Catie Beth Russo
Teaching portfolio
(under construction)
2D DESIGN III
2D Design 3 is a course developed to allow students to begin to take complete ownership over their ideas and outcomes under teaching prompts that are limitless and open-ended. Design synectics begin to be the prominent focus of facilitating art instruction, and students further develop their artistic voice and style through class critique and reflective practices. As a preparatory class for AP Drawing, the culminating experience is an independent study to explore student driven outcomes from a reflective practice.
Head On
As an introduction to the rigor of an Honors art class, students are asked to write a reflection about their weaknesses as an artist, including types of media, subject matter, and approaches to making. From the reflection, each student is asked to hit those weaknesses "Head On," and directly use the media, subject, and processes discussed in their first body of work. There is a component of newness, artist as research, and focus on the process more than the success of final product.
Cut Paper Project
Students are asked to think of the drawing process in a new and unique way. In the same way printmaking asks students to consider positive and negative space, so to does the "cutty project." Students can work with whatever subject matter they would like to "draw" with an exacto blade, but it must be highly detailed. This design problem proves tricky as students navigate what to keep and what to cut so that their design doesn't fall or get cut apart. Next students are asked to come up with a unique solution to completing their image via background information to personalize it further.
Foreshortened
Portraits
Students view a powerpoint on foreshortening, filled with artistic exemplars and insights into photographing a foreshortened pose. Students go out with a partner to take photos of themselves or a classmate to use as photographic reference. The students can choose to obscure or crop their image in any way they see fit. Additional information can be added to the final product that wasn't in their initial photograph as it is a sketching tool. Students are then given an 18x24 sheet of paper to work on, their largest canvas yet. Students are asked to choose a media they feel very confident using and to project their developing style onto their final project.
Classical turns
Modern
Students are asked to select a master artwork from 1500-1850. They are given reference timelines of art periods, art subjects, artists names to search, and textbooks related. After selecting the piece, they have to find some way to modernize the piece in any way they see fit with any media they choose. The content can be altered to modernize it, or the media application or style can be what takes it into the present day!
Three Drawing
Modes
Students are asked to work from the three drawing modes: drawing from observation (a stairwell in the building), drawing from memory, and drawing from imagination to create a unique and inventive space.
Independent Study
For students taking level 3 for the second time, this class becomes an independent study. Teacher provides a written reflection process and occasionally parameters for making as needed or requested.
