Adventures in Art
This symbolic process of building and letting go, reminds me of our process as student teachers. We take our time planning and constructing lessons with focus on details and careful execution, to have the product for a fleeting moment and then back into the world they go.
My students are remote learners, so naturally this has me wondering what kind of spaces are they working in and how are they accessing studio supplies?
I am working in a TAB classroom that has become a remote classroom. Many students have made a work space at home and gathered their materials in advance. Some of our remote learners set up their supplies like small TAB centers condensed in size. Having organized supplies allows the student to work more freely and efficiently. I found storage ideas for students and parents of remote artists and have included a link here. I also included a link to how a TAB classroom creates centers of activity, including: drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, printmaking, fiber art and digital art. here.
Hanging on by a thread.
Ephemeral Art Time-lapse of Melting Ice: Playtime is Temporary
Miniature Drawing: Birdhouse
Alibrijes in Paper Mache: Hopping Bird
Narrative with Wee Folk: Adventure
This was really fun and challenging. I thought I would be able to control it a little more than I did, it reminded me of cake frosting. Once I figured out a method to hold it, I could draw better. It took most of the foot to get that method figured out. I would love to teach this to students, it requires focus and rhythm so we would practice with that in mind.
I tried to make vines around a snowflake, next time I will try more geometric patterns and less random. I will probably do the other foot later today. Yay Henna!
Here are some more results from our workshops…
I like how my bracelet turned out, even if it is not a chevron. I would definitely try again. In fact I may make a chevron version this weekend to see if I can figure out where I went wrong. I did manage to make a nice pattern with a few knots where I got distracted.
2020 a Brief Narrative
I love a little book! I was so happy we got to see another perspective on illustration and making narratives. I will definitely use the circle method in a future short story. It was also nice to see the work of faculty Joel Gill.
From narratives to sewing a wee felt person. This is super cute and the personal connections that can be associated with this art are endless. I also think this is a way to get students into a narrative and build another lesson upon it.
I created a little scene where she meets our finger puppets: Hipster Bear, Maury Moose and Rural Raccoon (“don’t call me a trash panda”). They are planning a trek to the kitchen for a picnic.
UPDATE: The picnic was a success, but had be cut short when the cat showed up. Today they have made it to House Plant Village where they met the Salt Dough critters.
Here are the results of our kitchen art. The natural dyes were a simple, cost effective and eco friendly way to make art. I could do this with little students as well as older ones. A lesson could include so much history.
The batik was really cool and gave me a better understanding of how colors are layered in a composition that is made on fabric. This could be a good lesson on negative space.
This is before getting the wax off.
The Godine Library at MassArt has a wonderful selection of Artist Books, please have a look. Artists’ Books at MassArt and here are some Artist Books from MOMA
Artist Books come in all shapes and sizes. They can be unfolded, opened and discovered. Best of all, they allow the artist to make the whole object into art.
Today we will make Sketchbooks, or blank artist books.
Shantell Martin – Illustrator ShantellMartin
Shantell Martin is an illustrator working in large and small scale drawing with no color. “Exploring themes such as intersectionality, identity and play, Martin is a cultural facilitator, forging new connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy and technology.”
I love black and white drawing. I think there is so much variety possible using just a black line. Martin’s work has the look of a sharpie marker, making it visually relateable for both children and adults.
Sketchbook Prompts Inspired by Shantell Martin: Using only black lines, draw 5-7 variations of an object. Or- Using only black line, create a doodle a day for one week.
Alma Thomas – Colorist and Teacher Alma Thomas
I love color theory. Alma Thomas was a painter who worked in full color. “Thomas was the first person to graduate from Washington, D.C.’s Howard University’s fine arts department in 1924, after which she gained an MA in art education from Columbia University in 1934. Thomas’ legacy is defined by critical acclaim and achievements, including a 1972 solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.” Alma Thomas’ work can be a great entry point for collage, color theory and painting, all of which can be incorporated into a sketchbook.
Sketchbook Prompts inspired by Alma Thomas: Choose either Primary colors or Secondary colors for a cover collage. Or Create a pattern with complementary colors for the cover art, any media.
Laura Freeman – Illustrator LauraFreeman
Laura Freeman is a children’s book illustrator. For me, children’s books are the original art works I grew up with. They are the reason I wanted to go to art school; to be a children’s book illustrator like Laura Freeman. Be sure to look up the story behind “Hidden Figures” it is a wonderful inspirational true story.
Sketchbook Prompts inspired by Laura Freeman: Create a 5-7 panel story about your day. Create a short story about change; show a transformation of an object or character.
Now that we are inspired… let’s get into the Sketchbooks.
Book binding comes in many forms. The method we will use today is a Japanese Stab Binding. Also known as Chinese Stab Binding, it appears that this technique originated so long ago that is credited to both places.
The history of Stab Binding can be found here…The Chinese Book: Its Evolution and Development
A stab binding is just that. The cover and pages are “stabbed” and bound together with thread. This method is easy to make and a good starting point to learn book binding. Young children can use a hole punch and ribbon instead of the needle and thread.
The supply list and the directions for binding the book can be found here…
in our Big Blue Folder Now it is time to create!
Links to extra help if needed…
This is a link to the most recommended tutorials on Stab Binding Top 15 Japanese Stab Binding Tutorials on the Internet
This You Tube tutorial is really clear and thorough, but she adds steps that I have skipped, so it may take a bit longer. DIY Japanese Bookbinding Tutorial | 4-Hole | Sea Lemon
This is a step by step picture tutorial that is also a bit more in depth. Bookbinding Fundamentals: Basic Stab Binding
Both of these activities were fun. The salt dough was fun to play with. It was sticky, so it was hard to form, but I like tactile things, so it was fine. I made easy shapes and I think they are really cute with some paint. I can see how fun this would be with little kids, you could try to stamp found objects or focus on organic forms.
The collage was fun too, I could see it being a good bridge to color theory. I liked the prompt and I do feel more connected to the piece after adding the personal memory. I chose the mountains of Colorado where I lived for many years (some of them in a tent). I found it helpful to start with 4 colors because it simplified the process.
Book Making Preview: Sketchbooks
Here’s a quick look at what we will be making on Wednesday… Sketchbooks! We will do the binding in class. The cover art can be done before or after we bind the sketchbook.
The Overview (next Blog post) will give you all the details, but for now, I just wanted to show you one example of the cover art.
You probably have the materials at home, but I have also mailed you a small kit that includes a needle, embroidery thread and heavy paper for the cover and back.
I glued the cyanotype to the heavy paper to make a sturdy cover for the example book, but you do not need to use a cyanotype- any drawing, collage, etc is fine. We will do the binding together. The cover art can be created before or after binding, so I wanted to let you have time to decide.
Black Lives Matter 2017 artist: Sasha Huber
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The article below is about an art show at the MCA in Chicago in 1968. The parallels to today are both eerie and saddening. VIOLENCE! IN RECENT AMERICAN ART –
There is so much beautiful art out there I thought I would share…
Defying the Narrative: Contemporary Art from South and West Africa
“Susan Degres is best known for her pioneering technique of capturing the movement of water by immersing photographic paper directly into rivers or shorelines. Recently she has begun working in the studio combining analog and digital techniques to create new forms and perspectives hitherto impossible to capture. Her practice reflects the work of the earliest pioneers of photography but is also contemporary in its experimentation and awareness of both conceptual and environmental issues.” more info here…
I really like the experimental aspect of photo grams. The focus of this lesson is more experimental and less on product. The students are introduced to the light sensitive paper and instructed to find objects for shadow making. The exposed paper will mimic water and turn blue and objects will create white. For the smaller students who will struggle with abstract concepts I can still use the water theme; I would include the idea that we are looking into an aquarium. We would make small flat fish out of play doh to use in the tanks.
A side note, I think speed would be an issue with small children since the composition takes time and the paper is sensitive. I had Linna set up the whole composition on top of the clear plastic in the sunny spot. Then I slid the paper under the clear plastic to expose it. This way the 3-D composition stays put.
Textiles from around the World with Inspiring Patterns and Prints
There is a wealth of history and visual inspiration in textile design. This lesson is about creating your own pattern with shadows on the cyanotype paper, inspired by a collective look at textile patterns and prints from around the world.
Students begin by looking at the variety of different fabric prints across history. I would provide them with a black and white copy of the top image to be sure they focus on contrast, repetition and shapes, not color. They will have the chance to make a few experimental prints using found objects to discover the shapes and shadows produced. Last they will plan and create one print of their own.
As an added option, the students could use several cyanotypes in a collage, similar to a Japanese Boro in the example above.
Here is a link with more information about Japanese Boro Textiles
Michael Papadakis
I have new appreciation for this craft. Creating this burned illustration with such detail is a show of skill and talent. Michael Papadakis has been creating these burned artworks for years. He is a great inspiration for working artists who want to be involved in their communities. I have included two articles that better describe him and his process.
Here is an article from Colorado…
Here is an article from California…
A lesson on burned art would be appropriate for the older students and I think there are a few people who could really excel. Wood burning using this method requires a lot of focus. The students would start with a pointillism method to get the feel for the magnifying tool. Then they would try some lines before being given the assignment.
Prompt: Sometimes we experience something really great, so great, it is burned into our memories. Illustrate a person, place or thing that has given you a memory burn.
Patrick Dougherty. Tower Hill Project here
Last year, I was able to experience walking through these stick structures at Tower Hill Botanic Park in Boylston. They are large scale woven forms that mimic natures growth. Patrick Dougherty is a master builder who has engineered many different variations of this form.
The lesson would be two part. Students will start working as individuals to create a small structure then they will work in groups to collaborate on a larger sculpture. This way the students will get the feel for the materials and the methods of binding the sticks before they have to work in groups to problem solve. For younger students the work would be simplified to very basic structural shapes.
Richard Schilling
This lesson is inspired by Richard Shilling, an Artist using natural materials to create outdoor installations. Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, Schilling’s work is colorful and joyful. The scale of this work is good for smaller kids and the materials can be gathered in the fall or spring, or maybe both to compare. The students would gather natural objects from outside the school, mostly flat things like leaves. They create patterns with the leaves then glue them to wax paper. We would staple the edges and hang them in the window like sun catchers. I have not tried this method yet, so I am not sure if the materials will hold together. I like that this lesson can be expanded to include other subject matter, like tree life cycles or photosynthesis.
Betye Saar
Saar’s work spans decades. Some of her works focuses on the violence and stereotypes faced by African Americans. I encourage you to read more about her extensive art career and her social footprint. She repurposed items as a “way of reclaiming images and artistic power.” Her work is intimate and powerful.
I found her “Keep for Memoirs” especially personal, so I thought I could make a lesson about holding a memory. The students would create a monoprint for the back ground and use found objects as accents. The found objects must relate to their loved ones in some way. (I used this term to clarify that family was not necessary and other people, pets etc. could be included.) The students can also press found objects on the printing plate. This lesson will connect memories with objects.
Play sessions are short lived events. Then the toy lies dormant.
Light bright pegs suspended temporarily in ice
Purple is a color.
Violet is my grandmother.
Violet’s bracelet in contrast with things that belong to my daughter and I.