Salutations

Buddha reminds us to celebrate. Celebrate the sun in the sky. Find joy in movement. Find joy in art.

Salutations, 4 color linocut reduction, 8"x10"

This is a four color linocut reduction that was a lot of fun to print. I initially thought it would be six colors; but once the turquoise ink went on, I stopped. Going further would have been a mistake. The turquoise is so lovely, I made a turquoise edition:

Salutations Two - lino print 8"x10"

Speaking of printmaking, last week I taught at Camp 510 after a long hiatus. My curriculum was a mixed media madness that included a lot of printmaking.

On Friday, we did relief carving on soft carve blocks. One child did these lovely prints.

She had never done this technique before and was proud of this work.

Another printmaking technique I taught was trace monotype. Paul Klee showed that this technique was worth exploring. Kids are usually skeptical that this will work, but then get excited when they see it happening.

We used oil pastel as our transfer medium. This child made multiples of his favorite Pokemon character. I think this is Pikachu.

The delightful soft, fuzzy line in this method adds life and character.

Gel-plate printing is also an amazing amount of fun. This six year old made his own dragon stencil and used his favorite color.

Outside of printmaking was embroidery. I let them think of their own ideas. Boba Tea motifs were all the rage.

Thanks to Anne Mendenhall for arranging donations of embroidery floss and hoops via Motherlode Spinners and Weavers Guild.

With this kind of camp, the experience is more important than the project. My method is to bring the tools, demonstrate the technique, and then see what happens. I think this is called inquiry based learning. Some techniques worked with some kids, others did not. Allowing them to choose is also part of my method.

Waltzing Matilja, watercolor, 10"x10"

I'm also applying this method to my own learning. I am mid-way in a ten-week painting class with Michelle McCunney. I'm giving myself that same generosity that I give when I teach children. What happens if? Does this work? I try not to be attached to the results, but alas I'm only showing you the best of.

Attack of the Giant Poppies, watercolor, 8"x 10"

I will be teaching a bookbinding class at Kala Art Institute on two different dates October 19th and November 9th. Follow the links for registration via Kala's website. It's the same class just taught twice.

See you again soon!