Adventures of a Teacher Summer (Summer Institute Day 4 -July 15
AM session: Colored Pencil Art Spa!
The AM session on Thursday was just what every Thursday should start with. Some excellent teacher showing you how to do something you’ve been doing your whole life — but do it better. We went over and practiced six techniques with colored pencils that seemed VERY obvious. I mean, “light pressure” and “hard pressure”? We’ve all done that, right? But then we looked at some samples of artists’ colored pencil work that used the techniques and it becomes clear HOW to use them to create something great.
Then, we were told to focus on one object in our immediate vicinity (not my strong suit) and sketch it using the techniques. THIS IS WHERE ONE NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT TECHNIQUE! One may have pressed harder and lighter with a colored pencil in their lives, but when you think about the techniques you know and the effect you want, then you have more to work with. Anyway, I drew something that looks like the thing I was trying to draw, so I’m pretty psyched. Also, it FELT GOOD to make it.
The second session was about building empathy through art and we did a cool exercise with this Manet:
Obviously, one could look at this painting for the rest of their days and find that it was a fulfilling life.
The exercise was to take on the character of one of the people in the painting and imagine their emotion and then ask them some questions. I chose the girl with the baby. She seems excited to be here and to be able to listen to this musician. It always strikes me that before the 1900s, if a person wanted to hear music, they had to make it themselves, or visit someone who could. So a traveling musician stopping in your part of the world would be a big treat. A lot of participants were worried about the girl and her lack of shoes and the baby, but I think she was happy to bring the baby to listen to the musician.
Anyway, the point is to consider what you know and don’ know and can imagine this other person might be living and feeling. It is good practice for what we must do in life in a world full of other people.
Our session with our small group (Group 8) was also good. We used our Accordion Books to reflect on what we are taking away from the institute and to look ahead to the school year and how to apply some of this stuff. I really like the people in my group and I try not to focus too much on how I COULD be getting to know them so much better if this was all in person, like normal. It’s hard for me, though.
And, after the sessions, I am home now, so instead of wandering the hot city at my own pace, I ran very practical errands. I picked up my new glasses:
Then I took my daughter to JoAnne’s for some more yarn, picked up Thai food, and met the rest of the family at the pool for dinner. Then my daughter and I watched four episodes of Friends and went to bed, because MY HOME ROUTINES ARE NOT BUILT FOR CREATIVITY. I tried. I swear I tried to set up better routines as I raised the kids, but somehow, we have fallen into this. Not every night, but most. Will work on it.
Friday’s the last day. Then what will happen to the blog? IDK. But I think this habit of writing most days could keep going. Here’s hoping.