or I may give them sticky-notes (post-it notes) and they have to write a response and stick it to the chalkboard before they leave.

I GANAG all of my classes (have for a few years now) and find that it works. It isn’t always the kids favorite thing to do, but they know what to expect and they know how each day begins and end with me. It is a lot of work in the first year or two, but as time has gone by, it has become easier for me and more effective for the kids. Here is a brief (10 minutes or so) look at the beginning and end of my class from a couple of years ago… GANAG Style.

All my best,

Frank”

Congratulations if you got through it all… here is a cookie for you. Comments, questions, thoughts are ALWAYS Welcomed.

August 3, 2013August 2, 2013

Are you running in the Full Moon Four Miler Race in Waterford?

Saturday, August 3 the Waterford Chamber of Commerce is running the Full Moon Four Miler race in Waterford. I remember YEARS ago – 10+ years maybe, sitting at the top of the hill, back near the Waterford Water Tower, ringing a cow bell saying to my family “I’ll do that next year!” That didn’t happen for a number of years – but I remember it well. Now, a few marathons behind me, I still enjoy the run. Today was a 17 miler in training for a fall marathon, I think that I will NOT be able to make the Full Moon on Saturday, but… Brett Roberts and I managed to pull together the awards for the first place finishers. All the best of running to all of the runners – big kids and little kids alike. Thanks to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce for trusting the Waterford Union High School Art Department for making the awards again.

Run Well Runners, Run Well…