District/School Administration PK-16 Program Support Educational Technology
Technology Toolkit

Georgia O'Keeffe Inspired Art
New Salem-Wendell Regional School District

Project Description

This project builds on an existing unit on artist Georgia O'Keeffe, in which students examine O'Keeffe's work and then paint and draw flowers from live models incorporating some of her techniques (e.g., larger than life imaging, bright colors, and non-traditional placement on a page).

This project adds a technology component to the existing unit, allowing students to experience the computer as an artistic tool. After students created traditional artwork (using pastels and watercolors), they scanned it and imported it into Adobe Photoshop. Then they manipulated the digital image to create a whole new piece of art without destroying the original drawing. Finally, students wrote poetry in response to both their traditional and computer-generated art.

Integrating technology enhances the artistic concept of "taking your work as far as it can go." Technology applies a safety net to children's artistic process. An addition of color or shape can easily be erased or changed without young artists feeling they have ruined their entire masterpiece.

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