This piece of art was started 3 years ago inspire by a piece our leader found in Pinterest. I thought I would recreate with the junior art group. That is 5 to 7 year olds. I was a great challenge. We started by looking at a range of Pasifika and Maori patterns to incorporate the diverse cultural mix of our school. After sketching and more sketching of a range of patterns we all picked our favourite one to take to the next step.
Using strips of card we drew our patterns then tried to use shade to colour over our pattern. We used blue and green to represent the local area of Pukekiwiriki, RedHill, Papakura.
The children then helped to create a large paper version so we had an idea of how it would look. Then we started to paint 3 full size plywood boards. The younger ones had fun with the undercoat and the older ones choose to paint between the lines for the yellow outline. This was working well while we had an empty classroom. The the builders arrived and started to pull down the old buildings.
I was so inspired I create a miniature canvas version using oil paints for a friends new home in Pahi. Starting with a colour pencil copy. Before moving onto canvas. Where I fine tuned the shading from one side to the other, rather than the light being the middle of each section.
So the last couple of years we have been working during holidays and after school to complete the detail. Then students were excited to be adding the final coat of protection. On Thursday 16 August, the 3 pieces were unveiled to the school before being put up on the outside of the hall as part of re-branding of RedHill School.
Unveiling in the hall
When asked to create a grey and red image for our school web page this is what happened...
