Early Childhood

The Essential Question
How can we create an intriguing design on a utilitarian object?

Objective
Students will create a balanced design inspired by the De Stijl art movement, celebrating simplicity and abstraction.

Materials
plain canvas tote bags (one per student), masking tape, sponge brushes, acrylic paint in various colors

Procedures
1. Discuss the De Stijl art movement and show students examples of various artworks. Note how the movement used color, shape, and simplicity. We looked at Two Triangles (Point on Point) by Sophie Taeuber-Arp.
2. Demonstrate paint masking techniques for students (create shapes using the masking tape, pressing the edges down hard on the canvas). Then distribute the canvas tote bags to students.
3. Students mask one side of their tote bag to create various shapes, then use sponge brushes and acrylic paint to fill in the shapes. Have students use their sponge brush to pull the paint from the edge of the tape towards the center of the shape to avoid getting paint under the tape.
4. After a few minutes, students pull the tape off slowly to reveal their designs.
Note: This lesson was taught to second-grade students, but could be adapted for a variety of grade levels.

Assessment
Does the design create interest and demonstrate balance? Did the student use masking techniques to create clean edges on their design?

Sue Liedke is an art teacher at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.