A point where two rivers converge

As I have mentioned before, last week my class had the fortune of visiting the Two-Rivers Art Gallery, and it was a wonderful experience. I visit the gallery often, usually with a friend, and I have always thoroughly enjoyed myself. But this time was different. This time I was there as a perspective teacher and my eyes were opened to the possibilities that were available there for me to share with my students. I knew that one could bring a class to the gallery, but I had never known that the gallery would come to my class. This is great news, for as much as I love art my talents in the area of creating it are somewhat limited. And I know that it is not about the finished result, but having a good sample for the students to model themselves off of and clear artistic feedback from a trained professional would be invaluable, especially for those students who are more artistically inclines. I plan on taking full advantage of these service when I become a teacher.

So next time you are in the area, visit the Two-Rivers Art Gallery. I guarantee you will not be dissapointed.

Excelsior!

I finished my last post with the exclamation "Excelsior" and I realized that many people may not know what that alludes to. Excelsior is the calling card that the immortal Stan Lee left at the end of all of his letters to fans when he was the Editor-in-Chief at Marvel Comics. And that brings me around to the topic that I want to talk about. Comic books.

To some, comics are children's books; books that have pictures for those who cannot read "adult" books. It is unfortunate that that mindset still exists, but I am grateful that the world has opened up to the idea that not only can comic books be great works of literature, but that they can also be great works of art. And such a variety of art. I came to the comic book world later in life than some, but there are artist names that even I recognize as being connected with great stories. Not just great art, but through that art great stories. Jim Lee, for example, who with writer Chris Claremont created the classic X-Men #1 (vol 2) that is still the best-selling comic book of all-time with sales of over 8.1 million copies. The number of people who have seen this man's artwork and have been inspired by it is mind boggling.

X-Men #1 (vol. 2)

A fellow Canadian, Todd McFarlane is a cartoonist, artist, writer, toy designer and entrepreneur, best known for his work in comic books, such as the fantasy series Spawn. McFarlane is the ultimate artist in the world of comics, with his imagery being turned into toys and movies. When he broke away from big business and created his own title, Spawn #1 sold 1.7 million copies, which is still a record for an independent comic book.

Spawn #1

So while artists like Picasso and Rembrandt may have their place in current history books as artists of great renown, I believe that future history books will have a place for comic book artists like Lee and McFarlane between their covers.

The art that time forgot...

Isn't it unfortunate how the wonderful world of art can sometimes take a backseat to other, more pressing matters. That is botht the nice and the unfortunate thing about art. It can wait. There is usually no pressure to draw that picture or play this song; it is something that fills up your in between time whenever you have a free moment. But then, sometimes you really want to enjoy it, talk about it, write about it but you just cannot find the time.

For example, last week I visited the Two-Rivers Gallery with my class and I had a very interesting time. There were two great shows going on and I was inspired to write about what I saw and felt. Yet life seemed determined to get in the way. I worked, and I had large assignments due for every other class. Every time I had the urge to post I had other more pressing matters. And that makes me feel that it is easy to undervalue art. Because you know that it is always going to be there, waiting for you, never judging the amount of time that you spent away, it is easy to take art for granted. But I don't want to take art for granted. I want to share my thoughts, my ideas and my opinions about the different artistic things that have struck my fancy. So prepare to be blown away as I unleash the posts that have building up in me but have only n ow had the opportunity to be released. Excelsior!

Showing off what we got

Art show fun! I was part of the welcoming committee for an art show at UNBC showcasing the work of students in my cohorts' practicum. It went smashingly, with a wide variety of artwork displayed awesomely around the foyer of the Teaching and Learning building. A violinist played while students and parents wandered about, looking at their own art work and as well as at others. I really canno0t say how great the artwork was, so I will let some pictures speak for me.

My students' artwork; a collection of mosaics that represented each student's own personal beliefs or feelings.

Some of my cohorts did full art with all of their students.

 While others did individual projects with each student.

A favorite among many, this art project was done in the in the style of Aboriginal dot paintings and crossed many different subjects.

Overall, there were many different art projects from many different grade levels, all beautifully displayed. It was definitely a night to remember.

The end of a practicum

Well, that was a long practicum. Not the long practicum, but three weeks is still a long time to be in a classroom teaching rather than listening to professors talk about teaching. I wish I could say that my art project went exactly as planned, but unfortunately time was stolen from me by Halloween and various other affairs and I was not going to have enough time to do the full glass mosaic project justice.

So instead we ended up doing paper mosaics on manila, which I laminated afterwards. And from the ones I have seen from my students, I think that it still turned out rather nicely. See, the type of mosaic was just the medium. The learning goal for this lesson remained the same, which was "I can create images that convey personal or social beliefs and values". And my students' artwork shows this in various ways, representing sports, entertainment, music, nature and even religion. I myself even made a poppy, using it as a talking point prior to Remembrance Day.

See below for a sampling of some of the images.

Tune in next blog for the full selection as seen at our art show. I will wait until I have pictures to talk about that in more detail.

Marching to the beat of my own drum

So there I was, sitting in the First Nation Centre. I had walked in with my nose in a book and didn't look until after I had sat down, so I didn't notice it. When I looked up, I couldn't believe that I had missed it. There, in the middle of the room, was a giant drum. It was easily the size of myself if I were to curl up into a ball.

Pow-Wow Drum

This drum, which I later learned to be a Pow-Wow drum due to its larger size and the ability for multiple people to sit around it and play, drew me into it. I sat down, tentatively picked up a drum stick, and after a furtive look around to see if I would offend anybody through my actions, I began to play. It was noting fancy; just a simple repeating beat. I don't know how long I sat there, playing the same beat over and over again. After what seemed like a long time someone sat down across from me, picked up a second drum stick and began to play the same beat with me, adding their power to my own. Then a third person sat down and did the same. After a few moments the tempo began to increase and the volume with it. I was hypnotized by the steady, throbbing pulses that were echoing around the room. Even in my distracted state I noticed someone close the door, as by this time the sonorousness tones emanating from the drum ceased to be the sound of three separate drummers; it was now as though there was a giant with one stick producing a sound that no mere mortal could ever hope to make. Then finally, after our speed had increased to a point that it was almost no longer manageable, and without a single word or glance to each other, we all struck the drum will one final blow that reverberated throughout the room.

It was quite the intense experience, and I can understand how drums are often used in many cultures' spiritual practices. I wonder if there is a way that I can incorporate this into the classroom and have the students feel the same oneness that I felt with my other drummers. I can imagine having the students connecting with each other through this raw and primal style of music; nothing but a basic beat.

As a final note, merging into visual arts, here is a picture of a drum that I made last year. I cut and stretched the hide, created the strips to tie it down, sanded the frame and sewed the leather drum head. And of course I painted it. Tradition dictates that one gives their first drum away, so I gifted it to my step-father.

My first drum

A little art in my day

I had an enjoyable time this morning participating in an event that my board game club arranged entitled Paintstravaganza. You see, my club acquired a board game entitled 'Super Dungeon Explore', a fun if slightly eccentric experience. Unlike your average game, the pieces in this game don't come assembled or painted. For that is part of the fun for the owners of the game.

So that is how I spent my Saturday morning. Sitting with a small group of like-minded individuals in a haven for the nerdy while we learned different painting techniques from an experienced painter of miniatures. It was a fun, precise and relaxing way to pass the time. And it has a practical usage beyond painting pieces just for this game. If one was to really get into it, one could paint miniatures for many different activities. Of course, its really easy to get sucked into this if you're not careful. It can become an expensive, time consuming passion that can fill shelves and shelves.

I am not an experienced painter, but I do truly enjoy it. It is always nice to find artistic activities that align with other interests, in this case my penchant for nerdy games. This also gives me hope for finding art connections with my future students. Maybe they'll be interested in the painting of miniatures that appeals to me, or maybe together we'll find some other form of art that they'll enjoy just as much.

And we danced...

I've been giving more thought to dance lately. I've never been much of a dancer. At weddings or other celebrations my dancing is something of a novelty. Something done in a mockery of form and grace; something even I laugh at, for it is all I can do really. I can slow dance I suppose, though I don't know if what I do even has a name. It is more of a hold-her-left-hand-and-put-my-other-on-her-lower-back-and-shuffle-back-and-forth-to-the-rhythm more than anything. I've never really taken the opportunity to study actual dancing. Waltz, swing, square; all of these I know exist, but I've never seen a purpose in learning it.

But maybe it was because I never knew about the multitude of dance that existed. Maybe if I was shown at an early age how dance can be about more than learning structured moves and choreographed steps I might have been more into it. I say today techniques for getting kids into dance that I thought were really cool. Dancing with eyes closed to remove self-consciousness. Starting off small and building to greater fields of motion. These are things that I can see myself using to get kids of any age excited about dancing. And I have plans to do just that.

 (Step Dancing for beginners as done by Victor Sho)

While I haven't finalized the above video as what I'm going to use, this is what I want to teach my class. Step dancing. While I initially thought about leaping right into this fun style of dance, I think that some of the aforementioned techniques might be a better start. It will get the kids moving and energized, and maybe they'll go into this feeling a bit more comfortable. The only question is do I ask them to perform? I cannot insist that they perform, can I? I mean, I could I guess, but I'd never want my teacher to do that to me. Maybe ease them into the idea? Is dance something that has to be performed? Is it just as valid if no one ever sees it?


Again, more questions then answers. Then again, I don't know if I will ever have more answers than questions. Nor would I want to I think.

And just because I can, and because in dancing timing is everything, ladies and gentlemen, once again I give you Chris Goodwin performing Timing is Everything by Garrett Hedlund.
 

(Once again, swiped from Chris Goodwin's YouTube Channel)

Artists, the classroom and me.

I have never been to a 4Cats Arts Studio, but from how the literature I picked up from their Prince George location describes their sessions, their approach to kid's art sounds awesome. Each session is dedicated to the study of specific artist's history and work, with the students participating in age-appropriate art activities in the style and spirit of the artist. From their website: "4Cats kids create imaginative works using professional quality art materials. Kids get to work in a variety of mediums, taking inspiration from the works of famous artists. If we are studying Andy Warhol, we silk screen and make ink blot paintings. If we are studying Picasso, we create acrylic on canvas cubist paintings and ceramics, if we are studying Frida Kahlo, we make paper-mache and paint acrylic on canvas self-portraits.You get the picture!"

Taken without malice from http://www.4cats.com/

 

That whole approach sounds like something that I think would be really useful in the classroom. Making connections between real people and art, as well as between art and real life. My only concern is that I might not have enough art talent or knowledge to do these famous artisans justice. I mean, I can look up their information and styles on the internet or in resource books, but even then I am just parroting what others have said about them. Now, before you say anything, I know that one does not have to be good at art in school. All that matters is that you try. And I am totally on board with that considering my own less-than-impressive art skills.But I feel that I might lack the enthusiasm that is required to really make this click with the students.

One of my cooperating teachers told me how last year her class had a visiting artist who came by once a week to do focused projects with the students and I though that that was a great idea. A specialist who knows the specifics about the artists, their styles and great kid-friendly ways of introducing them to the students. And I wish that there were more specialists like that in all of the schools every year. Many schools have music teachers, why not art teachers?

Maybe I am just putting too much thought into this. I know that it is not necessary to go into great detail about artists with visual arts. I can make connections to other things like culture and society, and I can show them my attempts at a few different art styles. But what if there is that one kid whose whole life would be changed by knowing that other people have seen things the way they do? One students whose world would be that much better if they knew that there is art out there (that I as a teacher don't know about) from the same point of view that they see the world from? I know that no one can know everything, but this thought is nagging upon me.

Bah, too much negativity towards the end. Time to lighten things up. Take it away Chris!

(Shamelessly Stolen from Chris Goodwin's YouTube Page)

A trip to the Theatre!

I went to a play this evening at Theatre North West, and though it was a comedy set on a farm, I could not help but be reminded of teaching. The play is called "Letter from Wingfield Farms", starring Rod Beatie as Walt Wingfield and everyone else.

As a one man show, it fell upon one actor to keep an entire theatre entertained for almost two hours. He used a multitude of voices, postures tones and facial expressions to portray many characters of different ages, genders and backgrounds. Rod Beatie talked, telling stories, relaying experiences, and the crowd hung on his every word. It was rather like watching a teacher holding the attention of a class. I suppose that in a way all good teachers are part actors, using their dramatic skills of entertainment to snare students' attention in order to teach them. It would certainly explain why I have both a penchant for the theatre as well as the drive to become a teacher. Now all I have to do is prevent my natural inclination for overacting from interfering with teaching the students.

Something else of note that I saw while at Theatre North West was the TrueNorth New Works project. 2015 will mark several important events here in good old Prince George, including the city's 100th anniversary, the Canada Winter Games and Theatre North West's 20th anniversary. As such, Theatre North West has arranged TrueNorth New Works, an initiative that will offer play development opportunities to local playwrights, with one lucky finalist presenting their work as an opening act in TNW's February 2015 during the Canada Winter Games. For those with the theatre skills this could be a great opportunity.

For those of us without such skills, do not fret, for there are yet more things that are being offered this month by TNW to foster interest in the dramatic arts. Theatre talks, tours and even a Vlog (that is video blog for you non-digital natives).

 

And just for fun, the first episode of the TNW Vlog. Let's meet the team!

Artfully delighted

I am so stoked about the presentations that our class gave about the different fine arts. While I was in the drama group, the other groups showed such passion and appreciation for the art they chose. I have not been able to get "Cups" out of my head since the music group played it, and I have been given permission from my cooperating teacher to use PE time to teach the students step dancing.

When it comes to visual arts, I am having a bit of a problem. I want to do a mosaic project with the class, similar to the one I mentioned that I did in grade seven. But one thing I have never thought of up till now was where the heck my teacher got his hands on the glass. Where does one call to acquire coloured glass of the right thickness for little to no funding? Thus far I have been able to track down green, blue and metallic from a distribution centre for windows, but the glass is a quarter inch thick and I think that would be too thick. Who knew finding art supplies could be so difficult?

Through art and beyond

So I had to do a presentation in Aboriginal Education this week, and since the chapter my partner and I were presenting on was written by a Hawaiian educator from a Native Hawaiian perspective, some Hawaiian realia was needed. So my partner brought some leis, and I brought some pineapple. But that didn't seem like enough. We needed something more. Something distinctly Hawaiian. And that's when it hit me: a ukulele. Of course, not too many people have a ukulele lying around the house and I was no exception. So, I had to make my own.

My Shoeboxulele

Pictured above is my homemade shoeboxulele, made from stuff I had around the house, aided by a wonderful YouTube video. I modified the idea, but in the end I had my very own shoeboxulele. While it sounded more like a mandolin than a ukulele, and it could have used some decoration to make it fancier, I am proud of what I made. And it got me thinking about art across the curriculum.

It seems to me that art can be paired with so many other subjects. I paired visual art with music (not very good music mind you) and giving a presentation (meeting some Social Studies PLOs). How many other connections are there? How many times have we coloured a map for Social Studies, sang a song for Science (now Pluto's not a planet anymore...) or acted out a skit in French? The opportunities seems endless. I don't believe that we should always try to incorporate fine arts into our other subjects. Sometimes we just need to focus on Math. And sometimes that special dance routine we are working on needs to be focused on just dancing.

So the way I see it: we shouldn't be afraid to mix and match our subjects when it makes sense, but we shouldn't overdo it.

And for those of you interested in making their own shoebox stringed instrument:

Putting my boat in the water and getting my feet a little wet

At the beginning of my journey into the Fine Arts, I find myself mostly thinking about what kind of assignments that I have done or seen in the past that I really enjoyed. The first thought that I had was what my grade seven class did when I was a student. In preparation for the end of the year art project, my classmates and I created glass mosaics. Mine, if I recall correctly, was a hotplate bearing the frightening visage of Frankenstein's monster. Well, as frightening as one can make something using squares of glass manipulated by awkward prepubescent digits. Even if my family never used it (my mom said it was too nice), I remember is the fun that I had in making the hotplate, and I was proud of the lasting, permanent object that I had made. In fact, I think I still have it somewhere at my parent's house.

It makes me think of how many art projects that students make in school that do not survive past the end of the year, or too much longer past that point. I want my students to have a useful object that they've made with their own hands. Something that they can pull out and show to their children (or, dare I say, their own future students) decades from now. I'm not saying that every art project has to have the same level of permanency, but having a few artful artifacts of one's youth that can survive the ravages of time can't be a bad thing.