Abstract symbolism in their art

Drawing an abstract picture on a yellow sheet of paper, 9-year-old Athena Aloiau held her pencil in one hand while her tools — a ruler, a small paper plate and different width plastic cups — sat near her other hand.

Athena drew a series of circles, straight lines, patterns and designs as the fourth-grader made a work of art inspired by Helen Hardin.

Hardin was the last artist featured in John R. Peterson Elementary School’s Art Masters program. In Carol Fassnacht’s fourth-grade Gifted and Talented Education class, the students learned about Hardin’s history, drawing style and symbology, and were using their new knowledge to create a work of their own.

Hardin was a Native American abstract artist born in Albuquerque, N.M.

Athena said she liked the style, especially because it reminded her of a Russian tea cup, of which she’s a fan.

“I always thought it would be really cool to create a Russian tea cup like this,” Athena said.

Using a pencil to create different lines and patterns, Athena said Hardin made everything abstract and explained some of the symbology she used.

Hair styled into buns showed how wise a person was, a circle for a mouth meant the person had a strong speaking voice, and a feather symbolized intelligence.

“I like that it’s abstract. It’s just shapes and circles and every kind of shape,” Athena said.

Hardin’s unique style is what Joelle Roque, 9, said she likes about her.

“I like that she does her own thing. She doesn’t copy what other people do,” Joelle said.

Having students do their own thing is an important aspect of Art Masters, which is put on by the Parent Teacher Assn.

PTA member and parent volunteer Nancy Hadley said it was important that the kids could create their own drawing and not just copy what the artist made.

The program helped the kids with composition, patterning, ink and pen, Hadley said.

“I love watching what the kids do,” she said.

The students learn about five artists each year. Each is picked to emphasize a different style, medium and subject matter, Hadley said.

Learning about different artists and having the opportunity to experiment with different styles is right up Kyle Cannon’s alley.

The 9-year-old said he enjoys drawing.

“I really like to be artistic. Sometimes I feel like I want to pick up a piece of paper and pencil and draw,” Kyle said.