Lesson Plan: Michael Kennaugh, “Twisting Skies”

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This lesson plan contains the National Learning Standards for Visual Arts and the Texas TEKS for Elementary, Middle, and High School art teachers. The students will study Michael Kennaugh’s non-objective abstract collage titled Twisted Skies. Specifically, the class will discuss how Kennaugh takes a concept and plans how to represent this idea through abstracted elements. Afterwards, the students will create a non-objective abstract collage that represents a person, animal, place, or concept.

If you use or reference this lesson plan, please leave a comment with your feedback. The lesson plan can be downloaded in the link below.

TMA Lesson Plan – Michael Kennaugh – Twisting Skies – Rachel AnthonyDownload
https://tylermuseum.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/B83323F4-D62D-41F2-8C65-214048030210

Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies, 2006, oil on canvas, 48 inches X 36 inches, Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, Texas.

Culture: American

Subject: Fine Art, Art History

Collection: Tyler Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection

Grades: Elementary School, Middle School and High School

Topics: Artistic Practices, Art History, Critical Thinking, Non-Objective Abstraction, Multi-Media Collage

Art Vocabulary

Activity Vocabulary:

Michael Kennaugh:

  • Michael Kennaugh was born in 1964.[1]
  • In 1986, he gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Lamar University.[2]
  • Four years later, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas.[3]
  • Kennaugh creates works that examine how shapes, lines and color all intersect in a contained composition.[4]
  • He uses modernism and abstraction to examine the interplay of designs.[5]

Twisting Skies:

  • Though his works appear to be quickly designed, Kennaugh diligently plans how each color, line, and shape will interact.[6]
  • His composition has a musical quality in how the elements harmonize within the composition.[7]
  • He does not clean his painting palette, as it provides semi-blended hues and mixed grays to help bridge the visual gap between the array of bright colors.[8]
  • Arrows, or angled triangles, are a common motif in his works. The arrows symbolize the various directions his life has taken to arrive at this point. Additionally, they signify that his journey is not over, and life will pull him in many new directions.
  • The collection of shapes, lines, and colors are arranged to break the composition into various shapes.
  • The shapes and lines create positive and negative spaces. The positive spaces are the shapes and lines arranged onto the composition. The negative spaces are the areas in between these designs.

Mixed Media Collage:

  • A Mixed Media Collage uses a variety of materials to create a cohesive composition.[9]
  • These artworks can use wet and dry media by arranging the materials in layers.[10]
  • Artists started to use mixed media in the 1910’s, before the start of World War I.[11]
  • These artworks examined daily life, public perceptions of their environment, and popular media.[12]

Non-Objective Abstraction:

  • Artists create abstract artwork by taking a concept, breaking it down into geometric shapes, and reorganizing those shapes to represent the essence of the original concept.[13]
  • Non-Objective Artworks grew in popularity in the early 1900’s. These works often were collages, paintings, prints, and sculptures.[14]
  • Artists from this movement drew inspiration from mythology, religion, culture, and politics.[15]

Elements of Design[16]:

  • Artists use the elements of design to create the foundation of the artwork. The elements of art include: line, shape, form, space, color, and texture.

Line:

  • An element of design; line is created on a surface with a pointed moving tool. Lines can range in size, width, texture, and presentation. Common types of line are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, zig-zag, and curved.

Shape:

  • An element of design; shape is a two-dimensional enclosed space that represents either an organic shape or a geometric shape. Geometric shapes include squares, circles, rectangles, triangles and other standard geometric shapes. Organic shapes include natural non-geometric shapes that are developed from curvilinear lines.

Form:

  • An element of design; form is a three-dimensional enclosed space that represents organic and geometric shapes in a third space. Geometric forms include cubes, spheres, triangular prisms, rectangular prisms, and cones. Organic shapes include three-dimensional forms observed in nature, such as trees, rivers, and rocks.

Space:

  • An element of design; this term defines the surface area between, before, and behind an object in a composition.

Color:

  • An element of design; this term defines the pigments used in a painting. Color can be organized into categories, such as: hues, values, complements, and intensity.

Texture:

  • An element of design; this term defines an artwork’s surface. The artist’s use of the chosen medium creates either implied or actual texture.

Principles of Design[17]:

  • Artists used principles of design to build upon the foundational elements of design. This includes the following: rhythm, movement, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, and unity. 

Rhythm/ Pattern:

  • A principle of design; this term defines the repetitive imagery and elements of design found in a composition.

Movement:

  • A principle of design; this term defines the visual movement observed in a painting. This can be identified as kinetic movement or implied movement. Additionally, movement can be defined as how the viewer’s eye moves throughout the composition.

Balance:

  • A principle of design; this term defines the arrangement of the presented imagery with the elements of design. It refers to either asymmetrical compositions or symmetrical compositions.

Proportion:

  • A principle of design; this term defines the comparative size between objects in the composition. It can refer to the imagery within a painting or the size between a sculpture and a real object.

Variety:

  • A principle of design; this term defines the combination of imagery, objects, and ideas in an artwork.

Emphasis:

  • A principle of design; this term defines the most prominent area in a composition. The viewer’s eye is drawn to this point because the artist used a mixture of the elements and principles of design.

Unity:

  • A principle of design; this term defines how the elements and principles of design are combined within a composition.

[1] “Michael Kennaugh,” Moody Gallery, updated 2024, accessed January 15, 2025, https://www.moodygallery.com/artists/michael-kennaugh2/biography.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] “Public Art on Canvas: Michael Kennaugh,” Lamar University, updated 2024, accessed January 15, 2025, https://www.lamar.edu/public-art/michael-kennaugh.html.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] “Five Minute Tours: Michael Kennaugh at Moody Gallery,” Glasstire, updated April 20, 2023, accessed January 15, 2025, https://glasstire.com/2023/04/20/five-minute-tours-michael-kennaugh-at-moody-gallery-houston-2/.

[9] “Art terms: Multi-Media,” Tate Modern, updated 2024, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/mixed-media.

[10] Ibid.

[11] “Art Term: Collage,” Tate Modern, updated 2024, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/collage.

[12] Ibid.

[13] “Art Term: Non-Objective Abstraction,” Tate Modern, updated 2024, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/n/non-objective-art.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Rosalins Ragan, “Elements of Art,” in Art Talk, 61 – 211, edited by Bennett and McKnight Division, (San Francisco: Glencoe Publishing Company, 1988).

[17] Rosalins Ragan, “Principles of Design,” in Art Talk, 211 – 347, edited by Bennett and McKnight Division, (San Francisco: Glencoe Publishing Company, 1988).

Bibliography: Resources for Vocabulary and Lesson Plan

“Art Term: Collage.” Tate Modern. Updated 2024. Accessed January 23, 2025. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/collage.

“Art terms: Multi-Media.” Tate Modern. Updated 2024. Accessed January 23, 2025. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/mixed-media.

“Art Term: Non-Objective Abstraction.” Tate Modern. Updated 2024. Accessed January 23, 2025. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/n/non-objective-art.

“Five Minute Tours: Michael Kennaugh at Moody Gallery.” Glasstire. Updated April 20, 2023. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://glasstire.com/2023/04/20/five-minute-tours-michael-kennaugh-at-moody-gallery-houston-2/.

“Michael Kennaugh.” Moody Gallery. Updated 2024. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.moodygallery.com/artists/michael-kennaugh2/biography.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.102: Art, Kindergarten, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=102.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.105: Art, Grade 1, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=105.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.108: Art, Grade 2, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=108.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.111: Art, Grade 3, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=111.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.114: Art, Grade 4, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=114.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.117: Art, Grade 5, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=117.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.202: Art, Middle School 1, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=202.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.203: Art, Middle School 2, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=203.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.204: Art, Middle School 3, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=204.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.302: Art, Level I, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=302.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.303: Art, Level II, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=303.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.304: Art, Level III, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=304.

Office of the Secretary of State. “§117.305: Art, Level IV, Adopted 2013.” Texas Education Agency: Education, updated 2013, accessed January 5, 2022, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=117&rl=305.

“Public Art on Canvas: Michael Kennaugh.” Lamar University. Updated 2024. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.lamar.edu/public-art/michael-kennaugh.html.

Ragan, Rosalins. “Elements of Art.” In Art Talk, 61 – 211. Edited by Bennett and McKnight Division. San Francisco: Glencoe Publishing Company, 1988.

Ragan, Rosalins. “The Principles of Design.” In Art Talk, 211 – 347. Edited by Bennett and McKnight Division. San Francisco: Glencoe Publishing Company, 1988.

Elementary School Lesson Plan: National Learning Standards

Goals:

Elementary School Students of all levels will be able to do the following:

  • Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
  • Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
  • Study the art style and art method of Michael Kennaugh in his multi-media collage Twisting Skies;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups how Kennaugh turned the concept of the “sky” into the non-objective abstract collage;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups what meanings could be taken from this piece;
  • Plan and create a non-objective abstract collage that is inspired by a person, animal, place, or concept;
  • And, write an artist statement that explains what the collage represents and the artistic decisions made to create the final artwork.

National Learning Standards for Visual Arts:

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade

Pre-Kindergarten:

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1:
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.Pka: Engage in self-directed play with materials;
        • VA:Cr1.2.Pka: Engage in self-directed, creative making.
    • Anchor Standard 2:
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.PKa: Use a variety of artmaking tools;
        • VA:Cr2.3.PKa: Create and tell about art that communicates a story about a familiar place or object.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7:
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.PKa: Recognize art in one’s environment.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.PKa: Explore the world using descriptive and expressive words and art-making.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.PKa: Recognize that people make art.

Kindergarten:

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.Ka: Engage in exploration and imaginative play with materials.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.Ka: Through experimentation, build skills in various media and approaches to art-making.
        • VA:Cr2.3.Ka: Create art that represents natural and constructed environments.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.2.Ka: Describe what an image represents.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.Ka: Interpret art by identifying subject matter and describing relevant details.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.Ka: Identify a purpose of an artwork.

First Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.2.1a: Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a work of art.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.1a: Explore uses of materials and tools to create works of art or design.
        • VA:Cr2.3.1a: Identify and classify uses of everyday objects through drawings, diagrams, sculptures, or other visual means.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.1a: Use art vocabulary to describe choices while creating art.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.1a: Select and describe works of art that illustrate daily life experiences of one’s self and others
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.1a: Interpret art by categorizing subject matter and identifying the characteristics of form
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.1a: Classify artwork based on different reasons for preferences.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.1a: Understand that people from different places and times have made art for a variety of reasons.

Second Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.2.2a: Make art or design with various materials and tools to explore personal interests, questions, and curiosity
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.2a: Experiment with various materials and tools to explore personal interests in a work of art or design
        • VA:Cr2.3.2a: Repurpose objects to make something new.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.2a: Discuss and reflect with peers about choices made in creating artwork
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.2a: Perceive and describe aesthetic characteristics of one’s natural world and constructed environments
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.2a: Interpret art by identifying the mood suggested by a work of art and describing relevant subject matter and characteristics of form
    • Anchor standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.2a: Use learned art vocabulary to express preferences about artwork
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.2a: Compare and contrast cultural uses of artwork from different times and places.

Third Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.3a: Elaborate on an imaginative idea.
        • VA:Cr1.2.3a: Apply knowledge of available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.3a: Create personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic processes and materials.
        • VA:Cr2.3.3a: Individually or collaboratively construct representations, diagrams, or maps of places that are part of everyday life.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.3a: Elaborate visual information by adding details in an artwork to enhance emerging meaning.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.3a: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.
        • VA:Re.7.2.3a: Determine messages communicated by an image.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.3a: Interpret art by analyzing use of media to create subject matter, characteristics of form, and mood.
    • Anchor standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.3a: Evaluate an artwork based on given criteria.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.3a: Develop a work of art based on observations of surroundings.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.3a: Recognize that responses to art change depending on knowledge of the time and place in which it was made.

Fourth Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.4a: Brainstorm multiple approaches to a creative art or design problem.
        • VA:Cr1.2.4a: Collaboratively set goals and create artwork that is meaningful and has purpose to the makers.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.4a: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.
        • VA:Cr2.3.4a: Document, describe, and represent regional constructed environments.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.4a: Revise artwork in progress on the basis of insights gained through peer discussion.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.4a: Compare responses to a work of art before and after working in similar media.
        • VA:Re.7.2.4a: Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.4a: Interpret art by referring to contextual information and analyzing relevant subject matter, characteristics of form, and use of media.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.4a: Apply one set of criteria to evaluate more than one work of art.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.4a: Create works of art that reflect community cultural traditions.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.4a: Through observation, infer information about time, place, and culture in which a work of art was created.

Fifth Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.5a: Combine ideas to generate an innovative idea for art-making.
        • VA:Cr1.2.5a: Identify and demonstrate diverse methods of artistic investigation to choose an approach for beginning a work of art.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.5a: Experiment and develop skills in multiple art-making techniques and approaches through practice.
        • VA:Cr2.3.5a: Identify, describe, and visually document places and/or objects of personal significance.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.5a: Create artist statements using art vocabulary to describe personal choices in art-making.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.5a: Compare one’s own interpretation of a work of art with the interpretation of others.
        • VA:Re.7.2.5a: Identify and analyze cultural associations suggested by visual imagery.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.5a: Interpret art by analyzing characteristics of form and structure, contextual information, subject matter, visual elements, and use of media to identify ideas and mood conveyed.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.5a: Recognize differences in criteria used to evaluate works of art depending on styles, genres, and media as well as historical and cultural contexts.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.5a: Apply formal and conceptual vocabularies of art and design to view surroundings in new ways through art-making.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.5a: Identify how art is used to inform or change beliefs, values, or behaviors of an individual or society.

Elementary School Lesson Plans: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Goals:

Elementary School Students of all levels will be able to do the following:

  • Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
  • Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
  • Study the art style and art method of Michael Kennaugh in his multi-media collage Twisting Skies;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups how Kennaugh turned the concept of the “sky” into the non-objective abstract collage;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups what meanings could be taken from this piece;
  • Plan and create a non-objective abstract collage that is inspired by a person, animal, place, or concept;
  • And, write an artist statement that explains what the collage represents and the artistic decisions made to create the final artwork.

Texas Elementary School TEKS:

Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade

Kindergarten

  • §117.102.b.1.A / B
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • gather information from subjects in the environment using the senses;
      • identify the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, and form, and the principles of design, including repetition/pattern and balance, in the environment.
  • §117.102.b.2. A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • create artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;
      • arrange components intuitively to create artworks;
      • use a variety of materials to develop manipulative skills while engaging in opportunities for exploration through drawing, painting, printmaking, constructing artworks, and sculpting, including modeled forms.
  • §117.102.b.3. A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • identify simple subjects expressed in artworks;
      • share ideas about personal experiences such as family and friends and develop awareness and sensitivity to differing experiences and opinions through artwork;
  • §117.102.b.4.A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • express ideas about personal artworks or portfolios;
      • express ideas found in collections such as real or virtual art museums, galleries, portfolios, or exhibitions using original artworks created by artists or peers;

First Grade:

  • §117.105.b.1.A / B
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • identify similarities, differences, and variations among subjects in the environment using the senses;
      • identify the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, and form, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, and balance, in nature and human-made environments.
  • §117.105.b.2. A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • invent images that combine a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;
      • place components in orderly arrangements to create designs;
      • increase manipulative skills necessary for using a variety of materials to produce drawings, paintings, prints, constructions, and sculptures, including modeled forms.
  • §117.105.b.3. A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • identify simple ideas expressed in artworks through different media;
      • demonstrate an understanding that art is created globally by all people throughout time;
  • §117.105.b.4.A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • explain ideas about personal artworks;
      • identify ideas found in collections such as real or virtual art museums, galleries, portfolios, or exhibitions using original artworks created by artists or peers.

Second Grade:

  • §117.108.b.1.A / B
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • compare and contrast variations in objects and subjects from the environment using the senses;
      • identify the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, and space, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, and balance.
  • §117.108.b.2. A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • express ideas and feelings in personal artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, forms, and space;
      • create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design;
      • identify and practice skills necessary for producing drawings, paintings, prints, constructions, and sculpture, including modeled forms, using a variety of materials.
  • §117.108.b.3. A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      •  interpret stories, content, and meanings in a variety of artworks;
      • examine historical and contemporary artworks created by men and women, making connections to various cultures;
  • §117.108.b.4. A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • support reasons for preferences in personal artworks;
      • compare and contrast ideas found in collections such as real or virtual art museums, galleries, portfolios, or exhibitions using original artworks created by artists or peers;

Third Grade:

  • §117.111.b.1.A / B / C
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • explore ideas from life experiences about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art;
      • use appropriate vocabulary when discussing the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity;
      • discuss the elements of art as building blocks and the principles of design as organizers of works of art.
  • §117.111.b.2. A / B / C
    • Creative Expression
      • integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art;
      • create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design;
      • produce drawings; paintings; prints; sculpture, including modeled forms; and other art forms such as ceramics, fiber art, constructions, mixed media, installation art, digital art and media, and photographic imagery using a variety of materials.
  • §117.111.b.3. A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • identify simple main ideas expressed in artworks from various times and places;
      • compare and contrast artworks created by historical and contemporary men and women, making connections to various cultures;
  • §117.111.b.4. A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response
      • evaluate the elements of art, principles of design, or expressive qualities in artworks of self, peers, and historical and contemporary artists;
      • use methods such as oral response or artist statements to identify main ideas found in collections of artworks created by self, peers, and major historical or contemporary artists in real or virtual portfolios, galleries, or art museums;

Fourth Grade:

  • §117.114.b.1.A / B / C
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • explore and communicate ideas drawn from life experiences about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art;
      • use appropriate vocabulary when discussing the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity;
      • discuss the elements of art as building blocks and the principles of design as organizers of works of art.
  • §117.114.b.2. A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art;
      • create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design; and
      • produce drawings; paintings; prints; sculpture, including modeled forms; and other art forms such as ceramics, fiber art, constructions, mixed media, installation art, digital art and media, and photographic imagery using a variety of art media and materials.
  • §117.114.b.3. A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • compare content in artworks for various purposes such as the role art plays in reflecting life, expressing emotions, telling stories, or documenting history and traditions;
      •  compare purpose and content in artworks created by historical and contemporary men and women, making connections to various cultures;
  • §117.114.b.4. A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response
      • evaluate the elements of art, principles of design, intent, or expressive qualities in artworks of self, peers, and historical and contemporary artists.
      • use methods such as written or oral response or artist statements to identify emotions found in collections of artworks created by self, peers, and major historical or contemporary artists in real or virtual portfolios, galleries, or art museums;

Fifth Grade:

  • §117.117.b.1.A / B / C
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • develop and communicate ideas drawn from life experiences about self, peers, family, school, or community and from the imagination as sources for original works of art;
      • use appropriate vocabulary when discussing the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity; and
      • discuss the elements of art as building blocks and the principles of design as organizers of works of art.
  • §117.117.b.2. A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art;
      • create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design;
      • produce drawings; paintings; prints; sculpture, including modeled forms; and other art forms such as ceramics, fiber art, constructions, digital art and media, and photographic imagery using a variety of materials.
  • §117.117.b.3. A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • compare the purpose and effectiveness of artworks from various times and places, evaluating the artist’s use of media and techniques, expression of emotions, or use of symbols;
      • compare the purpose and effectiveness of artworks created by historic and contemporary men and women, making connections to various cultures;
  • §117.117.b.4. A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response
      • evaluate the elements of art, principles of design, general intent, media and techniques, or expressive qualities in artworks of self, peers, or historical and contemporary artists;
      • use methods such as written or oral response or artist statements to identify themes found in collections of artworks created by self, peers, and major historical or contemporary artists in real or virtual portfolios, galleries, or art museums;

Elementary School Art Activities

Questions for Elementary School Students:

  1. Examine Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies. Identify where each element of art is located in the artwork.
  2. Examine Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies. Identify where each principle of art is located in the artwork.
  3. What is a collage?
  4. What materials can be used in a collage?
  5. What is non-objective abstraction?
  6. What do you think Michael Kennaugh’s Twisting Skies represents?
  7. How do the geometric shapes convey this representation? Explain your answer.
  8. Do you think Kennaugh’s collage is a good example of abstraction? Why or why not?

Activity: Elementary School Fine Arts

  • Activity Setting: Classroom
  • Materials: Construction Paper, Pencils, Markers, Coloring Pencils, and Stamps
  • Subject: Abstract, Non-Objective Abstraction, and Collage
  • National Learning Standards: Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
  • Texas TEKS: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
  • Duration: Extended Project

The students will study Michael Kennaugh’s non-objective abstract collage titled Twisted Skies. Specifically, the class will discuss how Kennaugh takes a concept and plans how to represent this idea through abstracted elements. Afterwards, the students will create a non-objective abstract collage that represents a person, animal, place, or concept.

The students will begin planning their collage. Each students will draw a sketch of their chosen idea. This sketch will be as close to the actual person/animal/place/concept as possible. Once the design is approved by the teacher, the educator will instruct the class on how to “break” the image into shapes. These shapes will be redrawn on a new sheet of paper that will serve as the base of the collage. The teacher can determine if the abstracted collage should be completely indecipherable or if the shapes should be arranged to closely reference the idea.

After the shapes are drawn, the teacher will help the students begin adding collage elements to their piece. The teacher will ask the students to select 2 – 4 shapes. Then, the teacher will ask the students to color these chosen shapes with markers. The shapes can be colored with a single color, a pattern, or a unique design. Next, the students will pick 2 – 4 different shapes and color them with coloring pencils. Then, with the remaining shapes, the students will use construction paper to fill these spaces. The teacher can encourage the students to apply the construction paper in a way that creates 3D elements. To complete the artwork, the student can add stamps and designs in the background.  The background is optional.

Activity: Elementary School Art History

  • Activity Setting: Classroom
  • Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
  • Subject: Abstract, Non-Objective Abstraction, Collage, and Artist Statement
  • National Learning Standards: Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
  • Texas TEKS: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade
  • Duration: Extended Project

After the students have completed their collage, they will write an artist statement. Each students will answer the following questions in a complete sentence that is scaled to their level:

  • What did you make?
  • What shapes are used to create your abstract artwork?
  • Where did you draw the shapes on your paper?
  • What color did you use in those shapes?
  • How many shapes are colored with markers?
  • How many shapes are colored with coloring pencils?
  • How many shapes are decorated with construction paper?
  • What colors and patterns did you use in your artwork?
  • What did you learn from Michael Kennaugh’s Twisting Skies to help you make your collage?

Middle School Lesson Plans: National Learning Standards

Goals:

Middle School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:

  • Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
  • Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
  • Study the art style and art method of Michael Kennaugh in his multi-media collage Twisting Skies;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups how Kennaugh turned the concept of the “sky” into the non-objective abstract collage;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups what meanings could be taken from this piece;
  • Plan and create a non-objective abstract collage that is inspired by a person, animal, place, or concept;
  • And, write an artist statement that explains what the collage represents and the artistic decisions made to create the final artwork.

National Learning Standards for Visual Arts:

Sixth Grade, Seventh Grade, and Eighth Grade

Sixth Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.2.6a: Formulate an artistic investigation of personally relevant content for creating art.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.6a: Demonstrate openness in trying new ideas, materials, methods, and approaches in making works of art and design.
        • VA:Cr2.3.6a: Design or redesign objects, places, or systems that meet the identified needs of diverse users.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.6a: Reflect on whether personal artwork conveys the intended meaning and revise accordingly.
  • Responding
    • Anchor standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.6a: Identify and interpret works of art or design that reveal how people live around the world and what they value.
        • VA:Re.7.2.6a: Analyze ways that visual components and cultural associations suggested by images influence ideas, emotions, and actions.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.6a: Interpret art by distinguishing between relevant and non-relevant contextual information and analyzing subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, and use of media to identify ideas and mood conveyed.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.6a: Develop and apply relevant criteria to evaluate a work of art.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.6a: Generate a collection of ideas reflecting current interests and concerns that could be investigated in art-making.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.6a: Analyze how art reflects changing times, traditions, resources, and cultural uses.

Seventh Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.7a: Apply methods to overcome creative blocks.
        • VA:Cr1.2.7a: Develop criteria to guide making a work of art or design to meet an identified goal.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.7a: Demonstrate persistence in developing skills with various materials, methods, and approaches in creating works of art or design.
        • VA:Cr2.3.7a: Apply visual organizational strategies to design and produce a work of art, design, or media that clearly communicates information or ideas.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.7a: Reflect on and explain important information about personal artwork in an artist statement or another format.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.7a: Explain how the method of display, the location, and the experience of an artwork influence how it is perceived and valued.
        • VA:Re.7.2.7a: Analyze multiple ways that images influence specific audiences.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.7a: Interpret art by analyzing art-making approaches, the characteristics of form and structure, relevant contextual information, subject matter, and use of media to identify ideas and mood conveyed.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.7a: Compare and explain the difference between an evaluation of an artwork based on personal criteria and an evaluation of an artwork based on a set of established criteria.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.7a: Individually or collaboratively create visual documentation of places and times in which people gather to make and experience art or design in the community.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.7a: Analyze how response to art is influenced by understanding the time and place in which it was created, the available resources, and cultural uses.

Eighth Grade

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.8a: Document early stages of the creative process visually and/or verbally in traditional or new media.
        • VA:Cr1.2.8a: Collaboratively shape an artistic investigation of an aspect of present-day life using a contemporary practice of art and design.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.8a: Demonstrate willingness to experiment, innovate, and take risks to pursue ideas, forms, and meanings that emerge in the process of art-making or designing.
        • VA:Cr2.3.8a: Select, organize, and design images and words to make visually clear and compelling presentations.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.8a: Apply relevant criteria to examine, reflect on, and plan revisions for a work of art or design in progress.
  • Responding
    • Anchor standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.8a: Explain how a person’s aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment and impact the visual image that one conveys to others.
        • VA:Re.7.2.8a: Compare and contrast contexts and media in which viewers encounter images that influence ideas, emotions, and actions.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.8a: Interpret art by analyzing how the interaction of subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, use of media, art-making approaches, and relevant contextual information contributes to understanding messages or ideas and mood conveyed.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.8a: Create a convincing and logical argument to support an evaluation of art.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.8a: Distinguish different ways art is used to represent, establish, reinforce, and reflect group identity.

Middle School Lesson Plans: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Goals:

Middle School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:

  • Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
  • Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
  • Study the art style and art method of Michael Kennaugh in his multi-media collage Twisting Skies;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups how Kennaugh turned the concept of the “sky” into the non-objective abstract collage;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups what meanings could be taken from this piece;
  • Plan and create a non-objective abstract collage that is inspired by a person, animal, place, or concept;
  • And, write an artist statement that explains what the collage represents and the artistic decisions made to create the final artwork.

Texas Middle School TEKS:

Art 1, Art 2, Art 3

Art 1:

  • §117.202.c.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • identify and illustrate concepts from direct observation, original sources, personal experiences, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;
      • understand and apply the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using art vocabulary appropriately;
      • understand and apply the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using art vocabulary appropriately;
      • discuss the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.
  • §117.202.c.1.A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • create original artworks based on direct observations, original sources, personal experiences, and the community;
      • apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;
      • produce artworks, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media, using a variety of materials.
  • §117.202.c.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • identify the influence of historical and political events in artworks;
      • identify examples of art that convey universal themes such as beliefs, cultural narrative, life cycles, the passage of time, identity, conflict, and cooperation;
  • §117.202.c.4.A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response
      • create written or oral responses to artwork using appropriate art vocabulary;
      • analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;

Art 2:

  • §117.203.b.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • identify and illustrate ideas from direct observation, original sources, imagination, personal experiences, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;
      • compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
      • compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
      • understand and apply the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.
  • §117.203.b.1.A / B
    • Creative Expression:
      • create original artworks that express a variety of ideas based on direct observations, original sources, and personal experiences, including memory, identity, imagination, and the community;
      • apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;
  • §117.203.b.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • analyze ways that global, cultural, historical, and political issues influence artworks;
      • analyze selected artworks to determine contemporary relevance in relationship to universal themes such as belief, cultural narrative, life cycles, the passage of time, identity, conflict, and cooperation;
  • §117.203.b.4.A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • create written or oral responses about personal or collaborative artworks addressing purpose, technique, organization, judgment, and personal expression;
      • analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;

Art 3:

  • §117.203.b.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • identify and illustrate concepts from direct observation, original sources, imagination, personal experience, and communities such as family, school, cultural, local, regional, national, and international;
      • evaluate the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
      • evaluate the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately;
      • compare and contrast the expressive properties of artworks, including appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol, using vocabulary accurately.
  • §117.203.b.1.A / B / C
    • Creative Expression:
      • create original artworks expressing themes found through direct observation; original sources; personal experiences, including memory, identity, and imagination; and the community;
      • apply the art-making process to solve problems and generate design solutions;
      • create artworks by selecting appropriate art materials, including drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures/modeled forms, ceramics, fiber art, photographic imagery, and digital art and media;
  • §117.203.b.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • analyze ways in which global, contemporary, historical, and political issues have influenced art;
      • analyze cultural ideas expressed in artworks relating to social, political, and environmental themes such as environment/nature, conflict and power, relationships to others, and reality/fantasy;
  • §117.203.b.4.A / B
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • create written and oral responses about personal or collaborative artworks addressing purpose, technique, organization, judgment, and personal expression;
      • analyze original artworks and portfolios using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;

Middle School Art Activities

Questions for Middle School Students:

  1. Examine Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies. Identify where each element of art is located in the artwork.
  2. Examine Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies. Identify where each principle of art is located in the artwork.
  3. What is a collage?
  4. What materials can be used in a collage?
  5. What is non-objective abstraction?
  6. What do you think Michael Kennaugh’s Twisting Skies represents?
  7. How do the geometric shapes convey this representation? Explain your answer.
  8. Do you think Kennaugh’s collage is a good example of abstraction? Why or why not?

Activity: Middle School Fine Arts

  • Texas TEKS: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
  • Duration: Extended Project

The students will study Michael Kennaugh’s non-objective abstract collage titled Twisted Skies. Specifically, the class will discuss how Kennaugh takes a concept and plans how to represent this idea through abstracted elements. Afterwards, the students will create a non-objective abstract collage that represents a person, animal, place, or concept.

The students will begin planning their collage. Each students will draw a sketch of their chosen idea. This sketch will be as close to the actual person/animal/place/concept as possible. Once the design is approved by the teacher, the educator will instruct the class on how to “break” the image into shapes. These shapes will be redrawn on a new sheet of paper that will serve as the base of the collage. The teacher can determine if the abstracted collage should be completely indecipherable or if the shapes should be arranged to closely reference the idea.

After the shapes are drawn, the teacher will provide various art supplies for the collage. These materials can include markers, coloring pencils, construction paper, stamps, pencils, and other teacher-approved materials. The students will select 2 – 4 shapes and use a chosen medium to fill the space. The students will continue to select 2 – 4 shapes and fill them with different materials until all shapes are filled. The teacher can encourage the students to apply the construction paper in a way that creates 3D elements. To complete the artwork, the student can add stamps and design in the background.  The background is optional.

Activity: Middle School Art History

  • Activity Setting: Classroom
  • Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
  • Subject: Abstract, Non-Objective Abstraction, Collage, and Artist Statement
  • National Learning Standards: Sixth Grade, Seventh Grade, and Eighth Grade
  • Texas TEKS: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3
  • Duration: Extended Project

After the students have completed their collage, they will write an artist statement. Each students will answer the following questions in a complete sentence that is scaled to their level:

  • What inspired your non-objective abstract collage?
  • What shapes are used to create your abstract artwork?
  • Where did you draw the shapes on your paper?
  • What colors did you use in the shapes?
  • Describe the materials used in each shape grouping.
  • Why did you choose these materials?
  • What did you learn from Michael Kennaugh’s Twisting Skies to help you make your collage?
  • Do you think your artwork is a good example of a non-objective abstract collage? Why or why not?
  • After completing the artwork, do you prefer to make realistic artworks and abstract artworks?

High School Lesson Plans: National Learning Standards

Goals:

High School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:

  • Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
  • Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
  • Study the art style and art method of Michael Kennaugh in his multi-media collage Twisting Skies;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups how Kennaugh turned the concept of the “sky” into the non-objective abstract collage;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups what meanings could be taken from this piece;
  • Plan and create a non-objective abstract collage that is inspired by a person, animal, place, or concept;
  • And, write an artist statement that explains what the collage represents and the artistic decisions made to create the final artwork.

National Learning Standards for Visual Arts:

High School Proficient, High School Accomplished, and High School Advanced

High School Proficient

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.Ia: Use multiple approaches to begin creative endeavors.
        • VA:Cr1.2.Ia: Shape an artistic investigation of an aspect of present-day life using a contemporary practice of art or design.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.Ia: Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.Ia: Apply relevant criteria from traditional and contemporary cultural contexts to examine, reflect on, and plan revisions for works of art and design in progress.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.Ia: Hypothesize ways in which art influences perception and understanding of human experiences.
        • VA:Re.7.2.Ia: Analyze how one’s understanding of the world is affected by experiencing visual imagery.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.Ia: Interpret an artwork or collection of works, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found in the work and its various contexts.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.Ia: Establish relevant criteria in order to evaluate a work of art or collection of works.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.Ia: Document the process of developing ideas from early stages to fully elaborated ideas.
    • Anchor standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.Ia: Describe how knowledge of culture, traditions, and history may influence personal responses to art.

High School Accomplished

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.IIa: Individually or collaboratively formulate new creative problems based on student’s existing artwork.
        • VA:Cr1.2.IIa: Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art and design.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.IIa: Through experimentation, practice, and persistence, demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge in a chosen art form.
        • VA:Cr2.3.IIa: Redesign an object, system, place, or design in response to contemporary issues.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.IIa: Engage in constructive critique with peers, then reflect on, re-engage, revise, and refine works of art and design in response to personal artistic vision.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.IIa: Recognize and describe personal aesthetic and empathetic responses to the natural world and constructed environments.
        • VA:Re.7.2.IIa: Evaluate the effectiveness of an image or images to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors of specific audiences.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.IIa: Identify types of contextual information useful in the process of constructing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.IIa: Determine the relevance of criteria used by others to evaluate a work of art or collection of works.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.IIa: Utilize inquiry methods of observation, research, and experimentation to explore unfamiliar subjects through art-making.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.IIa: Compare uses of art in a variety of societal, cultural, and historical contexts and make connections to uses of art in contemporary and local contexts.

High School Advanced

  • Creating
    • Anchor Standard 1
      • Creating: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr1.1.IIIa: Visualize and hypothesize to generate plans for ideas and directions for creating art and design that can affect social change.
        • VA:Cr1.2.IIIa: Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices, following or breaking established conventions, to plan the making of multiple works of art and design based on a theme, idea, or concept.
    • Anchor Standard 2
      • Creating: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
        • VA:Cr2.1.IIIa: Experiment, plan, and make multiple works of art and design that explore a personally meaningful theme, idea, or concept.
        • VA:Cr2.3.IIIa: Demonstrate in works of art or design how visual and material culture defines, shapes, enhances, inhibits, and/or empowers people’s lives.
    • Anchor Standard 3
      • Creating: Refine and complete artistic work.
        • VA:Cr3.1.IIIa: Reflect on, re-engage, revise, and refine works of art or design considering relevant traditional and contemporary criteria as well as personal artistic vision.
  • Responding
    • Anchor Standard 7
      • Responding: Perceive and analyze artistic work
        • VA:Re.7.1.IIIa: Analyze how responses to art develop over time based on knowledge of and experience with art and life.
        • VA:Re.7.2.IIIa: Determine the commonalities within a group of artists or visual images attributed to a particular type of art, timeframe, or culture.
    • Anchor Standard 8
      • Responding: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
        • VA:Re8.1.IIIa: Analyze differing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works in order to select and defend a plausible critical analysis.
    • Anchor Standard 9
      • Responding: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
        • VA:Re9.1.IIIa: Construct evaluations of a work of art or collection of works based on differing sets of criteria.
  • Connecting
    • Anchor Standard 10
      • Connecting: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
        • VA:Cn10.1.IIIa: Synthesize knowledge of social, cultural, historical, and personal life with art-making approaches to create meaningful works of art or design.
    • Anchor Standard 11
      • Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
        • VA:Cn11.1.IIIa: Appraise the impact of an artist or a group of artists on the beliefs, values, and behaviors of a society.

High School Lesson Plan: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Goals:

High School Students of all Levels will be able to do the following:

  • Identify the principles of design used in the artwork;
  • Identify the elements of design used in the artwork;
  • Study the art style and art method of Michael Kennaugh in his multi-media collage Twisting Skies;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups how Kennaugh turned the concept of the “sky” into the non-objective abstract collage;
  • Discuss as a class or in groups what meanings could be taken from this piece;
  • Plan and create a non-objective abstract collage that is inspired by a person, animal, place, or concept;
  • And, write an artist statement that explains what the collage represents and the artistic decisions made to create the final artwork.

Texas High School TEKS:

Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV

Level I:

  • §117.302.c.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • consider concepts and ideas from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination for original artwork;
      • identify and understand the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artwork;
      • identify and understand the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artwork;
      • make judgments about the expressive properties such as content, meaning, message, and metaphor of artwork using art vocabulary accurately.
  • §117.302.c.2.A / B / D / F
    • Creative Expression:
      • use visual solutions to create original artwork by problem solving through direct observation, original sources, experiences, narrations, and imagination;
      • communicate a variety of applications for design solutions;
      • create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
      • demonstrate effective use of art media and tools in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, and digital art and media.
  • §117.302.c.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance
      • compare and contrast historical and contemporary styles while identifying general themes and trends;
      • describe general characteristics in artwork from a variety of cultures, which might also include personal identity and heritage;
  • §117.302.c.4.A / B / D
    • Critical Evaluation and Response
      • interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork by self, peers, and other artists such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites;
      • evaluate and analyze artwork using a verbal or written method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
      • select and analyze original artwork, portfolios, and exhibitions to form precise conclusions about formal qualities, historical and cultural contexts, intentions, and meanings.

Level II:

  • §117.303.c.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • use visual comparisons to illustrate concepts and ideas from direct observation, original sources, experiences, narration, and imagination for original artworks;
      • identify and apply the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks;
      •  identify and apply the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity in personal artworks;
      • explore suitability of art media and processes to express specific ideas such as content, meaning, message, appropriation, and metaphor relating to visual themes of artworks using art vocabulary accurately.
  • §117.303.c.2.A / B / D / F
    • Creative Expression:
      • create original artwork using multiple solutions from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination in order to expand personal themes that demonstrate artistic intent;
      • apply design skills in creating practical applications, clarifying presentations, and examining consumer choices in order to make successful design decisions;
      •  create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
      • select from a variety of art media and tools to communicate specific ideas in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, mixed media, photography, and digital art and media.
  • §117.303.c.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • examine selected historical periods or styles of art to identify general themes and trends;
      • analyze specific characteristics in artwork from a variety of cultures;
  • §117.303.c.4.A / B / E
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork by self, peers, and other artists such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites;
      • evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
      • select and analyze original artwork, portfolios, and exhibitions to form precise conclusions about formal qualities, historical and cultural contexts, intentions, and meanings.

Level III:

  • §117.304.c.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • analyze visual characteristics of sources to illustrate concepts, demonstrate flexibility in solving problems, create multiple solutions, and think imaginatively;
      • compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artwork;
      • compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artwork;
      • explore the suitability of art media and processes and select those appropriate to express specific ideas such as content, meaning, message, and metaphor relating to visual themes to interpret the expressive qualities of artwork.
  • §117.304.c.2.A / B / D / F
    • Creative Expression:
      • create original artwork using multiple solutions from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination in order to expand personal themes that demonstrate artistic intent;
      •  solve visual problems and develop multiple solutions for designing ideas, creating practical applications, clarifying presentations, and evaluating consumer choices in order to make successful design decisions;
      • create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
      • select from a variety of art media and tools to express intent in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, digital art and media, photography, jewelry, and mixed media.
  • §117.304.c.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • research selected historical periods, artists, general themes, trends, and styles of art;
      • distinguish the correlation between specific characteristics and influences of various cultures and contemporary artwork;
  • §117.304.c.4.A / B / C / F
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in artwork such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites based on evaluation of developmental progress, competency in problem solving, and a variety of visual ideas;
      • evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
      • analyze personal artwork in order to create a written response such as an artist’s statement reflecting intent, inspiration, the elements of art and principles of design within the artwork, and measure of uniqueness;
      • select and analyze original artwork, portfolios, and exhibitions to demonstrate innovation and provide examples of in-depth exploration of qualities such as aesthetics; formal, historical, and cultural contexts; intentions; and meanings.

Level IV:

  • §117.305.c.1.A / B / C / D
    • Foundations: Observation and Perception:
      • consider concepts and themes for personal artwork that integrate an extensive range of visual observations, experiences, and imagination;
      • compare and contrast the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artwork;
      • compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artwork;
      • discriminate between art media and processes to express complex visual relationships such as content, meaning, message, and metaphor using extensive art vocabulary.
  • §117.305.c.2.A / B / D / F
    • Creative Expression:
      • produce an original body of artwork that integrates information from a variety of sources, including original sources, and demonstrates sustained self-directed investigations into specific themes such as a series or concentration of works;
      • evaluate and justify design ideas and concepts to create a body of personal artwork;
      • create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;
      • create artwork, singularly and in a series, by selecting from a variety of art materials and tools appropriate to course work in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, digital art and media, photography, jewelry, and mixed media.
  • §117.305.c.3.A / B
    • Historical and Cultural Relevance:
      • research and report on selected historical periods, artists, general themes, trends, and styles of art;
      • analyze and evaluate the influence of contemporary cultures on artwork;
  • §117.305.c.4.A / B / C / D / F
    • Critical Evaluation and Response:
      • develop evaluative criteria to justify artistic decisions in artwork such as that in museums, local galleries, art exhibits, and websites based on a high level of creativity and expertise in one or more art areas;
      • evaluate and analyze artwork using a method of critique such as describing the artwork, analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist’s intention, and evaluating the success of the artwork;
      • analyze personal artwork in order to create a written response such as an artist’s statement reflecting intent, inspiration, the elements of art and principles of design within the artwork, and the measure of uniqueness;
      • use responses to artwork critiques to make decisions about future directions in personal work;
      • evaluate a wide range of artwork to form conclusions about formal qualities, aesthetics, historical and cultural contexts, intents, and meanings.

High School Art Activity

Questions for High School Students:

  1. Examine Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies. Identify where each element of art is located in the artwork.
  2. Examine Michael Kennaugh, Twisting Skies. Identify where each principle of art is located in the artwork.
  3. What is a collage?
  4. What materials can be used in a collage?
  5. What is non-objective abstraction?
  6. What do you think Michael Kennaugh’s Twisting Skies represents?
  7. How do the geometric shapes convey this representation? Explain your answer.
  8. Do you think Kennaugh’s collage is a good example of abstraction? Why or why not?

Activity: High School Fine Arts

  • Activity Setting: Classroom and/or outdoor location
  • Materials: Construction Paper, Pencils, Markers, Coloring Pencils, Stamps, and Other Teacher-Approved Materials
  • Subject: Abstract, Non-Objective Abstraction, and Collage
  • National Learning Standard in Visual Arts: High School Proficient, high School Accomplished, and High School Advanced
  • Texas TEKS: Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
  • Duration: Extended Project

The students will study Michael Kennaugh’s non-objective abstract collage titled Twisted Skies. Specifically, the class will discuss how Kennaugh takes a concept and plans how to represent this idea through abstracted elements. Afterwards, the students will create a non-objective abstract collage that represents a person, animal, place, or concept.

The students will begin planning their collage. Each students will draw a sketch of their chosen idea. This sketch will be as close to the actual person/animal/place/concept as possible. Once the design is approved by the teacher, the educator will instruct the class on how to “break” the image into shapes. These shapes will be redrawn on a new sheet of paper that will serve as the base of the collage. The teacher can determine if the abstracted collage should be completely indecipherable or if the shapes should be arranged to closely reference the idea.

After the shapes are drawn, the teacher will provide various art supplies for the collage. These materials can include markers, coloring pencils, construction paper, stamps, pencils, and other teacher-approved materials. The students will select 2 – 4 shapes and use a chosen medium to fill the space. The students will continue to select 2 – 4 shapes and fill them with different materials until all shapes are filled. The teacher can encourage the students to apply the construction paper in a way that creates 3D elements. To complete the artwork, the student can add stamps and design in the background.  The background is optional.

Activity: High School Art History

  • Activity Setting: Classroom
  • Materials: Pencil/ Pen on Paper or Word Document
  • Subject: Abstract, Non-Objective Abstraction, Collage, and Artist Statement
  • National Learning Standard in Visual Arts: High School Proficient, high School Accomplished, and High School Advanced
  • Texas TEKS: Art Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV
  • Duration: Extended Project

After the students have completed their collage, they will write an artist statement. Each students will answer the following questions in a complete sentence that is scaled to their level:

  • What ispired your non-objective abstract collage?
  • What shapes are used to create your abstract artwork?
  • Where did you draw the shapes on your paper?
  • What colors did you use in the shapes?
  • Describe the materials used in each shape grouping.
  • Why did you choose these materials?
  • What did you learn from Michael Kennaugh’s Twisting Skies to help you make your collage?
  • Do you think your artwork is a good example of a non-objective abstract collage? Why or why not?
  • After completing the artwork, do you prefer to make realistic artworks and abstract artworks?

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