Promises Kept

It was hard to get a good angle on these newly painted salamanders, what with them being a little way up on the Mountainview Lodge mural.  The mantel and various decorations hide those I'd painted originally so Emil  requested visible critters when I gave an art workshop last Thursday.  I resolved to paint them in a beholdable spot when I dropped off my invoice for the workshops.

Not as good as the originals but they'll keep some of the residents happy.

Tile: Two Hours

We are fortunate to have a high school art teacher in our membership and last night she treated us to a tile making workshop.  What intense fun! We all ended up sweating up a storm while rolling out the clay so we were glad when that part was over but all became completely engrossed in the designs.  The others took theirs home to complete but I have so much on my plate I decided that my dining room table and my schedule didn't have space for one more ongoing project so...I worked like one possessed and managed to make sure concept to completion occurred in a little under 2 hours.  Now it's drying at the high school, will be fired in a week or two and then we apply a black glaze and the beautiful metallic paints that Maureen ordered for the tiles her classes created last year.
Can hardly wait to see what everyone's done!

We Did It!

Well...almost.

TwinB was too tired to return to school this afternoon so will hand in her project tomorrow for a 5% deduction.  5% per day?? Why that's almost asking for late papers.

She also ran it by someone at the new Writing Centre and will apply his corrections. Alls I'm hopin' for is a pass, though it would be nice to see her do a bit better. Her recent Humanities paper was returned today with a 90% so...hurrah!

Just can't believe how much sleep she's needing.


Update Apr. 16: it was returned to her with a 93% so she nailed it...less 15% late penalties but Man, what a relief!

Mrs. Hutson On The Move

I'd been somewhat apprehensive going in to  this one...
Up to 21 participants, all residents of Multi Level care with mild to severe mobility and sensory ailments. 
They loved it!! We did a very simple landscape in watercolour and many turned out quite well.  Even those whose paintings didn't work out as well enjoyed the experience very much.  We tried a Mount Elizabeth because I'd painted a Mount Elizabeth on the tall mural that clad on the fireplace to the right of the photo.  Also made it easy to point at it and basically say "That."
Boy, was I hopping!

A few minutes after packing everything away I headed over to Nechako school for an afterschool recreational art class and then this evening, Art Club.  My front tooth cracked yesterday as I bit into a chocolate bar and I didn't realize what had happened until that evening.  My dentist was kind enough to squeeze me in for a last minute Gluing Together Of The Crown so now I don't have to wander the streets of Vancouver and Calgary looking like a hillbilly.
Bless his soul.

He's All About The Dialogue

Noticed a cute class writing assignment in the halls of Nechako school.  Students from grade 3 were photographed with a 'yucky face' and wrote a description of the most unappealing food they'd ever sampled.
Most of the writing consisted of just that: descriptions but one young fellow's piece contained 8 lines of dialogue out of a total of 10 sentences.

Eggplant is a very revolting (in a disgusting way) veggie. My tale goes like this...
"Okay Axxxx, try this scrumptious veggie" says Mrs. Mxxxxxxx
"Sure...um...what is it?" I say
"You'll find out especially soon" says Mrs. Mxxxxxxx
I said "Hmmm, okay"  I say, kind-a gross feeling. "Um...I'll try it now"
Next thing I know, I feel like I'm going to hurl.
"I don't want to be rude but...you call that scrumptious?" I yelled.
"that almost made me hurl!"
"Brrrrring!" screamed the lunch bell.
"Gotta run - bye!"

I found his little piece quite inspiring since I find dialogue to be the most daunting aspect of writing. I really like how the bell sound is even given the dialogue treatment!
Perhaps we're looking at the next Tarrantino?

Concentrated Goodness!

Meet my Wednesday evening watercolour class.  Represented here is a huge chunk of local and regional - almost outta control - volunteerism.
Looking into the camera is Joyce who, with her husband heads up Search and Rescue for our very large region.  She also gives various courses around the province and has been feted and recognized in Victoria for her efforts.  Lani the Lawyer -our only relatively young 'un - has been at the helm of our local recycling and environment group, K.U.T.E. (Kitimat Understanding The Environment) for countless years now and is active in other related groups.  (KUTE came into being about 20 years ago and was named by Gr. 10s)  Ms. Jay in the green shirt is one of only 2 people who do Meals On Wheels and the night before this photo had stayed up till 3 a.m. baking 28 dozen cookies for a fundraiser.  Hidden is Judy, one of the many hands keeping the hospital auxillary functioning and optimizing medical services for all Kitimites. Most are active in a church and all have many other irons in the fire in addition to being a pillar for their families.
Volunteering, creating and teaching art all provide the reward of being in the company of the best kind of people in the world.

Robotic Rainbow

Ever seen one before??

I haven't but it sure made sense when this Kindergarten student informed that's what this is.

I'd really been wondering about some of the extra little lines he'd carefully inserted between the normal bands of colour. So there you have it; robotic rainbow.  Not sure if it has any extra functions.

Beginner's Success

I guided a student through figures and faces, ending with this face and exploring general proportions and shadows.  I asked her if she has ever drawn a face before and she replied that she hadn't. 

Took me by surprise! As first attempts go, this is probably the best I've ever seen.