Great success! The work was extraordinary, as usual. The show was hung in the Community Room at Westbeth- the first time. I used to hang it in my apartment and studio, but the school has gotten too large. We ate strawberry shortcake ( yes that is what that was- not pita bread) looked at the art, adults mingled, grandparents oggled, we all listened to Noah on the piano, and students ran around the courtyard. I wasn't sure it would get done ( 9 to 1 is NOT enough time to hang a show) but it did and all was down by 5.
Keep scrolling down for information about Fall classes, the school in general, and my art educational philosophies: the posts run from most recent to least. I will be posting photos of the show here, adding a few at a time. Thanks for looking, and any comments on the show, (you now can), and thank you wonderful students for your remarkable work. Joan
Coming In!
Nicco's Wall ( 7)
(some close ups coming)
Alexander's (8yrs) "Ondine"
(These are going to make Ruth smile! )
"Black Dry Paintings"- 7 year olds
(top, Julian. Bottom left, Tessa. Bottom Right, Cayla)
At this age children in my classes seem to split a bit between those who want to work representationally, and those who think more abstractly. I encourage both. In an attempt to have the more abstract thinkers feel comfortable with drawing- that is primarily seen as a representational, linear art form- I gave an assignment to do "Black Dry Paintings". The children were given dry media, in sticks, and told to not leave any white, and to fill the page. Usually I shy away from formal constraints but I was trying to make them see drawing in a more painterly fashion. The results, you can see, were astounding.
Caylas "Wall", Nicco (left) and Tessas (right) Black Dry Paintings
Izzyy's (6) spot
Giselles Wall (3 yrs)
Giselles Portrait of her Sister Tessa
Buster's continuous line drawing of Alexander
Julian's Mixed Media Paintings, Collages (7)
Tessa's (7) Shell
Maeves (6) Mural Painting behind Stroller
Noah's(8) Continuous Line Drawing of a miniature Eiffel tower
Nicco's (7) Observation Painting of Flowers
Our Entertainment
Maeve's and Noah's Parents
Maeve(6)' and Charlotte(7)'s Walls
Maeves Column
Proud Artists and Good Friends Maeve (6) and Charlotte (7)
At this age children in my classes seem to split a bit between those who want to work representationally, and those who think more abstractly. I encourage both. In an attempt to have the more abstract thinkers feel comfortable with drawing- that is primarily seen as a representational, linear art form- I gave an assignment to do "Black Dry Paintings". The children were given dry media, in sticks, and told to not leave any white, and to fill the page. Usually I shy away from formal constraints but I was trying to make them see drawing in a more painterly fashion. The results, you can see, were astounding.
(Julian, top; Cayla, bottom)
Violet's (5) Wall
Buster's Continuous Line Portraits of 1. Himself and 2. Noah (8 yrs)
Buster's continuous line drawing of my dog Cookie- sleeping. (8)
Tessa's Area (7)
Alexander's (8) Charcoal Value Drawings
Alexander's Continuous Line Drawings: Flower, and Self-Portrait in Studio
Charlottes Wall
