Today I had a 30 minute discussion with a friend while working on my art exam about what art really is. I said art is anything stimulating (applying to music, literature, etc. as well as the visual stuff) and he said "A conveyance of meaning through application of skill". I would agree with him except that not all of my art always has meaning. Sometimes I just sit down with a few bottles of tempra paint, a paper, and some string and I make a painting. While art is interesting when there's a story behind it, does there have to be?

I finally got my computer back! I'm spending literally all day today, Tuesday, and Wednesday working on my exam and I'm still slowly learning how to work this thing with the help of my friend. Can't wait to talk about them all in class! By the way the picture below is absolutely fantastic.

Shenanigans, Highjinks and Tomfoolery

So here is an image of what can happen if people need to blow off some steam, or maybe if they just REALLY don't like something they have done.

Summer Art Making

You may not know this, or even think about it but I usually take classes in some kind of art making almost every summer. Sometimes I take classes in something that I will be teaching the next school year. Other times I take something I might want to add to the curriculum, like when I took several classes in Photoshop so that we could teach a class to you all. Sometimes though I take a class just for fun; just for me.
This summer I am taking an oil painting class. I will be in the studio from 1 - 4:30 every afternoon for a week.
Hopefully it will get me enthused about doing more painting.
The reason I have decided on this class is because it focuses on color theory. In addition, I have a set of oils and I really need to explore that medium more. The class is scheduled for a week Mon - Fri at Columbus College of Art and Design. So this class is both for me and for you. I will continue to build on my knowledge of color to better be able to advise you. And I will get a chance to use my oils. Who knows? Maybe I will find I really like them and end up doing several paintings this summer. I will post anything that is worthy of being shared.
The class begins the first week after exams. Ready or not I have to be in school one more week after we are out.

An Art Quote from Winston Churchill

I found a quote from Winston Churchill. It pertains to art, but it isn't what you would normally expect. I'm posting it and asking you to post a comment below. (Click on the word comment below. ) Read it, think about it. Then tell me if you agree or disagree. It states: "Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd.  Without  innovation, it is a corpse."

 --Winston Churchill

What does it mean? What is he thinking?

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

This is a video that was first shared with me by a former student in my AP Studio class several years ago. It was recently posted again on Facebook by my niece who will also be taking Senior Art next year at Mercy. I loved it right away, I guess because it's quirky. But that's why I thought you all would like it too. So take a look and listen closely because it's kind of quiet. But it's just as cute as it can be!