art education portfolio of student works and personal works.

1. Robin Singer
Visual Artist
Educator

678-777-6967
resjml@gmail.com

2. Visual Arts gives students the opportunity to…
Be creative.
Think outside the box.
Explore ideas.
Work within boundaries.
Push the boundaries.
Express oneself.
Experiment.
Work independently.
Work collaboratively.
Research information.
Organize information
Challenge oneself.
Use math for practical application.
Study history.
Appreciate cultures.
Find beauty in the imperfections.
Make mistakes.
Become inspired.
Realize our possibilities are infinite!

3. Teaching Philosophy
Art Education is the student’s window into all disciplines. My lessons work to inspire awareness that core curriculum can be enhanced and at times realized
through the study of Art. Math is used to measure and calculate perspective and other artistic proportions. Science becomes vibrant in the learning of color
theory. English’s revising and editing composition is reflected in composing ideas through sketches and in adding layers to develop form. Social Studies comes
alive with the images and dialog of history and current events.
Art Education is the discipline that allows students to experiment, express themselves, make mistakes, get messy, use the left side and the right side of the brain
simultaneously, play and learn, discover that process and product work hand in hand, watch change happen in real time as their work evolves, and have a sense
of pride in their accomplishments.
Art Education is a discipline that gives students positive reinforcement. One of my primary goals is to guide students to challenge themselves. I encourage them
to look at their own paper, canvas, wire, or clay to determine what needs to be done next. While doing so I also show them the work of other artists and
students so they can see the possibilities. Each example is a tool to be used as inspiration or a guide. It is not used as a comparison of good and bad. They can
learn from it, imitate it, or change it to reflect their vision. Because art encompasses a vast array of techniques students have the opportunity to explore. One
student’s strength maybe a challenge to the next child. My goal is to ignite discovery and prevent young artists from becoming discouraged. I show them how
their work is excelling and what areas need attention. Through suggestions and demonstrations they are provided opportunities to enhance their work.
Some of my mantras are “How can I expect you to be a master at this when you have never done it before?” “I expect you to challenge yourself, have respect
for your work, and follow through with the challenge. It may not come out as you expect but that does not mean you are not doing a good job.” “Art is not
about being perfect.” “Artists are lifetime students. There is always something new to learn and try. Making mistakes is part of the process and you may discover
something unique when you take a risk or make a mistake.” My excitement with the student who finds art a struggle is as strong as working with those who
have natural ability. When the student who is resistant to art class completes a project with hard work and perseverance I am the cheerleader. My goal is to have
students demonstrate an understanding of the technique at their skill level. This is a win-win for everyone (the student, the educator, the program, and the
administration for allowing this type of teaching style to flourish).
As a professional artist for 25+ years and arts educator in alternate education programs (museums, camps, community centers) I have recently discovered a
passion for formal school education. I have embraced a new set of challenges working with students who are required to participate in art as opposed to
enrichment classes (where art is a choice). Visual Art is a scholarship that naturally lends itself to differentiated learning. Through practice, guidance, critiques,
and reflection students develop their visual voice. My approach to art education is not solely about production but about understanding art so it can be used as
a life skill. The idea that painting a room, creating a costume, visiting a museum, experiencing another culture, watching a movie, decorating a bedroom, or
engaging in an educated conversation are all enhanced by having knowledge and exposure to the arts.
Although Art is not considered a core course it is the one subject that gives life to all the required learning.

4. Self Portrait Silhouettes
• Elements of Art and Design: balance, emphasis, shape, form, positive/negative space and color.
• Examined self portraits from the Renaissance through present day artists.
• Inspired by 16th century artist Giuseppe Archimboldo.
• Initial objective: access skills and develop confidence in student’s ability to create visual work. Students answered
questions about their interests, researched images and concepts.
• Requirements: minimum of 10 images used in composition, exhibit a balance of positive/negative space, emphasis,
color and value.
• Watercolor paints and watercolor pencils. This was the first time most of the students used the medium.

5. Repousse or Metal Embossing
• Integrated lesson with Middle School Musical (theme was
Home) and 6th grade History (Ancient Civilizations).
• Optional themes: Home or Personal Journey.
• Elements of Art: line, shape, value, and texture.
• Compositions on paper, transferred the designs onto metal
sheets. Embossing created with limited tools.
• Several works were entered into a national competition.
• Examined examples of metal art from
Eastern and Western Civilization.

6. RELIEF PRINTMAKING – REDUCTIVE PRINTS
• 7th graders studied the process of relief printmaking.
Designed the compositions on paper.
• Transferred it to lineloum block.
• Carved each layer for separation of colors
• Registration for printing each color.
• Minimum edition of 5.
• Allowed for exploration of color application after
edition was complete.
CONTOUR DRAWING
Students spent the class practicing contour drawing of a
still life. They were both intrigued and trepidation about
the process. “How can our drawings come out if we are
not looking at the paper?” Understanding hand eye
coordination and the ability to see what is really in front of
you are the first steps in creating any drawing from life. I
often use sports as a comparison of hand eye
coordination, the need to practice (practice and more
practice), and patience (that you will not be perfect the
first time you try to a new activity).

7. Wax Batik using traditional tools:
tjantings, paraffin and beeswax, fabric dyes
Oil Crayons and India Ink Resist:
Comparing the differences and similarities between 2 resist techniques

8. Artist Trees
6th graders selected one of several modern artists to study. Each master was selected
because of his contribution to the Modern Art Movements of the Early 20th Century. Students
worked in groups to build the trees from recycled materials (integrated English lesson on
environmental conservation). They decided on the size and shape of their leaf and how they
wanted to represent their chosen artist. The trees have become a permanent exhibit in the
Media Center and are used as teaching tools for the elementary school. During this unit the
tragic event of Charlie Hebdo occurred leading us to a discussion about Freedom of Speech.

9. Ceramics: Handbuilding, Lowfire Glaze

10. Works in Progress
Currently the 6th grade students are completing landscape
paintings in the style of traditional Chinese watercolors.
Students are learning one point perspective, watercolor
techniques, Chinese pictographs, and printmaking
(carving personal signature chops). The lesson is
integrated with the History unit.
7th grade students are creating illuminated manuscripts
using patterning and decorative design.
The unit is in conjunction with 7th grade History
and is connected to the previous lesson on printmaking.
They will learn to apply gold leaf to their final works.

11. Robin Singer: Hands Will Draw Studio
Torah Scroll Cover:
silk painting, batik, sewn collage
Created into posters for fundraising sale
(Donated by artist)
Commissioned work for congregation to
create printed tribute cards for sale
Commissioned and for sale prints
Collaborative print for Print Big Annual
Event at Atlanta Printmakers Studio
Commissioned Wedding Canopy

12. Thank you for taking time to view my presentation.
As always my visual world is in the process of
growth and development.
It is fluid and changing with every new creation,
Challenge, and discovery by my students and myself.