Introduction Global Context - Personal &

Have you ever truly observed the intricate details of the world around Cultural Expression
you? From towering trees to tiny patterns on a butterfly’s wing, nature is a
To explore the global context of personal and cultural
masterpiece of layers. In this unit, we’ll explore the concept of layers in
expression, we can delve into the unique characteristics of our
nature, from ecosystems to plant life and weather patterns. We’ll develop
reigon as reflected in the landscapes and weather surrounding
a keen eye for detail, experiment with color, and understand abstraction.
us. We can a deeper connection for the personal and cultural
Let’s dive imto the world around us and discover the hidden beuaty and
expressions that are rooted in our local enviornment.
complexity that surrounds us.

Key Concept - Change Global Context (Focus Exploration -

artistry, craft, creation, and beauty)
The key concept of “change” is essential for understanding the dynamic
nature of the world around us. How layers evolve over time and how To delve into the artistry, craft, creation, ad beauty of nature, we ca
changes in one layer can affect other layers. explore various artistic movements and historical figures who hav
celebrated the natural world in their work. by exploring diffrent a

Related Concept - Expression & forms and techniques,, we can express our own unique interpretation
of beauty

Representation Statement of Inquiry

To effectively integrate Related Concept - expression and representation into How can layers in nature inspire personal and
the “Layers of Nature” unit, it is essential to explore, observe the forms and cultural stories through water color and mixed
tones in nature, in context with personal and cultural perspective. By media?
expressing emotions, ideas, and experiences through the artistic creations,
we can develop a deeper connection to the natural world.
How does the transperency of watercolors allow for layering and creating depth in artwork?
The transparency of watercolors allows for complex layering due to opacity of the colors
allowing more depth. This makes it so you can create more depth and allows for vastly more
layerng than other types of art forms such as, acrilyc, etc.
By experimenting with different watercolor techniques (washes, glazes, lifting), how can we
control the intensity and layering of colors?
By experimenting with different techniques we can control the intensity and layering of the
colors by using darker and lighter shades, opacity, etc. This allows fore more depth into vast
amounts of artwork.
How does the transperency of watercolors allow for layering and creating depth in
artwork?
By changing the transparency of watercolors you can easily allow for more depth and layering
due to opacity allowing for the control of intensity in artwork which therefore creates more
depth and techniques such as wet-on-wet, dry-on-wet, etc. allow for more layering techniques.
How do artists sometimes “bend the rules” when drawing nature to make it more interesting?
When drawing nature, to make sure the art isn’t bland, many artists, such as Van Gogh and
Georgia O’ Keefe, use abstract elements to make sure the artwork is more interesting. It
could be by adding a variety of more elements, changing the color, etc.
By experimenting with different watercolor techniques (washes, glazes, lifting), how can we
control the intensity and layering of colors?
By experimenting with different techniques we can control the intensity and layering of the
colors by using darker and lighter shades, opacity, etc. This allows fore more depth into vast
amounts of artwork.
How does the transperency of watercolors allow for layering and creating depth in
artwork?
By changing the transparency of watercolors you can easily allow for more depth and layering
due to opacity allowing for the control of intensity in artwork which therefore creates more
depth and techniques such as wet-on-wet, dry-on-wet, etc. allow for more layering techniques.
Introduction
American Modernism was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century,
primarily from the 1910s to the 1940s. It was marked by a desire to break away from traditional
forms of expression and embrace new, innovative approaches that reflected the rapidly changing
American society. American Modernism was a vibrant and diverse movement, deeply influenced by
the social, political, and technological changes of the time. It sought to express the complexities of
modern life through new forms and techniques, leaving a lasting impact on American culture.

Origin/History
American Modernism became a reflection or an abstraction of the life of Americans during the
1910's to the 1940's. With so much economic and idustrial development happening, people were
starting to lose their identity. The average middle class worker was simply another gear or cog in a
machine of industry. Especially during the Great Depression, the interest for American Modernism
drastically increased as a way of escape from the harsh reality of inflation, unemployment, etc.
While looking into the beauty of abstract, many Americans felt entranced compared to miserable
lives.
Styles/Types of Artwork
American Modernism had a plethora of styles and types of artwork, not limited to
only paintings. This included: Visual Arts, Architecture, Literature, Music,
Photography and more. This truly shows the diversity and impact that American
Modernism had, not only on the world of watercolor but on the world of Literature,
Music, and even more.

Key Artists
There were many prominent artists of American Modernism including Georgia O’
Keefe, Morgan Russell, Charles Demuth, and more. Each of these artists had unique
ways of interpreting American Modernism in their own ways. For instance, Georgia O’
Keefe focused more on the natural beauty while Charles Demuth focused more on
finding the beauty in the abstract. In conclusion, many of the key artists of American
Modernism used diffrent styles to make American Modernism what we know today.
Introduction
Abstract art began to popularize in the early 20th century as a bold shift away from realistic art.
Instead of focusing on recognizable objects, it used shapes, colors, and forms to express ideas and
feelings. This movement was inspired by a desire to explore deeper emotions and thoughts rather
than just showing the world as it looks. Influenced by new ideas in psychology, philosophy, and
changes in society, abstract artists broke away from traditional art styles. They aimed to express
things that are hard to define, opening the door to new ways of creating and thinking about art.

Origin/History
Abstract art began in the late 19th century as artists moved away from realistic representation to explore
deeper emotions and ideas. As industrialization and urbanization changed daily life, traditional art forms no
longer captured the complexity of the modern world. Artists like Wassily Kandinsky embraced abstraction,
rejecting old rules to express the unseen forces of life. By focusing on shapes, colors, and emotions, abstract
art offered a new way to reflect the changing realities of the time, breaking free from the limitations of realism.
Styles/Types of Artwork
Abstract art comes in many styles, each breaking from tradition in unique ways. Geometric
abstraction uses clean lines and shapes to create order and balance, while abstract expressionism
relies on bold colors and gestures to convey deep emotion. Minimalism strips art down to its
simplest forms, creating calm and meditative spaces. Each style offers a different way to express
what words cannot, whether through structured geometry, raw expression, or quiet simplicity.

Key Artists
Key artists of abstract art significantly shaped the movement. Hilma af Klint was a pioneer, creating
some of the first purely abstract works that blended spirituality with bold colors and forms. Wassily
Kandinsky explored the emotional power of color and shape, believing art should evoke feelings.
Piet Mondrian focused on geometric abstraction, using simple lines and primary colors to achieve
harmony and balance. Kazimir Malevich introduced suprematism, emphasizing the beauty of basic
forms. Jackson Pollock revolutionized the art world with his drip paintings, showcasing spontaneity
and the creative process. Together, these artists pushed boundaries and defined the language of
abstract art.
About the Artist

Hilma af Klimt, a Swedish woman, was one of the most prominent abstract artists. Her
artwork was one of the first pieces of artworks that were put on the world stage,
although she believed that the world wasn’t advanced enough to understand her
artwork. She delved into a multitude of symbolism in her artwork due to her religious
beliefs. She tried to depict symbolsim through nature itself. She also believed that the
world wasn’t advanced enough to understand her art.
“The ten largest”
“The ten largest” were a collection of artworks made by Hilma Af Klimt in 1907.
Generally, all of these paintings incorporated a multitude of abstract elements. These
works were supposed to, according to Hilma, “give the world a glimpse” on the stages of
life.These works incorporated 4 stages of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and
eldery age. Each artwork took only 4 days to make, a time unusally small for an artwokr.
Klimt requested a member of “The Five,” Cornelia Cederburg, to help with the artwork.
About the Artist

Georgia O’ Keefe, considered to be the “mother of American Modernism,” was

considered one of the greatest artists of her time and by some, one of the greatest
American artists of all time. She delved into finding the beauty in the feelings and
emotions that the natural world envoked. From poppies and lillies to skulls and bones,
she truly embodies this saying that beauty lies in the beholder.
About the Artist
"Abstraction" is a notable painting by Georgia O'Keeffe, created in 1917. This work showcases
O'Keeffe's signature style, blending organic forms with bold colors and lines. In "Abstraction," she
moves away from literal representation, focusing instead on the emotional resonance of shapes
and hues. The painting captures a sense of flow and movement, inviting viewers to interpret its
meaning personally. O'Keeffe believed in the power of abstraction to express deeper feelings and
ideas, and this piece exemplifies her belief that art could transcend the visible world. Through
"Abstraction," O'Keeffe invites us to engage with the essence of nature and the emotions it evokes,
making it a key work in her exploration of modernism.
This artwork was my first time using a method
called watercolor pencils. Although I believe,
overall, the painting turned out well, I do believe I
could’ve been less harsh with my use of
watercolor pencils. I do wish to compliment
myself with my use of using diffrent shades of
colors. The eye for me was especially tricky, since
it’s extremely miniscule and if I messed it up, I
would probably have to resort to starting all over
again. Sadly, I resorted to that method multiple
times and even my brother thought that the place
in which I painted looked like an utter, absolute
mess. Finally, after many attempts, I finally got a
painting that I’m semi-happy about.
Main Shades(Hexsdecimal) Mood
#95a3b0, #c5cccd, #547087, The mood of this painting is
#435e76, #728b9d extremely serene and tranquil. The
Lines colors especially help to give this
feeling. Although, many times, blue
The lines, although bold, are indicates despair, the way she has
curvy. In fact, besides maybe a painted it makes the audience feel
few lines in the center, I can calm inside.
barely see a straight line drawn.
Balance
Lake George, Georgia O’ Keeffe, Oil on
Shapes
Canvas, 1922 This painting includes a vast
This painting mysteriously has amount of symmetrical balance.
Texture
barely any fundamental shapes. From the center of the page to
Besdies multiple lines, the only This painting’s texture is that of an each of the painting’s vertical ends,
real shapes I see are a few bent exteremely smooth. This is if you compare the shapes, it’s a
triangles. especially common while drawing near exact replica.
watercolor but a bit unique while
for using oil pastels.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Georgia-OKeeffe
https://www.britannica.com/art/Modernism-art
https://www.britannica.com/art/Abstract-art
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_art
https://www.guggenheim.org/exhibition/hilma-af-klint
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/artboards/hilma/the-ten-largest/
https://www.guggenheim.org/teaching-materials/the-third-mind-american-
artists-contemplate-asia-1860-1989/landscapes-of-the-mind-early-modern-
conceptions-of-nature?gallery=thirdmind_L2_1_z