High and Dry

Georgia O'Keeffe's landscapes inspire a study of deserts and creation of detailed desert ecosystem drawings.

• 1.

  Look at a variety of topographical maps and desert photographs. Research the meanings of terms and symbols used to describe the world's deserts. Describe similarities and differences between desert environments and the local environment, citing plant and animal life, temperature, and rainfall, for example.

• 2.

  Study desert scenes painted by Georgia O'Keeffe. Identify elements of desert landscapes depicted in her art.

• 3.

  Cover the work surface with newspaper. Experiment with Crayola® Watercolor Paints to create a sand dune effect that shows various planes of landscape. Dry on a flat surface.

• 4.

  When dry, add details with Crayola Colored Pencils.

Benefits

• Children observe and identify desert topography and visual patterns in Georgia O'Keeffe's art and photographs of desert landscapes.
• Children analyze desert ecosystems, including plants and animals that are adapted to specific biomes.
• Students represent the effects of weather on desert ecosystems in detailed drawings.

Adaptations

• With secondary students, examine color in Georgia O'Keeffe's work. Observe the effects of light on various surfaces. Discuss the physical properties of light, and expressive use of color to indicate light. Artists often show the effects of light using col
• Observe and discuss the similarities of the flow of sand moved by air to create dunes to waves in water. Parallel a boater's use of a rudder (water navigation) to a hawk's tail feathers (air navigation).
• With younger or special needs students, use sand to create a desert landscape first. Discuss the effects of wind on sand. Compare moving hands on the sand to wind direction.