Green!

 

During my spring break for the last few years, my mom and I have done a bit of traveling together.  This year we decided to try out Portland Oregon.  Well we didn't know it was so rainy (silly us!) but of course, made it fun anyway. Despite the rain we saw some pretty places, ate some good food and learned a few things. The  inspiration for this post came from my uncle-in-law Gary, who asked.."Give me one good take away from your trip."  To which I instantly replied, "the great green moss covered everything!"  I do not think I could ever live in a place it rains so much, but the consistent rain does allow for some beautiful green moss to grow grow grow all over..and it is quite something to see!

Seussical the Musical: Set Design

I work at an amazing school!  One thing to certainly experience here is IPW, also known as Integrated Projects Week.  Kids get to propose topics they would like to engulf themselves in for one week before spring break.  Teachers look through the list and plan accordingly.  Kids vote, teachers group and away it goes!  It is certainly a lot of work, but more importantly, it is an amazing opportunity for both kids and teachers. It truly gives everyone the rare opportunity to really get into something they are curious or passionate about. To learn new things and have new experiences.  I have taught such week long projects such as: Cooking Healthy, Express Yourself, Central Park Leaders, Harry Potters, Museum Madness, Locks of Love..and this year Set Design for the 8th grade musical, The Seussical. For three classes before IPW week all 8th grade students researched set design, Dr. Seuss books, and drew out plans for what they thought the backdrops and props should look like.  The Friday before, they voted.  During the week of IPW 8th grade is practicing the play, the songs, the choreography, the staging, and also, making the set.  It was quite an eventful week!

After the winner sketched the idea on four large canvas backdrops Monday morning, students came in during their down time to paint.  They began with the background colors, which were inspired by the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax.

I loved how it looked before the color too!

 Then they moved into the color of the Truffula Trees.  These moments were filled with excited 8th graders who felt extremely successful!..and lots of singing!

 The final backdrop.  WOW!

The Pillberry Bush, and making the Clover Field.

There were many things I did not photograph yet, including the Bathtub, the Circus Train, The Circus Flags, The Fish and Horton's Tree, Nest and Egg. The performance is in April, and I will post the rest then!

Altered Books!

Waves

For the first time this year I am teaching 8th grade elective courses.  The first up was a class called Altered Books.  I had the most fun researching, learning and being inspired by the concept of Altered Books, as well as looking at artists who work in this medium.  I had never really given them much thought, but as always, teaching something to others allows you to understand it in a deeper and more meaningful way.  We began by looking at a number of exciting examples and talking about the process of getting there.  For example, do you want to work conceptually or sculpturally?  What do you want to say with your book?  Is about about a social justice issue, something personal, or do you want to focus on artistic form?  What outside materials would assist you in this journey?  What shape, size and book content will you choose to work with?..and what happened after that was just amazing!

Paper Wonderland

Pixie Hollow

 Remember, the fun and learning, no matter what the activity, is in the process.  As an artist and an art teacher I am more focused on the experience then I am with the product...The funny thing is when you teach and work that way, you often get a product you are proud of.

Vanishing Acts

 The books were mostly donated, discarded books from libraries. I had enough varying books for all students to have a choice.  Large, small, hard, soft, thick, thin, fiction, non-fiction, children's books..you name it and it was there!  Many things informed their choice, including the title, the shape, the content, the weight, etc.  Like I mentioned in the Vision Board post, you can allow the book to call to you, and many did that, using that calling as inspiration.  Others looked for a very specific kind of book for their journey.  This course ended with an Artist Statement about their work, and a gallery showcase where all the 8th grade students and teachers were able to come and see their finished work.

Deeper then the Dead: Behind the Scenes