I'm sure you've heard of "Backwards Day," but have you ever heard of "Upside Down Day?" Look at all the kitties (and kiddies!)  all in a row.  HS Students in my Art 2D class drew these precious cats upside down today in class.  Yes, they are facing toward them now, but initially they drew them completely upside down.  Yes, I said upside down.  How come?  To disengage their brains.  To keep from letting what they think they know interfere with what they actually see. 

I had one student ask if it was okay if they got pulled over driving home to tell the police officer it was because they just had their brains disengaged in art class.  My students always keep me laughing. 

Using a grid and a black and white photo of a kitten taped upside down on my easel, I drew square by square while the students followed.  Not only did they hear me think outloud as I drew, they were able to see me work through some visual challenges and see that drawing upside down was not a torture I inflicted only upon THEM, I was actually willing to lead the way through this insanity.  They had fun and learned a lot.   It was great practice and a great way to help them disengage their left brain, releasing the right side to do its job. 

When the project was completed we all left in our right mind.  I think.  Hopefully no one got pulled over!

See you soon and be blessed!

Love and success,

Laura

Here are some of the students' work up a little closer.  Remember, these were all drawn upside down.  Not bad for their first time!