Delectable

Nothing better than edible Art...

PERCEPTIONS

The kids came to the studio ready to continue the mural that we started the previous week, however when I asked them how school was, they began a long and heated conversation about someone that is causing them alot of frustration. This child obviously has had some power over them and they are completely fascinated by her and her behaviour. They really want to understand her and why she chooses to tell tales, and to manipulate people in the class. I think they like this child but they cannot figure her out....anyway, we decided to use this energy to create a piece of artwork. Naturally we chose Clay because this group Love to sculpt....well needless to say they produced the most outrageous depiction of a young pretty girl!! We discussed that when someone makes you feel badly, you view them differently. This sculpture represents the way the kids FEEL about this person. They titled it "They say mean things" which is an amazing title because who knows who is saying mean things to whom?? Is this child the victim?? Or the kids in my workshop??

DRAWINGS FROM HOME

Home drawings

The kids and I began a drawing project based on our Homes. We began with Charlie's house and then walked over to Alir's. The kids took their sketchpads and pencils and explored the houses looking for the things that interested them most. It was interesting to see the choices. I think the things that attracted them the most about others' homes, are the things they didn't imagine having at their own home. I think it is a valuable project because it enhances their powers of observation while allowing them to appreciate the differences in each of our homes...

Collaborative Art Making

My new endeavor is to create group projects with the children in the hopes
of having them displayed throughout our community. As much as I love this little
town, I do believe we lack visual Art in our public places, like our schools, libraries
parks, and cultural centers. The kids have such a raw and natural way of expressing
themselves and they are capable of creating such profound work....I think it will inspire
all the children; and even us grown ups; to appreciate visual Art a bit more.
I also believe that participating in group projects is so valuable because the children learn to really work together, and learn to appreciate eachothers unique perspective and style.

The kids and I decided to begin our first mural on the subject of CHILDRENS RIGHTS
We created a list of words that describe the things that we feel ALL children deserve in the world.
Love, Hugs, Kisses, Doctors, Clothes, Food, Fun, Books, Sun..to name a few....

This mural is inspired by MATISSE, in that we used paper to create the images and words....

Body Art continued....

wishing tree

On our drawing table, we have a little 'wishing' tree
The kids wrote their secrets and we hung them on the branches.
Its a place to share and hope and work out the things we want.
The messages ranged from desires of material things to wishing
a friend was nicer or hoping to be closer to another friend. Some
messages were greater than the individual, wanting more water on earth
and wanting Everyone to be healthy....I think in reading the notes, the
kids can get a greater sense of their needs as opposed to the needs of us ALL.
This was inspired by Yoko Onos Wishing Tree project.