Serving Art Educators
and Students Since 1994

Nicole Brisco's Art Room

Nicole says, "I want my students to see everything and believe the possibility of the impossible. I want them to drive down the road and look at every tree, every branch, and every leaf. Intent to create beauty such as this, careful to pay attention to every detail, how each branch breaks away and creates its own personal journey. Always reaching and seeking that speck of light or knowledge that is always there but must be sought, this is how a beautiful work of art is created and a student is fostered. Intention, cultivation, attentiveness, and purpose, these are the ingredients. It is also how I as a teacher challenge my own creativity as I develop ideas for my students to examine."

"It was not long after I learned these ingredients that I felt compelled to challenge myself beyond my classroom. I have always known that art was more than drawing, painting, and sculpting. It is about our human response to the world around us. I deemed this to be my mantra. I want my students to sing their lives through their media of choice. Every work of art has an essential question and that question for my students is the exploration of connections between who they are and how they perceive their world. This is the role I play as a teacher, facilitating and cultivating ideas into works of art that no one else could have made - marks on the world that speak."

Exploring the Human Figure in Drawing and Painting

25. Figure extreme perspective... social issue: idea figure

26. Figure, narrative in environment

27. Figure through space

28. Figure in a uncomfortable setting

29. 30 minute gestures combined to create a composition

30. Life Drawing with Ink, Life Size, Experimental

31. Figure Drawing from Mirror, Self

32. Draped Figure Painting

33. Sketchbook: Overlapping Figurative series

34. Figure exploring foreshortening, natural environment

Preparing for Advanced Placement Studio Classes

What I Wish I had Known: Part I

Start taking slides now (early) if you have not already done so... remember they do not always work out the first time. Slide quality is important.

To get maximum color do not do in direct sunlight, cast a shadow. Black Felt is great on a brick wall (does not reflect light)

Label slides as soon as they come back in. Follow the directions on the poster or on line. Small sticker labels are great!

Have them begin working on the 2 questions. Have each student partner up and read the others... this way they can get some feedback on how clear they have made their intent. Remember students should state their concentration concept in the first sentence... My concentration is ____________________.

If you have not taken slides, take digital pictures and look at the contrast on the camera... this is a great way to see if the image will read clearly and is a lot less expensive than creating multiple rolls of slides. Popping color and contrast always looks great on the slide. No matter how beautiful a line drawing is, sometimes it can't be seen well.

Begin matting and or mounting quality work. Double check sizes. Use fixative so that works are not damaged.

If your exams have arrived. Double check the numbers. Make sure there is one for each student that is taking.

Lastly, remember to thank the students for their hard work... tell them how proud you are of them. Each one is a blessing, even through the ups and the downs... they have all filled a place in your life!

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