Second and Third graders are currently working on a painting inspired by an artist named Wassily Kandinsky – one of the world’s first abstract artists – born in Moscow in 1866.  Before beginning their painting, we looked at several of his artworks and discussed how Kandinsky’s art changed throughout his career.  We decided his earlier work was focused on understanding shapes and colors and how they worked together, but had little meaning.  Later he began to use his imagination more and made creative imaginary creatures using shapes and colors.   Many students expressed that if they chose to be an artist as an adult, they would like to be an artist whose work held great meaning and could inspire others.  The students are in the process of painting warm colored circles that will float on a cool colored line background similar to some of the works of Kandinsky.  The final result will be a combination of many of the art elements and principles we are studying like shapes, lines, warm and cool colors, movement, unity, and contrast.