31 Days of Children's Books Inspired by Artists- DAY 4: Dali

Title: Dali and the Path of Dreams
Estimated time: 30 minutes-1 hour
Project: Melted Fabric Clocks
About the artist:(1904-1989)Salvador Dali grew up in Spain. He had a passion for art and football at a young age. His mom encouraged his love for art. He explored different styles of art, but found his niche as a surrealist artist. Surreal art is weird, crazy and unexpected mixture of objects, like his Lobster telephone. Dali is known for his melted clocks, Butterfly wings

Summary: Read Dali and the Path of Dreams, then study Dali's work. Follow this lesson to create an artwork inspired by Salvador Dali.
Objectives: Identify the elements of art (line, shape, form, space, value, texture and color), Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes, Understand the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.

Supplies: 

• White sturdy fabric, we used canvas although an old t shirt could work.
• Pencil
• Acrylic paints
• Paintbrush
• Scissors

The Elephants: 1948, The Persistence of Memory: 1931, Untitled (Landscape with Butterflies): 1956

 

Did you know that all the melted clocks are different times? What makes "The Elephants" a surrealistic painting? Are they normal? What is your favorite painting above and why?

Dali Melting Fabric Clock:

1. Lay out your fabric and draw a double oval shape with your pencil to create the frame of the clock. You can even make it wobbly and curved to make it more melted. (Our fabric is approximately 12 inches x 24 inches). Now add in the crown (I think that's the name of the twisty thing on top) on one of the short sides.
   
2. Draw numbers on the face of your clock. (We didn't use Roman numerals because we are still learning numbers here. You can use this as a lesson in writing your Roman numerals.) Make sure you exaggerate/distort the numbers. The 12 will be long and skinny and the 1 and 11 will be a little wider.
3. Paint the frame and the numbers any way you would like. Try patterns and metallic paint for fun. Let dry.
4. Carefully cut around the edges.
5. Voila! A Melting Fabric Clock inspired by Dali.
6. Don't forget to drape it over things and take some pictures of your melting clock.
   

These images are suitable for children, please be aware when doing a search for artists you may find imagery that is not age appropriate. 
Can you find some ordinary objects that don't typically go together and create your own surrealist photograph, drawing or painting? What things would you put together?

31 Children's Books Inspired by Artists