Henri Matisse: Seated Odalisque Left Knee Bent

Using Smart Board

Picture of painting #1 http://en.wahooart.com/Art.nsf/O/5ZKCNW/$File/Henri+Matisse+- +Madame+Matisse+The+Green+Line+%28+La+Raie+verte%29+.JPG

I showed the above painting to the class and asked if they could tell me who painted it. I gave them hints from Matisse’s biography. After three or four hints I showed the next painting.

Picture of painting #2 http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/692950668/Wall-murals-Red-Fish- oil-by-Henri-Matisse-handpainted-oil--paintings-hotel-hand-made- abstract.jpg

I kept giving the class hints from Matisse’s life. Then I showed a picture of him.

Picture of Henri Matisse http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profil es/M/Henri-Matisse-9402564-3-402.jpg

I quickly reviewed his life, showing the class where is located on the world map. I asked which continent France is on. World map highlighting France: http://www.mapsofworld.com/france/france-location-map.html

I briefly mentioned that many of Matisse’s paintings were purchased by two sisters. Their last name was Cone. They donated their collection to the museum in , .

Highlights of the painting:

Matisse traveled to where he adored the lush decorative textiles, especially those with bright, lively patterns. To him these fabrics suggested an exotic world of luxury, comfort, and delight, far removed from the tedium of the everyday. Matisse hung his favorite fabrics in his studio to create small stage sets where is model would pose. The figure in this painting has no particular identity of her own and is nearly overpowered by the bright, boldly patterned fabrics that decorate the wall and floor. Although she appears to have leisure time, she takes no interest in the game of checkers; her only role is to become part of the decoration.

The next link shows a real outfit from the Ottoman Empire which is similar to the one the odalisque is wearing. I pointed out the richness of the fabric, the colors and patterns.

Turkish wedding outfit Ottoman Empire http://turkishculture.org/images/image_all/Clothing/Wedding%20Dres ses/wcostumes40.jpg

We then watched the next link to a video about making Batik fabrics. Many of the fabric Matisse enjoyed were made in a similar fashion. I explained that our project today was to create our own special “fabric” using paper and a similar process.

Batik makinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAm9Z_GMy3k

The Google search below shows examples of textiles made by the batik process. This is shown to inspire student in their creation of their “fabric”.

Google search “Batik textiles”, click on Images then scroll. Leave on screen for inspiration.

Create No Fuss Paper Batik Art This quick and easy art project uses few supplies, doesn't require "cooking," and cleans up easily.

Supplies

 strong white paper (e.g., construction paper-- not newsprint or copy paper)-- I used sketchbook paper ¼ of a large sheet  crayons in several colors-- I used oil pastels, crayons work too  several large sheets of newspaper  1/4 cup of or any dark color liquid tempera paint –I used watercolor (lots of color, little water)  ½ cup water  small plastic bowl  large bowl of water  large artist's paint brush or 1-1/2" foam trim brush

Lay newspaper on top of desks. Remove paper wrapped around crayon. Using the side of crayons, NOT the point, press hard and make bold or abstract patterns all over the paper. (One big star works better than many little ones. But it doesn't have to be solid. Be creative. Color each point a different color, fill it with geometric patterns or progressively smaller stars.) Cover as much of the white background as possible.—or use the flat bottom of the crayon or oil pastel

Dip finished gently into a bowl of room-temperature water. When the paper is totally immersed in water, gently crumple it into a loose ball. This should take about 10 seconds. Remove the paper ball from water and gently squeeze out excess water. Open the wet paper ball to its original shape and spread it out on sheets of newspaper

Paint the tempera/water mixture over the entire paper. Let it dry. If The batik paper is torn, tape it on the back when it is dry. Can blot excess paint from picture with paper towels.