4/7-4/11
At the end of this week we continued to work on the shoe paintings. Some of the kids began to work on larger scale paintings of their smaller original paintings, which is really cool to see. I just keep trying to remember what I was like in a class like this and how different I've become. I remember being a perfectionistic artist, which has faded. I'm much more stylistic now, and less detail-oriented, because I've realized that perfection is impossible as well as not too interesting. So I always wonder how these kids will grow in the next year, two, three years, depending on how old they are. I guess I'll have to come back and see.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Week of April 14 - 18 Journal
4/14-4/18
This week we continued to work on the shoe paintings. I got pretty far into my 3 part series alongside the kids. Though they only had to complete one piece, and it certainly took longer than expected, the results were actually pretty cool. I always think it's interesting to see where projects that Wertz comes up with start, and where they end up. You're never really sure what processes you'll be using, and I don't think he is either until the last moment. It keeps the kids and me on our toes, and I'm sure it keeps him on his toes as well. I've learned that artists often come up with the concepts for their work from things that happen in daily life for them, which is awesome. I love recognizing what influences me on a daily basis.
This week we continued to work on the shoe paintings. I got pretty far into my 3 part series alongside the kids. Though they only had to complete one piece, and it certainly took longer than expected, the results were actually pretty cool. I always think it's interesting to see where projects that Wertz comes up with start, and where they end up. You're never really sure what processes you'll be using, and I don't think he is either until the last moment. It keeps the kids and me on our toes, and I'm sure it keeps him on his toes as well. I've learned that artists often come up with the concepts for their work from things that happen in daily life for them, which is awesome. I love recognizing what influences me on a daily basis.
Week of April 21 - 25 Journal
4/21/25
This week we focused mostly on self portraiture. It is one of the hardest things to do in the art world. Wertz allowed the kids do use photographs instead of mirrors, but they still struggled with it. I realized that if I do become a teacher, I need to make sure that I'm challenging my students at the same time as I am making sure they're not too frustrated to complete good work. In a first level class like the one we have, the kids want to do things in a pre-set process and not stray from it at all. For me, I can remember the days when I was like that and see now that I have grown a lot as an artist. That's because I was challenged a lot, but also allowed to do work that I wanted to do, and experiment. Sometimes it was frustrating, but it made me better.
This week we focused mostly on self portraiture. It is one of the hardest things to do in the art world. Wertz allowed the kids do use photographs instead of mirrors, but they still struggled with it. I realized that if I do become a teacher, I need to make sure that I'm challenging my students at the same time as I am making sure they're not too frustrated to complete good work. In a first level class like the one we have, the kids want to do things in a pre-set process and not stray from it at all. For me, I can remember the days when I was like that and see now that I have grown a lot as an artist. That's because I was challenged a lot, but also allowed to do work that I wanted to do, and experiment. Sometimes it was frustrating, but it made me better.
Week of April 28 - May 2 Journal
4/28 - 5/2
I was just told by someone that the journals for this marking period are supposed to be once a week reflections, so I'm going to summarize my journals for each day into a weekly overview.
This week we tried to do some things outside. We did a study in the back of the school in pastel, and other similar studies. We also did work in the atrium and work areas, transferring original sketches onto monotype plexiglass and ran prints of them. I realized how much I had actually learned in the art wing in the past few years, and I suddenly became so appreciative of Mr. Wertz for being such an influential person in my life. I have been thinking about how much different my life would be if I went to a school like Christian School of York or York Catholic where their art programs are more or less non-existent. I would probably be going to college to do something I didn't care about that much. But Wertz and the other art teachers have made me realize that I have a true passion for art, and wherever that takes me, I have to be grateful for them.
I was just told by someone that the journals for this marking period are supposed to be once a week reflections, so I'm going to summarize my journals for each day into a weekly overview.
This week we tried to do some things outside. We did a study in the back of the school in pastel, and other similar studies. We also did work in the atrium and work areas, transferring original sketches onto monotype plexiglass and ran prints of them. I realized how much I had actually learned in the art wing in the past few years, and I suddenly became so appreciative of Mr. Wertz for being such an influential person in my life. I have been thinking about how much different my life would be if I went to a school like Christian School of York or York Catholic where their art programs are more or less non-existent. I would probably be going to college to do something I didn't care about that much. But Wertz and the other art teachers have made me realize that I have a true passion for art, and wherever that takes me, I have to be grateful for them.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
5/6/14 Journal
5/6/14
The second stage of Bike Week began today. After yesterday when the kids were doing cut/torn paper studies, they were allowed to add detail work in graphite. It doesn't seem like many of them are into this one. Normally the class is a little bit loud and talkative, which is fine if they get work done, but the past two days they haven't been working too hard. In turn, the work that they're doing doesn't seem to be too fantastic. I guess we'll see what Wertz does to get them back on track, or if he scraps this project.
The second stage of Bike Week began today. After yesterday when the kids were doing cut/torn paper studies, they were allowed to add detail work in graphite. It doesn't seem like many of them are into this one. Normally the class is a little bit loud and talkative, which is fine if they get work done, but the past two days they haven't been working too hard. In turn, the work that they're doing doesn't seem to be too fantastic. I guess we'll see what Wertz does to get them back on track, or if he scraps this project.
5/7/14 Journal
5/7/14
Today was about ink and gesso. With the torn paper and graphite studies that they had already, the kids started to overpaint with gesso as well as India ink. But as it got further and further, Wertz decided that he hated where this project was going, and what the results were. I had to agree, the work was getting pretty sloppy, and no one seemed to care about the project. So Wertz said that we'll be going in a different direction tomorrow.
Today was about ink and gesso. With the torn paper and graphite studies that they had already, the kids started to overpaint with gesso as well as India ink. But as it got further and further, Wertz decided that he hated where this project was going, and what the results were. I had to agree, the work was getting pretty sloppy, and no one seemed to care about the project. So Wertz said that we'll be going in a different direction tomorrow.
5/8/14 Journal
5/8/14
Today continued Bike Week. As most of the kids finished up with their ink and gesso overlays, Wertz demo'd the next step. The students started to transfer a section of their drawing onto a rubber block used for printing. This area was a focal point. Wertz is hoping that this small section of the drawing will become stronger after using block printing ink to run prints of it. I pulled one from a bike study I did a few years ago, and it looks pretty interesting.
Today continued Bike Week. As most of the kids finished up with their ink and gesso overlays, Wertz demo'd the next step. The students started to transfer a section of their drawing onto a rubber block used for printing. This area was a focal point. Wertz is hoping that this small section of the drawing will become stronger after using block printing ink to run prints of it. I pulled one from a bike study I did a few years ago, and it looks pretty interesting.
5/9/14 Journal
5/9/14
Most people finished their linocuts today. At first, most people struggled with it, but I think after seeing both Wertz and I demo, they started to get it. We began to use the linocuts on a large piece of mat board - each person's print was placed directly next to the others so that we created a huge collaboration with the other class in the morning that was doing the same project. The colors alternate from red to black, so it looks pretty cool. Since Wertz didn't trust the kids to put their prints on straight, he had them ink each of them and then had me place them.
Most people finished their linocuts today. At first, most people struggled with it, but I think after seeing both Wertz and I demo, they started to get it. We began to use the linocuts on a large piece of mat board - each person's print was placed directly next to the others so that we created a huge collaboration with the other class in the morning that was doing the same project. The colors alternate from red to black, so it looks pretty cool. Since Wertz didn't trust the kids to put their prints on straight, he had them ink each of them and then had me place them.
5/12/14 Journal
5/12/14
Today I began to formulate a title corner for the Bike Week poster, since Wertz knew I would be interested in that. Everyone tried to finish up their work from last week's Bike Week, finishing and transferring their lino-cut block onto the poster with my help or onto their original drawing. Though we thought that the project was going to be a bust, the linoleum cuts seem to be going better. Sometimes it takes a huge study to get something small and interesting out of it.
Today I began to formulate a title corner for the Bike Week poster, since Wertz knew I would be interested in that. Everyone tried to finish up their work from last week's Bike Week, finishing and transferring their lino-cut block onto the poster with my help or onto their original drawing. Though we thought that the project was going to be a bust, the linoleum cuts seem to be going better. Sometimes it takes a huge study to get something small and interesting out of it.
5/13/14 Journal
5/13/14
Today we began to prepare for the art show. As some people were putting the final touches on their Bike Week work, the others started to choose work for the show and mat it. Some of the work had been previously matted of course, since I did a ton of it earlier in the semester, so that made it easier on the kids, but their more current work still has to be matted. I continued to work on the Bike Week typography for the huge poster we made of everyone's lino-cut prints. I think it looks pretty cool, and it was a fun way to take up the space that was left over.
Today we began to prepare for the art show. As some people were putting the final touches on their Bike Week work, the others started to choose work for the show and mat it. Some of the work had been previously matted of course, since I did a ton of it earlier in the semester, so that made it easier on the kids, but their more current work still has to be matted. I continued to work on the Bike Week typography for the huge poster we made of everyone's lino-cut prints. I think it looks pretty cool, and it was a fun way to take up the space that was left over.
5/14/14 Journal
5/14/14
The art show is tomorrow. Today was a matting day, really. Everyone was frantically cutting and taping their mats so they could hang their work in the halls or in the commons. I must have cut a hundred mats. I guess that's part of the job. Some of the work is really cool, actually. I'm excited to see the show, and apparently get an award tomorrow night. It's my last time.
The art show is tomorrow. Today was a matting day, really. Everyone was frantically cutting and taping their mats so they could hang their work in the halls or in the commons. I must have cut a hundred mats. I guess that's part of the job. Some of the work is really cool, actually. I'm excited to see the show, and apparently get an award tomorrow night. It's my last time.
5/15/14 Journal
5/15/14
Today was the art show. Basically our whole class period was taken up by setting up work. I helped everyone finish up matting and hanging their work. Normally I would get about 2 panels for my own work since I'm a high level art student, but I only had half of one this year. That was alright since I didn't have too much of my own work from this semester. However, I did sell a painting, so that was exciting considering it was my first one.
Today was the art show. Basically our whole class period was taken up by setting up work. I helped everyone finish up matting and hanging their work. Normally I would get about 2 panels for my own work since I'm a high level art student, but I only had half of one this year. That was alright since I didn't have too much of my own work from this semester. However, I did sell a painting, so that was exciting considering it was my first one.
5/16/14 Journal
5/16/14
Today was the day spent mostly tearing down the art show. This week wasn't too productive otherwise. Since it was a half day, the period was shortened quite a bit and a lot had to be done to wrap up the art show from the night before. We didn't do much but gather up the work and distribute it back to the students and pack up the panels. It was a little bit sad for me, knowing it was the last time I'd do that. My last art show is over.
Today was the day spent mostly tearing down the art show. This week wasn't too productive otherwise. Since it was a half day, the period was shortened quite a bit and a lot had to be done to wrap up the art show from the night before. We didn't do much but gather up the work and distribute it back to the students and pack up the panels. It was a little bit sad for me, knowing it was the last time I'd do that. My last art show is over.
5/19/14 Journal
5/19/14
Today we started into watercolor. At the beginning of the semester, the kids got into it a little bit, but not too formally. Wertz and I showed off how to get an interesting underpainting with lifting, wax resist, and other techniques. Watercolor is a much different animal than anything else we've gotten into this semester, or anything else that there is in the art field, for that matter. It is very difficult to control, and that is what brings beauty to it. The nuances that occur and the simplicity that it can bring are wonderful. It is frustrating at first, and we're trying to let the kids know that ahead of time.
Today we started into watercolor. At the beginning of the semester, the kids got into it a little bit, but not too formally. Wertz and I showed off how to get an interesting underpainting with lifting, wax resist, and other techniques. Watercolor is a much different animal than anything else we've gotten into this semester, or anything else that there is in the art field, for that matter. It is very difficult to control, and that is what brings beauty to it. The nuances that occur and the simplicity that it can bring are wonderful. It is frustrating at first, and we're trying to let the kids know that ahead of time.
5/22/14 Journal
5/22/14
Today I was in charge of giving a demo for the kids. We started watercolor self portraits, which I had done before, but they're very difficult - especially without preliminary line work. Looking at a mirror and using a half inch flat brush to try and convey realism is really difficult. Especially when you haven't used watercolor in almost a whole semester and you're pressured to do it much quicker than normal. But it was a n interesting experience for me. I was a little bit nervous, but I realized that I had the skills for the demo. Of course, the kids didn't pay attention to me as much as they would Wertz since I'm a peer rather than a teacher, but I was glad that they stuck around to see my demonstration. Hopefully I can do something like that again in the next few days.
Today I was in charge of giving a demo for the kids. We started watercolor self portraits, which I had done before, but they're very difficult - especially without preliminary line work. Looking at a mirror and using a half inch flat brush to try and convey realism is really difficult. Especially when you haven't used watercolor in almost a whole semester and you're pressured to do it much quicker than normal. But it was a n interesting experience for me. I was a little bit nervous, but I realized that I had the skills for the demo. Of course, the kids didn't pay attention to me as much as they would Wertz since I'm a peer rather than a teacher, but I was glad that they stuck around to see my demonstration. Hopefully I can do something like that again in the next few days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)