Creative Contrast

It has been cranking in the 'Saturday in the Studio' as ten artists age 9-11 worked to accomplish their individiual projects. It's such a treat to witness the process of concept to completion. It's all up to them...no assignment...no one telling them how to solve their problems...it's the creative nature plowing through the ground of the mystery for each of them. There is so much happening in the studio all at once that trying to get photos is rather pointless but I did snap these two wonderfully contrasted pieces as they came closer to being done. The mallard is the work of a nine year old girl who practically shocked herself as she went from the initial drawing (which must be done to scale and must show all views) to the 'sculpting' using recycled materials. The finishing touch and the only purchased part was the addition of google eyes...kids love em'.

The dragon is a grand and mighty fellow. He was finished with a base to stand on, feathery wings, a beautiful cobalt blue stipe down his back and yes...google eyes. The work done by an incredibly gifted 11 year old boy who makes magic happen with Model Magic and who here expanded upon one of his small pieces...this dragon stands about 28 inches at horn tip.

The only formula for Saturday in the Studio is the pattern of: first 3 weeks =research and development of the idea followed by week 4-7 as the studio holds a whirlwind of creative problem solving and production...for some reason almost all the artists in this age range want to work in 3-D and I love seeing their proud smiles and amazed parents when they carry out the first thing they've ever built from start to finish on their own.

Fire in the Belly

Yesterday I walked in the marsh land in our glorious First Landing State Park with my artist friend and walkin' buddy, 'Debster'. We made our destination a high forested dune about two miles in from the trailhead. Once there we lay in the warmth of the sunshine enjoying the long views of the sparkle and dazzle of the Lynnhaven River .

In the near distance I listen to the unmistakeable high pitched call of Bald Eagle.

Following our break we wind our way down the steep sandy path and enter into the marshy lowland. Here the landscape is arresting as it is populated with dozens of stately skeletal remains of long ago flooded trees. Picture a forest of smooth (the bark has long since fallen away) and contorted Giacometti-like scuptures standing in the shallow marsh-lake.

In one of the tallest of tree totems we notice movement and stop. Now we are transfixed as we witness a pair of Bald Eagles copulating. When done they vigorously shake their feathers, hop each to their own branch, throw their heads back, beaks pointing toward the sky and in unison laugh long and long. Then they become completely quiet, stately, grand and still.

We are able to move along the path observing them within closer and closer range until, giddy with delight and the magic of the moment we finally turn and beam back along the river path each of us filled with a fire of enthusiasm, joy and love of life burning in the belly.

Mutambo

A wonderful crisp morning at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens with a terrific group of Princess Anne High School IB-MYP art foundation students. I was one of 4 artist/art teachers asked to join Betsy D's classes to help guide them through the process of drawing the stone sculptures in six different destination gardens. Betsy always has great ways to help the students get the basics while also adding a twist to the assignment. She's provided a solid foundation from which the group will now prepare and produce some inventive and inspired works. More to come.