lauradodson::art + life

Claire, age 8

Beginnings.

Art Lesson

Today, Claire comes for her first art lesson.

This is what she'll be drawing.

On-Site Drawing::PSIA

I was asked to help coach On-Site Drawing for PSIA this year.  For 6-ish Saturdays, four students met me at the public library to go over drawing tips and to draw.draw.draw.  One boy had never really drawn much before.  He knew he enjoyed it, but that's about it.

Here's his FIRST PLACE RIBBON!!!  There were about 10 7th graders competing against each other.  He is now headed to the State Meet in Ft. Worth.

They start off calling 6th place and move up to first.  I was tense the entire time and when his name wasn't called for 2nd, I looked at him and said, "I'm a screamer. (Billy Bob Thornton style in The Alamo.)  I will scream if you place first."  He took about three giant steps to the left.  :o)  When his name was called, I whooped. Twice.  And then jumped up and down and clapped.  After my fit of excitement, I calmly went over and gave him a hug and quiet congratulations.  For a school that doesn't have an art program, we did great!

  (Both of these pics were taken with my cell phone, sorry for the poor quality.)

My other student, a girl, placed 3rd.  I was equally excited for her as well.  She competed last year and knew what to expect.  She is a State Alternate.  If for any reason one of the two top places can't go, she will.  I'm sure she would have loved to place first, but I think she did an outstanding job as well.

There were two other students who decided not to draw.  One of which would have placed in the top three as well.  I will be talking to him on Monday.  He chose to compete in Math because he felt he had a better chance.  The other girl is an excellent artist as well, but I know she loves to write.  Readywriting was her choice over art. 

We'll see what happens next year!

MFAH... See you in a week!

I am really really wanting to take a trip to MFAH.  Hopefully, in a week I'll be walking through the doors and visiting my old friends.

Peter's Last Class

Peter's last class was Thursday.  I sent him home with his portfolio which included this frog, Sam Houston, Bluebird, and Giraffe along with some shading exercises and instructions on how to grid photos and a heaping of self-confidence.

I asked him if he felt like he'd be okay this year in History class (the teacher that assigns all the projects) and he answered with a resounding yes."  His favorite drawing was his first, the giraffe.  I like that one too.  His Sam Houston and bluebird weren't bad either.

I love teaching one on one.  It is so rewarding to see the progress made with each student. 

Finished Frog :: Josh age 7

**Thanks for the nice comments everyone! This little boy is another Josh, not our son.  :o)  There are sooo many Joshua's out there.  Our Josh is *gulp* twelve.**

Josh's steady hands at work finishing his tropical frog.  We had some really interesting frog talk today.  He also likes monkeys.  So I think his next drawing will be one.  I must round one up.

This is my favorite type of picture to take.  Kids working on their art.  When I taught more regular art classes several years ago, I always took photos of them deep in concentration working on their art.  I sent the photos to their parents after their session was finished. 

Josh's finished frog.  Up next: Monkeys!

Joshua M. :: Age 7

Joshua M. is another art student.  Here is the drawing he is working on.  He'll finish coloring it next time.  He is already very skilled in seeing artistically....something I still have to work at.

Peter's Second Drawing:: Bluebird

(Whew, took a bit of a blog break...but I'm back now.)

Here is Peter's second drawing.  I love this one, too.  I think he could have chosen a better background color but because he is so unsure of himself, I just let him pick what he wanted. 

He was very proud of this picture.  I did find out one of the reason's he gets so nervous.  His history teacher grades the art the kids make...he's been making C's.  ARG!  I won't even go there. 

Peter's art grades are his lowest.  I think he is doing such a wonderful job.  I'd give this bird an A. 

Birthday,Art, and Babies

in that order.   Yesterday, was Joshua's 12th birthday.  I am having a hard time believing that I am the mom of a 'tween'.  Guess I better get use to it.  On Tuesday he had two good buds over for a sleepover.  He ate so much cake and ice cream the following day that he was sick to his stomach.  Hee.  He slept from 7pm Wed. night straight through to Thursday a.m. ... and wanted a milkshake for breakfast. 

He is becoming a fine young man and I am so proud of him.  I love you Joshua!

Yesterday, I also had my first lesson with my private art student, Peter.  It was fun.  His mom enrolled him because he absolutely has a nervous breakdown when he has to do projects for school.  Poor guy.  After our warm up drawings, I asked how he was feeling..."Stressed" was the answer I got.  But won't you take a look at this beautiful drawing he did after our boring, stressful warm ups.   

Isn't this awesome!  I absolutely love it.  He does too.  I have an image resource file with lots of photographs from wildlife mags.  I have drawn grids on them.  Then I draw grids on a blank piece of bristol and we go box by box.  It's a whole lot easier to break down a picture you want to draw when you are first learning.  So that's what he did.  He drew this.  Not me.  Once it was completed, he asked to use the oil pastels.  So I helped him pick out the correct colors, showed how to blend and he did the rest.  His Mom was shocked to say the least.  And I think Peter was too.

Now.  Babies. I believe I failed to mention that the little girl stray we kept turned out to be preggers.  She was a rail when we found her and as soon as she started eating she ballooned.  We've only had her about a month so, she was two months pregnant when we found her.  Anyhoo... Look what happened last night between 8-11pm.  3 babies!!! Born in Jeff's closet.  She's a good Mama and I am a good kitty Grand Mama.  I changed their bedding and made them all comfy...and took lots of pictures.  :o)