Sunday, February 24, 2013

Renewal

Yikes!  I have so many photos on my computer that I am about to crash my hard drive!  Anyone else have that problem?  I discovered these workshop photos as I was making an attempt at reducing photo files this weekend and thought I would share them with you.  Hope you find some inspiration.

I am a better teacher when I learn something new or try out a new technique.  I imagine we all are.  When I take a workshop, read a blog, or create my own art I feel a different energy in my work with kids.  I am definitely more empathetic with my students who are hesitant - creating art is work and takes a certain level of courage.  How about you - what is your favorite way to give yourself that proverbial kick in the pants?


Mexican Mask Making Educators Workshop, Mint Museum of Art

I LOVE paper mache and have used it in my classes for years.   I decided to expand my cultural knowledge and had a excellent experience in a Mexican Mask Making workshop at our local art Museum.  If you are in the Charlotte, NC area check out The Mint Museum of Art.  Their education department is wonderful and offers great workshops and resources for teachers.  www.mintmuseum.org/

The Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte NC
This is the Randolph Road location some days it looks like you are walking into the sky...

The workshop was excellent.  We sculpted modeling clay over bowls to create an armature.

Modeling Clay over plastic bowl.
I have always used wheat paste or a homemade flour paste with my classes but we used this product.  *It worked well but I have not used it with students because I have not researched the safety of the contents.  We used brushes to apply the paste but it still ended up on our hands.


Wallpaper Adhesive, http://artendorphins.blogspot.com/

We placed several layers of paper over our armature then let it dry.  *When I paper mache with my students we lay our work on trays to dry.  If there is a need for quick turn around on drying I position a fan so it blows on the work.  A blow dryer also works in an emergency.


Paper Mache in process, http://artendorphins.blogspot.com/

*Brown paper bag paper works best.  I learned this tip years ago from a professional puppeteer friend.  The fibers on the torn edges lock the paper pieces in place to create a smooth finish.


Paper Mache in process, http://artendorphins.blogspot.com/


Here is an unpainted mask from Mexico - WOW what a smooth finish!


Unpainted Mexican Mask, http://artendorphins.blogspot.com/

Once the work was dry we popped the masks off the forms.  The advantage of this technique is that you can make multiples of the mask form if needed.  If you are putting on a school production this could be really handy.

Clay armature & mask pulled from it by Mary Rutherford
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Painting and embellishing really brings the masks to life.


Beginning stage of painting
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Really elegant patterns
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I made a jungle cat and an owl:

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The owl was constructed with a very small amount of clay and a foil technique I have developed.  I used clay on the beak and brows only.  The eyes were plastic bottle caps.  I did this to have a sample that would be easy to repeat without the expense of so much modeling clay on my tight budget.
















Hanging out with fellow art teachers is the best - we have some really fun loving & talented teachers sharing knowledge with kids in our area.  Good way to spend some time - "renewal"credit at it's best!

Graduating Class: Mint Museum Mexican Mask Workshop
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Here is a really complex authentic Mexican Mask shared by our instructor:




Our Class Gallery - Aren't they wonderful?



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