Week 8

Wow February just flew by!

• We finished the book Van Gogh:Portrait of an Artist.  The kids really liked the book and wanted to know if there was more. I did paraphrase a  few topic areas. (Van Goghs night life, drinking habits and such).

Here is a review on the book:

From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-This compelling book begins with van Gogh's boyhood and traces the various  career paths (art dealer, missionary) he pursued before dedicating himself to painting. The authors draw on the artist's voluminous correspondence with his brother Theo to elicit his thoughts and feelings, providing glimpses inside the head of this most unusual person. The use of his own phrases enlivens the text: "The more I am spent, ill, a broken pitcher, the more I become an artist, creator-." His passionate dedication to his work-living on nothing but coffee and bread for days, sacrificing his physical and mental health fort he sake of art-was extraordinary. Largely unappreciated in his own lifetime, he was certain of the value and importance of his work, yet still a bit apprehensive of even the slight bit of success that came near the end of his life. The infamous incident with the ear is included as part of an overall portrait, and varying theories as to his so-called madness (a rare form of epilepsy, psychological traumas from childhood) are presented. In addition to a few black-and-white family photographs, the volume has an eight-page insert offine-quality, full-color reproductions of the artist's works. This outstanding, well-researched biography is fascinating reading.

Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH

• We studied many of Van Goghs self -portraits and portraits of others.

• The girls worked on portrait lessons. ( ears, eyes, noses, hairlines, etc)
• They did a portrait of themselves. They found this very hard however they did get involved in it and finish.