The initial assignment was simple. Develop a conceptual piece of art inspired by the word "egg."
"Wanting to set the stage and pace of this advanced art class, we started with a traditional still life drawing," explained Upper School art teacher and Visual Arts Department Chair David Sigel, Hon. "With a strong single light raking across a dozen eggs, each student was asked to allow their rendering to create an atmospheric image instead of a contour line drawing."
This first part of the assignment was focused on learning to practice sfumato, a unique painting technique used heavily in Renaissance art. The word sfumato derives from the Italian language and can most closely be translated into English meaning soft, vague, or blurred. Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most prominent practitioners of sfumato. His famous paintings Virgin in the Rocks and the Mona Lisa are examples of his expert use of the technique.
"During this first part of the assignment the students played the role of technician. It was heavily instructor-driven," explained Mr. Sigel. "Not one looked like the other, but all were beautifully rendered. Each artist infused, shaped, and crafted compositions unique and powerful as the individuals who made them."
Mr. Sigel went on to explain that the second phase of the assignment was self-directed. He asked his students to transition from technicians to creators. The word "egg" was the only prompt the students were given to develop their work.
"The follow-up assignment was to do anything with eggs," shared Ally Marino '18. "All of my suggestions involved large pieces of wood. Mr. Sigel finally suggested I paint the wall."
Over the course of four weeks, a unique mural emerged on a wall in the Crawford Campus Center. Ally sketched and painted a sandaled foot crushing an egg and representing that feeling of "walking on eggshells."
"The best part was definitely when people would walk by and ask about it. Everyone was so curious." said Ally. "I know I will be doing little touch-ups on it constantly. I think the toenail needs another coat of purple."
Ally is currently in the highest level art course offered at EA, Honors 2-D
Design 4. She has taken art all four years of Upper School. "My favorite thing is the environment of the classroom. I am able to just hang out and let loose while still doing something I love."
Ally's work "Walking on Eggshells" will be displayed through the end of the semester.