Artist
At a recent series of bookmaking workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) students in VAPA Art and English classes learned to make their own books which they then shared with others in the school library.
Below is a sampling of their stunning works…
The works speak for themselves, and were astonishing to see. With technical guidance, creative support and a bit of , students learned to create the versatile flag book structure, and then took off with it.
TAG GALLERY Currently Exhibiting:
2019 LA OPEN
My piece “Burning Bush” is in the show.
Tuesday, December 18 – Saturday, January 18
Opening Reception:
Saturday, December 5, 5 – 8 pm
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm
Telephone: 310.829.9556
5458 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Photograph by Debra Disman
Photography except for top image of !8th Street Arts Center by Salvador Ochoa
Studio at 18th Street Arts Center…in process.
Older work…still under scrutiny.
making of the walls leading to the closet a Gallery.
This makes it easy to continue to peruse this work.
Earlier work: handmade books, artists’ books, sculptures.
Supplies, materials, material, samples, readymades, and student clay works, next to, and below.
Air dry clay dries fast in the Studio.
Material world…
and worlds.
From whence we go, denim.
OnWards.
Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students attend their last (for this session) clay class through the City of Santa Monica’s CREST Enrichment program…after school classes held at a variety of Public Elementary Schools in Santa Monica.
Next week, we paint!
I have taught the students the basics: Pinch, coil and slab techniques. They have created vessels, masks, animals, and more. During this class I demonstrated how to create a small plate, platter or candle holder that could be given as a gift for the holidays, and beyond.
And then, these talented tykes took off with their own ideas!
Small hands are developing the strength and dexterity to form rough balls of clay and roll out coils from them. Sometimes i help this age group along by breaking up clay (air dry in this case) into sections for them to work with.
This little artist with a big personality has really progressed in her coil making. She created a piece by putting together numerous tiny coils.
This young maker recently turned five, and is mastering the coil technique!
Almost there!
This piece is growing….
Mark making in the clay using various tools. These kids amaze me. She saw a brief demo and then just took off creating these textures and designs herself.
Our tools are sourced from simple household items…popsicle sticks, pencils, plastic cutlery, and wood clothespins and toothpicks do the job, and teach the students how the simplest object can be transformed into a tool that becomes and performs magic!
It has been magical to watch these students learn and grow,
Much talent abounds in them.
It is a joy to see, encourage and develop their skills and artistic voices, even, and especially, at this age!
I became a local artist in residence at 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica the third week in September, 2018. My posts, while a chronicle of sorts of the experience, won’t necessarily , nor summarily, begin at the beginning.
Works in various states of completion.
Love lots of Light. Let There Be Light in the studio.
A work begun during my studio residency at the Art Lab at 1450 Ocean (in Santa Monica)
Like a book, or any work, this is a process. The beginning, can be seen from many viewpoints.
Canvas, hemp cord, found cord, book board, watercolor paper.
Like life, work ifs filled with loose ends.
Spine
Sometimes these can be beautiful.
Page turner
We turn the page.
Moving through, loose ends, unraveling, stitching, keeping it together.
Something new emerges. just that slightly different then the before.
Moving on.
