A Painting for Junior High English Classes to Write About

triptych for student critique

I substituted today in junior high English and was given free reign to do my own thing, talking about the creative process and writing about art.  That's a lot to cover in a short class period.  Vocabulary in the subject matter is important, and could take a full year in an art classroom!  We discussed elements and principles of art, and how an artist can direct the viewer to the focal point with contrasting shapes or colors, or use of  directional lines.  Then we used a critique form to define thoughts about this  particular  piece of art.  it had questions like, "What do you notice first?" and "Why do you notice that?" In talking about my creative process, some classes were able to view the before pictures, as well as other in-process paintings.  The beginning stage photo (below) made me wonder how my imagery must have been influenced by the Target bag on the work table!  Generally, my art is all about process, with very little planning...where a

lot of randomness starts to gel, and sometimes after many years, might become the finished work.  That concept can be difficult to grasp.   I don't have a title for this painting yet, and I'm not sure it is finished.  For an assignment due on Monday, students were asked to write a paragraph-at least 3 sentences-describing this triptych piece as if they were an art critic at the local paper and the reader had not seen the art.  I can't wait to see what they come up with.  Maybe it will help inform the final piece or at least get me closer to a title.
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Tate Gallery

Ja-was? –Bild (Yes-what? Picture), 1920

While visiting my daughter in England, I was able to take in an afternoon at London's Tate Gallery.  The featured exhibition is about Kurt Schwitters and his artistic ties to England after exile on the Isle of Man for being labeled a dissident by Nazi Germany.  He was one of the first great collage artists, known for his series of "Merz" paintings...named for the collaged use of a clipping from an ad for the Kommerz Bank. A lot of his work became sort of strange, and I'm not thrilled with most of his assemblages, but this painting brought me to tears.  Titled "Ja, was?", the shapes, colors and depth, along with the use of the corrugated cardboard as found in many of my own paintings, hit a nerve and I can hardly wait to share it with students in my upcoming classes at Mid-Plains Community College (ARTS2990).  

Rain, Steam and Speed - The Great Western Railway, 1844

The Tate has a large collection of works by J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) described as perhaps the greatest artist England has produced.  I love the color in the landscape shown here.  There was a special exhibit on color theory as used and taught by Turner, where I learned about a book by the poet/philosopher Goethe, Theory of Color. Turner approved of Goethe's (1749-1832) theory of color being at the edges of dark and light, and rejected Isaac Newton's theory that light alone was responsible for color.  This special exhibit also included a great timeline of the colors Turner used according to their availablity and invention of paint tubes.

Evolving Promises

At the end of a fun week working at the Noyes Gallery in Lincoln, one of my favorite paintings found a new home with a wonderful new patron.  Blessings go with it!  Be sure to stop at the Noyes if you are in Lincoln.  They are open every day 10-5, and until 9 on First Fridays each month, at 119 S. 9th Street.

ANAC Conference

We had so much fun...so much success...and so much rain in Aurora, Nebraska last week for the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Conference!  My friend, and fellow member of The Art Society, Tina Simeon won Best of Show with her drawing of three young boys looking through the fence at their upcoming rides for the Mutton Busting contest (the sheep rodeo for kids, so popular  in county fairs around here).  Susan Hart, a friend from Cozad, won the Museum of Nebraska Art purchase award.  

View from classroom at The Leadership Center

The juried competition is a highlight of this event, and Paul Leveille had the difficult task of choosing 24 pieces of art for the show that will travel around the state throughout the year, as well as 24 honorable mentions from over 300 entries.  Paul drove all the way from his home in western Massachusetts to teach portraits in oil, watercolor, and pastel.  All those art supplies wouldn't fit in the limited luggage allowed on an airline!

Art is a Verb by Linda Jorgensen

I taught classes in altered books and collage, and am so pleased with the student results.  We worked on history, composition, criticism and techniques.  They got an overload of Patti Digh, and other people and things I love!  This painting shows the Patti influence. We were able to frame several collages by Saturday.  What a thrill to take something home, ready to hang! 

Now it's time to clean my studio so all those traveling supplies can fit back in!  This was an amazing growth experience for me.  It was overwhelmingly intimidating to be teaching my peers.  The situation required overtime planning and preparation, which led to success.  Can't wait to figure out what comes next!  

A Work of Giants

I just finished an exciting painting that will be entered in the NebraskaLand Days art show in North Platte this week.  The theme of this collage is (subtly) railroad.  You may not guess it if I didn't point it out.  But, it has a nearly hidden image of the Union Pacific crest, tiny words "Pacific Railroad Act", and the date 1862 stamped on it.  Once you hear railroad, the vanishing lines with cross bars become obviously, tracks.  This one has abundant colors and textures.

Also this week will be the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Conference at the FFA leadership center in Aurora.  I will be teaching altered books and collage at this event!  Much planning, practicing, and preparing has been required, and I think I'm ready!  I hope it will be a blessing and inspiration for every student.  If you are interested in attending, you can still register.  Check out the ANAC website, or call  Jean Cook at 308-382-5591.

Association of Nebraska Art Clubs

Overwhelmed. Humbled. Scared. Excited. Honored.  I am feeling all of these emotions today after receiving my ANAC Newsletter in the mail.  I am one of eight presenters at the 48th Annual Conference of the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs in June!  The contract was signed a couple of months ago, but seeing it in print is making me face reality. Yikes! Many thanks to the ANAC board and the Grand Island host chapters for having faith in me.  I will do all I can to make these classes in altered books and collage a worthwhile experience for mixed media artists.  But, wow.  What a responsibility!  I have been in classes with many of the ANAC artists, and it will be a real challenge to have something new to offer the amazing painters in this state.  Pray for me please!

The Nebraska Club

Safari Sunflower II at the maitre'd podium

Throughout March and April, I have 11 pieces of art in  The Nebraska Club, a private club restaurant and banquet space at the top of the US Bank building in Lincoln.  The day I put the show up was rainy, making for grey photos, but it's an amazing view. 

View of Memorial Stadium from The Nebraska Club

What an exciting opportunity provided through the Noyes Gallery!  After a focus gallery show in February at the Noyes, I am now a member of this wonderful co-op gallery in Lincoln, which maintains agreements with several venues to hang art in public spaces. The co-op is a huge commitment, and a great chance to spend time with and be inspired by other artists. Traveling all the way across the state to work in the gallery a couple days each month gives me a chance to see my two college kids more often.  Be sure to stop in whenever you are in Lincoln.  On the first Friday of each month, many of the artists are present with new art for a great open house party held from 6-10 pm-ish or later.