Gene Davis (1920-1985) was an American artist, musician, writer and athlete.  After retiring his profession as a journalist, Davis pursued a career in painting.  As a self-taught artist, Davis painted in a very abstract style.  Davis was a very influential painter who worked every day through the arts to express himself. 

Following an introduction to the artist Gene Davis, students were asked to create a profile silhouette like Davis's.  The students used a ruler to measure lines and created a pattern through the use of repetition.  After coloring in the 'checkerboard' pattern, students cut out the profile and adhered it to construction paper.  To continue learning about Gene Davis's different artwork styles, the students then moved on to experiement with color and line as Gene Davis once did.  On 12 x 18" sulphite paper, the students used their rulers to measure and draw very thin, straight lines.  After all of the lines were drawn, they were asked to select colors.  Every color they selected represented a certain emotion.  The students were then asked to color in each stripe neatly.  Discussions revolved around the artist, as well as the principles of design, such as movement, pattern and emphasis.  Students were asked to title and explain their painting regarding their color choices. 

Arts and Humanties Standards:

9.1.5.C: Know and use fundamental vocabulary within each of the art forms.

Art Lesson Plan

Lesson Objective:

• TSW recognize Gene Davis
• TSW recognize the use of color to express themselves

 Procedure:

• TTW introduce Gene Davis
  • Spent years of his life painting himself
  • He was fascinated with music, that he tried to portray through his paintings through which, like music, you could “hear” beat, melody, rhythm, and harmony
  • He improvised with color, shape, and the spacing, or intervals, of his stripes much like a musician improvises on the strings of a guitar
  • He described himself as “playing by eye” the way some musicians play by ear
  • Born in Washington D.C.
  • Worked for the president, Truman
  • Played the trumpet, enjoyed poetry and sports
• TSW trace over face with finger to feel the shapes of face
• TSW look at other students profiles and then draw in one line their profile on black construction paper (mouth open).  Glue onto a color of choice piece of construction paper
• Look at the symbol sketches that Gene Davis created
• Discuss symbols and create your own image using symbols.  Create a key of at least 15 symbols for different things
  • Show students a map key
  • Show students Egyptian hieroglyphics for symbol example
  • Examples: love, happiness, hate, home, fear, animals, friends, vacation, dreams, sleep, wishing, anger, flowers, death, war cars, boats
• Questions/Writing:
  • Imagine a world without color, how would the world or your life be different if there was no such thing as color?
  • Colors can be happy, sad, loud, quiet, weak, strong, young or old.  What moods or feelings do you associate with these colors? 
• Introduce Davis’s stripe paintings discussing rhythm and the use of color to express himself
• Writing extension:
  • Describe the use of color to express yourself.  Title your painting

Vocabulary:

• Composition
• Patterns
• Repetition
• Silhouette: Outline drawing
  • Compare to Ancient Egyptian wall or vase paintings
• Profile: Portrait from a side view
• Modern art
• Rhythm: To flow
• Symbols
• Abstract 

 Materials:

• Watercolors
• Black construction paper
• 12x18 paper
• Pencil
• Scratch paper
• Water
• Rags
• Brushes
• Pastels
• Paint brushes

Standards:

• 9.1.A, D, C, J
• 9.3 B
• 9.4 B, D

 Assessment:

• Follows directions/class rules
• Neatness of project
• Proper use of materials
• Understanding of project guidelines

 Adaptations:

• alternate mediums