Where did the summer go?

School started this week, so I am back to work.  Just like the kids, it's challenging for me to get back into the routine of waking up early and going to school.

Me and my BFF
having fun as always!

So, where did the summer go?  Mine ended with a trip to Florida to see my BFF.

She and her husband took me to Key West and it was wonderful.  Hot, but wonderful.

Most people have seen tons of classic photos of Key West (cute houses, weird people, sunsets).  These are my photos - pictures of signs.  

- christina

I Don't Like Ink

Back in June, I completed my third round of Drawing Fundamentals at the local art league.  The semester was all about drawing in ink.  I had the same teacher as the previous 2 classes, which covered pencil and charcoal drawing.  I made an important discovery – I don’t like ink.

My ink value study

Ink involves a commitment – more than I want to make.  I can’t erase ink; I can only make it darker.  Darker is something I am not very good at.  I like to smudge and erase, add and then take away, but that’s not possible with ink. 

It's a pinecone. Can you tell?

Our assignment was to do a landscape.
I got frustrated and lost interest.
Too many flowers.

This is supposed to be Denzel Washington.
I messed up the other eye hence the framing.

Next session I’m going back to charcoal and pencil.  I feel the need to smudge.

- christina

Medellin, Colombia

Medellin is not a city that I have been dying to visit.  However, the opportunity presented itself this summer because I have a friend who has a friend who lives there.  It seemed to me that going to Colombia would be an adventure - unknown and possibly a little risky.  Medellin turned out to be a beautiful city, where I learned an interesting history lesson about Pablo Escobar and was introduced to the artist Fernando Botero.  My trip was a half city/half country adventure.

Hotel Charlee is in a very posh, but loud, part of the city.

The view from my hotel room's balcony.

The stairwell on each floor had a unique mural.

Street Art:

After a few days in the city, I visited a "finca" (literally, it means property but I would call this one a "country house").  It was a beautiful home and provided a relaxing few days.

The driveway of the finca.

The amazing backyard.

Just in case you ever meet a native of Medellin, they pronounce the name Med-a-jean.  The "ll" makes a j-sound: like a hard j with a little buzz added to it.  Say it that way and you will make a good impression.

I hope you are enjoying your summer trips.  Personally I wish summer would last at least another month.  Hey, a girl can dream.

Me and my new friend, Lucy, enjoying summer
vacation at the finca.

- christina

Inspirational Banana

Inspiration and support can be found in unlikely places.  This banana was waiting for me at the Hampton Inn in Clarion, Pennsylvania.  It put a smile on my face and I did have a pretty darn good day.

- christina

Art PBL

This spring, I worked with 2 art teachers to implement a problem-based learning unit (PBL) with 4^th and 5^th grade students.  That’s what I do – coach teachers through the PBL process.  It’s a great job and a frustrating job.  I imagine that phrase can describe any job in public education right now.  For this PBL unit, the art teachers worked with students to deconstruct the creative process.  They started by reading and discussing the book What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada.

Each student was asked to create a piece of art that represented him or her.  They began by creating a mindmap.

They selected one node of the mindmap on which to focus their work.  Using any type of material available, each student developed a piece of art. Halfway through the process, adult art experts were brought in to give students feedback on the art and the process.

The focus of the lesson was the process of taking an original idea all the way to a completed work of art.  That’s one of the things that made this art unit different from the way the teachers usually taught art.  Another difference was that the students could create anything they wanted.  They were not being directed to explore shading by drawing circles on paper or to create an animal sculpture using plaster of paris.   They were given freedom to express themselves in any manner through any medium.

At the end of the unit the students wrote artist statements and had an art show.  Here are examples of their work.

Interactive art
The artist wanted the viewer to see both sides
of the beautiful shells

The flower in the photo above was one of my favorite pieces because I had a chance to talk to the young artist.  Her flower represents her love of playing the piano.  It blooms just like she blooms when she plays.  The colors of the flower petals represent the colors of her piano books as she has progressed through the levels.  This piece is so much more than a flower.

I was so proud of the students.   The art teachers also learned something - the benefit of occasionally adding student choice to their lessons.

Proud elementary art teachers

- christina

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is located downtown near the Walker Art Center.  I discovered it when I was visiting St Paul.  Looking through the “things to go in the area” magazine in the hotel, I saw a picture of Spoonbridge and Cherry.  I had to see it in person.  In less than 45 minutes I was in Minneapolis.

Here is my other favorite sculpture from the garden.  It consisted of 4 walls that were both transparent and reflective.  I tried to take a photo to show that I could see through the glass wall to the other side and also see my reflection.  The experience differed at each of the 4 walls based on the angle of the sun.  The effect was fascinating.

My friend and I are standing on one side of the wall.
The tress in the background are on the other side of the wall.

A ghost-like reflection

This side of the wall (exactly opposite of the 1st photo)
is entirely reflective based on the sun.

The garden also includes a conservatory that houses a large, glass sculpture of a fish.  The flowers that were blooming made the conservatory smell amazing!

I want to go back to Minneapolis one day to visit the Walker Art Center, which houses contemporary art.  What are some of your favorite museums?

- christina

A Transformation

I know I frequently mention my BFF and, once again, she will be the subject of my post.  My BFF visited me over spring break with the singular goal to reorganize my 3 large craft cabinets. Yes, we always have the goal of making art when we are together (see this post), but on this visit she was like a woman possessed.  She specifically arrived one day early to tackle my cabinets while I was at work.  Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she pulled efficiency out of chaos and clutter!  And she enjoyed herself, mostly because it is easier to organize someone else’s hoarded collection of art supplies than it is to organize your own.

Here is where the transformation began.

1 of my 3 unorganized cabinets

Everything had to be unloaded.  Who knew I had so much stuff?

We purchased clear shoeboxes from The Container Store, the key to the organization plan.  Luckily I went to work while my BFF slaved over all the flotsam and jetsam, which she divided into themes - paper, fabric, jewelry.  The transformation was 90% completed when I returned from work, and the change was remarkable.

Paper

Paper & Jewelry

Fabric

We used 32 shoe boxes.

My BFF started an excellent labeling system!

I have to share the amazing fact that while my BFF was organizing my cabinets she also cooked a large pot of vegetarian chili for our dinner.  It was delicious.  She rocks and I am lucky to have her as a best friend.

The cabinets are finished and I vow to keep them organized.  Maybe next time I go to visit my BFF we can organize her craft room.  Maybe. :)

- christina