Tairyobata on the elementary level

B-Hata 2

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

This has been a long awaited residency. The school contacted me last spring and I had hachi maki (headbands) in mind for their gyotaku (fish prints), but things changed, so I decided on an exploration of tairyōbata (大漁端） imagery in combination with the Japanese fisherman’s “good luck” or “big catch” banner.

It isn’t traditional, but thought the two went well enough together, as our theme for this residency is fish.

I’ve long wanted to introduce these banners to young students (and it is a form of textile art),  and wasn’t sure how 1st graders would respond. They seemed to take off with it though, and especially enjoyed printing the fish – it’s messy and some thought the paint was smelly (which maybe helped in this case).

I also took a long the newly hatched silkworms and they greeted that with some interest. Some were intrigued, others responded with “ick” and others thought they looked like ants. I suppose they do a bit, but actually at this point, ants are bigger.

Tomorrow we continue in the same vein, but another seasonal project is in the offing.

Printed Tenugui on a wall

Printed Tenugui on a wall

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I also like the way this sensei decorated the walls of the school hall with printed “tenugui” (also this week).

In the gym

In the gym

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I really did have my doubts about the gym. One of my specifications is to have a sink. There were bathrooms nearby and the kids didn’t go until clean up at the end of the session. Somehow, it worked. The sessions were short and I felt frenzied, but the kids were engaged and I had some wonderful volunteers. They even provided me with a fortifying lunch. The principal came to visit for a while and as seen in this picture, she was being interviewed by a local reporter (she interviewed me too!).

I’d left the house in plenty of time for a timely arrival, but had only 5 minutes to spare when I finally pulled in the parking lot. I was panicking and I know the folks at school were. All of the traffic lights were out when I arrived in Smithfield, some of the signs were misleading and I got confused, so I backtracked. I lost time. Then again, when I finally got on the correct street, I couldn’t find the school, went too far and backtracked again. Next time, I’m leaving earlier.

Wendell – Gyotaku

W4

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Once again, I’ve been on the road with my fish this week. This time, I’m in Wendell. It’s roughly a half hour drive when the traffic is good. I make a point of leaving early to avoid heavy traffic. I’ve been arriving a good hour or more early some days and it has afforded me time to take short walks with some picture taking. I’ve found it a refreshing way to begin the day especially when the world is still waking up. The countryside is wonderfully still that time of day.

Of course, once the students arrive, the intensity begins. I tend to talk too much in the beginning as there’s a lot of information to give and then I also give a short demo. It’s an area that I feel needs some work. Sometimes I teach a little vocabulary, a few greetings, topical vocabulary along with the cultural explanation.The students work quickly, too quickly for my taste, as I want them to enjoy the process.

Before I know it they’re finished, ready to clean up and move on. I’m seeing four classes a day at this school.

It goes without saying that the regular art room teacher is also there to give aid, support and many other things that are needed to keep things moving smoothly. He knows his students and has his expectations. On the whole, I think it’s going well.

To market, to market…

Arashi shibori

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I’ve been re-discovering my Welsh ancestry this last week along with “meeting” a very distant cousin. So, tonight my sons and I watched a refreshing little film that references the Welsh: I’ll Be There. It’s lightweight, humorous with a little music.

I’m also preparing for a small market, coming up at the end of the month. I’ll sell scarves, tunics, furoshiki and maybe a jacket or two. I spent my weekend time finishing furoshiki, doing inventory and beginning prep for another gyotaku workshop in November. I don’t feel particularly pressured as I already have a good inventory (at least where scarves are concerned).

I’ve been doing this market for the past couple of years now. It’s small but known in the community. With teaching language and doing workshops I feel like I have enough to do, so production is not my main preoccupation this year. Although, my workshops have an element of production to them and that may be quite enough at this point.

Sunrise in the American Inaka

Sunrise3

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Do all sunrises look alike? I should think not. I don’t often see them quite as fine as the one this morning. I was on my way to Princeton to present another encounter with gyotaku. I took the long route, the scenic route, and as I rode the sun rose. I pulled out my camera, started shooting and couldn’t stop.

The workshop was all day, where I met with about 137 fifth graders (in different classes). I was sure I’d be exhausted by the end of it, but instead I was exhilarated. It was fun and it affirmed the decision I’d made earlier in the week-to resign my language teaching position (which I have done). I’ll see it through until the end of the school year.  My second levels need that second year credit.

I’ve had second thoughts of course. This isn’t the best time to shift into the unknown. It’s actually a little scary. I’ve stubbornly held onto the job for so long that my life has just built itself around it. Come late August every year I fall into old patterns. It’s comfortable in a way. I will truly miss the challenge and the students. I like teaching, I like teaching the language and I like high school kids. I can’t stay though. It’s time to go and pursue something new (or old and steadfast, like art). So, today, my small “adventure” into the American　inaka　(countryside) was a step into that open doorway.

毎日・The daily

This has been one of those weeks where, in spite of planning, not much gets done.  It feels like it has been a bow to the administration (or something).  I only teach every other day as we’re on an “A/B” schedule and I teach in the mornings on A days.  I was in class only 2 days this week.  Next week I’ll teach 3.  Tuesday, we had a late start due to early a.m. meetings (collaboration & departmental).  Our classes were shortened and I also had to hand out interim reports as we are half way through the quarter.  That took time, as some students questioned their grades.  Then, today, was an early release.  Classes were shortened again, so my J1s had group work and a short peek at a culture video (they were mesmerized).  The J2s performed their Jugemu recitations and viewed most of the first episode of Atsuhime.   I want to give them some exposure to history and this seems one way to do it.  It was a relatively easy prep week, and gave me a chance to work on my other assignments-Artist in Schools workshops.

Schools are contacting me, setting dates and sending contracts for workshops and residencies.  I had at least one surprise yesterday which I’m sure I documented, but couldn’t find.  So, I had to be refreshed.  It’s a good thing it happened though, since I found that my paper and computer calendars weren’t completely in sync. It looks like it will be a busy fall and winter for my gyotaku (fish models).  I’m not complaining, but I need to come up with another kind of hour long workshop (other than gyotaku), for variety, if anything.  My other offerings are a bit time consuming so I need to find a way to alter them and that will take a little practice.

毎日・まいにち・mainichi/everyday

毎（まい）mai=every      日（にち）nichi=day

30 seconds

Buddy bits
I guess this is my 30 seconds of fame or something like that. I knew that the page was coming and have been looking for it, but now it’s up for a little while. I love the presentation-student work. This was a great place to be and it was my first United Arts teaching experience. Working on the elementary school level is different from high school, of course, but no less enjoyable. Observing the teacher in this classroom was a great help, but the students were attentive, respectful and I enjoyed being around them-great fun!

Lone Artist

Lone Artist

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

This little girl waited patiently until finally, today I gave permission to paint or color in their kite images. The most difficult task for them was to make the frames, which included my having them draw up a grid on which they would place their dowel pieces. There were a lot of sticky fingers and it required a lot of patience from all of us to get past this point. It could have been asking them too much, to cut the patterned edges of their kite skins for final attachment today. They walked through it though and finished their pieces in good time. They had time leftover to play games or draw.

I’ve been teaching another “Mukashi” class at Artspace this summer. It’s only for this week. I wrap up my part tomorrow. We’ve started every class with a folktale or part of one, or a story relating to topic. I think they’ve enjoyed it. I would have thrown in a song or two, but the class next door (we’re separated only by canvas curtains) was one in cut glass mosaics. There was a lot of grinding, cutting and pounding so that aspect of things seemed unwise. Apart from that, the students put their focus on their tasks and seem pleased with their results.

Mukashi Mukashi

Origami

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Last summer at Artspace, I did a workshop with rising 3-5th graders called “Mukashi Mukashi,” which means “a long time ago….” We might also say “once upon a time.” I read an old folktale, Urashima Taro, they did fish (and turtle) printing on paper as well as strips of fabric to make head wraps (hachi maki). Then we launched into small Edo kites which they accomplished very quickly. I was surprised. It left time on the last day for origami. So, this year I’m doing the same, but with a much smaller class. We’ll only have 6 students. My prep isn’t taking as long and I’m certainly a lot more relaxed about it. I still need to cut dowels to size for the kites and pick up a few last minute things, like small plates to serve as palettes. The class starts Monday and I’ll be doing it all week.