Friday, January 28, 2011

Senior Projects


Greetings Friends!
I have mentioned before that our school has a collaboration
between the English program and the Arts.


The senior class reads various short stories by world authors.
Then after students decide on a theme from their chosen story
they work with an "Arts" teacher on a final project.
That being-visual arts-dance-music or theater.

Some of the authors are
Gustave Flaubert, Rodolfo Hinostroza, Graham Greene,
Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Luis Loayza, Sergio Ramierz, Thomas Mann
Nirmal Verma, Bharati Mukherjee, Christopher Milllionis,
Fyodor Dostoeveski, Alice Munro, Nadine Gordimer
This is just a PARTIAL list...



Here are some photos of their visual arts projects.




This beautiful acrylic painting by Laura
illustrates the theme
FREEDOM

The story- "The Last Word" by Graham Greene






Notice the influence of Giuseppe Arcimboldo in this piece by Bridget

To illustrate the them- Lack of identity




Here Maggie was creating a painting in the style of Jean Miro

Her theme is Cause/Effect of Depression

Story "Purgatory" by W.B.Yeats





This sculpture by Carolyn
illustrates her theme of -Obedience
Story- "St. Johns Eve" by Nickolai Gogol


And that's it for today.

Have a wonderful (hopefully snow free) weekend!!!
:O)Mary

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The calm after the storm





Happy we have feeders out in our yard!



This is the view from my front door this morning.



Coco Chanel decides she can't get out the front door!










Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Winterrrrrrrgrrr


Good thing January ends in a few days!
This week alone has given us a sample of all the goodies
wintertime can bring! Sub zero weather on Monday.
Icy commute Tuesday.
Next storm arriving tonight!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Snow & More SNOW!

Hello friends!
Yes sireee...Here in the northeast we have been really
getting storm after storm...after storm!
This week alone I have only been to work two days!
And, one of those days we had a two hour delay
so we had only 60 minute classes!

But don't get me wrong...I am happily enjoying being at
home during this time! There is always plenty to do and
believe me-you will NEVER EVER hear me say-"Im' bored"

Luckily I did accomplish some things at work this week.
For one thing I was able to meet with the Massachusetts Coordinator
for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. And happily now I have submitted a
batch of drawings and paintings from the Freshman Art Class!
It is a wonderful thing to combine art with conservation awareness!
Plus...
I am working on a big project that I will be writing about really soon!
Keeping my fingers crossed!

So, back to the wintery reality

Here are some photos my husband has been taking of some of the snowy days.
My brother in law was visiting when the first storm hit
and he was a big help with the snow shoveling!

By the way, my little Coco LOVES THE SNOW
Gee- The only decent photos I can get of her is when
she is in the snow! And even at that you can't really see
how adorable she really is!

Now, this is from earlier today.
I do not remember when we have had so many blue jays!

That's all for now!
Keep warm out there!
Love, Mary


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Snow Day!

Good morning friends!
It was quite a treat to hear last night that the area school would be closed today!
Yes-Even teachers love a snow day now and then! Not just our students!

This is a pleasant surprise to be able to get caught up on some school work and house work, do a little baking and...ART WORK!!!
Yipppeeeeee....

I haven't had a free moment to do any drawing or painting lately and it was
starting to get to me. There is such pleasure and freedom when you let your creative
juices flow!

I have been playing around with cartoons and more playful illustrations lately.
A teacher I had over at the Worcester Art Museum has a book out.
I just got it and can't wait to read it!
"How To Draw Graphic Novel Style"
by Andy Fish

As a kid I spent all my extra money on "Archie Comics" and my brother bought the "Mad"
magazines. Then later I was always drawing the "Peanuts " characters.
So... I want to go back and revive some of my original ideas with my own twist.
If you are interested in a couple of great blogs that are written by two great artists
Andy Fish and his wife Veronica
Go check out...
http://andyfishwrap.blogspot.com/
Also ...
http://veronicahebs.blogspot.com/

Okay that is it for now. Im off to snap some photos of this storm we are in and then retreat to the drawing board!

Later!
Mary :O)

Monday, January 10, 2011

When I stand before God at the end of my life,
I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left,
and could say, "I used everything you gave me”
– E. Bombeck

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Saturday Snow

Hi there!
Well we got a bit of snow last night... Just a bit

There were so many things I should probably have been doing but-
I had fun going to the antique shops in Sturbridge and hunting down vintage valentines!
I plan to use them in some project eventually.

For now I am bogged down with lots of good stuff at work.
My Freshmen are finishing the "Duck" paintings I will enter in the
Duck Stamp Competition.
Drawing and painting classes are finishing the series of skeleton projects (drawings & collages)
3 D students are finally finishing their clay busts
Graphic Design are re designing logos
And we are nearing the completion of the Senior Projects!
Oh and I have begun to work on the 6 stained glass windows I am making for the new chapel.
All are a lot of fun but,
added up together I feel like I'm the balancing act in a 3 ring circus!
Brrrrr
I'm off now to turn on my electric blanket
But, I will leave you with a glimps of my back yard back
last summer When the grass was green and the air was warm~Ahhhh~
Bye for now!
Mair

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

Wishing all my family and friends
A Healthy and Happy New Year!


And a new year has begun!
(Otherwise known as...)
So many resolutions - So little time!

Want a peek at my list?
Here it is...

2011 Resolutions
1. Be faithful to my PT exercises (~Oh~ to be able to walk again without pain!)
2. Keep my studios more organized.
3. Get my art on the market (etsy & Limelightartworks.com)
4. Paint, craft, or draw-DAILY
5. Keep all my art classes I teach- fresh and exciting.
6. Continue to run the school-gallery with well planned exhibits