Abstract Self- Portraits

My Honors Studio Art class had been working hard at tackling a different kind of self-portrait. This year we decided on an ABSTRACT approach to our self-portraits. We spend some time looking at a number of abstract portraiture from Picasso to my new, personal favorite, Piet van den Boog. We talked mainly about color and shape for abstracting our portraits. While we all agree, there is a fine line between Abstract and Surreal, we had a fun time blurring the lines. 

See for yourself!

Olivia Casey

Rachel Nearis

Matilda Grow

Alannah Allen

Jadin Aubrey

Alexis Orlando

Danielle Bauke

Sara Francis

Jacqueline Wonson

Matt Gately

Jessalyn Silveria

The most wonderful time of the year!

It seems like the art room is ALWAYS busy, but this time of year- it's even MORE busy! We are getting all of our art ready to upload to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Here is where you can login and learn more about this incredible nationwide award program that recognized students in the area of Visual Arts and Writing. Traditionally, submissions were due after the Christmas but this year they moved the submission date to December 15th. With that said, we have been busy photographing and uploading all of our submissions so that we have everything done on time! Here are just some of the submissions that are going in. We are hoping for some Gold and Silver Key winners this year!

Fingers crossed!

by Matt Gately

by Jessalyn Silveria

by Sara Francis

by Olivia Casey

By Bella Tocantins

by Rachel Nearis

by Alannah Allen

Halloween {insert scream here}

Halloween is the artist's holiday. It's a day to be someone you are NOT. It's creative. It's fun, It's creepy and it's whatever you want it to be. Most of my students know how much I love Halloween. I come in dressed up and I encourage my students to do the same. Last year I took our white wedding dress from our Studio 2 observational drawing and made it into a Zombie Bride costume. We are lucky enough to have a state-of-the-art photography studio in our school and our advanced photo students take full advantage of using it! Halloween is the perfect time to shoot images of anyone and everyone dressed in costume. Last year advanced photography student Vincenzo Dimino took these images of me in my costume and a new tradition was born.

Now, with the help of Vincenzo, Ms. Harney and the photography studio, Halloween is brought to a whole new level. This year Vincenzo, Alannah Allen and I decided we would recreate Frida Kahlo's famous painting, The Two Fridas.

The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo

If you have taken any of my classes, you know that Frida Kahlo is my favorite artist. I have been planning on being Frida for Halloween for some time now. When Alannah, who is one of my honors students volunteered to be the "other" Frida for this project I nearly jumped out of my skin! We spent most of September plotting out our costumes and painted the background on an old sheet. We had the shop teacher cut the plastic heart I bought at the halloween store in half and painted some rope red for the vein that connects the Fridas and BOOM>>> we did it! Vincenzo worked his magic in the studio and this is how it turned out!

photographed by Vincenzo Dimino

Alannah Allen as Frida

Me as Frida


I just wanted to say THANK YOU again to Vincenzo and Alannah for making this project happen! Not only was it FUN to be Frida for a day, but the process was a creative journey. I have decided that every Halloween, we will tackle a new a new artist and recreate an iconic work of art!
Currently taking suggestions....

Cabinet of Death Observations

Sharks by Rachel Nearis

Thanks to Mr. Enos and his infamous Cabinet of Death our Honors Art students got a special spooky and creepy treat for their observation unit in September. Jars used in the science department for various studies in Marine Biology and Oceanography were borrowed by the Visual Arts department for our students to use as observational drawings. Sometimes drawing a still life, or folded fabric- although very useful as visual exercises- can become trite but a a fresh (or not so fresh) baby shark fetus... well you don't get to see that every day. I think you will enjoy what our students did with these drawings. I think they exceeded everyone's expectations! We had a representative from New Hampshire Institute of Art, Matt Smigiel, come visit our class on October 1 and he was thrilled with the results of this assignment. In his presentation to the class on portfolio preparation he emphasized the importance of observational drawings. He explained to the class why they are so important and how many the college looks for in a portfolio. (at least 5) We have 2 more college representatives coming this month. Hartford Art School will visit us after this long weekend on Tuesday, October 13th and we are going to visit Mass Art as a class on Tuesday, October 20th. 

If any parent would like to join us on this trip PLEASE let me know! I would love to have you join 

us! 

Photo of the actual jar used for Rachel,
Sara, &  Greer's drawings 

Portfolio Day Information

In addition I wanted to remind everyone of some important dates for National Portfolio Day.
The closest one to us is in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center on Sunday, November 1st. from noon to 4. You can get more information from their website at: http://www.smfa.edu/portfolio-day

Hartford Art School is also hosting a Portfolio Day on Saturday, October 31st from noon to 4.
You can find out what venues are hosting Portfolio Days across the country here: http://portfolioday.net/  If you have specific questions regarding your own portfolio come see me. Going to a portfolio day is an excellent way to get feedback on what colleges think you may need to add into your portfolio to make it stronger and secure a spot at the college of your choice. It is an excellent experience. I wholeheartedly recommend going.

by Sara Francis

Snake jar by Matilda Grow

by Danielle Bauke

by Gabby Robertson

by Jacqueline Wonson

by Alannah Allen

by Jadin Aubrey

by Alexis Doyle

by Jayla Lok-Price

By Alexis Orlando

by Olivia Casey

by Matt Gately

by Bella Tocantins

by Greer Viau

by Jessalyn Silveira

Honors Art Exhibit

On Saturday, May 3rd the Honors Art Class held an art opening, exhibiting their work at the Sawyer Free Library. The room was filled with amazing art from every student in the class. It was a beautiful display of the creative journey we have taken this school year. Family members and friends came to celebrate with us and commend these students on an incredible year. Alec Anand, Andrew Caden, Taylor Cognato, Rosie Margetson, Caity O'Leary, Jennifer Palazola, Jessica Palazola, Sydeny Iwohn, Nina LoGrande, Matt Santos and Emily Russo~ You all hold a VERY SPECIAL place in my heart! Take a look at the unbelievable art that was on display and video I surprised them with! 

Honors Art Exhibit Slideshow