Shoe Shenanigans.

The thought, "I've run out of lessons!" at one time or another has crossed the mind of many art teachers. Look around you. An idea is only a foot away! All kids wear sneakers. Might they have potential for an art lesson? Examine the bottoms of sneakers. They contain lines: verticals, horizontals, and diagonals--all organized to go together in a distinctive pattern or design. Think about how to print that pattern. Use paper, brayer, tubes of water base printing inks, plate glass, and newspaper.

Place the piece of glass on a sheet of newspaper, squeeze some ink on the glass, and then roll the brayer over the ink until there is an even layer on the glass and on the brayer as well. Slowly roll the brayer back and forth over the bottom of the sneaker until the bottom has a good coating of ink. Press the inked surface of the shoe onto a sheet of white paper that is resting on a thick pad of newspaper. Lift the shoe and discover the footprint. Repeat this process a few more times to fill the paper.

Get more variety by swapping. Have students fill another sheet of paper with prints of friends' shoes.

Now compare the similarities and differences in the footprints. Turn these studies of "soles" into works of art by cutting and pasting.

Have students cut the shoe prints into shapes and arrange them on another sheet of paper. When they are satisfied with the arrangement, they can glue the shapes to the paper. With swishes of paint, students unite the varied patterns into a whole.

Through this lesson, students learn about relief printing, become more aware of objects around them, share ideas with classmates, and borrow patterns for designs.

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas.

WEB LINK

www.kinderart.com/drawing/ monster.shtml

Mary C. Turner is an art teacher living in Morganton, North Carolina.