"Syllabus"....

So a blog I love to look at is by Lisa Soloman.  She in an artist, teacher, mother...person I would love to know.  I was procrastinating grading 2D work earlier this semester when I read about the book Syllabus by Lynda Barry.  I immediately ordered a copy.  And then I fell a bit down a rabbit hole.  

This is the written document of a class she teaches on cartooning, but really encompasses any kind of creative practice.  There is such originality and compassion in her teaching.  The work is the act of making.  There is a schedule and a process and the development of a relationship to the present moment that is so lovely.  And then the student work is such a delight.  Every class meeting students have to make a short timed self portrait on an index card that she collects and hands back at the end of the semester.  I am thinking I need to make a self portrait a day for an extended period of time and see what happens.  I could let my drawing loosen up and school me a little.  

I think I am so tight and guarded that I can't imagine making a playful page of drawings, but that is what she can show me.  So much of her teaching style in "Syllabus" reminds me of my friend and former teacher Lee Dejasu.  They  both know how to get at the heart of what is true.  It is on my list to read again this summer, while I have time to do the work.  More on the rabbit hole in the next post.

RISDWORKS!

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I am so pleased to say that I have four dolls at RISDWORKS, the RISD Museum store for the summer.  The Fox, Elephant, Pig and a single sewing lady are there.  My girlfriend (and former boss) was kind enough to take pictures for me a couple of weeks ago.  I just noticed that the sewing lady's limbs are a little askew, so I will have to email the manager to get her rearranged.  It is such an honor!

sawing and glueing

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Is happening in my three-dimensional design class right now.  Students are making helmets/headdresses/head pieces with half inch wooden dowels and bristol board.  And I am catching some major sh*t. And it is taking way longer than I had planned.  I am hopeful another week will be enough time to finish.  Images to come when they are done.

making....

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not much actually.  Unfortunately.  I think my crit with the Jerome jurors has left me a little uncertain.  And I think I was beginning to be in a place of transition with my work, so it has been easy to not get anything done.  I am thinking about cutting up the twelve foot wall panel into two pieces and adding more pattern paper so that each is six by six feet....and then adding more would like areas where I open up my color palette a little bit.  I did pull a new panel out to paint, but it is not easy with a pain in the ass little kitten.  He may be invited to enjoy the basement.  But I am also really wanting to start sewing for myself.  It could be a distraction.  I have made garments for myself over the years and not worn them much when I haven't been able to figure out fit.  But I found a blouse pattern I am in love with, so I may give it a try again.  And it is a french pattern....with no english instructions.  I think I can figure it out though.  It is the Laelia blouse from Blousetterose.com.

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I think it would also make a darling dress if you added some length.  And you could easily wear a long sleeved t-shirt underneath it so it worked for colder weather.  Now to figure out how many euros it is....

so...crickets....

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and dust bunnies and cob webs around these parts.  There was the holiday, which was lovely, and then school prep, which was rushed, and then getting back to school.  I am teaching Drawing 1 and 3-D Design at RCTC this semester, and 2-D Design at Winona State University.  It feels like a lot of classes crammed into four days.  So far, so good, but it is only the second week.  I pulled out my million year old copy of Art Fundamentals as my textbook for 2-D...but I have to admit there is another book I am more excited about and wanted desperately to use as a textbook.  I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  When my husband and I were looking for Christmas gifts for my son and Barnes and Noble, we found it:  The School of Art, by Teal Triggs and illustrated by Daniel Frost.  It is a children's book, but it is brilliant.  There is a Professor of Ideas, of Form, of Senses, of Making and of the Planet.  There is a team on what basic elements we need to make art and one on what design principles help us make art.  The illustrations are whimsical, the book is full of activities, and it makes the academic business of art so much fun.  My husband got it for me.  If you are a maker, check it out, I think you will love it too.