Project Description: Clementine Hunter, a Louisiana artist, used her life experiences as her inspirations to become a well-known self-taught painter late in life. She created thousands of paintings, depicting life as she knew it, or as she called it “mark some pictures.” She was well known for using the whole canvas to convey the story she wanted to tell. Over a period of forty some years, Clementine painted 4,000 paintings; she used old window shades, bottles, cardboard, and brown paper bags when she did not have a canvas. She painted up until a few months before her death at 100 years of age.

Steps to Make This:

1. Read or review the story of Clementine Hunter, “Art from her Heart” and show samples of her paintings. Make sure to point out in her landscapes her use, or lack of use, of the art rules for all the vocabulary terms.
2. Have the students decide on a story to sketch depicting a landscape view. Ex. their backyard, school courtyard, or place of work or play outside.
3. Next discuss the vocabulary terms in regards to their drawings and have them divide their drawing into fore, middle and background. Have them assess if their drawing indicates; size and density.
4. Use the Dura-Lar Clear Film and permanent markers (colored) to trace over their foreground on the first film.
5. Use the Dura-Lar Clear Film and permanent markers (colored) to trace over their middle ground on the second film.
6. For the background students can use the Dura-Lar Clear Film and permanent markers (colored) to trace over their background on the last film and use a white construction paper to place behind all three for display. Another option is to use Dura-Lar Matte Film and colored pencils to trace over their background for the last film; this allows for any color construction paper to be used for display purposes.
7. Before permanent display, have a class critique; review the art vocabulary by showing their 3 ground layers. As well as, sharing what story they have painted.