Nov 2

First I hope I will see all of you at TAEA next week. As always we will be in the Venders Hall. Stop by and meet our new faculty. If you are not coming for the conference but still close to San Antonio write me and I will let you know where the Alumni Reception is on Friday night. ( I am not sure myself at this time but think it will be in the Hilton across from the conference center)

I love how all your research is going in different directions that sometime seem to cross over and intermingle. It is especially rewarding when your responses become more involved. I understand that each of us will have times of reflection when we need to just literally sit with our thoughts/new understandings/questions. Just let me know, let us all know.

I have a question. This past weekend I was at a conference for 2 and 4 year colleges. The discussion was on how well credits transfer. ( Not so well at times) and what is needed in the core art classes. As you can imagine some institutions require two drawing classes and two design classes 'because they come out of high school knowing nothing"....do not worry I defended public education and the teaching I know you all give everyday. I asked if they were aware of the new "paths" students are required to take beginning this year allowing students to come follow a fine art journey. I suggested that in 4 years they will begin seeing students that are more advanced than their freshman classes. I do not know if that is true or not but it made for a great discussion.  After a time I realized the real issue was no one talks to anyway...Community College professor aren't talking to high schools and asking what they are doing or want to do, Universities do not ask colleges what they are doing.

So, I want to change all that. Those of you in high school can you tell me more about the "paths". How does it work, what is it really called. What do you think? Do you think they are ready for college art, or do your students go beyond college?

If you are in middle school tell me if you talk with the high school or elementary. Really talk. And share what you wish would happen between levels.

Costumes, Community and Crochet

Hey guys!
This week has mostly been busy with making Halloween costumes.  Which may not seem very academic, but it fills part of my void of making and creating.  Making Halloween costumes has always been one of my favorite things.  When it comes to school and teaching we often have to come up with book themed costumes to inspire reading with our students, for that I picked to be the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  For fun, for me, I made a cloud costume.  (see attached pictures)
Sometimes for me it feels so good to just to be free and to create something totally fun and silly.  This week I was just focusing on the fun of life and using that as my inspiration on my Halloween costumes.  I debated whether or not to even post about them on here, but I figured it involves creating, and inspiration and motivation - so why not?

I have also been looking for ways to connect to my HOME community.  We have a local shop here called SCRAP which is like a thrift store for art supplies, it's amazing.  Well, I have wanted to take a class there, and I have been waiting and waiting for one that was up my alley, and this Saturday I took a class on crocheting - it was my first crocheting class, so it was a little rough, but the teacher was great, and the class was small and beginner enough that I didn't feel overwhelmed, I felt supported.  I was so happy I decided to take the class.  The teacher is offering more "drop in" classes for us to reconnect and she even wants to start a crochet club - it was so precious, just a room full of ladies making little mug mats.  When I was shopping at SCRAP the education director even asked if I wanted to volunteer to teach some classes, not on crochet - but on the subject of my choosing.  So this one little class might open up more opportunities to teach in my local HOME community. 

I hope everyone is having a great week!  I hope my costumes aren't too silly to post and that they spread some joy you're way! 

October 26

One of the joys of being a professor in visual studies is that I can teach both undergrad and graduate classes which allows me to figure out what the topic will be each semester. For the graduate class I take my cues from you all ...our conversations in Junction, questions you ask and/ or questions I ask because of something you all have presented. For undergrad it is a little bit more structured, but I still have the freedom to choose books or readings. So this coming semester in addition to going to all the art based sites in Lubbock ( Museum, Art and Garden Center, Underwood, Buddy Holly, Ranching Heritage Center, Windmill Museum and of course Charles Adams Gallery)we will be concentrating on Native American Artist. This is inspired by a new map I just purchased from a young Native American in Oklahoma. His amazing map list all the names (both the name we call the various peoples and the name they call themselves ) for Mexico and North America including  Canada. This is a mind altering map. Any notion that someone (we know it was not Columbus) landed on uninhabited lands is thrown out the window. http://tribalnationsmaps.com/fulltribalnationsmap/
Check it out. His name is Arron Carapella and I am also going to bring him in during the semester to share his research and devotion.

With that said this week I have been reviewing  4 books to go along with the class. Two  I know we will use: " Do All Indians Live in Tipis?" and " Trickster: Native American Fables"....the other two are " I Stand at the Center of the Good: Interviews with Contemporary Native American Artists" and Dreaming the Dawn: Conversations with Native Artists and Activists". I absolutely love looking through books that I can share with others.

As for my art, I am sewing. Lots of blue thread on dark blue material. I lose track of time which is good because it does take time.  I have my first set of slide back on a flash drive...I have not looked at them, too scary, too close to the dream. But I did take in my slides of my prints and my dolls. The dolls surprised me. For 4 years, the last year of my Dads life, after his death and my divorce all I could do was make dolls. There are over a hundred. Not pretty little girl dolls but sticks with cloth wrapped around them, with embellishments. A very odd world I made for my self. If you watched True Detective, my dolls would fit into the last scene with all the roots.

For this week think about the out of the box historical references you use in your work. In the blog I mentioned to Andrea to look at Retablos and ex- Votos...this is what I see in her work, what I am interested in is what YOU see in YOUR work. Not my vision but your heart's vision. Go back in time and find the source that informs you. Lynn I know you do this naturally...keep going and keep sharing. I am just trying to keep up.

One last note. The Oct/ Nov issue of American craft (which I think you can get online) has a short piece on "Busy Hands, Busy Brains"on scientists as craft people. Ana this may be something that can help your research.

2nd Grade Art Show/Screen Printing Event

Hey guys!

This week has been hectic and crazy, but super successful as far as a teacher.  On Monday (thank goodness it was a holiday) - First my husband and I designed two different designs that could be used for screen printing for a school event I was hosting this past Thursday night.  He is a lot better at drawing on the computer than I am, so I sat by him and directed him on what I was wanting, what a trooper!  Then following YouTube tutorials I taught myself how to create silk screens for screen printing.  I was super nervous that it wouldn't work - but it was successful!
On Tuesday, back at school, I had two parents help me hang up an art show for all of my 2nd grade students.  The show consisted of art inspired by some of our favorite books or illustrators.  This year we are doing a lot of different activities to promote reading so I thought I would base the art show around reading as well to have the cross curricular connections.  The show also consisted of over 300 works of art, each student had 3 pieces represented.
On Thursday was the actual event, I set up a screen printing station where students could screen print their own reading tote to carry their books in.  The halls were filled with families that came to support their child's art, and they were so excited to leave with a hand made tote they got to create that night.  Everyone kept asking "how much does this cost?" - I teach at the lowest economic school in our district, but thanks to Donorschoose.org and with donations I received to do the screen printing and the totes I was so happy to say "IT'S FREE!" - I love to be able to offer free, fun services to the community whenever possible.
The event was fast and furious, and I was so busy with the screen printing I hardly had a moment to look around and soak it all in.  I love it when we can open the doors to our school the community and offer them a hands on experience that the whole family can enjoy.  It was truly a successful night.
I believe one gift as teacher we can give back to our students and our community is to offer memorable moments like this to our families.

Here are some pictures from the event!

And here are some videos!

Finding Peace

I have been working on artwork that just feels peaceful. This is one that I feel like I have made it through the storm in one piece and survived. I love the beach and the serenity that it brings. I feel like I am able to finally paint just because I want to and things that I want to, but somehow always come back around full circle to what I am going through or I can relate it to my future.

After the forgiveness book and working through the Brene Brown book I felt the need to finally let go which is what I do with my art, it is like the final stage of letting go and being done with whatever I may be going through although situations may arise, and I may still get angry or hurt, it doesn't last as long as it used to. I do not usually attach words to these works, but I felt the need to write the words again as the forgiveness book urged us to do. I feel as if I have finally forgiven Carson's father for all the hurt he has caused, all the pain and suffering, although I still get angry with what he does to Carson, I am able to not let that hate/hurt/pain control me like before. I am able to move on and let go. I think this was ultimately the hardest thing I have ever done, but forgiving is not for anyone but me. I can not express how FREE and how relieved, how much lighter I feel since finally letting it go!

After much debate and talking this over with friends, I went back in and changed the words, I can't cover them up completely, but I made them much lighter. I do like this much better as it focuses on the image and not the words..... 

October 19

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was wonderful. The conference was exciting and filled with individuals doing good work. The idea/ideal of Community Engagement vs. Service Learning is a layered and challenging concept. How do we as teachers/professors literally engage members from the community along with our students? How do we make an impact that is self sustaining and viable?
How do we learn to listen to what is needed vs what we think is needed or what we can "offer"? How do we step out of our safe little boxes called school to the real world of life?  These are just a few of the questions I came back with.

Jayson and I had the honor of being on a panel with a professor from U of Alabama along with a parent of one the kids in their Saturday Leadership Program. Yes, a parent that shared her fears/concerns/doubt about having to also read the assigned text...to interact with her child over the text and to contribute more than snacks or rides.  It was so moving to listen to and feel the new respect this mother had for her child, for learning, for new concepts, for herself. This experience was totally aligned with our keynote speaker who reminded us that true growth is not measured in semesters or years but in life times. That we need to stop focusing on the little date that fills the forms we have to complete and begin to see how communities and families are changed or how they change us. Beautiful message.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Alberta Gallery of Art. I would call this a museum, not a gallery for profit because it was a museum in all senses of the world. They had one of the best selections of shows I have ever experienced. The main show was on Toulouse-Latrate and the community of artist during his time . I learned of the Cate Noir (you may know the famous and often reproduced image of a black cat with the words Cate Noir) but this exhibit explained how it was first a night club or cabaret that was part circus, part theater, part wild part. The posters were wonderful and almost scary....a "no rules" place to be. They housed the Solon of the Incoherent Art (love that title and that thought) ad the put on Shadow Plays, a fore runner to Kara Walker's incredible work.

In the very next gallery there was an installation by Cree artist Amy Malbeuf using tufting as an art form. Tufting is stitching moose hair onto a cloth surface. In her work she uses words to challenge us and our preconceived ideas. One example was " We may be oppressed but at least we aren't depressed". Really moving.

There were a series of art films by artist from the Middle East and a wonderful books store where I found the 3 cataloges on Lyndal Osborne. Look her up. Trained as a printmaker now she works with found materials in large scale installations and walls. Amazing.

So, lots of inspiration and lots of thinking about my work and what I really want to do. I am not sure . Or maybe I am just hesitating because it awkward to begin again, to change my mind or even to just continue on the path I have been following. Art is a tricky lover.

I am impressed by your continued growth and questions.

For this week...what do you need from me. What is missing from this class for you?

Door 1 Side 2

Door 1 Side 2,

The second side of the door represents belonging; here I have myself walking with my family. Side two is the result of my searching and finding my first community.

Progression (UPDATED 10/26)

Hello class!

Decision Time:

I have decided to dip back into a painting that I started during the last session of summer 2 Junction. I have not touched this painting since I left campus. The odd thing is I have taken it back and forth from work and home each day since classes have started. I hoped by hanging it in the classroom that I would be forced to make a decision on what direction to go with it. Last week after talking to my uncle/mentor I came to a realization that my painting is at a stand still. I need to think outside of my comfort zone and begin to experiment with different materials and techniques to go beyond the street art/graffiti label.

My Inspiration:

This past year Jeffery Wheeler helped me realize everything around you can and should be used in your drawings/paintings. Future helped me realize that fiber art and formal crafts are detailed and consuming art forms that demand respect from the viewer. I have decided to incorporate the "softer" technique of sewing onto my abstract graffiti canvases to create a contrast between the two forms. Graffiti seen as a low-brow urban art and sewing/fiber art seen as feminine should create interesting compositions. Sewing will also be an ode to my mother who worked at a sweat shop in Los Angeles when I was a child. I have very found memories of running around the warehouse while I waited for her to clock out.

My Plan:

I would like to create acrylic paintings on un-stretched canvas then cut  and sew these images to my canvases. I will experiment with creating texture with this technique and also introduce pattern to my work via printed sheets. I will add and remove as I go with this new technique. I also will incorporate my mother's influence by having her teach me proper hand sewing techniques. My love of silkscreen and lettering will be added to the work as well.

I invite everyone in class to check on my progress through out the coming weeks. I will make sure to give updates in our weekly class blog so that you can revisit this page. Here is the painting I started and will use as my test dummy. If all goes well I will create the majority of my thesis exhibition in this direction.

The Beginning:

Adding Graphic Design Elements:

I have spent the last two week thinking about what I could paint on un-stretched canvas to later sew onto my graffiti background with no luck. I decided to focus on my graphic design background and design a bigfoot character that I could use for repetitive paintings. Here is the process that I began earlier this week.

 Here is the scanned and vectorized image that I can manipulate in illustrator. I will use this image to create various silkscreens.

 

I have also setup my canvas for the sewing portion of my artwork. I am still bouncing ideas as of what to paint. I am hoping to create something this week. 

 

Bells--still home to me--and cheery (prickly pear, tornado, bells)

Here is a piece I finished not too long ago. Breaking the chains... FREEDOM! I wanted to post a picture I just finished but it's not letting me download it.. Maybe I can get it a little later... I have so many ideas for future pieces, finding the time to create it all is impossible, but they are written down and I WILL get to them all! 

 

Namonia's Vision 1996

Napachi Pootoogook (1938-2002)

Lithograph

 

 

If I could only take one piece home from the Inuit exhibit it would have been this one.

 

 

Door Number One, Side One:

Door Number One, Side One:

As I am preparing the door that I received from Habitat for Humanity, I have been reflecting on the door’s history. I have been wondering what type of room did the door provide an entrance and exit to. I also have been wondering who used it and if the door could speak what secretes does it keep. When I started to sand down the old varnish to bring new life to the old door, I slowly recognized my own path. I went through a variety of ideas of how I could possibly present the front of the door, which relates to not really belonging to any particular community. After sometime, I came to the conclusion after much brainstorming and discussion with my wife, that I would paint myself in a desert taking a journey in search of belonging, acceptance and love. My desert experience depicted in this painting was when I was twenty-one and depressed. I had just moved across Canada to a place called Medicine Hat, Alberta that was 3000 miles away from home in search of self.

October 12

Greetings from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I am here with MAE student Jayson Luce to present on the work we ( as in Visual Studies) is doing with the 25 million dollar Promise Neighborhood grant in Lubbock. Long way to talk about an after school project for under served kids in Middle school.  It is what each of us do every day. And in fact I end the presentation talking about our program and how our classes celebrate collaborative efforts (glass, clay ...loading a kiln), the fresco) and how you all go on to do wonderful things beyond what I could have ever dreamed...Liz and Ana at the 10K run silkscreen event. So in a way all of you will be a part of this conference.

This is part of my research, trying to find other like minded folks that understand what we do . Or find sort of like minded that might challenge me to re-think how I do what I do.  I did bring some sewing but have not begun yet. Still getting use to this conference of 500 where I know 3 people.

For next week, much like Martha's response to my question on her first clay doll, or Germaine's response from his Uncle...tell me more about how your research is influencing your art/ your writing. If you are like Lynn, a person of multi-layers that somehow operate all at once  still give me a reason why you are following one path. Here is an example: this conference has me asking why do we try so hard to understand cultures from around the world by no the culture in our back yard or our neighborhoods? Why is what we accept as home is often overlooked. What do we know about our communities?

Here is a picture of the jig I made to hold the signatures. The jig is used to compress the signatures (after gluing) and hammer them into a half round configuration before gluing them into the covers.

Three hand made books

My first three hand made books. The little red one I did on my own after the class.