Fred Babb Art Project

Fred Babb's expressive colors, powerful statements and dynamic compositions makes him one of my favorite artists. Unfortunately, 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 (check out his website here), 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.

Here is a sampling of inspirational pieces from my third and fourth graders...

Third Grade Expressive Paintings

Fred Babb is one of my favorite artists. His art is expressive, meaningful and above all, unique. It's a perfect description of what children's art should be. Fred's website features a book with pull out pages. It makes a fantastic accompaniment to this lesson. I urge you to purchase it. Not only is it great for the children, but the messages in the art will inspire every art teacher.
After talking about his art and message, I showed the kids how to make a simple face using a black crayon. I urged them to keep it very simple as the paints are the stars of this lesson.


Using a colorful palette of paint, the kids used the double loading technique (dip paintbrush in one color, then dip in another and paint both onto the paper) to paint their images. It's a good idea to leave a little room at the bottom for any message the kids might like to add later.
I encouraged the children to paint as they pleased. No instructions or rules. If they didn't like what they created, they painted right over it. They loved this freedom and I loved watching them.Finally, using a small brush dipped in black tempera paint (water down slightly), the kids added words and highlights to their painting.
The lesson only took 50 minutes but half the kids didn't have time for detailing. I'd recommend letting the painting dry and then return to it later to add words, details with a smaller brush.

Fred Babb Fantastic ART Quotes

I have a poster book featuring prints of Fred Babb's energetic art. Inside the book, he splashes quotes across the foreheads of his subjects or against a stark black canvas. Here are a two of my favorites:

"Time becomes meaningless in the face of creativity"

"Art Major: I really wanted to be a peace talks negotiator-but I thought I should have something to fall back on."

Many are displayed in my art rooms...to bring me back to the real reason I love teaching: creating art...and some for just pure whimsical pleasure.
There is one quote in particular that keeps me going. Since I'm a writer as well as an art teacher, this quote has double meaning for me.

"It flows because it is the natural expression of who you are. If what you make happens to please someone else, that's great. But always make Art to please yourself first."

How often in your art class do you here a child say, "Do you like it?" Since I'm a very complimentray teacher (some art teachers have a real problem with this type of subjective praise) I often tell them what really stands out to me. But, I wish they wouldn't ask. In a prefect world, these kids would be so involved with their art they wouldn't care who like it or whjo didn't. But that's not reality. Kids are judged everyday by parents, teachers, classmates, society. I judge my own kids everyday, even though I don't think I do.
It's my day off today and I plan to go shopping for a new piece of art to hang above my fireplace. This kleaves me with the best of Fred Babb's quotes:

"Good art won't match your sofa."

Click here for my art lesson on Fred Babb.

Fred Babb Inspires...

Gwen Dawson, one of my favorite teachers from MountainView School, gave me the best gift; A portfolio of artist Fred Babb's vibrant paintings. I put them to good use by developing a lesson plan for my third and fourth grade students. The kids at Foothill let go of their inhibitions and painted freestyle, inspired by Babb's work.
I love watching kids create art. The concentration is fierce and you can almost see the creativity flow from their hands straight out the brush. Here are some pictures of the fun we had in art class today.

Last Thursday, I had the chance to pop into the Goleta Library to see the annual art gallery featuring works of art from all nine Goleta Schools. All schools presented a wonderful variety of art bathing the gallery with an abundance of color.

Congratulations to the following MountainView kids whose art was displayed: K-Summer Spink, Angie Richards 1st-Toby Wahlberg, Elena Ibettson, Matthew Huizenga, 2nd-Erin Mahan, Savannah Eggers, Calvin Schipper, Ryan Guardino, 3rd-Joyce Cabrera, Siena Applebaum, Ashley Padilla, Adison Courson, 4th-Janey Vickers, Josh Wang, Ben Earl, 5th-Patrick Scott, Sara Doyle, Niko Plesons, Teah Burdick, 6th Mia Cattaneo, Eena Kosik, Kayla Klopstein, Kevin Shaw, and Grace Halleck.