Saturday, July 28, 2007

Home again, home again... or almost

Well, I'm just about home. Back in the United States, heading home in a couple days. Belize was amazing - I taught art for four days to some really incredible children (the fifth day we went on a field trip - yikes!). There were about 140 of them in all, divided into four groups, so it was a lot of work. The youngest were about 3, and the oldest were maybe 15, with a general array in-between. Facilities were sad - rat poo on the rickety benches and a red ant infestation in our original classroom. And it was amazingly hot. But the kids were polite and helpful, and they totally got into each project and were excited and friendly and talented. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to visit and work with these people, and I hope to return!






Loads more pictures here, and more stories to come, if y'all don't mind...?

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Packin' up my bags...

I'm heading off to Belize for two weeks to teach art at a summer camp. This evening we packed up about 10 suitcases full of art supplies - I hope the kids have fun 'cause I know I sure will! Paint and felt and brushes and an absurd amount of scissors. Enough glue to - oh I don't know, but a LOT! Beads and paper and pipecleaners and tape tape tape. Its kinda like my own idea of heaven.

Anyway, I''ll be back when I'm back, with lots of pictures and more kiddie art stories.

One of the coolest things is we are taking lots of cameras - apparently donated by Kodak - and letting the kids take pictures. Then we will set them up with penpals in the states and they can send pictures of themselves!

Now I'm really leaving.

Ciao!

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Thursday, July 5, 2007

Art-to-Go

If you happen to be around the Burlington, Vermont area tomorrow evening, and are in need of something totally awesome to do, why not stop by Studio STK at 12 North Street and take in some crafty, do-it-yourself, handmade goodness! Chic and hip are the new "craft" buzzwords - you won't find any fitsy-futsy doo-dahs around here. What you will find are handcrafted jewelry, silkscreened clothing, ceramics and pottery, and quite a bit more!

If you don't happen to be in Burlington, but are feeling left out - come on up next month! or the month after! This is going to be a montly extravaganza (small art gallery style - I don't want to lead people astray with my enthusiasm).

Learn more about the whole deal over on my other blog, Art-to-Go!

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Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Happy 4th of July

"When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative." - Dr. Martin Luther King

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Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Rainy evening

It was a rainy evening, and cold too. I ventured outdoors in the spirit of picture taking, trying to photograph the rain.



Let me tell you, people, that is a very difficult thing to do! I settled for capturing my sweet little mind leaves and their happy gleam.



A wee pepper, and a pretty pepper flower signalling more to come...



Then I returned indoors and busied myself with sewing pants. I was actually rather successful - possibly even managing to fix the disaster of the other night. When I figure out how to take successful pictures of my own legs, I will share more!

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Monday, July 2, 2007

French Fashion

I brought this plaque home from my visit to Toronto - "Paris Fashions from 1500-1900." A gift from someone several years ago, it is one of my favorite little pieces even though in reality it is just a magazine page someone attached to a plank of wood.


I love costumes, especially dresses. A few years ago I went through a phase of making Renaissance costumes (whatever do I do with them now?) and for a production of Moliere's "The School for Husbands" I took a stab at 16th century dress making - including the corset and bum roll! One of my (many) dream jobs is a theatre or film costume designer.


The costumes on this piece remind me of Alexander Dumas - the Count of Monte Cristo, or the Three Musketeers (I am speaking of the books, not the films. Read them if you have not. So good).


Lately, I have been trying to make normal, everyday clothing instead of Renaissance gowns. Not nearly as much fun, and, to be honest, much more frustrating. I just don't think I am quite ready to make puffed sleeve chemises and lace up overdresses my daily attire. Its really too bad.

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Sunday, July 1, 2007

A real life friend!

Today I visited the lovely eb in her wonderful studio. I found her blog via comments on this blog from France, and discovered that we are real life neighbors! Very neat! So I went down to say hello this afternoon, and was treated to a studio tour, a crystal singing bowl demonstration (so very very beautiful - can I come back for more?) and inspiration in the form of some fabulous collaged paintings. The funny thing is, this is such a small city, and I have been down around eb's studio area many times, but the connection was made in France!

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