Boring would not be a word to describe Kevin Vaughn's transition from being a fifth-grade classroom teacher to an art teacher at Dolores Elementary School.
"It's been interesting," Vaughn said, recalling a group of dozens of children armed with paints and markers.
But after 11 years as a fifth-grade art teacher, Vaughn was ready for a change, and so far, students love his art class, and the art coming out of his class is impressive.
"Look at this one. Isn't it amazing?" Vaughn said as pointed to a fourth-grade drawing inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe.
Vaughn said he feels at home as an art teacher. He originally got a degree in art from the University of Delaware. It wasn't until later that Vaughn earned a degree in education from the University of Utah.
Vaughn teaches his art students by weaving in a bit of history as well. Students learn about artists, their style, the time period they lived in and then they create.
Piet Mondrian was famous for his linear artwork.
Georgia O'Keeffe for her ground breaking and beautiful flowers.
Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter famous for being one of the first painters of true abstract art, some of which was very linear.
Kandinsky-inspired art hung Tuesday in Vaughn's classroom.
"This one is really great. She captured his style and her technique was great," Vaughn said, pointing to art by Shalee Hunt.
Teaching art, he said, isn't that much different than teaching students how to write.
"They have to research, make a plan and then create," he said.
"I try to bring history into the process as well," Vaughn said.
He is teaching some of his students about Paul Klee and his famous painting "Goldfish." The painting teaches students about negative space. Vaughn is going to use this painting and challenge students to create a similar piece of art using animals and inserting them into their habitat.
Sixth-grader David Jones was proud of his Kandinsky-inspired art and how it turned out.
"This was the funnest project we've done all year," Jones said.
"The shapes see," Jones pointed to his work. "They make your eye move across the piece."
Jenesis Shields, also a sixth-grader, was glad Vaughn moved to art. She had him last year as a fifth-grade teacher.
"He's really funny, super nice, but strict, so you will still learn," Shields said. "I'm glad he is our art teacher this year. I would be lost without him."
