BLOG # 19: Course Reflection

I really enjoyed learning about all of the contemporary artists from In the Making. As an art teacher I know I really need to keep up with what is going on in the art world. I should also buff up on my art history as well. I am a bit nervous about what positions may be available for me when I graduate. I think I really need to be ready to jump in to the education system as soon as I have the opportunity and just do the best that I can with the resources that I have. I have learned that every classroom can be so different. I was so impressed with some of the art that secondary students were creating. Getting back into a high school classroom really helped to remind me of where I was as person when I was in high school. I know that I want to teach high school students and I am so excited to try out my lesson plans.

BLOG # 18: Helping Students Foster a Positive Sense of Self-Identity

I think it is important that we develop meaningful relationships and really know who are students are in order for us to help them foster a positive sense of self-identity. Having our students use sketchbook journals is a great tool to encourage introspection. As a teacher, positively responding to our students' ideas and perspectives can also help cultivate an encouraging learning environment. Planning lessons that directly deal with the self is also an imperative aspect of bring self-identity to the menu for discussion. Sharing other influencing artists whose work is strongly guided by self-identity can be valuable as well. I think it can be enlightening for students when they hear about the stories of other artists and the challenges that they dealt with throughout their lives. The topic of identity looms with us throughout our lives. As we change and grow, our identities shift and morph to fit our new outlooks.

Blog #17: Collaboration

I was really interested in Ken Vieth's Contemporary Conceptualization of a Totem Pole project. It is a collaborative project that still represents each student on an individual level. However, the magic of the work exists when all the pieces are joined together to form one piece of art. Students also obtain unity through the use of color and the task of assembling each image in order to form a whole. The totem poles are composed from symbolic images that represent each student and embody aspects of their identity and personality.

I love that this collaborative project also calls for displaying the finished product in a public place. I found this sample image in From Ordinary to Extraordinary interesting to look at. Although many of the pieces reveal an expansive variety of shapes, they all visually cooperate with one another.

BLOG # 16: Expressing an Artistic Attitude (27a)

Migrant Workers

Dorothea Lange

1935

Mississippi Delta Children

Dorothea Lange

A couple wearing raccoon coats with a Cadillac, taken on West 127th Street

James Van Der Zee

1932

Gelatin silver print, printed later

Lange's Migrant Workers (top photo) and James Van Der Zee's Cadillac couple (bottom photo) depict two very different worlds. I found it interesting that they both of these photographs consist of a car that sprawl past the edges of the composition. Van der Zee's photograph is sharp, glitzy, and evokes the humans' admiration for luxury. The classy couple are enjoying their roomy ride of comfort while modeling their fancy clothing. I imaging them dressed for cocktails and a elegant night on the town.

In a different world, Lange's Migrant Workers have a different future. All the luggage that adorns the car reassures the viewer that travel is taking place. This photograph lacks the shine and reflective qualities that are shown in Van der Zee's photo. It is a bit grainier and not quite as clear. It makes me think of the future that these migrant workers might have had in store. I am sure uncertainty was an all too familiar part of their world.

James Nachtwey's website, Witness, also exhibits some intense photos depicting hardships and horrors of the world we live in.

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

BLOG # 15: Arts Advocacy

I have heard many art teachers note how IMPORTANT parents are for the arts in their schools. Everything is stronger in numbers. I hope to build healthy relationships with active and invested parents who strongly believe in the arts as well.

It is imperative that students' art has a presence in the community. Right now the Davenport school district has been displaying their students' work in the mall. It's right next to the Easter Bunny, so it gets lots of traffic. It's just a fabulous exhibit. When I checked it out the other day I also noticed lots of younger children admiring the art as well.

It's important that us art teachers have a little niche within the local art community as well. The more aware we are of things going on in our community, the more opportunity we can take advantage of in order to rally support for the arts. Writing lesson plans that are mindful of advocating for the arts and utilize students involvement as well, can be an important tool too.

It would be fun to do some creative fundraising as well to pull in some extra cash for important materials that the art room might need.

Blog # 14: Disabilities

My mother used to manage a facility for children with disabilities before she had my siblings and I. It's where she met one of her most dearest friends. If there is anyone who sees beauty in everything and just radiates kindness to everyone, it's those two women. When I was in high school she started subbing for a bit. Just something part time while the four of us kids were in school. Unfortunately, she was so displeased with the teachers that she had to work with in the special needs classroom. "I couldn't believe the things some of them say about the students, right in front of them or yelling across the room. - It's as if the thought that just because they are disabled they can't comprehend anything or have absolutely no feelings." I think it really disappointed her to work with professionals who worked in this manner.



I have been a visiting artist for Hand in Hand's Inspiration Studio for the past few years.

Here is a link to some of the students that I have worked with: http://www.handinhandqc.org/artists.php

I have learned SO much from those kids. There is never a dull moment. I think an important thing about working with students with disabilities is to know that many things that you plan might not go as expected or follow suite. I think you really have to gear the material towards the individual. It's important to be intuitive of the students' moods and give them the opportunity to lead their creative explorations. I was always so amazed with their artwork. Art is truly a valued outlet for their expression.

Blog # 13: Self and Alter Ego (3k)

My alter ego will be a combination of things that I hope I get around to doing and a bit of things that are my opposites.

Born: 1975, Spain
I grew up on a vineyard somewhere like la Rioja . It has been in my family for years.
Family: I am the youngest child
Education: M. Architecture, now I am self-employed. well versed in landscaping as well
Hobbies: piano player; classically trained but I love to play jazz and blues
I create mobiles
My work has given me the opportunity to travel all over the world.
I love math.
I am organized and rarely procrastinate or complain.
I am fabulous at organizing everything
My skin is a beautiful brown and I never get sun burnt or have to cake on the sunscreen when I am outside for extended periods of time.
I am daring and have very few fears. I have no problems watching scary movies.
Qualities: pragmatic, self-centered, pious, secretive, arrogant, daring, deceptive, courageous, irreverent

Personal: mind, imagination, intellect, memory, intelligence, sensuality, thought, spirit, brain, ideals, feelings, opinions, panic, order, chaos, perfection, unobtainable, splendor, comfort, excess, instincts

Activation: solo, instantaneous, constructive, predetermined, trial and error, passionate, evolutionary