Holiday Villains

Featuring-
Corcoran Finale
Just a Touch

It's the most wonderful time of the year! when you spend all your money, and then act like a dummy,while spreading good cheer. Its the most wonderful time of the year! Unless....

Your a mean one, Mr. Grinch, 
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch!

You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.

Ah the nostalgia of it all. Remember watching Dr. Seuss cartoon every Xmas!  I even learned the song!  What was most intriguing wasn't the message these Xmas specials gave, it was the villains who were the "odd balls" and who were ostracized for their ill behavior which is a direct result of their well intentions being taken not so well. Somehow I could relate to their anger and existence. I still do. For a while, I even thought of myself as a grinch because the holidays sucked. Now, not so much a grinch, but the holidays still suck a little. The grand baby makes it a little nicer. I digress.

Anyway, did you know that the Grinch song was sung by Thurl Albert Hague who was the voice of Tony the Tiger!(They're great!) it was such a dark and slimy song. Love it! The villains in the Xmas specials were always more interesting than the ones who saved the day. Guess they are a necessary evil. LOL   For instance, Bumble the Abominable snowman was the ultimate scary monster! At least at the North Pole. There is a cartoon special coming on tonight on Cartoon Network called Abominable Christmas, gotta see this! I got two of these, one large that growls when you squeeze his hand and a small one. He doesn't look scary, he looks adorable! But he scared all those who lived at the North Pole, probably cause they were mean to him and wouldn't let him play in any of the reindeer games! Why not terrorize those who isolated and alienated him because he was a big furry snowball with teeth. I believe he was bullied as a young bumble and he never recovered. The Grinch, had a heart two sizes too small, and didn't understand the happiness of the Whos during the holidays. Who understands the overly xmasy perkiness of the Whos in Whoville? They are just too fucking happy. I don't live there, but I'm already tired of Xmas songs, trees, lights, ugh pleez! Maybe its because Xmas is too commercialized for me....grinch.

Another villain is the Bugermeister, Meisterburger which means Mayor or master citizen in German. He is the Mayor of Somber town, and hates toys and children because he accidentally tripped on a toy.  Hey, it only took one child for me to realize that I didn't want anymore and I've tripped over toys and swore I would never buy him another, but I did.  Don't hate kids, but there is a definite time limit with them. I can understand his dismay, even I give in and try to spread joy and toys for Xmas. Except for one time just to teach a lesson, but we won't talk about that. A lot of us wish we could be kids again, and some of us are still kids at heart,nevertheless some parts of childhood was not the best. For me, misery  was being at school, at home, I created my own world that was fun and free from judgement. The joys of childhood.

Along other frosty villains, The Winter Warlock was my favorite, he refused to let anyone pass into Somber town or vice versa. In Santa Claus is Coming To Town, he is depicted as mean wintry magical guy with a major chip on his shoulder.  The guy had never received a toy train as a child. When Kris Kringle gave him one, he chilled out and became friends with the future Santa.  See a little kindness goes a long way! Mine has just run it's long way out, for some people. Love his long pointy nose. I've always been fascinated with this type of animation. Something about making puppets/figures has always been alluring.

His opposite, Heatmeister is another story. He appears in the Year Without Santa Claus, and is Winter Warlocks half brother, Mother Nature is their mother. He is a demon-like being who lives in a volcano with his imp-like minions all identical miniature versions of himself, and controls warm weather all over the world. He can melt anything he touches and can create objects made from fire. oooooh! His mean, grumpy, hot-tempered and constantly angry personality comes from the fact he feels Santa's unfair to him, giving Snow Miser free publicity while he gets none, and from the fact (Mother Nature) likes Snow Miser better, so he isn't evil at all. Just another jaded soul who feels he's been wrongly treated. Too much angst, letitgo, just letitgo. 

These shows were so much fun to watch and still are. They bring back good memories of my childhood that are recaptured every time I watch them. awww! The newer versions don't resonate as well, maybe because there is too much story and special effects. 

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer Xmas special is the triumphant realization that being kept out of reindeer games and isolated from the other deer sometimes can make a deer stronger and others eventually recognize their special skills when those skills become beneficial to them.  But not without the hard put downs and isolation; haters. Another outcast Hermey the elf who dreams of being a dentist, is also shunned by the other elves because he doesn't want to make toys. A trait all elves possess? What's wrong with having strong teeth that can withstand constant chattering in the frozen North Pole tundra? Now that I'm older, I put too much thought into the underlying message of good will towards men and animals alike. Guess that much kills it. 


CORCORAN FINALE

Thursday Night was the opening reception for the Arts 101 program. The students work looked really good and four students came, which was a definite surprise. So many of them blew it off and said they weren't coming.  I only have a few pictures, Kasi my teaching partner and photographer took most of them. Will post them when I have them. Kasi said a few words, then the students spoke and gave each of us a book with their pictures and a few sentences about their experience with us, I was so touched.  See, I can spend quality time (45 mins) with students and have a good time and produce wonderful art. LOL

The art teacher, who so graciously allowed us in her classroom every Friday, Ms. Cammille Taylor, made us feel welcomed in the midst of chaos. She spoke briefly at the opening.  It was great to see artwork from the other school students who participated. There was food and juice/water. The kids all enjoyed themselves with a scavenger hunt and other little goodies just for them.  Their work is in the gallery until January 7, 2013. I feel so proud and honored to have worked with the 7th grade students at the Brookland Educational Campus at Bunker Hill.


JUST A TOUCH

I'm nearing the end of my piece, now named Abierto meaning Opening. I chose this name because she seems to be open/opening in various ways. In some ways the innuendos are intentional and some not, they just happened. Like the dark brown striation that runs down the inner thigh towards the vaginal area. It's all a little anti climatic now that she's being sanded, perhaps this feeling contributes to my bah humbug attitude. It was so exciting working out the details and challenging my skills to carve better. Her beauty is undeniable and is evident in the color of the stone. A creamy white alabaster with brown-dark brown striations running through it, and a slight ochre-yellow color splotched on the thigh and in the hair. Now that she's been sanded a few times, the smoothness of the stone is becoming evident and the color is really becoming deeper. Wet sanding will intensify this effect, causing the underlying colors within the stone to become more visible. Polishing will seal it.

The repetitive act of sanding also diminishes the excitement first held somewhat. It's a meditative process and actually quite gratifying. The momentum is what I want to keep going, feel like I should be creating more pieces. I relate this to chasing a high, a feeling of euphoria, or sugar rush. What do I know about these things? That's a topic for another discussion. LOL My main concern is the fault line that runs across the hair and leg of the piece. Some areas have become a little flaky and little holes open up when sanded over. This is what Abierto is about. So far no problems with the fault line,it should be fine, but it can't be sanded it out. There is another view of Abierto in the StoneWomynArt New Works tab.

Tis' the season to be jolly, so I will be that and be thankful for all I have. Enjoy the little things that make it great. Hope you all have a Merry Xmas. Thanks for reading my blog. Ho, Ho, Ho!

See you next time....

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Tis' the Season, Arts the Reason

Tis' the Season.....

As we move into the Holiday season, I have enjoyed Michellevember, Thanksgiving, my grandson's 1st birthday. Now I must survive WCA-DC's Holiday Brunch. I'm usually a good at socializing, but atmosphere is everything, it can make or break my mood...

Moving on to other exciting things, I went to the NOVA campus last week and saw an awesome exhibit by Sam Miller called "Night Windows" Lighted Sculpture located in the Margaret W. & Joseph L. Fisher Art Gallery in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center. His work inspired by his work as a set designer evokes the voyeur in us all.  As you go by each piece which is a miniature building scene, they light up and you can peek into the windows to see whats going on. Each piece is a detailed scene inside and out. The light censors are an added touch, it makes you want to look. Although the gallery is small, Sam has created an experience that is different with each piece, the detail on such a small scale is totally awesome, it makes me want to build one myself! The exhibit runs until December 20, 2012.

For the past two months I have been working as an Arts Educator in the Arts 101 Program at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.  This programs brings the Corcoran collection into the classroom of participating D.C. Public Schools.  This has been a great experience for me, I work with a Public School Art Teacher and I have a teaching partner who is a MAT student at the Corcoran. Together we are giving the students exposure to something they may not experience otherwise.  It's nice to be able to work with people who are enthusiastic and involved in the planning and implementation of the art experience. I am used to solo teaching, but its wonderful to have others who can provide their input and expertise. A collaborative unit that works together, unlike my Co Presidential union in WCA-DC. The last day for classes is this Friday, and we are preparing an exhibit of student work at the Corcoran.  I'm excited and thrilled to be involved in this art experience.  The program resumes in January, and I may participate again.  

This experience made me realize that I do not want to be a public school teacher, it is too overwhelming and takes up too much of my work time. When I did private school, I had the same issue of balancing teaching and creating art.  It is/was very difficult and my work suffered horribly.  So now I have to make my way in the world some other way.  Would prefer to teach on the college level on a more regular basis, at least I can have a conversation about ideas and concepts with students as opposed to supplying them. Despite my personal wants, it was enjoyable to be able to expose these wonderful students to art outside the classroom. They taught me a lot and I thank them for this opportunity.

...Arts the Reason!

It has been a productive few weeks as far as my art is concerned.  I've finished 3 of my four Mi Goddessa's and I'm working on a new gyrl.  You can check her out on the side bar titled "StoneWomynArt". She is a marbled alabaster, with hints of gray & yellow striations running through it, its not quite white, but has a slight creamy color in areas.  This stone has been sitting for a few years. Got it from Plaza art, they don't specify the exact type of stone, ie., pink lace, or blue mist. She's a flaky gyrl, changing position depending on the angel in which you see her.  This is why its taken so long for me to bring her out of the stone.  She is a process all her own and I'm hoping to enjoy the warmth of the day and work on her outside for a little while today.

Home Depot is high up on my list right now.  I usually prefer Lowe's but I haven't been able to get there, the Depot is within walking distance from my house.  They have these textured sprays for wood, metal, plastic and more.  I have found three and used them on my pieces and they work beautifully.  I'm very impressed with how easily they adhere, and the coverage they provide with one or two coats. The last Goddessa will be a Satin metallic texture color, the other three are more earth tone colors. It's so exciting to see them totally come alive with the color. It enhances their personalities.

This is Mi Goddessa, Number 3, she has a bleached stone finish.  I also decided to incorporate a design element that I use in my doodles.  This is an experimental idea at the moment, if I decide to continue, the design will be applied when I'm working on the piece, so that the design will be embedded into the image and not applied as an after thought.  The designs are small and are placed on the neck or side of face and neck and are similar to style of the hair, so it won't look too busy. I thought a light green to paint the design would work with this piece, because they are flecks of pale green in the texture. She reminds me of Atlantis or a mermaid for some reason.

                            


Mi Goddessa, Number 2, is finished with an aged iron finish. The design element is a flat black applied to the surface.  I tried to put the design on with wax prior to applying the finish.  It didn't work, clay is so porous and the wax sunk right in.  This was next best thing.  The texture is not as prominent as the stone finish from above. This piece's finish is more like pumice stone. It feels so good to touch and the color is beautiful. Pictures don't capture its true beauty. 

Mi Goddessa, Number 4, reminds me of sea coral and I tried to pick a finish that would enhance this.  I used a primer on the hair to make the color a little darker.  The pink elements where applied to the bisque fired piece, then sprayed over, some of the pink came through like on the forehead.  the pink design was added to the surface when it dried. This a stone finish that has hints of pink, cream and black flecks. Used only one coat on the entire piece. Surprisingly, this stone finish seems a lighter in some ways than the bleached stone finish.  Perhaps its the color, but they even feel slightly different.

The fourth Goddessa who is actually the first one completed is on her way to her final finish and I will post her image when she's ready to be seen.

Well, since its the season for parties, I'm all in!  After a few conversations that may not be so nice, my ability to work with others to run our arts organization will hopefully improve in the new year (wcadc, I'm talking about you!) If not, well I gave it my best shot and I will move on to bigger and better things.

Thanks for reading my blog, will see you next time at the.....

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