Michael Allison

Concept Drawing of Liquid 615
by Michael Allison

“The drops represent the flood waters, but also the tears of the individuals in the Antioch community. When I participated in the community meeting, I was so struck by the stories of the community’s strength and

perseverance after the flood in Antioch. These individual drops are all held together by a strong galvanized metal to represent this bond that held the community together in the aftermath of such tragedy.”

 - Michael Allison

Starter Questions:
Why is water important?
What can water symbolize in art?

How does the environment impact the art?

How does the art impact the environment?

*Discussion questions can be done in a whole group setting or in small groups of 2 or 3 students.  You know your students and the dynamic of your classroom.  Both methods of discussion have value.

Writing Component:

After displaying the image, ask students to write 2 or 3 sentences describing their initial response to the art work.  Questions to lead them in their writing:  What do you think this piece of art is about?  What leads you to believe that is the meaning of the piece?  Why do you/don’t you like this work of art? 

*Allowing for writing in the art room allows for all students to develop their ideas on art beyond giving a select few the opportunity to share their thoughts in class.  Having word banks/word walls for students to pull from will take some of the fear out of writing.

Studio Project(s):

(Studio projects would take place after students have the background knowledge on and his work, starter questions, and written component.)

Lesson 1:  What's Important to Me?

Media: Drawing (K-5th) [Choice of Drawing Media]

Those things that are most important to us are like water & we could not (or would not want to) live without them.  What is important to you?

Students will:

·         Create a list of people, places, and/or things that are important to them.

·         Select 5 items from their list and do quick sketches.

·         Recreate items on water drop shaped paper(each work should be viewed as a miniature work.

·         Color items using monochromatic blue.

·         Glue drops on blue construction paper. 

·         Display projects horizontally together for impact & to mimic Allison’s work .

Lesson 2: Water Bottle Water Drops of Importance

Media: Paper Mache (2nd-5th) [Plaster Wraps Could Be Substituted]

Students will:

·         Discuss Wants & Needs, and generate personal lists for both.

·         Create graph using answers from generated lists.

·         Create water drops using plastic bottles, plastic wrap,  glue, tape and tissue paper.

·         Write wants on one color of tissue paper, and needs on another color of tissue paper using Sharpie.

·         Students will attach their wants and needs to the base coat of tissue paper. 

·         Suspend work using clear fishing line to create a display that appears to be is falling from the sky.

Lesson 3:  Fill My Cup

Media: Mixed Media (Painting/Collage)  (1st - 5th) 

Students will:

·         Discuss & generate lists of words of encouragement & positive personal descriptors. 

·         Students will take two pages and wet media safe paper, and write their words that they connect with most using a Sharpie (thin line might be best for this project). 

·         Use a watercolor wash to paint over their pages (each page should be a different color).

·         Use one sheet of painted paper to become their background & the other to cut out a cylinder/glass shape. 

·         Discuss how to create the illusion of a clear glass through drawing & create their glass.

·         Use colored pencils/watercolor pencils to shade & further push the illusion of a 3-D glass setting on a surface.