V is for View from the Fifth Grade Trenches: Van Gogh

Twenty-Six Days of Creative Inspiration

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How many of you just said, "Ahhhh" when you looked at this pic of Starry Night? The work of Vincent Van Gogh grabs me every time I look at it. His variety of brushstrokes, his vibrant colors, and his perspective of the ordinary never fails to pull me in.

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I find his work very appealing and relatable to my 5th graders. Van Gogh's work is accessible because the kids can see the color variations and the movement of the lines. They do a terrific job duplicating his work as they experiment with their own blossoming artistic skill.

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My students will recreate Sunflowers twice, once in chalk and again in thickened tempra paint to explore the textures Van Gogh created.

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Okay, okay, there is the ear (or lack of it) "issue." Yes, I do share that information with the kids. It's a great illustration of an "artistic personality" run amok.

Van Gogh's life story is as compelling as his work. He is a cornerstone of my inspirations.

Are you a Van Gogh fan? Florals or landscapes? Do you have a favorite piece?

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