Jewelry Blast!

 What do you get when you put a group of teen girls, a slightly anxious teacher, recycled materials, beads, stones and jewelry findings in a room together? The answer is a day of pure joy for the teens and instructor...who had a jewelry making blast! 

Mind you, this was my first time tackling the teen group during the Ohio Craft Museum's Young Masters summer program but was up for the challenge. The day would prove to not only take me out of my "comfort zone" but to serve as a reminder of the many hours I spent as a teen simply "making things" during those long hot summers.  It was really satisfying to see how hard the girls worked during the two half day sessions...when something didn't work the first time around...they just kept on going and worked it out!

Beautiful necklace from upcycled leather belt

 
I look forward to working with the teens again as we continue to learn from one another during the "Project Accessories" workshops at the Ohio Craft Museum.

This summer the workshop will expand to  3-half day sessions as we dig through bins of unusual materials just waiting to be re-purposed into jewelry, pouches and other wonderful things that teen girls will enjoy. 


These pink cuffs are hot!

 

Soda can upcycled into a cuff

 

Amazing button ring

 

Bottom bracelet made from hardware tubing

 

Buttons, buttons and more buttons!

 

Another upcycled belt bracelet

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas everyone! I've cleaned up the last dish and put away my cookie making "stuff" and yawned way too many times. In a few hours I will get up to prepare for worship at our church this morning...no props to deliver, just helping with mime makeup.

I'm thankful for the words of encouragement, wisdom, and art experiences you all have shared with me this year. Looking forward to the new year which arrives in one week and the continued art journey.

God Bless,

Ihumwa village potter

Wendy

"Let Loose"

On this season's X Factor which debuts some of the best singing talent around, a young lady by the name of Melanie Amaro has been of great interest to me. It seems all the contestants have had a story to share of their lives...overcoming drug addiction, adoption, raised by single parent, separation from parents, etc.

Melanie Amaro seemed like another talented young woman trying to capture the 5 million dollar recording contract that's been dangled over the contestants heads like a laboratory enhanced carrot. However, a few weeks back something happened that changed Melanie's subsequent performances and made me reassess my approach to my own art. During the episode which escapes me in terms of the specific week, young Melanie was told to "Let loose and be yourself" by celebrity judge Paula Abdul(in terms of her performance). I listened intently as if Paula were speaking directly to me... "Let loose  Wendy and be yourself in relationship to your art."  Hmmn....as I reflected upon the words and what they meant to not only Melanie but myself and the importance of being transparent in one's art. After all isn't art a mere extension of oneself?

By the next episode it was very obvious that Melanie had mulled over the advice and taken it to heart.  So after another perfect performance and while awaiting the judges comments, Melanie asks to speak and reveals a heavy island accent. I could hear everyone's head whirling across America and wondering where the accent came from. You see, it turns out that Melanie had been raised by her grandparents in the Virgin Islands and had learned to hide her accent after coming to the states and being teased by classmates. Ever since Melanie revealed her true self she's never sang more beautifully!

As artists, don't we owe it to ourselves to follow similar advice and "Let loose and be yourself." Maybe you've been holding back on trying a new technique, paint color or subject matter in your work. Maybe you have no problem letting loose in your work and if that's the case I'm happy for you. But for me I look forward to hitting some high notes with my art!

X Factor's Melanie Amaro

Blick's Lesson Plans

Thanks to Blick art for the wonderful lesson plans provided in each of their annual catalogs. For years I didn't pay them much attention and therefore missed some wonderful opportunities to share pre-tested projects with my students. Now when it's time to toss them out each year I gently remove the lesson plan pages, insert them in acetate sleeves and store in my lesson plan binder which holds years of wonderful projects.

Proud artist

This year I began my after school program with "Architectural Letters" which originated from Blick's (by the way the same neat lesson plans are online if you don't receive the catalog). Week after week my budding artists devoted themselves to the construction of these letters. Hey, I love building things as much as my students but was glad when the project finally ended two months later.

No, it didn't take that long to complete but when you have only one hour a week, teacher professional days which means no programming for us and other various scheduling interruptions....simple projects can stretch out. The other reason for extended projects is that I always try to keep the environment very relaxed. As long as the students are happily creating and enjoying what they do...we're good..

Thanks again Blick's for helping me out when I need something new to create!

Not bad for fome-core, paper cups, glue, kraft tape and paint. Actually, the possibilities are endless with this process.

New Albany Showcasing African-American Women Artists

Ms. Bettye Stull, Curator, "Evolution of the Girl Child" at the McCoy Center


Well the New Year is certainly starting off with a blast! Sistahs of the Arts collaborative is the focus of an exhibit titled, "Evolution of the Girl Child" which recently opened(January 17) in New Albany, Ohio at the beautiful McCoy Community Arts Center. There are several things that make this exhibit so special and unique. First, it's an exhibit that's done completely by African American women artists. Secondly, we are all local artists featured in the show. Third, represents the joining of two separate galleries(the King Arts Complex and the McCoy Center) showcasing women's art.

The original exhibit was shown at the King Arts Complex last year in May and ran through the summer. The fact that nine of the original artists works are now at the McCoy Center means that it's a travelling show. There's no sound effects button that I can insert here for some whistling...so just imagine it!

Special thanks to Ms. Bettye Stull, of the King Arts Complex, for curating the show. And a big thanks to the Executive Director of the McCoy Center, Ted DeDee and Julie Kriss, Director of Constituent Relationships.


Click the site below to view a video clip featured on the Channel 10(WBNS-TV) news yesterday evening(1/18/10).

New Albany Showcasing African-American Women Artists

Mixed Bag of Emotions

Mixed emotions, anxiousness and excitement combined in the same easy swallow gel cap that I threw into my mouth and washed down with a cup of tepid water over a year ago. This is how it always begins as I move towards the goal of the next exhibit. In this case, November 1, 2009, my still untitled solo exhibition at Columbus State Community College. Some anxiousness because I'm returning to the "box art" process for this exhibition and producing approximately 25 new pieces. As always, there seems to be a million things to do(mostly unrelated to the show) and the clock is ticking.

Tonight our son is starting in his high school's varsity football game for the first time and has shared over the past few days his nervousness. As my husband pointed this out to me yesterday, I turned and shared my Mother Wisdom(as I'm always more than eager to do)with him. "I would think something was wrong if #3 child(when did I first begin calling our children by numbers?)wasn't nervous. Why if he weren't I'd think that he was too cocky and that state of mind can set you up for a hard fall. Besides, he'll be just fine whether he performs well or not on the field." Somewhere in that conversation must have been talking to myself!

So it's the mixed bag of emotions gel cap that I swallow each time a date is placed on my calendar for the next exhibit. Emotions that keep me grounded and serve as a reminder that I'm not in total control of this artist journey...it comes from a place deep within, so relax and let it flow.

The top left photo shows boxes on my studio shelf awaiting use while the top right are boxes so generously donated by the Norwood family...thanks guys! Bottom photo shows my dog expressing mixed emotions over the huge bag of boxes being brought into the house...guess I didn't check in with her first.

Each week I'll be sharing some of the process of making a "box art" collage.

Teaching the Teacher

Well, my mother shared some insightful words of wisdom with me the other day. As I was excitedly telling her about experiencing a change in my teaching experience this summer(translation...my game was stepped up)she calmly informed me that "that's what teaching is all about." Now my beloved Mom is a retired elementary school principal and prior to that taught in the classroom for many years, so needless to say her words of wisdom go a long way with me. So, if this sensing of ones' skills being elevated to a new level as a result of the interaction with students and support staff...why did this feel so new to me after many years of teaching? If you're expecting a profound answer from me, I'm not sure you'll find it here. The only thing I know for certain is at the end of the summer I experienced a heightened sense of responsibility and honor that comes with the profession that many often respond to with a loud guttural "ugh!" I realize that I've been blessed with the capacity to really enjoy working with children. My students are always greatly appreciated for their honesty(even if I don't want to hear it), humor(nothing funnier than a classroom of kindergartners, for example)and capacity to express their love for you through countless pictures that are thoughtfully executed and left on your desk, hugs, and offers to share their candy(even when they've already bitten into it).


Each day I find myself praying that God will show me how to make art exciting for those I serve. What I now know, is that he's been answering my requests all along and even threw in a bonus of allowing me to experience many "aha" moments that come when the students teach the teacher. Therefore, to God, Mom and my students I respond with a heartfelt "thank you!"