AP Studio Art / Design and Drawing Concerns

Although this post is directed at AP Art students it is relevant for ALL art students. My goal is to keep this as simple as possible and still guide you in your creative design process.

The creative process shares similar steps and parts no matter what you are designing. The beauty of this way of thinking is that there is room for unlimited diversity within some set parameters. This past week the AP students had to polish the "Concentration Statement" for the portfolio. This personal statement will guide their image making process and help them create 12 artworks that illustrate the ability to focus on an idea and, use art elements and design principles to express that focus. Judges will read that statement and use it to assess the Concentration part of the portfolio. The art works will need to show significant understanding of how design principles aid in expression AND artistic growth as they design each work. This is a very difficult and sophisticated task. 

This is one of the best, short explanations of how design elements are used to express ideas. The medium of choice happens to be photography. The visuals are concise and the graphics make a lot of sense. CLICK HERE 

AP Students: Review the chapters in our text book "Exploring Visual Design" that are relevant to your concentration statement.


This should inspire your creativity! 

Creative Thinking: Your Edge

View more presentations from Joanna Maxwell

 Watch this documentation of the growth of an artist! Pay attention to the development of the images. This is what your 12 pieces should show!

An Artist Is Born

View more presentations from alice.thies

Finally: this is a video that highlights Maine designers. It is important to know that Maine has a long, rich history of Artists, Craftsmen and Designers. Creative people choose to work and live here.

2011 Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival Art Installment

This year Westbrook High School Students carved over 150 pumpkins for the Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival. Our Maine Coast Theme was a big hit! Several art students got into the Portland Press Herald on Friday October 28th. Maggie Harnois, Morgan Maxwell and, Cassie Corkum plus a few students who came in from a study hall! Click here for LOTS more pictures. You can also see the slide show running on the right.