summer sketch 2011a

Zandrea, Peer Response-Caroline's Project Book

2011-08-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

I loved this imaginative world of the pony that goes to school. The presentation of the postcards makes the idea tangible. This could be a great project for the classroom. Children have a hard time pretending and daydreaming now days. I will include a section in my storytelling arts projects for a similar activity. Caroline really made me giggle to myself as I read this humorous narrative to its family. The project book came together really well and I can see this being a great interactive show, with blown up images of the postcards to some of the "work" the pony participated in and a giant stuffed pony displayed in all its glory. Her daughter planted the seed of this creative endeavor and also brought about a cohesive body of work for Caroline. I would suggest to keep recording events and little sayings; before you know it there are endless possibilities for shows.

Peer Response, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-08-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

I really liked the idea of Carolina's Project Book. This is something that I could do with middle schoolers. It's a great idea to have student's take an object or stuffed animal and create a sketchbook around the places that item goes. Carolina's ideas really came through in her project book. She made me think about different places that a specific object could be put into creatively, and then document it. Loved It!

Translation, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-08-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Thinking about which one of our projects/exercises to bring into my classroom was tough. I'm thinking that there is definitely more than one (if not all of them) that I can use in my classroom. To narrow it down though, I truly think I'd have to say it would be the Altered book. I've been wanting to do that for a very long time, but never really had anyone show me an easy way I could use it in my classroom. The steps to alter it really made it easy for me to get started. It did take me (I think) longer to get to the end on my book than others (as far as the ideas went), but with the use of all the transfers, it made it easier for me. I really think I'll be able to use the "themed" project book as well. I was thinking how wonderful it will be to see my middle schoolers working on a discarded book from our own media center, and bringing out their own ideas in it.

I know I was only to talk about one I could use, but I also liked the color book as well. What a very neat and interesting way to use colored paint swatches. I may use this as well in their sketchbooks. All that we learned is just great, and I truly can't wait to put all I've learned into my classroom this year!

Translation to Teaching

2011-08-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

One of the most important things I learned this week was to focus on play and “playing with purpose” both in my creative process and my teaching. Both the sketchbook and printmaking class had an element of mystery. The enthusiasm, flexibility, and transparency of the teacher(s) created an attitude that everything is possible, and reminded me how exciting it is to remain curious and constantly explore the creative process. I hope to take this attitude back into my classroom. The exercises that enforced this playful and exploratory way of drawing were the “mystery object drawings” (touch drawings) and the memory drawings. Both pushed me out of my comfort zone with drawing. For the mystery object we had to touch an unknown object and translate that sensation into a drawing. Usually when I draw I aim for realism and get frustrated if I can't reproduced the correct proportion, texture, or angle of the object. By not looking at the object we were drawing I could not get stuck in my desire and expectation for realism. I loved how Lauren walked us through the memory drawing by asking us to mentally recall a family portrait and our favorite dress. I typically rely so heavily on observational drawing, I feel like I can’t draw it if I can’t see it. In these exercises I learned to mentally picture the image or object and focus on that while I was drawing. With the dress drawing we closed our eyes for much of the process so the end result was an abstract and wonderful surprise. We could then work back into the image making choices and changes, but I really like the initial image because it seemed so "free" and "unrestrained." I think I will use both these exercises to give my students a new connection to drawing. It made me less fearless and forced me not to “over think” my work. Many of my students get nervous about drawing so I hope by adapting these methods to my printmaking classroom I can introduce my students to a new approach to drawing that is focused on playing and being open in the creative process. I plan also to try the blindfolded partner drawing and one-minute sculpture figure drawings. In the past I have avoided my student’s fears of drawing by allowing them to trace images, but I realize now how freeing drawing can be and how it can be a truly unique tool for expressing the self.

Peer response

2011-08-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

I left this comment on Dawn's Found Drawings, but I wanted to repost it under the "Peer Response" title too.

I think these are great! Not only did you transform a ridiculously bad situation, like your hotel catching on fire, into a refined, sleek image; but you’ve made me curious. From first glance I can’t quite figure out what the image is, I can’t tell the scale or even the material. I am attracted to the black and white composition and I love what you’ve done to the blue color. Repeating the form and cropping the shapes really alters my expectations. I think these are really strong works and I would like to see them very large. Nice Job!

Translation to Teaching

2011-07-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

In thinking of what lessons to translate into the classroom, I really enjoyed the doughnut exercise. While it seemed tedious at the time, it forced us to look at an object from different angles and explore new ways to draw with an restricted amount of time. I recently practiced it with my family at dinner. We passes around the sketchbook and timed each other drawing the dinner rolls. Everyone had fun doing it and we all reflected and talked about the drawings afterward. Thus, I would definitely like to try this out in the classroom. Using thumbnail size sketches, it would be fun to pick an object and play a "beat the clock" type drawing game.

One of the important strategies I learned during this class was to give restrictions. Don't give every option in the world. Give an assignment and only allow one medium, or finite time, or one prop. Exercises like the doughnut drawings, or the paper and tape project force you to creatively use the limited materials you have and go above and beyond to create something special.

Found Drawings

2011-07-31T15:16:00.001-07:00

After walking around UF for even a minute, you can't help but notice the beautiful brick buildings.

The campus is overflowing with the rectangular cuboids. When looking closer, you see that each brick has a unique design. Each brick seems to be imprinted with different shapes and colors.

I couldn't believe I never looked closely enough to see it. But now that I have, the millions of bricks around campus now stood out and had individual meanings.

Altered Book

2011-07-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

By far this is one of the pieces I am most proud of. I truly broke through my fear walls and played with purpose. I loved the breakthroughs I had making this book and hope to continue making more altered books.

Project Book

2011-07-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

What happens when a toy horse decides to go to school? Here's one little guy's journey to art camp at the University of Florida.

melissa swift, favorites

2011-07-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

I might be crazy, but I actually liked the donut assignment. While yes, it seemed odd to be stuck in the vicious cycle of finding a creative way to present a donut 25 times...it served it's purpose: to get creative.

I think my favorites are #17, #18, and #21, but I won't lie: I'm quite impressed with #1...not too shabby for having to do it left handed :)

melissa swift, found drawing

2011-07-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy looking for the beauty in the things that generally go overlooked or under-appreciated. I'm quite fascinated by the affect light has on some otherwise completely mundane object.

I found a variety of plastic objects and was attracted to the way light reflected off of them, and the shadows they cast.

This project really makes you take the time to look at your surroundings and explore the beauty that goes undetected in our busy lives.

Translation to Teaching

2011-07-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about how I can incorporate all that I have learned into teaching my high school students. In the past couple of years I have used a Visual Calendar as a warm up exercise. The students are supposed to draw something each day. They may choose whatever is on their mind to do a quick 3 minute sketch. I find that a lot of the kids do not know what to draw and end of scribbling something on the date just to do it. I have been thinking that it would be a little more interesting to make a calendar flag book that has at least twenty pages (4 weeks x 5 days). I would then give a prompt a day or maybe a prompt every other day. Maybe a prompt one day, a response to the previous days work, then a prompt again and keep alternating. Maybe the uniqueness of the book it self would keep them interested. The prompts are such a great jumping off point that I will definitely use some of the ones from this class with my students.

Project Book

2011-07-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

I love the idea of a Project Book. I have never planned out a project in this way. My project book is based on my four dogs. Through research I actually learned a little more about the temperment of each of the different breeds of dogs that I have. I then started thinking about how truly unique each dog is which led me to their eyes. Dogs can say so much with just the eyes. They show happiness and sadness with just a change in the eyes. My thoughts led me to doing large scale paintings of dog eyes. Upon further travels in my brain, I got to thinking about the markings of the different breeds. Another large scale, close up of their abstraction of dog markings came to mind. The other idea I stumbled upon was doing large scale paintings of the different features. I really like the brown wash close up of my Lab's freckley nose.

I will continue my project book and further explore my Daschund's snout (a very prominent feature), my Beagle's mouth (they are known for their bark), and my Jack Russell's eyes (since she is the one that really has a lot going on in her mind). I would love to hang these in a grouping almost building a larger than life face of a dog.

Found Drawing, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed looking and taking photos for our found drawings. My found drawings sparked an entire project book. They went along with the idea of "line" in my work in Sketchbook. I had no idea that I would have had the ideas I had that stemmed from this simple assignment.

Found Drawings

2011-07-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

I had an idea immediately when I was walking to the bus stop. My idea was to take pics of the...what I named..."road nuggets." These are the little bumps that are placed in the center of the lanes on most roads. I thought that organic shape of the tar used to place the geometric shape of the "nugget" would be great for this project.

BUT...when I got back to my hotel, there was a truck that had all of the fans, blowers, and dehumidifiers that are used for fire/water damage clean up. They were stacked in the back of a box truck and the door was open. I thought...PERFECT! So, I took some pictures of the each of the different types. They were all this beautiful blueish green color. I made the color a little bit more intense but still kept the same basic blue green hue. I played and played with these in photoshop, turning, flipping, and cropping. I am quite the novice when it comes to photoshop but I think what I did turned out pretty good.

Peer Response

2011-07-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

I posted a peer response to Dawn's "Found Drawings" from July 27th. The response is a comment under her post.

Zandrea, Translation

2011-07-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

My students love making "accordion folds" for various projects we do in the year. I'm always looking for ways to incorporate storytelling and written word into our curriculum. This would be great to use with their accelerated reading they're required to do and/or with their favorite books. It is very adaptable for my K-5 students. We usually do a mother's day project with "pop-up" cards, so this could be a follow up lesson. I may even write it in to submit for a classroom lesson to incorporate their social studies or spelling words. Either way it has made it on my To-Teach list.

Cherie Smith, Altered Book

2011-07-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

The strong reaction I had to the process of creating the altered book took me by surprise. I was a little off balance from the beginning. I also had a strong reaction to using the old images and photographs I had brought with me. Even during the final discussion I resisted the impulse to say that my altered book told a story. I only realized in the quiet of my home that every image that ended up in my altered book was a picture of someone who directly influenced my choice to start a master's program and further my education. So my book is telling a story...it is remembering the guides who have led me down this path thus far.

melissa swift, found drawing

2011-07-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

I thought for sure I'd gravitate towards the shadows of foliage for this assignment, but surprisingly, I found my way into the linear world. Plastic surfaces made the most interesting reflections of light and shadows - which clearly I am fascinated by.

Christie Knoll, Peer Response

2011-07-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed Sarah Sparks Project Book. I could see so many different ways her concept could be used within any art program. I think she captured the innocence of her daughter in the manner she drew her. I think she was able to pull from the marks her child made, interesting ways to create compassion. She keep the lines simple but they had energy and strength. Most of all it made me smile.

Cherie Smith, Translation to Teaching

2011-07-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

There were several ideas that I think would translate well into the museum setting. Primarily I use projects that tie into the overall theme of the tour I am leading. I liked the one page book project as it would work well with several themes that we use. One of the tours is about finding line, shapes and animals on the tour. Then I could use that imagery to have the children create a wax resist drawing of animals we had discussed or found during the tour. After folding the paper and creating the one page book we could talk again about the lines and shapes that make up the original image as well as the story behind it.

Christie Knoll, The Day After Sketchbook

2011-07-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Project Book

2011-07-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

For my project book I carried on with the theme of 'Time.' My ideas connected to the research I mined from the Altered Book project. I started with a variety of experiments using transfer techniques of images of the tracks of subatomic particles. I also created wax resist drawings of clock parts and used watercolor to abstract the drawings to give them a more organic quality. I explored the pendulum in relationship to time and movement by creating a pendulum out of found metal pieces and attaching a brush. I swung the pendulum over my paper for varying amounts of time creating interesting drawings. I also videoed the pendulum in motion which gave me ideas for slowing down or speeding up the pendulum in recorded time. Photographs of the pendulum in motion became ghostlike and transparent in the most surprising and beautiful way. I composed these experiments into my project book and generated several ideas for how to make this "play with purpose" into an exhibition. I considered variations in scale, material, time, methods for installation etc. I am very excited with the process and direction of the project book and can't wait to continue developing my ideas.

Here are a few of my favorite spreads:

Christie Knoll,Found Drawing

2011-07-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

The Unseen Marks

I was sitting in a restaurant, thinking about our walking studies. I remembered we talked about the shapes between. I took pictures of the people in the restaurant that had interesting lines. I came back put them into Photoshop so I could relay to you what my mind had seen.

Susan Striepe—Found Drawing

2011-07-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

My found drawings reflect my daily walk to class in the morning and back again to my dorm at night. They are based on photographic images of the sidewalk. I find when I am walking, that I look down at the pavement while I am thinking and then I look up again to take in my surroundings and converse with my friends. I think of it as traversing interior and exterior spaces, much like snorkeling. The space on these three images is flat in the same way that the surface of the water is an illusory flat dimension, dividing the water-breathing world from the air-breathing world.

Amelia K.,peer response

2011-07-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed all the concepts Nicole put into creating her installations within her project book-she came up with some great ideas that can go so many places. From the use of several different materials to having a consistent visual theme that makes her overall theme apparent throughout.

Color Chart book, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

I loved this idea and will be doing this one with my students. What a great way to get the mind working. Using colored (free) swatches from paint stores, we were to chose a certain number and looking at the name of the paint, draw the first thing that comes to our mind. It could relate to the name or it didn't have to. Loved this one!

Project Book, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

This was by far the most exciting part of the week for me. My project book was all about LINES! The theme was "ALONG THE LINE"... I found that lines were a common theme throughout my work this week and I'm attracted to all kinds of lines. The ideas really took off immediately in my book. I had been researching string installations, but when I went back to get started into the book, I began to think about one photo I took of a rope. It then just transformed into this wonderful idea book all about how I could build ceramic posts (cylindrical and rectangular forms) with different string/ribbon flowing out from them. It also became a way for me to think about what could be "contained", or kept out by using these lines. I felt my hand wasn't able to keep up with my brain quick enough to record my thoughts. I'd really like to work these ideas out in sculptural form.

Project Book Concept web & research, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T20:23:00.001-07:00

This is a wonderful idea to do when starting something big. The concept web really helped me narrow down ideas and get a feel of some outcomes or possibilities for projects.

Image of Choice

2011-07-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

This was the first assignment of the course. Sent home with only a roll of tape and two sheets of paper, we were to interpret the assignment however we saw fit. I started by covering the box of tape to use as the book "cover." I then cut and taped small pieces of paper together that were cut to the size of the box. The pages were then folded accordian style. I chose to go the more traditional route by illustrating the book using words and pictures. Of course I had to throw some humor into the mix since that is a big part of my personality. The story is about my travels to UF and all of the emotions, thoughts, and activities along the way.

Research, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

For my research, some of my favorite artists were Wayne Thiebaud, Henry Moore and Andy Goldsworthy. All three of these artists I can see where my work has some element from each of their work. It was exciting to actually see sketches from their personal sketch books and see how and where their ideas developed.

Flag Book, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

The flag book was a fun way to look at a book/assemble a book. It unfolds in a an opposite manner, which is very interesting. The kids will love this one!

Collection, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

The collection drawings were fun. We were asked to bring in a collection of something.... my collection was band aids. I almost didn't bring any, but decided last minute that I'm pretty accident-prone, and I would probably need them. It just so happened I did- the last day! haha

Transfer Samples, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

This was so neat to learn. One of my favorites. Playing around with different photo copies and how we can use them in our sketch books, and altered books. The use of gesso, gel medium, packaging tape, clear contact paper and clear transparencies were all used.

Memory Drawings, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

The memory drawings were one of my favorites. I loved starting out with just a square on the paper and writing or telling the story of a dress (with our eyes closed). It didn't matter whether we were writing over top of what we had already down on the paper. Once we were done describing, we erased about 50% of it. We then drew a blind contour of our dress we just described. We then played around with positive and negative, and what it might look like if those were present in our picture. The second drawing was of when my husband proposed to me. It's a picture of the ring.

Walking Studies, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

We went on an adventure after eating at Burrito Brothers. We used a view finder and narrowed in on a few plants. I later went out and sketched some other plants. I really liked how the shadows were more apparent than the day we went on the walk.

Altered Book

2011-07-24T19:44:00.001-07:00

My book was originally about "Time" which I found very inspiring and interesting. I enjoyed "mining" the book for images and research; I plan to carry on with this theme for quite awhile. Throughout the pages I allowed myself to visually explore this theme through shape, line and color. I am happy with the resolution of most of the pages; they have already informed my subsequent project book. The images below are my favorite spreads.

1-minute studies, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

For the 1-minute studies, we each were given a prop. We had to think of "pose" to put ourself into that would incorporate the prop. We each had to pose for the class for one minute as they drew. These were to be very quick sketches of poses.

Mini-Collages, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

The mini-collages were my least favorite this week. We were to come up with 5 separate mini-collages and do studies of them. We could do color, black and white and any other study of that collage. Then post 5 more mini-collages without the studies. I've never really got into doing collages, but this was a good way to break into an interesting way to look at shapes and color.

Prompts, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

For Prompts, we all came up with a large list of themes or ideas for project books. We were asked to come up with 5 more. I love this list! I can't wait to use these ideas in class.

Donut Drawings, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

We were given a donut and were asked to sketch the donut in different ways. My donut was in one piece when I left the studio, but when I got back, it was in crumbles. My last five were mainly crumbled donut drawings.

Blindfold Drawings, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

This was a fun exercise. We partnered up and took an adventure blindly outside. We were instructed to draw what was in front of us as we were blind folded. We were given instructions as where to place the drawing on our paper. These sketches are in our "Everything Sketchbook".

Altered Book, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T18:45:00.001-07:00

My altered book took a completely different look than when I first started. I really didn't have any idea on how to alter a book. I truly struggled with it. I wanted the book to be about the use of pockets and how they are used to hide items. The idea that there are so many secret compartments or pockets and how one becomes quite curious as to want to know what's inside. The issue of trusting others with what one may have as secrets also plays a part in my altered book.

Paper and Tape, Nicole Kirkpatrick

2011-07-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

For this project, we were given only two sheets of paper and one roll of tape to create a book. My book became a book about pockets. This first project flowed over into my altered book with the idea of pockets.

melissa swift, response to peer

2011-07-24T18:32:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to give a heads up! I responded to Karissa's found drawing post - I felt like it was easier to have my comments attached to the actual artwork I was looking at.

....thought I'd be sure to post here, so the label would exist! let me know if you can't see the comment, and I'll repost it here :)

Prompt List

2011-07-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

My Prompts:

1- Opposites Attract

2- Water under the bridge

3- Racking my brain

4- Dumb as dirt

5- Walking on eggshells

Class Prompts:

6- The nose knows

7- Hit the Road

8- Smell the Roses

9- Just like riding a bike

10- Out of the blue

Peer Response

2011-07-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

I really like Amelia's Project Book. I love the idea of the cross as the subject matter. Her renderings in pen and pencil were beautiful. The idea of a cross flat on the ceiling with big spherical glass beads of a rosery coming down to the floor was the image I saw as she described her project. The very last image of the circles and the cross is probably my favorite. I believe it was done with black pen. The cross and the circle as a symbol of eternity work well together. Nice job Amelia!

melissa swift, translation to teaching

2011-07-24T18:05:00.001-07:00

PLAY WITH PURPOSE!

I think this is going to be my new motto, and a refreshing new motto it is! I have always been an artist that plans very carefully, executes to match exactly the vision in my mind, and 98% of the time, I end up barely enjoying the final piece. After 6 days of encouragement to "just go with it", "play with purpose", and "find the gems" I relaxed and let the art drive itself.

I believe this kind of approach to art is exceptionally helpful to artists of all skill-levels. Newer artists are afraid of "failure" and more seasoned artists tend to be stuck in patterns they know are successful. When applied to projects like we completed this week, these words of advice were able to be absorbed and demonstrated more easily. I think sometimes, as a teacher, I get wrapped up in perfection of techniques and the element of creation is forced to take the backseat.

So what will I take back to my classroom? The ability to be more open to the idea of letting the gems guide the direction of the artwork. In the end, there will be an "a-ha!" moment and a successful piece of art to show for it.

melissa swift, prompt list

2011-07-24T17:58:00.001-07:00

We do weekly sketchbook drawings and this list will definitely come in handy!

Also saw a book at the Harn Museum gift shop today entitled "A Drawing A Day" - 365 3x5" places to draw a quick sketch. Loved it but will likely create my own with an old sketchbook (I figure that could be a great way to actually FINISH one of those empty books!)

Project Book

2011-07-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

The project book was theory put into practice for me. Working my ideas out in the book let me put into action many of the exercises and reflect on the various discussions that had taken place. I was surprised by how much clearer it made my ideas seem to me...especially since I tend to go off on tangents when I am working with an new idea. The project book will become an obvious (now) solution to the problems I face when starting a project. Not to mention it ended up being an idea I would be interested in developing further in the future.

melissa swift, paper + tape

2011-07-24T17:41:00.001-07:00

So many ways to solve such a seemingly simple assignment - love the variations everyone came up with!

melissa swift, altered book

2011-07-24T17:34:00.001-07:00

Two of my favorite spreads from my altered book. It's amazing how much this book made me grow as an artist, in such a short period of time. I still think I'll make some additional carefully placed details over the next few days.

Everything Book

2011-07-24T17:04:00.001-07:00

The donut on fire has to be my favorite. The "ordeal" at my hotel definitely inspired me and influenced my idea to draw the donut on fire. I definitely "went with it" and made the most of my situation. I like the texture of the fire and the water that the donut is sitting in.

The collages were also one of my favorite things. I like taking the traced shapes and simplifying them. I especially like the black and white version of this one.

Zandrea, Altered book

2011-07-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

This is my first altered book. I chose to work with the theme that was already in place, which are the adventures of Peter and Polly. I translated that idea into the little events that happen in my life with my husband. The front cover is located at the bottom of the post.

back of book

Susan Striepe—Project Book

2011-07-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

It was a time crunch and I had to think fast. My logical side of the brain was still sleeping, the alarm clock had not registered in that sector. I realized that I wanted to take the ideas that had manifested out of the "Altered Book" and propel them forward to some form of realization. The idea of having an installation, provoked a solid vision of what this could be.

Man and Machine
I imagined a glass elevator going up three stories to a "computer brain". As participants would proceed upwards, there would be light responses that they could view from the elevator. A maze-like structure would constitute tunnels that would be going in, around, and through the "brain" emerging into one tunnel of an array of six different dome-like rooms. Each of the rooms would be different, but have the same feel to them. Visual projections, industrial sculptural forms, print on metal, and sound would constitute some of the materials in each of the rooms. Some form of viewer engagement would be considered in each space and to initiate this concept, the participants would have to put on surgical masks, hats and booties just as they would have to do if they were entering a silicon chip manufacturing plant.

I'm just waiting for a grant now.

Susan Striepe—Peer Response

2011-07-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

In Christie Knoll's "Altered Book" I liked all the rich dark textures she created using sand mixed with paint. In addition, I was fascinated by Christie Knoll's "Project Book". I thought her use of random, mass produced transparent packages that enclosed discarded food remnants was iconic. The shape reminded me of niches I had seen in Spain with saints granting the passers by their blessings. Yet at the same time they were enclosed and had my mind wandering in directions of wombs and tombs. I found them filled with metaphor and meaning. Then, as another layer, there was a sense of tactility of the material and yet the plastic acted as a barrier, so that you were unable to touch it. My response was a yearning to touch, a yearning for the safety of the womb and the fear of the tomb. Powerful stuff!

Prompt List

2011-07-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

In the Middle
Eating Crow
On Cloud 9
Just like riding a bike
Double Edged Sword
That's what she said
Taking a long walk off a short pier
The heart of the matter
If you can't say anything nice....
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

altered book

2011-07-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Images from my altered book.

25 Donut Drawings

2011-07-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

For this exercise we did some careful yet quick studies of a donut and explored our associations/ memories. To complete the exercise we had create 25 sketches of the donut; each one informing and inspiring the next drawing. At first the task seemed overwhelming but after a short while I got into it and enjoyed the process.

Christie Knoll, Project book

2011-07-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

Christie Knoll, One sheet

2011-07-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Christie Knoll, Alter Book Project

2011-07-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

I love my Altered book :)

Peer Response

2011-07-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

Nicole Kirkpartrick's use of lines for her project book was a great concept. The images she was able to create in her book really made the project concept come alive for me. The discussion that followed about the different ways you could play off the concept was in-depth and interesting. I especially liked the idea of switching the material and creating the rope in ceramic and post in a rope material. I think further exploring the use of lines and posts would lead to very relevant sculpture that would be interesting to experience.

Amelia K., Translation to teaching

2011-07-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have learned so much useful information from a variety of new art techniques to innovative art making ideas. I can not wait to introduce these concepts to my high school students-I am thinking about creating a blog also,what a great way to track and view their peers artwork.
I am determined to try all the assignments we explored during this one week intensive course- the paper and tape,the mini collages, the blindfold drawings,collections series of drawings,bag surprise drawing,and I might attempt the donut drawing exercise also.
These concepts will help aid me in providing a new and more exciting experience in the art room this school year.The excitement that Art making brings always creates a sense of peace within the soul.

Susan Striepe—Translation to Teaching

2011-07-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

I think that the exercises that we did in class have given me a practical approach to infusing the class with creativity. I felt the element of mystery, of not knowing where Lauren was going with an exercise took me off guard. If I can capture that essence and release that perfume in the classroom, magic will happen. I also thought her concepts of restriction e.g. time and/or materials translate strongly into creativity. So, to sum up I would say that what I have learned this week will inform the creative aspect of the art classroom.

Amelia K., Project Book

2011-07-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

1 Minute Drawings

2011-07-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

For these quick figure studies we partnered up and each got a prop. We had fun exploring the possibilities of our props and selected a posture that we could hold for 1-minute as our peers drew. We also gave the poses fun titles. It was a very interactive way to make figure drawing fun! I normally HATE drawing the figure but with this exercise I was able to focus on the prop and the most important aspects of how the person was interacting with it. Limiting my focus allowed me to relax and get some likable drawings. From left to right the titles of these poses are "Provided For," "Wrap it up," "Substitute," and "Stepping on the Peak."

Prompt List

2011-07-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

1. Have a nice trip, see you next fall
2.Word of mouth
3. Twist of fate
4.Got a tiger by the tail
5.White caps in the bay stay away
6.Early bird catches the worm
7.Take it for what it is worth
8. Let sleeping dogs lie
9. As long as there is bacon in the pan
10. Comparing apples to oranges

Christie Knoll, Translation to Teaching

2011-07-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook A 2011

Several of the activities have inspired me to start to formulate learning opportunities. I prefer, integrated art activities and always looking for a teaching moment within School Age Care environment, to reinforce what the children are learning in the classrooms.

Inspired from the "paper and tape" and "collections" projects.

Paper and Tape: limited materials, create a book

Collections: Collect items and study them creatively interrupt them

Learning Opportunity:

The M&M painting and rubbing . I used the M&Ms from the collection activity and put them into water to use as watercolors. I also created my own brushes using the left over pieces of the plastic cups I cut down to use for the M&M watercolors. For the art aspect, younger children can learn to mix colors, how many blue and yellow M&Ms does it take to make lime green?

Science activity: measure the water to M&M dye, time the rate of decomposition, density: the level the water rises when M&M are added.

Math: Odds and ratios: How many M&Ms are in a fun size. Basic Math: What is a serving size? Calories per M&M. Probability: What is the probability of getting 4 green in one bag?

Cherie Smith, prompt list

2011-07-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

Digging for gold
Nose knows (apparently I was in a nose frame of mind)
Drama queen
Singing a different tune (or thinking about my daughter)
Pigment of your fascination...love this one
All the bits and pieces...the one I went with
Backhanded compliment
Nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof
No holds barred
Here today, gone tomorrow

response to peer

2011-07-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

I really liked Zandrea's idea about body tattoos from her project book. I have always been interested in tattoos as a serious art form and would like to research about the cultural history behind tattooing in different countries. The placement of the tattoo and the imagery are both very symbolic and personal for each person. I may create a project book of my own about this idea and translate it into a lesson plan for my students.

Favorite Everything Book

2011-07-22T20:06:00.001-07:00

This was my favorite assignment so in the everything book. Yes it was tedious and painful at times, but completely worth it. I was so happy with the outcome and how much I had to stretch and work my drawing.

prompt list

2011-07-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

From our prompt activities, I found the following 10 to be my favorites:

1) walking on air

2) in the middle

3) mountain out of a molehill

4) birds of a feather

5) penny for your thoughts

6) young at heart

7) favorite mistake

8) perfect strangers

9) double trouble

10) eye of the storm

Favorite Everything Book

2011-07-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

This exercise was my favorite from the everything book. It was tedious...it was painful at times, but I truly loved the outcome. Who knew I could do so many things with Doughnuts?

Zandrea, Prompts

2011-07-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

1. My favorite shoes
2. Humble pie
3. Things that come in grains
4. Muscle memory
5. Stick in the mud
6. Pigment of your fascination
7. Things that float
8. Items found in a sofa
9. Whats under my bed?
10. Birds of a feather

Zandrea, Project Book

2011-07-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is my Project Book based on my research of Mermaids and finding the perfect tattoo. This collection spans over the last 6 months and showcases the different aesthetics of Mermaid art to choose from. I prefer the "old world" look, but I'm drawn to the vivid colors of the sleek, modern illustrations.

Zandrea, Everything Book

2011-07-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

These are a few of my favorite sketches from the Doughnut series and the Collage collection. The holes, jelly, and sprinkles ended up being the focal point. The collages are made from Martha Stewart's Food Magazine- it turned out to be a lot of detail, but intriguing color.

Found Drawings

2011-07-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

Zandrea, tape & paper

2011-07-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed the challenge of this project.
This would be great for my elementary students to encourage team building or general higher order thinking. I wanted to showcase the quality of the tape, so I made two windows on either side of the "drawing" paper and an envelope for storage.

Amelia K., Mini Collage

2011-07-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Susan Striepe—Everything Book

2011-07-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

I hated doing the donut. Its smell was overpoweringly unhealthy. It was like an O-Siren calling me to Sugarland and a downward spiral of me wanting more. I resisted. I had to do 25 drawings of this infernal donut. It took me the whole day and by the end of the day it was falling apart, just like myself. As I fell apart, so did my drawing and miraculously that is what makes a drawing come to life.

I really enjoyed going out under the trees on the beautiful UF campus and doing the quick drawings. It heightened my perception of the form, structure, value, and depth that surround one in everyday life.

Discovering powdered graphite…Thank you Lauren! Graphite is on top of my list of favored mediums and now new possibilities have opened. I can't wait to explore this further.

Found Drawing, Kferrell

2011-07-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Amelia K.,Alter Book

2011-07-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

Everything Book: Memory Drawing

2011-07-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Memory Drawing,medium: ink on paper
(coffee staining is bleed through from my alter book project).

Project book

2011-07-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Images from my project book. I had my 19 month old daughter draw on my papers, then I drew over them to create images of her creating art.

Nicole Kirkpatrick, Bags

2011-07-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

We were given a brown bag with an item inside. We were not allowed to look, but could feel the object. We did a series of drawings based on what we thought the item looked like. Mine was a chisel.

Susan Striepe—Altered Book

2011-07-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

I am in the middle of creating the altered book. How I interpret something from the middle is going to be different from how I will interpret it once I am finished. At this point I feel I don't have enough time to give it that precious finished quality I so desire. Yet, this unfinished quality is forcing me into unfamiliar territory and I am working in directions I would not have anticipated. My starting book was a 70s view of what computing accomplishments would mean in the future. I decided to take this and emphasize the AI quality of this technology. I am using texture and textural contrast to emphasize the "plasiticity" of this technology.

Carolina Roussakis, Color Associations

2011-07-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed this project very much. By simply using the color swatch names as a prompt, we were able to be spontaneously more creative than if our only prompt was the color (given certain connotations and generalizations associated with certain colors).

Altered Book

2011-07-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

The Altered Book Project was a project that really got me"out of my box". I have always enjoyed drawing from realism and like nice clean, neat work. This book is not at all like that. I plan to go back and refine a few of the pages and clean them up a little.

The name of the book,

"Good, Clean Violence: A History of College Football" really jump started my brain. Overall I am truly happy with my ideas and I think it was a creative response to the subject of the book, my love of football, and my reaction to being a UGA Alumni and coming to my rival college.

One of the first pages that I felt "worked" is the man with the alligator boots. The red backgroud makes the football player really pop. I thought the alligator boots was a nice comical touch . Further more the size relationship of the boots to the body add more humor and makes the tough football player look a bit goofy.

The cover of the book is a simple stencil of the Georgia G. I may want to add something else to this but I'm not sure yet.

The Florida page is another one I like. I found this really cool image of alligator skin that had a lot of texture in it. The reverse UF was a clever thought by Lauren and of course I had to use it as that is often my attitude when UF kicks UGA's butt's!

Craig & Amelia

2011-07-21T13:31:00.001-07:00

teaching environment

2011-07-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

I have learned so many things this week that I plan on taking back to my classroom. The brainstorming (prompting) activities and the critical thinking and questioning techniques are the most important thing that I can translate into my teaching. I came to this class struggling with keeping all of my students engaged and helping them to be creative on their own. I also really enjoyed learning how to use new materials in making projects, such as the powdered graphite, wax paper drawings, and the many transfer techniques. Of course, the altered book project will also be a must-try activity for my AP students. I have really enjoyed all of the new information I learned through this course and also taking the time to create art again. I can't wait to see how my students translate these activities in their own way.

Cherie Smith, Donut Drawings

2011-07-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed several of the drawing exercises I took part in this week. Picking a favorite was difficult...however...the 1 minute or "donut drawings" are the sketches that I decided to select. I like the ease of obtaining the supplies, the engaging visual cue and the time constraints that forced my eye to start choosing relevant lines to draw. Yes, I did complain (ok, whine) while I was in the middle of drawing. but I will be using this exercise in the future...primarily for myself.

Found Art

2011-07-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

These are objects that I have seen for years. Each time I visit my grandparents farm.

Leonardo's Pizza

2011-07-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Found drawing series

Fav Everything Book image

2011-07-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

I really liked doughnuts before this exercise.

VISITING ARTISTS

2011-07-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

Cherie Smith, Color Associations

2011-07-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

This project was an interesting stretch for me. I have a tendency to want all my drawings to be "perfect" when I only had approx. one minute to think of something the color on the card reminded me about and then sketch it...perfect and slow was not an option.

Susan Striepe—Prompt List

2011-07-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Prompt List:
1) Smell the Roses
2) Reading Between the Lines
3) Out of the Blue
4) Cut and Dry
5) Funky Business
6) Double Vision
7) Man and Machine
8) Haste makes Waste
9) Many Hands Make Light Work
10) Power House

Amelia K,Prompt List

2011-07-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

monkey business
out of the blue
perfect storm
smell the roses
wishful thinking
cold as ice
black heart
can't wrap my head around it
heavy hand
speed demon

Prompt List

2011-07-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

1. Monkey Business
2. Hide and go Seek
3. Pick Pocket
4. Paint by Numbers
5. Pledge of Allegiance
6. Double Edge Sword
7. Like Riding a Bike
8. Wishful Thinking
9. Perfect Storm
10. Drawing a Blank