Putting It Together

Artist Sean Baptist's sketch for the "window" in our dramatic play area

In Sunday in the Park with George the titular character sings about the process of making art.

Bit by bit, putting it together

Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art

Every moment makes a contribution

Every little detail plays a part

Ounce by ounce, putting it together

Small amounts, adding up to make a work of art

Putting it together, that's what counts!

We experienced this first-hand when the children had the notion to create a window in the dramatic play area. They envisioned a landscape with grass, flowers, and trees. A place where magical animals roamed and frolicked in the sunshine.

We shared their vision with our teaching artists from the Children's Museum of the Arts  - Katya, Zuzia, Ian and Sean Baptist - and they helped us execute a plan. Sean began with a quick sketch for the children to approve (see above) and we set to work. It has now morphed into the backdrop for a stop-motion animated movie, which we've already begun.

Here are some photographs of this work in progress.

Sean brings his sketch to life

The painting begins!

The sketch is made permanent with a Sharpie

After mixing colors to find the right shade, children begin to paint the foreground

We learned we should make the scenery closest to us the darkest in order to gain the right perspective

Finishing the hat, er...tree

Figuring out the right color for this tree

Things are coming together. Looking good, kids!

It's a nice view from the kitchen table

Finishing touches and an overlay of apples for the trees

The basics are in place
The sun and clouds will appear in the animated movie