IMPRINT Exhibit

H&N-T&T-5Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I wish there had been a few moments when I could have documented (just a little) the main exhibits at the Block. The paintings and photographs are well worth lingering over. Anyone viewing them will be rewarded, I think.

I was there, obviously, for the book exhibit in the glass case (2nd floor). Janine’s display is elegant, needless to say. That’s what she does.

Ian Finley, our 2012 Piedmont poet laureate was also there to give his first reading of the year. It was a substantial introduction to his work – which means he uses words so well and made me want to explore Thomas Hardy again.

More than 540 ways…

koi4330C

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

There are at least 540 ways to embellish a fish and the kids at Stough Elementary proved it. By the school year’s end, I will probably find that there are a lot more than that. Each student’s response was unique and that was the fun.

As this was a new workshop, I really didn’t know how this would work, if the kids would really respond to the “assignment,” whether it could be or should be accomplished in a class period (40 min. with a few minutes for context and instruction) and was it too easy or silly an idea? I was fortunate, all 540 students from K to 5th grade affirmed the deal. They loved it. The assignment couldn’t be accomplished in one class period though, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The whole experience was akarui (light, fun, bright) as the kids were full of anticipation when they arrived, greeting me with giggles, bows and konnichiwa, then leaving with doumo and sayonara. From time to time, I did what I could to add to their vocabulary and they at least learned at bit of Japanese culture.

A lot of credit goes to the sensei who hosted me and prepared these students for my arrival.  She created the ambiance and helped me to stay on time and on track, assessing the situation as we moved through each presentation.  Things could not have gone more smoothly and it made the week very pleasurable.

Blue Surprise

Blue Surprise

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

So yesterday, we got serious with color. The kids had their introduction to shibori with itajime (clamping) and some binding. They worked with muslin scraps, moved up to 12 inch squares, then tenugui (hand towel) or hachi maki (headband) sized pieces. We used RIT dyes for this particular activity. However, I plan to use Procion as well as indigo as the week moves on.

This particular piece was a complete surprise. The student had initially forgotten to add her “back” pieces for clamping. So, I sent her back to do that and this is the final result. I think “we” are still “cool.”

Shibori at Artspace

collage4

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

The joy and fascination of teaching kids, for me, is that they always do the unexpected. I love it. My stint at Artspace began this week ( only for this week) teaching middle school aged kids the “fine” art of shibori. I think most of us who are engaged in this activity agree that it is a fine thing to do (we love it so much!).

So far, the reaction has been that it’s a “cool thing” to do and I really had no idea how this would go over with this age group (so far, so good). We began with paper, just folding, clamping, then dipping, brushing or dyeing in food color. They caught on quickly. Then when their pieces dried they cut or tore them into pieces for a collage. Needless to say, I was quite pleased with the results.