Handwritting

The first thing we learn in school to write is our name.   Throughout our life we write our names hundred of thousands of times.  School papers, checks, marriage certificates, leases ect.   We each have a unique signature and letters.

This week I explored using names as a form of bedside practice.  Multiple ways to use this practice.  The patient could write their name or write names of loved ones.  If they can't write the artist could assist.  I used the water color pencils, which I feel for this populations would be easier.  Able to write their name and then use the water to go over it to blend it.

Handwritting is cherished my many.  Popular currently are tattoos of parents or grandparents handwriting.  Blown up recipe cards from grandparents in kitchens ect.

A conversation could go so many ways with this exercise.  Discussing how and when they learned to write, their maiden name, ect.

Supplies Used:

** Canvas
** Water Color Pencils
** Water
** Brush

Bed Side Zen

Zen philosophies come from Mahayana Buddhism.  The word "Zen" mean meditation.  The goal in Zen is to reach enlightenment through focused thinking.  Zen gardens provide a place well suited for meditation.  This week I explored creating a Zen garden bed side.  I used a lid of a box, sand, small rocks, small frogs and bead.  

This project is great for people well into their adulthood and could be used not only in a hospital setting but for everyone.  Having a small Zen garden at ones desk is also a great idea.  Being able to use the small fork to rake designs and just take a few moments to relax.  This is appropriate for a range of adults.   You could vary the size of the garden as well as the supplies used in the garden. 

Salty Adventure

This week I explored watercolors, glue and salt.  This project is something that can be adapted and suitable for someone in adolescence through adulthood.  A great way to make this suitable for any age is by the prior conversation about what type of scene they are going to create.  For a younger child a simple conversion about where they want to visit.  This conversation can evolve depending on the patient.

Supplies needed:

Canvas
Salt
Water Colors
Glue
Paint Brush
Water

1.  Apply glue in any pattern or scene to the canvas
2.  Apply salt all over (be sure to apply a generous amount)
3.  Tilt canvas and allow excess salt to fall off of canvas
4.  Using water colors apply the color to the glue/salt
5.  The salt will absorb the paint and spread

This project is great because the entire process is very fun and intriguing.  When you apply the water color to the glue and sand it soaks in a spreads, its amazing to watch.  The finished project has so much texture.  

Here Comes the Sun

This week I explore activities for children ages 0-12


Here Comes the Sun

Supplies Needed:

Paint
Fork
Plate
Sharpie
Paper
Scissors

Step 1:  Draw face for the sun
Step 2: Put paint on plate
Step 3:  Using fork make sun rays on sun


This is a great activity for a variety of ages.  You can have the sun face drawn and the child just has to use the forks to make the sun rays.  Or for older children have them draw the sun and then cut out the sun.  Being able to have projects that are versatile is important.  This is also a great conversation starter.  "what do you like to do in the sun"  "do you want to visit somewhere thats really sunny" questions like that can really open and engage children.

Where I'm From and Where I'm Going

While creating my Arts Timeline I did a lot of reflection on my personal journey in the artist and asked myself the question a lot of....how did I get to be the artist I am today.  When I looked through each stage I asked myself this question.

One stage that I had a particularly  long reflection of was my time at my boarding school in Virginia for dance.  While I was there I felt that I wasn't using my artistic talent rather being asked to fine-tune  my technique and presentation of the art itself.  But after reflecting I have used more of my lessons learned there to create the artist I am today.  I find myself time and time again reflecting on teachers I had during that time period.  I use they're analogies and teaching methods often in my personal classes.  I also use their corrections still to this day on my own personal dancing and creating.  While in the moment I felt that I wasn't being artistic that moment in my life has really shaped me today as an artist.

For my timeline I created this art instillation of glass jars with sand and glitter.  The fourth jar from the left/ the second pink on represents that time in my life.

Human Development

Human Development is a never ending process.  Myself personally as an artist I try to expand my "tool kit."  This week I decided to explore my personal human development through some visual art.  

Supplies:

1 canvas
acrylic paint
gloves
stickers

Steps:

1. Place the numbers on canvas
2. Put on gloves
3. Use paints to cover canvas

I choose to use numbers 1-26 due to my current age.  I wanted to show my human and creative development through the years.  I used my fingers to trace and explore the space between the numbers.  I found that using my fingers really allowed myself to explore and feel the canvas and also connects a lot with human development.  So much of growing and learning is tactical. I really enjoyed making different textures.
 

I love going through something and finding an old note or card.   Thats how I felt when I opened this blog back up.  No it isn't that old, but it was a nice reflection to see what I've done and how I've grown.  I'm so excited to be back to this blog for my class Arts in Human Development.  As I was reflecting on my past year in the masters program and how I wanted to introduce myself to this second year I only found it fitting to dance.  I decided to use a list of words to create a short movement phrase.  The words I used to introduce myself and reflection of the last year were: 

Happy

Searching 

Fun 

Wrapped

Embraced

Learning 

Reaching 

Purple 

Grasp

Write

Explore 

These words I feel not only describe me personally but also me as I'm on the adventure of the masters program.  I made a dance phrase using these words as inspiration for the movement. 

So this is my friendly hello to old friends and introduction to the new ones! 

P.S. Sorry the sound is kind of low 

http://vimeo.com/110177650