Just a Chunk of Mud!

Portraits can be the toughest thing to represent in art.  Every day we look in the mirror, to check our own appearance.  We go to school, or to work, and look at faces; eyes, mouth, nose, ears.  We are very familiar with these features, and yet ask someone to draw a face and you'll most likely hear, "I can't draw faces!"  So imagine these students being told to not just draw, but to sculpt faces!
Beginning with nothing more than a block of clay and a balled up peice of newspaper, the students began forming and manipulating their clay to resemble a real face.  For most, it was a challenge to see how much the eyes sink in, or how much the nose protrudes.  To be able to sculpt a lifelike jaw-line or to bend the clay to create a believable ear was not easy.  Then of course there are lips and nostrils (most students don't even like to say the word "nostril")! And let's not forget finishing details like hair - and maybe a gothic, spiked choker! The students persevered.  I wish parents and random people from the community could do a walk through on these constructive days.  They would see a highly focused group of teens; collaborating and problem solving.  They would  see creative thinking and admire the way artists can make something incredible - from a chunk of mud!

*Special thanks to Rhona Armes for sharing her time, knowledge and enthusiasm with this class.