a useful tool

This project was inspired by the fingerprint portraits of Chuck Close. I used owl pictures because it was fun to look up fun facts about owls to share with my students as they were working on the project. I recommend using a washable ink pad for ease of clean-up. After the first class, I had to ask the students to limit finger usage because before I knew it all five fingers were invited to the party, then of course the whole hand was completely covered in ink in a blink of an eye (and you know the face comes next). This is a great exercise in getting students to look at the lights and the darks of the photo.

whooooo whooooo

Straight from the cute forest. First graders loved drawing this owl together adding their own touches of character to their owls. We used pastels and watercolors to add a splashes of color. Big Heads, little bodies, and enormous eyes are just a part of their artistic expression at this age, I just simply love them, oh so charming!

fear

"Fear" is just a four letter word yet it can paralyze you dead in your tracks. Last September, I had gone in search for my creative spirit as if it was something lost, and what I found was that I paralyze myself whenever I start a new project. As in this blog. As in an art business. As in doing what I love most.....making art.

For the past few months, I immersed myself in a several creative books, took a trip or two to the museum, started a new sketchbook, and spent countless hours of visiting many creative blogs and websites. I started a habit of writing a daily 10 item list (today's list) "10 creative experiences I would like to try this year".....1. make a handmade book-2. write and illustrate a short graphic story-3. lino-cut printing-4. hand built small ceramic pieces-5. paint a mural in my home-6. screen printing-7. create a website-8. sew a large modern quilt for my bed-9. knit a vest-10. make a Louise Nevelson like garden gate.

A hard thing to accept is the fact that I do this to myself.

I began to think about a task I do every year with abandoned fear. I garden. I have marginal success and yet I get so excited every spring. I read and reread my garden books and magazines. I browse through catalogs. I watch landscaping shows. I sketch and plan the plants I would love to add to my small, garden space. I buy new plants, I water and browse my garden almost on a daily basis, I am hopeful. I look for new growth and I am excited for small signs of success. I envision a garden that is lush and somewhat overgrown where plants mix and mingle. I look at my garden through rose-colored glasses. I am patient. I am content. I have no fear and no inhibitions, so why can't I apply this philosophy to the thing I love the most? Why am I so fearful of failing or not finishing something I haven't even started? So here it is, a proclamation, "I am acknowledging you FEAR and I am telling you to go away because you are no longer welcome here, you need to go feed on someone else for I am no longer your tasty morsel!" (sound of door slamming).

a fresh new start

A blog that I frequent, Hula Seventy mentions that 2010 is like a new box of crayons. I got to thinking... that was such a great analogy! I am like a new box of crayons and 2010 holds new possibilities for new pictures and new projects. I love the idea of being a fresh box of new colors. I have always loved opening a new box, touching the tips of new colors, the smell, and that bit of hesitation when you use that first crayon. I am excited for 2010!