Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Trimis, Savva

I loved reading the Trimis, Savva article. It didn't raise many questions for me, it more reinforced beliefs I already had. Growing up my parents always made sure to connect me with nature and the world surrounding my neighborhood. From the time I was an infant I was taken to the Adirondack Mountains once a year, where we'd spend a week camping, and exploring nature. As I grew older I had always thought that some how those trips had an impact on the way I thought as an adolescent and onward. The question's this reading did raise for me were more literal ones such as:

With our ever growing obsession with safety and security, will these practices always be able to be withheld?
If so will the school district I am employed offer possible transportation, and or be comfortable with an entire class of children walking around a forest, beach or anywhere that could pose potential yet unrealistic threats?

Monday, September 19, 2011

Video Analysis

I notice that much of the students learning and discovery is constantly reinforced by the teachers. Whether the instructor is reinforcing the students actions by asking questions, or trying to do the same thing the child is doing it reinforces the students learning. I notice also that the teachers use a lot of 3D materials or if they're using paints its very hands on. The teacher is constantly asking the children what they are doing and why, once the students answer, the teacher will often reply with another question asking the students if the teacher is doing it correctly. This gives the student's a chance to be absolutely sure of what they're doing, enough so that they can instruct someone else on their methods of creating whatever they have created. This instills confidence in the student and a very solid sense that they know what they are doing.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Studio Explorations

My studio explorations will be focused around the month I spent in the lower level of my house last February after being released from the hospital from breaking my back. I am not exactly sure how I will represent this but I know it will involve x-rays a calendar my back brace and possibly a performance or video.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Art!







Terra-Cotta Bust (Self)
                                                            
Wood Fire Mug
 Film Photography, Double Exposures

The Udu, Ceramic Percussion Instrument
Wheel Thrown Clay, Cone 10

Pen & Ink Stipple

Tree Pot

Pumpkin Roll
Wood Fired

Raku Pot

Cloud Bowl
Pumpkin Roll Texture


Experimental Coil Built Pot
Raku Fired

My art is mainly focused around the ceramic medium, although I have dabbled in photography and drawing. The work you see above is the product of many studio classes. In these studio classes I was given many generic assignments, but I'd always try to push my work to the next level regardless of what the professor's guide lines were. I am obsessive when it comes to my work, I have no issue's with tediousness, which is why some of my pieces have taken me multiple days to complete. Once I have a vision in my head I cannot get it out until I have created it to the absolute best of my abilities. As far as a true statement I feel as though I don't know my own work enough to make one. What I do know is that I'm experimenting and discovering more about myself with every piece I create so I must be on to something.



Class Activity

We all read articles on different activists of art education. After reading these articles we had to critically analyze, and provide examples of what they did to make an impact and in what ways. We didn't finish completely but the main idea of the exercise was to establish an understanding of what a teacher can have an impact on. Whether it be a student, community or other professionals. I will elaborate more once the activity is done.