Picasso Inspired

It doesn't do these pieces justice to post them at this size. (Click on them to see it bigger.) These works are big, colorful and wonderful. This project was a leap of faith for most of the kids. Letting go of capturing a "realistic" face and instead, show multiple perspectives and interpretive shadowing and details didn't come that easily.

Until they got into it!

You can (hopefully) see how engrossed were while they worked in the photo above. You may also notice how wonderful and spacious the studio is for each artist to spread out while at work.

A Dream Come True!

It is amazing how much things can change in just two short weeks! My studio has grown to more than double it's size with the removal of a few walls, closets and a hallway. New lighting, hardwood floors, custom shelving, tables and storage have been added, plus an already enjoyed snack corner. (See Clara, Asher and Alabama above, after they slurped all up the orange slices. Sorry Caliope!)

I left some original details, like the old built-in cabinet, above.

Added these new honey + amber glow oak floors...

And there was so much more room for all my artist friends this week!

I know how much I like to spread out when I work in the studio. Three cheers for more elbow room!

Just look at the light! Balanced and bright.

Annie went straight from her bed to the studio this morning. A My Little Pony accessory making session is still going strong over here.

I love the new custom shelves with a suspention rod support system designed and built by my brother, Master Builder T. Kern. He guided me through this whole renovation process and it has been wonderful working with him.

I'll post more pictures after I spend this weekend playing in my new studio!

A special thank you to
Annie Louise O'Farrell Hinz
William Hinz
LaLa Pat Sieler
Grandma Bettie
Thomas Kern
Nieters Family

and all my wonderful artist friends and their families!

And The Wall Came Tumblin' Down

What a natural demolition worker!
(Except she wanted to keep all the scraps)

It was amazing how fast it all came down! Thos methodically reversed his building skills and undid the work of the past. It really takes brawn and an understanding of how structures are engineered.

A huge part of demolition is clean-up, and that is what I did, take many, many loads of rubbish and recyclables to the driveway. You can see Robert above taking a load.

Thanks Thos, Bill, Annie, Robert and Kevin the hauling guy!

Day #1

Annie has given the walls a final send off, plus a welcome for my brother Thos who is the contractor on this job. The demolition begins in a few minutes.
More later...

Off to Paris!

Actually, I'm off to remodeling world! Alameda StudioTime will double it's space in the next two weeks and it will be a world-wind trip! I'm all set up to do some Valentines Post Cards from Paris with the kids next week, thanks to the idea from fellow art teacher Gail Bartel.
Keep posted. I'll do some before and after shots of the work as I go if they don't cart me off to the funny farm first.

Masking & Contrast

Amelia, above and her finished detail below, and her wonderful owl in the tree!

The kids all came away from this project with a great piece! We used low tack painters tape, Exacto blades, blue and white tempra, and a variety of brush sizes. I loved the level of concentration and focus, and then the happy smiles upon completion.

So good to see Cecilia again after her trip to Panama! This is an artist that could easily double her StudioTime.

Kat, above and below, so happy making a blizzard.

My dear Annie, above, lost in a snowy night. Full piece, below.

Beaming Zahrina below, detail above, with her finished piece below. Notice the nails!

Ajna, finished above. Full piece below.

Johnny below, loving the steps involved to achieve the final result, and wishing there was even more time to work.

Hady, love the nails, below, loved this project!

(More) An Early Spring!

The lesson this week was about symmetry, working loose, and mixing colors. Didn't they turn out magnificently?

Hady, age eight, above, with amazing concentration.
Kat, age five, both photos below, adding details to her vase, then working loosely with a larger brush to add flowers.

During class I played some classical flute music. Kat said dreamily "Some music makes me drift..." Love her!

Pieces by my Wednesday artists, above, clockwise from top left: Ilana, Lukas, Annie, Hady, Amelia, Kat.

Annie, or Supergirl Kitty, age 9, shows off her dragon vase, above.
Lukas, below, age eight, shows off some tools-of-the-trade.

Annie, arm above, experimenting with loose brush work!

Skye, 6 years old, at work.

My Tuesday artists final pieces above.
Clockwise from top left: Skye, Johnny, Iesha, Kevin, Ajna and Zarinah.

Everyone's a critic. Even Harpo!

Our wonderful newest addition Ajna, age ten, working on her flowers.

Johnny, age eight, above, feeling the joy and surprise of mixing colors.
Kevin, age eight, designing his bouquet.