Discusses the use of sketches and maquettes (idea models usually made of clay) as a preparatory method for a final artwork. Suggests ways to teach students about the importance of planning an artwork. Discusses the sketches and maquettes of sculptural pieces by Henry Moore, Constantin Brancusi, and Antoine Pevsner. (CMK)

Presents background information on the life of Galen Rowell. Includes ideas for teaching activities and a reproduction of one of his photographs. Describes the content of the photograph, exploring Rowell's use of alpenglow, a condition that occurs when the light of the setting sun strikes a mountain peak after the valleys are in shade. (CMK)

Provides background information on the artistic movement, Expressionism. Focuses on well known artists and describes Expressionist art. Includes art activities and a reproduction of a painting by John Marin. Presents information on Marin's life, career, and an analysis of the painting. (CMK)

Provides historical information on the artistic movement, surrealism, and discusses influential artists. Presents art activities, information on the life and career of Joseph Cornell, and an analysis of his Surrealist box, "Medici Slot Machine." Includes a reproduction of the "Medici Slot Machine." (CMK)

Provides historical information on the art movement of Precisionism. Includes teaching activities and a reproduction of an artwork, "Conversation: Sky and Earth" (Charles Sheeler). Focuses on the life and career of Sheeler and discusses the content of the painting. (CMK)

Provides information on Willie Bester, who lived under Apartheid in South Africa and used his art to bring public attention to the plight of persecuted people. Includes a reproduction of Bester's collage, "Crossroads." Discusses the history and social message of "Crossroads." (CMK)

Explains that if students want to depict predatory animals in works of art, they need to learn the shapes of the animals and their habitats. Discusses four artworks (reproductions included) that depict predatory animals by Darrel Austin, Ando Hiroshige, Antoine Louis Barye, and John Singleton Copley (CMK)

Discusses maritime paintings addressing such topics as why artists are attracted to sailing vessels and the content of the paintings. Includes reproductions of paintings by Edward Hopper, John H. B. Everett, Lyonel Feininger, and Willem van de Velde the Younger. Selects works to help students realize that maritime art is quite varied. (CMK)

Discusses spirals in nature, man-made objects, and art. Focuses on art that incorporates the spiral, including works by M. C. Escher and Frank Lloyd Wright, an African headdress, and a burial urn. Describes activities to help students make spirals of their own, such as constructing a coil clay pot. (CMK)

Provides background information on hunting in history and discusses the use of hunting as a subject matter for works of art. Includes examples of art work that have hunting as the subject matter and information on each work of art. (CMK)

Provides background information on the Impressionism movement. Discusses the life of U.S. artist, Frederick Childe Hassam, and describes the content and techniques used for his painting, "Lower Manhattan." Includes suggestions for class activities and a reproduction of his artwork. (CMK)

Explains that the best way for students to learn to recognize high-quality portrait photography is to study as many good examples as possible. Provides examples of portrait photography by David Hockney, Dorothea Lange, Edward Steichen, and Thomas M. Easterly in order to demonstrate different portrait styles and techniques and to promote…

Provides background information on Zimbabwean art and sculpture and Harry Chingono, a Zimbabwean sculptor. Includes reproductions of Chingono's sculpture "The King's Secret" and describes it in detail. Offers four ideas for learning activities. (CMK)

Discusses the presence of ordinary people in art. Features four sculptors and examples of their work: (1) "Janitor" by Duane Hanson; (2) "The Red Light" by George Segal; (3) "The Sodbuster" by Luis A. Jimenez; and (4) "The Driller" by Mahonri Young. (CMK)

Provides information on the inspiration for Alexis Preller's painting "Mapogga Rondawel," specifically addressing the Ndebele tribe's round, thatched houses called rondawels. Offers ideas for accompanying activities. Includes a reproduction of the painting and examines the painting in detail. (CMK)