3 to 4 days a week, Roger, Jaz, Rosie and I head for an early morning walk at Furman.
Morning snow flakes may come as a shock!....
We thoroughly enjoyed every minute with Lily and Charlie! I am always amazed at what we fit into a short visit. We started with worm collecting in the garden, feeding the school of baby gold fish, cleaning and preparing the garden for spring planting, working in clay, more work in clay, Charlie finally takes a nap and Lily and I have fun drawing while he is sleeping, a good healthy breakfast and a Sunday morning walk at Furman. Let me add to that a visit to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe for scones and home in time for mom and dad to arrive from a lovely weekend in Asheville.
Then, it was a Sunday 2 hour nap for Roger, me, Jaz and Rosie......
Did I mention it was like spring and everything is blooming early? Can't wait to do it all over again!
The crack that lets the light in....and the love out!
Today I joined the Women's March in Falls Park, Greenville, SC in the pouring down rain! My daughter Jen and granddaughter Lily marched in Charlotte, NC while many friends were marching on the Mall in out Nation's capitol. Add to that women and women supporters in cities across the world that united today to make a statement that together we can make a difference... I believe that today the earth has taken on a soft pink glow! Now, we have to make sure the glow remains, a kind of feminine ozone layer....
Today I made a great discovery teaching 5th grade art... I will always have a "Glitter Day" the last day before the students get out for the holidays!!! I really don't know when I have had more fun and I have our Lower School Art Teacher, Marilyn Mullinax to thank. Marilyn provided the extra glitter needed to put the 5th grade "Glitter Machine" into full swing!
There was no doubt about what was happening in the art room because all the trails of glitter throughout the Middle School lead to the room where I teach 5th grade art!
Today was glitter magic thanks to my 5th grade students, along with others who showed up the art room because they followed the trails of glitter. Today was the day there was a shiny glitter explosion of Middle School creativity!
Hmmmmmm, tonight Roger said I still have some glitter in my hair.... Can you imagine?
Lucky us! Roger and I got to take Lily and Charlie to see the award winning CCES Middle School Tree at the Hyatt House, part of the Annual Festival of Trees event. The CCES Middle School tree was inspired by THE LION KING JR and honored Maggie's School in Africa. It was decorated with awesome clay african animal ornaments created by the 5th grade in our art class. The MS Arts Guild then wove their special magic into the tree by adding some of the costuming from THE LION KING JR. To say that the tree is amazing is an understatement!!!!
Gathering 100's of acorns and painting with watercolors in my studio were the other highlights. Charlie also did a drawing of our family holding hands. It is delightful! Do you recognize me on the far left????
Today my 5th graders finished their Fall Leaf Watercolor Resist painting and they are awesome!
Warm color added to their leaves will be the final touch!
Way to go 5th graders! Your work is AWESOME!!!!!!
Thanksgiving at our house this year included drawing, of course, making things in clay and wood, cleaning the pond (again), turning my greenhouse into a playhouse and a fabulous meal together as our family gave THANKS for each other and for the day. This was celebrated with a toast of Champagne and mimosas for the kids, completed by clinking of glasses!
The sun was out and the light was streaming through yellow maple leaves still hanging on to the trees, our stomachs were full, the dogs were having a blast welcoming the new puppy Enzo into the family. Most of all, we were all together... It was a perfect moment in time and I am truly THANKFUL....
The students chose leaves of different types, looking carefully to see if the leaf they chose "had character", in other words any distinguishing characteristics such as a tear or a bug bite. In order to give the leaves the random appearance of being blown in the wind, I suggested they drop their leaves onto the paper and then draw them. They could do some tracing but ultimately would have to move their leaf aside to finish their drawing. One leaf had to be drawn larger than life size and some overlapping for the appearance of space had to be incorporated.
Students used leaves, pencils and heavy watercolor paper for this part of their leaf project.
I think the results so far are quite impressive! This is my biased and my unbiased opinion!
Each quarter my 5th grades are rewarded with a special project outdoors. Students were directed to find individual leaves in an area behind the Middle School and do giant Georgia O'Keefe style portraits of them. They started with a contour line, letting their hand draw while their eyes follows the contour of the leaf. Then they are free to add their own creative approach to adding color, line and pattern. Signatures were added at the end.
Everyone did an awesome job and enjoyed working in the "pleine air" of a beautiful, clear, fall day...
Joy, fun, laughter and love reign when Lily and Charlie come to visit! Working in clay, an early morning walk at Furman, but especially the release of 25 of our baby goldfish into Furman's pond highlighted the weekend...
The metallic detailing will be added next week.
They make my heart sing...
