The Toolbox

just a quick note

Meredith — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:25:58 +0000

I found this fun website with online tools for kids. lots of drawing websites, stamps, etc. I don’t have a lot of time to write at the moment, but hopefully this can help you out!

http://mrssmoke.onsugar.com/3442983

and just in general, mrssmoke.onsugar.com is an amazing site. lots of fun new tools (we all know drea loves those!) to “make teachers nerdy”

love it.

paperpaperpaperpaperpaperpaperpaperpaper

sscac2saic — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:43:38 +0000

Paper is a banal material, which is common enough for everyone to relate with, yet neutral enough to be given a new lease of life. It is the perfect blank canvas.

N55′s Walking House

sscac2saic — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:41:34 +0000

WALKING HOUSE is a modular dwelling system that enables persons to live a peaceful nomadic life, moving slowly through the landscape or cityscape with minimal impact on the environment. It collects energy from its surroundings using solar cells and small windmills. There is a system for collecting rain water and a system for solar heated hot water. A small greenhouse unit can be added to the basic living module, to provide a substantial part of the food needed by the Inhabitants. A composting toilet system allows sewage produced by the inhabitants to be disposed of. A small wood burning stove could be added to provide CO2 neutral heating. WALKING HOUSE forms various sizes of communities or WALKING VILLAGES when more units are added together. WALKING HOUSE is not dependant on existing infrastructure like roads, but moves on all sorts of terrain.

sickliberal walks the walk

sscac2saic — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:02:56 +0000

You are not alone in your concerns about the world and the environment. Check out sickliberal’s videos on sustainability…

doing good work

brandimcd — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:54:47 +0000

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GPCP Summer Camp!

brandimcd — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:18:37 +0000

The Grant Park Cooperative Preschool is a small neighborhood preschool in Atlanta, Georgia. This Cooperative school is noted for its recognition of the Reggio Amelia approach. This teaching approach for small children is heavily influenced on the arts and the making of art. GPCP is a school where the environment is just as important as what is being taught. Children are surrounded by caring teachers and beautiful art that they have created. GPCP’s website states their mission:

“Grant Park Cooperative Preschool is dedicated to providing children in the Grant Park community of Atlanta with a secure and loving environment utilizing music, art, language, and literature in an innovative approach that allows students to direct the learning process. GPCP is a cooperative effort in which parents take responsibility for the education of children through daily involvement in all aspects of school operations.”

“1. The child learns best through direct interaction with the environment. Learning comes through playing; and activities in the classroom have an essential experiential basis.
2. The child’s total development follows a hierarchy of stages and sequences. The program changes appropriately as the child grows and moves through stages of development. Activities are planned which address the current interests and skill levels of the children in any given group.
3. The young child’s confidence, knowledge of self, and willingness to risk grow through positive and successful experiences. Small class size enables the teachers to know and plan for an individual child’s skill level and to provide assistance so as to minimize confusing, overly frustrating, or meaningless experiences. The classroom environment is designed to maximize a child’s independence and to present challenges, which contribute to personal growth.
4. The child’s experiences, home-life, and world away from GPCP are essential to learning. Activities are planned to fully integrate home-life and school-life. These activities will stem from events in the child’s life, in consultation with parents, including but not limited to new additions to a family, illness, holidays, moving and other important life events.”
http://www.gpcp.org/core/item/page.aspx?s=23637.0.104.23634
During two of the school’s summer camp sessions I will be teaching two weeks of Papermaking and two weeks of Printmaking. The age group I will be working with are 2-3 year old preschool students.

PAPERMAKING!
My focus for the papermaking camp is for each student to have the hands-on experience of creating paper. This experience will encourage coordination, organization through design, color mixing through the dying of the paper, and because children will be working side by side and helping one another they will build new social relationships. I will also focus on the importance of recycling materials and reusing these materials to create art!
During this camp session the entire class will take a visit to near by Grant Park. Each student will have their own brown bag to collect materials to later add to their handmade papers. These materials can be flowers, grass, leaves, sticks, bark or other found materials from home like laundry lint or other papers that they like. The important message to give to the students during the trip is to explore and collect from nature respectfully! This means that we should not destroy the natural environment around us and we should collect things that have already fallen to the ground or to only pick one flower and not pick up the entire plant. We should also be safe and careful not to pick up any hazard material such as broken glass. And we must always remember to wash our hands!
By the end of the camp session each child will be able to take home a small photo album of their time at camp that is made entirely of the paper and art they have created. I and the other teacher will make the book. This book serves as a way for the student to remember their time in camp and what they created. It will be a simple three hole tied binding pamphlet made of the paper they have made. The last day of the camp will be dedicated to the decoration of their books and afterwards we will add the pictures.I have some experience with papermaking but not very much so I needed some help.
These are some of the recipes and processes I found online:

Objectives:
Learn to make something great from recycled materials.

What You Need:

* Egg cartons
* Detergent
* Water
* Pot
* Screens
* Newspaper
* Any odd wool sparkles, etc. to add to paper
And food coloring if desired for color

What You Do:

1. Encourage children to tear up egg cartons, put in pot with detergent, cook on low for 2-3 hours, put in food processor, until smooth consistency.

2. Add water to mixture before and after cooking.

3. Strain through screen until desired thickness–flip over onto newspaper, put more newspaper and towels on top.

4. Cover with heavy books, etc for 24 hours. Peel off paper and let dry for 24 more hours–can also make bowls and other fun stuff–put flat paper works the best. You can also use old newspaper and other scrap paper.
http://www.kinderart.com/littles/paper.shtml

* Computer Paper (unprinted)
* Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)
* Magazines
* Egg Cartons
* Old Cards (For heavier paper)
* Toilet Paper
* Paper Bags
* Non Waxed Boxes (Pre-soak in warm water)
* Office Paper
* Tissue Paper (For finer paper)
* Typing Paper
* Napkins
* Construction Paper
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/makingpaper.html
Other recipes can be found at these websites:
http://www.planetpals.com/papermaking.html
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/makingpaper.html
http://www.kinderart.com/littles/paper.shtml

PRINTMAKING!
The week following Papermaking, I am teaching the two-week Printmaking camp. My Focus for this session is for students to be creative and explore media possibilities. Each student will have the chance to use and improve their drawing, coordination, color mixing and design skills through printmaking. Students will learn multiple printmaking techniques. These include Vegetable and fruit prints, stencil prints, Styrofoam relief prints, yarn relief prints, and monoprints. During the Last class each student will be given a cardboard portfolio to decorate and store their prints.

Veggie and Fruit Prints

This is a terrific, inexpensive way to introduce printmaking and design. How will each print be fit on the piece of paper?

www.kinderart.com/printmaking/fruit.shtml

Stencil Prints!
Each student will make a paper cut out of any shape, paint over or through it, and peel off stencil to look at what you have created! When students are confident in this method they can cut more complex forms.

Monoprints!
Monoprinting is a process whereby only one print is pulled from the printing plate. http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/mono.shtml
Styrofoam relief prints

This method is where you use a ballpoint pen to draw on a Styrofoam plate, roll paint or ink on it and press to paper.
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/styro.shtml
Yarn relief prints!
Objectives:

* Building fine motor skills

What You Need:

* Scissors
* Glue
* Yarn
* Cardboard or oak tag
* Paper
* Printing ink or paint
* Crayons

What You Do:

1. On one piece of cardboard, have your students use crayons to draw an underwater scene. At this point, they do not draw in a fish.

2. On another piece of cardboard or oak tag, have your students draw a design.

3. Then, have your students outline the design with glue. Then, they should apply yarn to the glue.

4. Let the yarn and glue dry.

5. Students then apply printing ink (or paint) to the yarn design.
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/fishyarn.shtml
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/

From The Ground Up: Lessons in Graffiti

jondneumann — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:01:56 +0000

It used to be a touchy subject in schools, as to how graffiti can be taught without stepping over any illegal barriers. Similarly, it has the highly negative connotation of being related to gangs. Obviously, this ideology is far from the truth.

Here is one was way, which I have tested successfully to teach graffiti in the classroom, while adhering to state standards and educating the youth that this street art is much more than writing on a wall. My process…

Step one, redefine the term “graffiti”. I gave the students the Oxford Dictionary definition, then provided my own. This is based off personal interpretation, so it can vary teacher to teacher. However, I most notably encourage to mention brief history (when and where it came from), how far it’s spread, and the uses of graffiti:

Self promotion
Social/Political Reflection
Commemorating a loved one

Next, I showed an image of graffiti, specifically in Chicago to engage my students further. (This trigger can be adapted to any city you teach in) Get them to recognize how graffiti is all around them.

I went on by giving them examples of different ways graffiti is practiced and used, aside from public walls. Sketchbooks (Black Books), Canvas’ (Fine Art Scenes), and Merchandise (Toys, Shoes, & Clothing)

Sketches - Show examples of black book work, and talk about the basic materials used. Usually, it’s just pen, pencil, crayola markers, and mixtures of interesting materials.

Canvas – Show examples of graffiti on canvas and talk about the art scene and how it’s growing. There are galleries out there that host graffiti based shows, as well as artists that make a living off of it.

Merchandise – Show examples of custom painted shoes by graffiti artists, toys (found at stores like Rotofugi and A.Okay), and even t-shirts. Ecko clothing is a great example, especially their designs from the 90′s and students are very familiar with it.

Then, I explained three basic forms of graffiti. Bubble Letters, Straight Letters, and Wildstyle. Describe each one off their visual characteristics.

THE LESSON:

The student will choose and alias or use their own name and adapt it into one of the 3 mentioned styles of graffiti.

Sketch it out on a large piece of paper, then erase any unnecessary lines.

Choose at Minimum 3 colors of any choice. Color in watercolor.

Outline in a fine point Sharpie marker.

Add details: Auras (line around the piece, usually in a high intensity contrasting color), backgrounds, characters, tags, etc.

This lesson will act as a great advantage to any youth that is interested in the various aspects of art. As a whole, they will learn history of a social movement, which acted as a present day Renaissance with the breakthroughs of dance, music, art, and literature. Additionally, they will become educated on a contemporary art form that continues to advance and spread across the global. One great facet of this project is that it is adaptable for any student to relate to their home. Graffiti is a raw form of expression that is seen all around the streets, yet it is a growing movement in many areas of the professional art world, as well as the media. Recognizing it as more than vandalism can advance a student’s artistic understanding of the scenes around them.

A Man of Many Faces

jondneumann — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:09:43 +0000

Angel Silva is a Chicago artist with roots stretching back to Mexico. Working out of the Pilsen area, graffiti artist turned fine artist, and further into a world renowned tattoo artist, Silva’s work continues to turn heads from street scenes to galleries. He is most notably recognized for his black and white portrait tattoos, one of which I am very proud to sport. Don’t let that stray you away from his coloring abilities,.. even those pieces are an amazing sight to see.

From sketches to canvas’ and even body platforms, there is a highly apparent sense of culture flowing through his work. Whether it is representing images from Dia de los Muertos, or his own hyper-detailed ability of Chicago style graffiti, the aspect of Angel always appears.

As an artist, he has risen with ability as well as a professional. With owning his tattoo shop, The Native Soul,located on 17th and Ashland, he has progressed by converting the front half of the studio into a recognizable art gallery. There, they hold shows of individual artists coming from all over Chicago, group shows of graffiti based icons working on canvas’, and recently open studio programs for the neighborhood to join in on some fun. All in all, this is one artist that continues to grow with a stature of professionalism and incredible skill.

LESSON PLAN:

Although tattooing would be a difficult to impossible topic to create a lesson plan on, I think the exposure to artists that work in various fields of their skill is important for students. Additionally, it is equally important to expose them to professional and interesting artists that are from their own cities (in this case Chicago).

Depending on the classroom setting (school or community center), tattooing is a touchy subject for principles/parents. This includes temporary tattoos. However, if you can squeeze past some of the regulators, there are pretty neat ways to make temporary tattoos.

First, you can have your students create a design they would want on their body. Simplify the images for the first round, then let them advance in detail once they get the hang of the process.

Method One (EASY):

Materials: Masking Tape, Markers, Water, Fan/Blow Dryer

You use the typical tan masking tape and create a layer of tape strips slightly larger than your tattoo design. Then, with a sharpie marker, draw onto the STICKY side. Adhere it to the body, usually clean & hairless areas are best. With warm water, lightly dampen the tape. Do Not Rub or else your design will smear. Press the tattoo area firmly. Continue pressure for a 5-10 minutes, then dry with a fan or blow dryer & slowly peel the tape back and enjoy your new ink!

Method Two (DIFFICULT): Keep in mind, this application lasts Much longer – Creating your own Henna tattoo.

Materials: Henna powder, Lemon Juice, small squeeze bottle w/ fine tip, plastic bowl, plastic spoon, plastic wrap, small container w/ lid, two trouser socks, and rubber bands.

You’ll need to sift the Henna before mixing it to get the clumps out. A simple way to do this is to get a small container with a lid on it. Take two trouser socks and put one inside of the other. Put them into the container, toes at the bottom, and pour the Henna powder into the toes of the socks. Put the lid back on the container and rubber band it shut very tightly. Shake the container as hard as you can until all the Henna is sifted through. Mix the sifted Henna in a bowl with some lemon juice until the consistency is a little thinner than mashed potatoes. Since the Henna paste will start to crack and flake once applied to skin, add some sugar or honey to your mixture before applying it to skin. This will help it stay on the skin better, giving you a better, darker tattoo. Once it’s mixed into a good consistency, cover it with plastic and let it rest until the dye has been released. You can tell when it’s ready when the top layer turns a brownish color and the underneath is a darker, greener color. Spoon the mixture into a small plastic bottle with a fine tip. Next hold the plastic bottle like a pen and apply the desired design to your skin. Next wait until your tattoo is completely dry and doesn’t look wet, but not yet cracking. Heat up a small amount of lemon juice mixed with sugar until it is bubbly, then let cool. Apply some to cover your new tattoo, carefully not to disturb the design. Dry the sealant with a blow dryer. You’ll want to wrap your dry tattoo with toilet paper, and then plastic wrap and leave overnight for best results. When you wake up the next morning, gently wash the paste off of your skin and viola! You’ve got a beautiful new tattoo that will last 1-3 weeks!

Warning about Black Henna:

Most Black Henna contains a toxic dye called para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Some people add this to Henna to speed up the dying process and create a black color. This dye can not only harm your system, it can also leave itchy spots, oozing sores or even blisters on your skin.

health & relaxation

Meredith — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:38:39 +0000

personally, and I don’t know if this comes as a big surprise, but I REALLY like to relax. I like hot tubs and eating and taking naps and takings naps on couches and eating and then taking a nap on a couch. For us though, educators, in a high stress position, the time for all these simple pleasures is dwindling. That’s why I think it’s important to reboot in our summer months, to get in touch with our commitment as artists, and maybe catch 40 winks. Don’t forget we were artists first, so brushing up on your skills, taking time for yourself, and having more credibility as a teacher can’t hurt, can it? This is really important to me, that we relax and remember, when we’re older and veterans of the teaching scene, that we came from somewhere, that we are artists first. Take time for yourself, and more importantly your art. An art teacher who doesn’t make art isn’t taken seriously, so take yourself seriously.

so, some places in illinois.

ragdale

Ragdale is an artists’ retreat located on the grounds of Arts and Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw’s 1897 summer home in Lake Forest, IL.

The artists’ community, which is situated just 30 miles north of Chicago and overlooks 50 acres of prairie, now hosts over 200 emerging and established artists of all disciplines each year.

it’s 30 dollars to apply, but having been to this rather remarkable place, I would definitely recommend it.

A list of All the Great Lake Artist Retreat

great list. seriously

Drea had a great suggestion about writing your artist statement in preparation for an application. Include your past works, all the materials you work with or intend to work with, and what your purpose is as an artist. How do you want your students to perceive you? I know we talked a lot about not having a “medium” this semester, so with that in mind, how important is it that we be perceived as “working artists”? I know my favorite teacher in high school went away every summer and came back with great stories of a time for regrouping, getting her head on straight from “a year spent with you“, and renewing her energy as a person. It was apparent that it wasn’t the time spent away with us, or getting up after 5am, but that her art was important and therefore OUR art was important. Maybe getting away from the midwest would be good for you. We all know a good travel might be the most important thing you do for yourself as a person.

Fortunately, it’s summer now (officially!) so I’m gonna go take a nap.

Collective Artists

Meredith — Sun, 10 May 2009 22:38:38 +0000

Young British Artists or YBAs (also Brit artists and Britart) is the name given to a group of conceptual artists, painters, sculptors and installation artists based in the United Kingdom, most (though not all) of whom attended Goldsmiths College in London. The term Young British Artists is derived from shows of that name staged at the Saatchi Gallery from 1992 onwards, which brought the artists to fame. It has become a historic term, as most of the YBAs are now in their forties. They are noted for “shock tactics”, use of throwaway materials and wild-living, and are (or were) associated with the Hoxton area of East London. They achieved considerable media coverage and dominated British art during the 1990s.

Leading artists of the group are Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin. Key works by them are, respectively, The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, a shark preserved in formaldehyde in a vitrine, and My Bed, a dishevelled double bed surrounded by detritus.

I’m interested in the YBA’s because they’re on the forefront of conceptual art, our generation’s equivalent of the art stars like Andy Warhol. They began at a time when there was very little public funding for the arts in England, and Damien Hirst is currently one of the richest and most well known artists in the world. Tracey Emin is a personal favorite of mine, her art influences mine more than I even realized until lately. They draw from the dadaist movement, it’s inspiring to see people who began as lowly art students as well become as successful as they are, who were once in my position.

mostly I’m inspired by Tracey because her art is very very personal. Her piece “all the people I have ever slept with” is what I hope to achieve one day.

there’s something about the self deprecation, the brutal honesty, the catharsis of the process. It becomes art when she defines it as art.

LP: I think the project i’d like to do with kids, with this collective in mind, would be something along the lines of a postsecret/found object project. insight into the deeper, darker, weirder parts and more importantly, the things we all have in common. I had something in mind of old journal entries, secrets anonymously posted in the classroom, written on the inside of t-shirts or hats. It was really a turning point in my life and in my art career when I began to loosen up and share things that scared me at the time. The need for acceptance in elementary and high school is overwhelming, and the closest bonds I ever made were in the confines of the art room, theater and my creative writing club. There we found new ways, like writing stream of consciousness and improv activities to let loose and feel comfortable enough to begin the journey of self-exploration, which included a lot of cathartic exercises. I think that looking at artists like Tracey Emin who is SO far out there with her work would be inspiring to kids and adults alike.