Pre-Columbian Art

This is a drawing of one of the indigenous art pieces from the Rufino Tamayo museum.  It is oil pastel on top of Acrylic.   I love these ceramic figures, and it was a nice change of pace to draw rather than render in paint.  I've really been filling up my sketchbook.  For some reason drawing seems to be pleasing my brain more lately.  But, I like that the underpainting shows through and gives intrigue and dimension to the drawing.

Plant Stand

This plant stand is in our courtyard.  I'm sort of obsessed with its form.

Garden Girl

 I finished this lady last night.  She is based on this planter in our roof garden which features a Senorita carrying a vessel on her head which is overflowing with a succulent.  The pattern behind her is taken from the iron chairs up there, and the green image on the bottom is from our wooden dining room chairs.  The side tiles are taken from the inside of a fountain that was at a park we attended last week.  I feel like these paintings are becoming collages of what I am noticing.  They are a way to digest what I am seeing and learn about it through copying.

Rooster

I was having fun last night painting a rooster pot and rug patterns.  I definitely would love to learn more of the tarpeta making process.  I can't wait to try it at home.

Moon Goddess

I saw a ceramic statue in the cultural museum the other day.  I included a picture of her in our Oaxaca blog.  I sketched her in my sketchbook and painted her last night. It was fun.  I'd like to make ceramic pieces like her upon returning to Chicago.

Lost My Groove

If I had any sophistication in my painting before, I've lost it.  I don't know if it is the effects ofdifferent supplies or being out of my element, I'm having trouble finding my creative groove.  I'm taking photos and sketching, but I'm having trouble with painting.  I'll keep on at it, and we'll see what develops.

Painting In Oaxaca

While vacationing in Oaxaca, I'm attempting to paint as much as I can.  These 9 x 12 paper sheets make it easy to create quick, non-precious studies of images/objects/places that I am in love with.  This first one is of a pot at my Mom's house which belonged my Great-Grandma Margaret.  In addition to painting, I'm sketching/journaling, and I packed embroidery and my first ever reverse applique project.  I always get ambitious when I pack art materials.  I know one thing is for sure; all of the sites here will be enough inspiration for the whole year.

Wrapping up PTO Art in the Classroom Activities

This Saturday Faith and I added one more chalk drawing character to our map.  It is standing above Lake Huron in Canada.  It was the perfect finishing touch, and  the perfect way to wrap our cartography project.  Also on on Saturday, we participated in a carnival fundraiser for one of our students who has cancer.  We melted donated crayons, poured them into a button mold, and then cleaned them up after they cooled. The kids strung the crayon buttons onto wire along with other plastic beads to make whimsical, colorful jewelry.  In addition to this activity, we offered a pinwheel making project which I didn't photograph.  I can't say enough how much I enjoy collaborating with Faith and bringing inspiration and creativity to the students.  I have a feeling that we are just getting started!

She's Done!!!!

I had a wonderful time finishing Guadalupe with my sister Lisa today. I can't imagine a better life or a more enjoyable day complete with uncontrollable giggles. To top it off, we kept getting so inspired regarding more Marian art, puppets, and quilts, and all of it happening in the woods! Tomorrow is the last day of school for St.Therese kids. We finished just in time.

School's Out For Summer!

Last class at EAM! We made flying saucers and Jacks in the take out box. Also I returned bandanas, pillows, and glazed ceramics.  It's the best seeing kids walk away hugging their pillows and clutching their bandanas.

I Like You!

UFO Sighting

Chalk Drawings Made Real

Faith and I painted a submarine and a mermaid near our map.  The illustrations are based on the student chalk drawings.  Oh!--we painted in the Great Lakes, too.  Now we have just one more chalk drawing to add and some touch-ups, and then we're done!