MAKE YOUR MARK - Foam Printmaking
SEASON 5 | PROJECT 2/33 | 10.12.23
MODULE: Printmaking | GRADE LEVELS: 1 - 6 | DURATION: 1 Hour
ARTIST VIDEO
Video Editing by Jorge Davies, Graphics by Melissa Sabol
PROJECT VIDEO
OVERVIEW
This project is a basic introduction to printmaking, and invites students to explore their identities. Using just foam and cardboard, students will create a unique “Personal Identity Stamp”. Students will design a special symbol that reflects their individuality. The completed Personal Identity Stamp offers a visual representation of their self-identity and gives students a way to print multiples of their distinctive symbol and share it with others.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT​
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Develop and practice fine motor skills through cutting and gluing
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Reflect on their unique personal characteristics
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Conceptualize characteristics through visual representation, such as symbols and illustrations
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Learn the basics of printmaking through creation of a personal “stamp”
MATERIALS
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Paper
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Pencil
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Cardboard
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Scissors
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Glue Stick
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Craft Foam (1/4" Sheet)
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Styrofoam Plate
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Markers (water-based)
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Stamp Pad
FEATURED ARTIST
GERALD CLARKE
Artist Gerald Clarke, a member of the Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians, uses a variety of mediums in his art, such as everyday objects, branded prints, road signs, and board games. He explores issues that affect his Native American community, such as displacement, health, and personal identity. At first glance his art might seem simple, and you might even pass it by. But it is powerful, sometimes gritty, always honest, and always has heart. His use of familiar materials, humor, and the combination of simple words and images helps make his work accessible.
In addition to being a working artist and professor at University of California, Riverside, Clarke assists in running his family’s cattle ranch located in Anza, CA. He is also very involved in the Cahuilla community and tribal government. He often lectures about Native art, culture, and issues as well as participates in Bird Singing, a traditional form of Cahuilla storytelling through song.
ARTISTS TO KNOW
Faith Ringgold
was a famous African American artist and author. She tells important stories about fairness and equality using different ways of creating, like painting, mixed media, writing, and performances. But what she’s best known for are her special quilts that tell stories. These quilts share her own life and family history. When Faith was young, she didn’t see many artists who looked like her. So, as an artist, she works to show how important it is for everyone to see people of all colors and backgrounds in art.
Faith Ringgold, Woman on a Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach, 1988. Acrylic paint, canvas, printed fabric, ink, and thread, 74 5/8 x 68 1/2 inches (189.5 x 174 cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, Mr. and Mrs. Gus and Judith Leiber, 1988
Juane Quick-to-See Smith
Native American artist Juane Quick-to-See Smith discovered her love for art at a very young age. Her artwork tells important stories about her culture and the world around us. Juane uses various techniques to blend traditional Native American imagery with modern styles. Besides being an artist, she is also an activist, speaking out for Native American rights and environmental issues, which are common themes in her art. Juane is a powerful voice, teaching us about history, culture, and the environment through her incredible work.
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Indian Map, 1992. Oil, paper, newspaper, and fabric on canvas, two panels: 64 × 96 in. (162.6 × 243.8 cm) overall. Private collection. © Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Photograph by David Bowers.
Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist who explores important issues in the world through his large scale installations, sculptures, photographs. One of his famous works involved filling an entire room with millions of tiny handmade ceramic sunflower seeds, encouraging people to think about how everyone is unique but also part of a larger community. Ai Weiwei is also an outspoken activist and uses his art to stand up for what he believes in and inspire change.
Ai Weiwei, Kui Hua Zi (Sunflower Seeds), 2010, one hundred million hand painted porcelain seeds (Tate Modern, London; photo: Waldopepper, CC BY-NC 2.0) © Ai Weiwei
James Luna
James Luna called himself a “Culture Warrior”, “American Indian Ceremonial Clown”, and “Tribal Citizen”. He used his work to expose how museums only showed Native American Indians as part of our history, instead of people who are part of today’s society. James began as a painter but also created performance and installation art. He uses many diverse objects in his art, including his own body. His art is known to be very bold and powerful because it talked about things like history, violence, and who people are.
James Luna, Take a Picture With a Real Indian, 2010
VOCABULARY
Printmaking: a way of creating an image over and over again. Artists create images on a “plate”, usually made from wood or metal. Then, they put ink on the image and press paper on top of the plate. Artists can use this technique to make many copies of their artwork.
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Symbol: something that stands for or represents something else, e.g. a heart symbolizes love, a peace sign represents peace. Symbols help people understand ideas or feelings or recognize a brand in a quick and simple way, often without using words.
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Stamp: a tool used to create multiples of a single image. When pressed onto paper, it leaves behind a picture or pattern.
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Logo: a special picture or symbol that represents a company or a brand. It helps people recognize and remember the company quickly.
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Sketch: a quick, simple drawing to plan out an idea or to get something down on paper so you can remember it.​
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Transfer: in art, to transfer an image means to move it from one surface or material to another. In printmaking, you transfer the image from the plate to a piece of paper.