Edgar Degas.  You know, the Painter and Sculptor of Ballerinas.

From France.

100 Years Ago he created Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.

Degas was blind when he sculptured the little dancer.

He spent 3 years creating this masterpiece.  She stands 3 feet tall.

Miss Doodle 2 loved the Dancer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

And Now a New School Project.  Select an Artist.  Pick a Favorite Piece of the Artist.

Recreate that Piece.

Miss Doodle 2 remembered Degas and his ballerina dancer.

A Painting needs to be done on Canvas.  A Sculpture needs to be done in Clay.

Two Weeks to Recreate the Masterpiece.

To Be Exhibited at the Doorway to the Arts.

Lots of Kids picked Georgia O’Keeffe and her Big Flowers.

I’m going to make the Little Dancer, just like Degas!

Two Weeks…Ready…Set…Go.

The materials were simple enough…

Newspaper for an Armature.  Twigs for legs.  Tulle skirt.  Clay.

Mom and Daughter.

Time Spent Together.  Adding a Pinch of Love.

She/We began by creating the dancer from newspaper and tape.

Because of the weight of the clay, we used twigs for support.  Newspaper feet.

The twigs are anchored to the plastic base with screws.

This was a Must and Our Best Decision.

Degas created a nude and then added fabric clothes.  An old tutu, cut to size, is perfect for our dancer.  The tutu was hot glued to the figure before applying the clay.  Gold Sparkles and All.

Then on to the Clay.  School Clay.  I was apprehensive about this part, because I didn’t think it would work.

I was so wrong.

School Clay is fabulous!  It sticks to any surface – newspaper, wood, tape, hot glue, fabric.  School Clay can be added to dry clay.  Air dry.  No kiln or oven baking needed.  Dries to white.  And it’s cheap.  And we got a 20% school discount.  A 25 pound block was $12.

We began at the bottom because that seemed like the best place to start and worked up.

Twig knots make the best Knobby Knees.  🙂

 

Adding detail like pointe shoes and straps is easy with clay.

Then the body, arms, head and face.

In creating our dancer, I appreciate the beauty and delicacy of Degas’ work.

But…ah, no Buts…ours is beautiful too.

The braid flowing down her back is a favorite part.

An Easter basket ribbon will be the finishing touch.

2 hours to sculpt.  2 feet tall.

She’s Drying in the Laundry Room.   Sturdy.  Steadfast.  Getting Ready for the Show.

A Masterpiece of Magic.  What do you Think?!