American Gothic

Most of you know that a new hobby of mine is volunteering at Henley Elementary School once a month to teach the students about artists and their work. My good friend, Robin, got me involved in this fun project. It gives me the opportunity to study and learn lots of new things, to look at lots of great art, and to teach the kids. All things I really enjoy.

In January I taught the kids about Grant Wood, an American artist who painted one of the most familiar works in the world, "American Gothic." It represents the hard work and determination of the American people. This painting has been perodied more than just about any other painting ever has. I showed the students parodies involving Barbie and Ken, and Pres. Bush, Tony Blair, and Osama Bin Laden. Many of the students had seen a parody on Sponge Bob or on Mickey Mouse! In most of the classes we created our own American Gothic. This picture is of two students in Mrs. DeMatteis's 3rd grade class. Don't they look great?!

I thought it was cool to learn that the Iowa quarter has an image on it that replicates a painting by Grant Wood.