Ladder to the Moon

3rd grade students examined the beautiful painting that Georgia O'Keeffe created at her home in New Mexico

 then created their own.

History

A long, homemade ladder used to lean against Georgia's house at Ghost Ranch so that she could climb up onto the roof and gaze out at the vast desert landscapes. Sometimes she would even climb up there several times a day. At night she would climb up on the roof if she wanted to gaze and fall asleep under the stars.

In 1958, O'Keeffe painted Ladder to the Moon. The painting shows a handmade wooden ladder suspended in the turquoise sky. In the background is Mount Perdernal and a half moon. This painting was very similar to a picture taken of O'Keeffe and her surroundings at Ghost Ranch.

 In the picture, a large wooden ladder is leaned against an outer wall of a patio from where it rises up into the sky with the Pedernal Mountains in the background. Some say her immediate surroundings at Ghost Ranch were the inspiration of this piece of art. Others interpret the painting as a religious work. In Pueblo culture the ladder is used to symbolize the link between the Pueblos and cosmic forces. The fact that the ladder is pointed up in the sky may represent the link between nature and the cosmos.

Studio

First, students were read the

Georgia O'Keeffe  The Artist in the Desert  

by Prestel Publishing

This delightful book is filled with great visuals of Georgia and her wonderful works of art.

Then, students painted analogous colors- colors next to each other on the color wheel- using vivid watercolors on watercolor paper.

Let Dry.

Day 2

Students added pieces of torn paper layered to 

resemble the desert landscape

Next, students created their personal version of wooden ladders

Moons were also added 
Crescent, Half or Full Moon to name a few!

 Oil Pastels stars were added high in the sky

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your beautiful night time sky where ever you may be!

Laura