This lesson, titled Colorful Horizons: Exploring Landscapes, explored how artists use abstraction, color, and composition to express mood and memory in landscapes. We drew inspiration from the work of Ted Harrison, whose vivid, stylized depictions of the Yukon encouraged students to move beyond realism and think about how places feel rather than just how they look.
Big Ideas & Objectives
The enduring idea behind this unit was that artists across history have used color and abstraction to express their perception of the world around them. I wanted students to explore the emotional and narrative potential of landscape art by making personal, symbolic choices in color and composition.
Essential Questions:
-
In what ways can artists use abstraction to communicate ideas or feelings about a place?
-
How do our personal experiences shape the way we interpret and create landscapes?
Learning Objectives:
-
Identify foreground, middle ground, and background in landscape artwork.
-
Analyze how Ted Harrison uses color and abstraction to convey emotion.
-
Create a landscape using bold color and layered space inspired by personal memories.
-
Reflect on artistic choices and share with peers using visual and verbal language.
NYS Art Standards Addressed:
-
VA:Cr1.1.8 – Conceptualize, plan, and create art using elements and principles.
-
VA:Re7.1.8 – Analyze and interpret meaning and context in artworks.
-
VA:Pr6.1.8 – Present work with purpose and explanation.
-
VA:Cn10.1.6 – Connect personal work to historical and cultural context.
Mentor Artist: Ted Harrison
Ted Harrison (1926–2015) was a British-Canadian painter known for his whimsical, colorful depictions of the Canadian North. Students responded strongly to his bold outlines, simplified forms, and unexpected color palettes.
