Art Teacher Still Life (Clean Up Beauty)

 I guess I see beauty in most things. Even clean up. We spend time at the end of Art Club with everyone helping clean up, but I do a second round at home with brushes and supplies that might be wrecked if not cleaned completely. (Let's just say a first-grader's idea of clean might not be the same as mine…)

These are some thrifted cookie cutters (Value Village) we used to add a printed layer to this year's freestyle painting we did on cardboard. (Here are some older examples. We use up the paint on our pallets after painting our annual paper mache- so much fun to paint just for the joy of painting!)

Yes, I lined up the paint-stained sponge bits on the stripes of the towel to dry. Like houses on little lots and parallel roads.

 I cut open the tube acrylics to scrape out every last bit of paint. I put warm colors in one squeeze bottle, cool in another, Black and white together because the white on a kid's pallet always has some color mixed in. We'll use the mixed paints on future projects where the marbling of colors is a plus.

 I don't save the dried bits from the lids, but I couldn't just throw them away without a photo.  Or two.

I remind my students all the time to see like an artist. Look for line, shape, space, texture, color, form, and value. Pattern and repetition. Light and shadow and contrast and all that. The world (even clean up!) is full of visual treasures we don't want to miss.

Make it a Wonderful Day!

Bedouin Textiles

We enjoyed another exhibit at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. I'm always impressed with beautiful objects that also serve practical purposes. In this case, Bedouin nomadic tents, rugs, cushions, clothing, along with camel ornamentation and saddlebags.

The show is just a small portion of the collection amassed by Joy and Robert Hilden.

 The pieces on display were made from the 1960s through the 1990s. The textiles are made from a variety of materials: cotton, sheepswool, goat hair, camel hair, and include synthetic yarns in the newest pieces.

Joy Hilden wrote a book in 2010 about their collection and her research. As cultures disappear, it's important for the artistic and creative arts of peoples to be preserved and shared.  There is no substitute for interacting with cultures firsthand, but seeing this collection is a small glimpse into the weaving done by the Bedouin women. And Joy's book,  Bedouin Weaving of Saudi Arabia and It's Neighbors is available in the museum store and online.

Make it a Wonderful Day!

Kawandi Adventure: Quilts by Margaret Fabrizio

We visited this show of beautiful quilts at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. 

All so beautiful! And then something really fun happened- as we drove away from the museum, I saw a woman dressed in an artful way, and I recognized her from a short video of Margaret that was included in her show.

I had Dave stop the car so I could get out and tell her how much I enjoyed her quilts. (No photo of our meeting- I'd left my camera in the car and Dave had driven off to get gas.)

We walked back to the museum together, along with the two gentlemen who were with her. We chatted about art and quilts.

 I found out that it was Margaret's 85th birthday that day- so great to see all of this creative energy and beautiful current work. That inspires me.

Her quilts appeal to me on so many levels. I love the connection to the Indian quilting tradition. I love the vibrant, saturated colors. I love the spontaneous, seemingly haphazard compositions. The textures created by the rows and rows of hand stitching. And the use of every scrap and the attention that brings to the beauty around us, even in the bits others might just throw away.


Make it a Wonderful Day!

Paper Cut Art- A Fabulous Find!

I found this the other day at my local thrift store. (Value Village). I think it's a great addition to my Halloween decor.

The paper cut artwork is signed- I think it's "Blecko". Or "Bleeke". But I couldn't find anything about him or her when I searched those names. 

Adding a spider and some web, along with some Halloween lighting, gave it just the right amount of creepiness. 

And there was nothing creepy about the price- original, signed art for under $5. I'd love to know something about the piece. It's one of the things I like about thrift store shopping- a little history, a little mystery. Who made it? Who owned it? And why did they decide to give it away? 

Max Grover: Hunter, Gatherer, Painter

This summer, we took a day trip to Bainbridge Island, and it included a visit to the 

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. 

 

                                                   Stellar Robot (acrylic and collage, 2014)

 We didn't know anything about the small museum, but we're glad we visited! Admission is free, and the art was great. Of the several shows on display, Max Grover: Hunter, Gatherer, Painter, was a favorite.

                                                  Cinema (acrylic and collage, 2014)

 The show was built around the artist's wonderful collections that inspired his work. Somehow, I didn't photograph any of the collections! But they were as varied as tiny robot toys, wedding cake toppers, and other really cool stuff. His collage and acrylic work inspired me. Maybe some artwork based on my own collections in the future?

                                                       Equal (acrylic and collage, 2014)

                                                 Royal Winter (acrylic and collage, 2014)

And a few more….

I came home and ordered a book he wrote and illustrated:  The Accidental Zucchini, An Unexpected Alphabet. It includes things like a "Vegetable Volcano" and Octopus Overalls', and an "Ice cream Island".  Whimsy that made me smile. Can't wait to share the book with my grands.



Make it a Wonderful Day!