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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