Growing up in a poor family from Russia and never seeing a single piece of artwork until the age of 13, Marc Chagall beat all odds by becoming a world famous modern art painter. Having had very few material possessions as a child, he treasured family traditions, life on the farm, and close friendships most. After the 6th grade art students spent time learning about Chagall’s humble beginnings, they were able to better interpret the symbolic imagery in his “dream-like” paintings; village scenes, farm animals, his favorite Uncle Neuch playing the violin, and most importantly, what the floating people expressed…Love and Joy. These expressive paintings you see here were inspired by Chagall’s life and artwork. Students learned the basics of watercolor techniques and used controlled graduated washes to add beautiful colors to their own “Dreamscape” compositions, where they symbolically placed themselves floating over a location that makes them feel love and joy, incorporated their favorite pet, and positioned the person they are closest to somewhere in the scene, watching over them while playing the violin.