Something New!

A friend of mine gave me a gift certificate for BLICK Art Supplies!  I've never ordered anything for myself from BLICK...just student grade art supplies for school.  Have you ever noticed how hard it is to narrow down what you want when are given a gift card/certificate?  I wanted to get the biggest bang for my buck.  I rarely ever spend big money on my personal art making.  I'm a teacher, husband, and father of three....I pinch pennies!!!  ha ha  I ended up getting this BEAUTIFUL watercolor set from Van Gogh. They are the botanical colors (I love to do nature paintings.)  I've not used them yet because I'm still trying to decide what layout makes sense for how I use my paint.  I'll be sure to share once I start painting.  If any of you have used Van Gogh, and have any ideas or tips to share...please leave them in the comments. 

 

Artist Self Care

 Self-care looks different for everybody. Sometimes I forget that this simple act of painting helps heal/clear my artist soul. We get so busy. We think we don't have time for a grandiose work. We don't have time to invest in a piece that will change minds, ignite fires within, or challenge social issues. You know what. We don't have to do that all the time. "Good Art" meets the needs of the artist before it can ever touch the heart of the viewers. If it is just a sketch, a small painting, a clay pot...whatever you do....do it! If it leads to something FABULOUS...awesome. If it meets you where you are at....that is most important!

School has been a challenge this year(past couple years), and I needed some "therapy". Made these little cards last night...and it felt good!!

What does self care look like for you?

Betye Irene Saar

I wanted to feature African American Artists on my blog to encourage the art/art ed community to start searching/researching such artists to use as inspiration in their work or their classroom.  Students need to see those who look like, live like, and experienced life like them.  Great Art goes far beyond the old dead white guys most students are taught.  We must make sure to share the art, artists, and stories of  the African American community!  I hope that those of you in the art room will use this summer to explore the amazing work of those groups you might have neglected in the past.  

BETYE IRENE SAAR (1926-present)

Betye is has been creating art for over 60 years, and is best known for Assemblage & Printmaking.  Her work often deals with race and femininity.  When discussing  Assemblage...most art teachers will use the work of  Louise Nevelson (which is awesome!), but bringing in the work of Saar will add variety and create a different dialog in regards to the impact of Assemblage. As with all artists you will need to look through the images you will share with your young students to make sure they are appropriate for the age you are working.  However, I feel that older/high school/college age students would really learn so much from studying the life and work of Betye Saar.  It is truly a powerful commentary! 

Learn more about her work here.....   https://www.moma.org/artists/5102

David Driskell

I will be highlighting African American artists that I love and reference in my classroom in a series of posts. My hope is...if you aren’t already...do your research this summer and bring a wealth of AMAZING artists to your students that will enrich their art education experience& allow them to see themselves in the art & artists!

David Driskell
1931-2020

David Driskell was an artist and art historian that focused on African American Art. He authored and co-authored a number of books on the topic. His work is alive with color and line, and it is filled with heart felt meaning and symbolism. David passed away in April of complications with Covid 19. His contribution to the world of art will not be forgotten.

Read more about David Driskell! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Driskell

Minnie Evans

I will be highlighting African American artists that I love and reference in my classroom in a series of posts. My hope is...if you aren’t already...do your research this summer and bring a wealth of AMAZING artists to your students that will enrich their art education experience& allow them to see themselves in the art & artists!

Minnie Evans (1892–1987) Folk Artist
Minnie’s work is so beautiful!! I love her use of pattern, color, and symmetry. She often had “visions” that she then turned into art. If you click on the link below you will learn more about her life and work.

https://americanart.si.edu/artist/minnie-evans-1466

What are you making?

During this time of "social distancing" and "safer at home".....there is a bit more time & opportunity to create.  I've had an idea for a fabric piece, and finally started working on it.  I've posted on social media...and have gotten the question, "HOW DO YOU MAKE THOSE?"  I'll try to make a video this week showing how to create the yo-yo's.
This is "in progress", and will have more yo-yo's.  I also plan on adding beads to many of them (I've never beaded before!?!?!)

I'll post the progress & when it's completed.

Can We Talk About Wayne Thiebaud??

I'm so inspired by Wayne Thiebaud!!! 

 I usually see people using his early work. It is lovely & so accessible for young artists as inspiration.  However, that is not the work to which I'm referring.  I love his landscapes. They have such amazing color and atmospheric perspective.  I feel like I'm flying over his world as I view the paintings. If you are not familiar with the "newer" work of Thiebaud...hop on-line and do a search!
You will have a "new/old" artist to add to your landscape units!

Did you know I interviewed Wayne Thiebaud? YEP YEP!! Here is the link to that post from 2014.

https://www.artwithmre.com/2014/05/mr-e-asks-3-wayne-thiebaud.html

Support Cool Artists: Kev Munday

Kev Munday was my inspiration artist at the start of the school year for my call school collaborative project.  He just announced he has a poster(that you can color if you like!) at IKEA!!! Here it is...and I placed the link below the image.  Lets support a super cool artist!!!

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/getnaes-coloring-poster-people-and-objects-50454437/

RANDOM INFORMATION

Did you know the artist Robert Indiana died May 19, 2018(Saturday)?  I totally missed this until yesterday.  He was a very interesting individual, and if you don't know much about his life & art career....you need to look him up.  All I use to know about him was a few of the "major" works he was known for creating.  

Today is WORLD TURTLE DAY!!!!!!

  I love turtles & wanted you all to know it was their day!! 

CELEBRATE!

Artist League Board

I'm a SyFy & Superhero nerd! Always have been.  I don't usually let that show too much in my classroom..  However, this year I've created an Artist League/Superhero Board!  Each month I plan to switch out the board with a new artist, and add them to the members list.  I'll try to have several examples of their work, and I'll have some facts about the artist.  This is in addition to whatever we are doing in class...just another layer of introducing my students to amazing art & artists!

I use to have my map on this old chalk board for years & years!! 

CHANGE IS GOOD!!!

Kind of a cross between Avengers & Justice League! ha ha

Each month I'll place a picture of the artist featured to the team/members roster.

LeRoy Neiman

I had never heard of LeRoy Neiman until today when I saw on CNN that he had died.  They called him a "sports" artist.  I was curious.  After spending some time looking through images of his work...he seems more than just a sports artist...but images like the one above I feel are his most successful.  

http://www.leroyneiman.com/

RIP Thomas Kinkade

I've never been shy about my feelings toward Thomas Kinkade & his work. I feel like he sold out to the all mighty dollar & lost some of the heart to his heart.  However, he was a brother in Christ....and seemed to have at one point painted with a heart that is very like my own.  I would have liked to have seen what would have happened stylistically to his work over the years.  54 is way to young to go!!!  The world lost an amazing business man...who was an artist.  I hope that this Easter "Painter of Light"...that you are looking into the face of our Savior & finding peace...joy...and beauty beyond your wildest imagination.  

Art Show 2010 - HOW ARTISTS SEE

!!!!!!!!COMING SOON!!!!!!!

Every year I pick a theme for our school wide art show. This year it is HOW ARTISTS SEE. I have this great series of books that inspired the idea. I can't say that I pulled all my ideas from the books (though I probably could have), but I liked the concept so much. It was open enough to have a nice variety of projects! As you walk into the art show I will have the inspiration pieces & artist/style information so parents & visitors will have some background knowledge to what they'll be seeing.