Friday, December 14, 2012

Finals Finale

Here are the things you need to know, broken down by level of art, for finals next week:

Art 1
You need to make sure you have your watercolor technique sheet finished and ready to turn in on Monday.  I will give you some class time to work on it, but not a ton of time. Just fyi.
On Monday you need to have a horizontal, color, landscape photo that DOES NOT contain a silhouette.
You need to have your sketchbook with you in class.

Art 2
You need to have your re-do study drawing.
You need to have your original, crappy, study drawing.
You need to have your sketchbook.

Art 3
You need to have your re-do study drawing.
You need to have your original, crappy, study drawing.
You need to have your sketchbook.
You will be turning in your group art advertising poster.*

*note, Art 3's can turn in their study drawing or their poster on Monday and the other on Wed

Art 4
You need to have your sketchbook.
I would also like for you to bring your Art 1 sketchbook in to class as well.

Note: I will possibly be updating this as I get my memory more solidified. Check back more than once to see if anything has changed. I will have this completely updated by Monday night.

If your name is EVB, Saoirse, Mara, Bronte, Carolina, Aaron, Mary, Justine, Will, or Mady I have it in my records that you owe me something - probably money and/or supplies. You need to see me about this asap.

Also, don't forget to visit Studio 502 on Society6 if you need some cards or other holiday gifts.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

New New New Stuff

I am so happy to have worked with Ms. Pearson (of leadership and history fame) to have designs that some of the Art 2 and Art 3 students hand drew on some apparel in the student store. I will attach some pictures and details below, but a big pat on the back goes to Clair Farmer, Grace Hur, Serena Kang and Mary Stone. Way to go, you all rock!

There will be a sale on Friday, Nov. 30th at tutorial, lunch and after school in the main hall outside of the Guidance Office.
Normal hours to buy the items will be Tues and Thurs during tutorial in the student store.
If you can't make it to school feel free to send some dollars and information about what you want to school with your student to pass along to me and I will make sure you get what you want.

Why am I finally offering all of this up?
Good question and thank you for asking.

A portion of the profits from the gear the art students have designed comes back to benefit the art program, one.
Two, Ms. Pearson and her leadership students have put a lot of energy into getting some really great pieces into the store and the proceeds from those items go to help benefit the school as a whole.

Plus, I know you just want you some LG gear. All the cool kids are wearing it. Mostly.
And...the holidays are coming up and you know you know or know someone who knows someone who may or may not want something LGHS related. For real.

Here are the pictures of the pieces the students have designed.

Design by: Claire Farmer
Item: Super soft 1/4 zip black sweatshirt
Price: $40


detail


 Design by: Mary Stone
Item: Short sleeve black T
Price: $15


detail



Design by: Serena Kang
Item: Women's V neck black T
Price: $18
(this item is printed on both sides; paw print on front; text on back)
front 
 back
 detail



Design by: Grace Hur
Item: Long sleeve white T
Price: $20 
 detail
Note: It is very possible I mixed the prices of the last two items up. I am human, I make mistakes. But at some point the real prices will be listed on the student store website so I'm not exactly heartbroken over it.

Basically, please buy stuff from the store; please buy stuff from the art students. They work hard and are so very talented and it would make them feel amazing to have their designs desired.
Your pocketbooks make us all happy.

Also, if we're speaking of gifts, don't forget to check the Society6 shop Studio 502 has online, too. There will be some new items added within the next month, too, so keep checking back.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Famous Oil Painting

(Taken from an email sent to the Art 3 students on the occasion of their beginning their famous oil painting copy) 


If you've already gotten approval for your oil painting project you don't need to read further.

Thank you, and you're welcome.

For those of you who haven't...yes, keep reading.

I have had several of you come up to me with ideas for artists that you'd like to do that won't work and I would like to explain a little more about what this project is all about.

But in a way, I have to back up, so bear with me.

This project is about becoming a better painter, yes. As I've stated, I want your use of the medium to improve; I want your use of color to improve.
These are all good and noble things, and if you put the diligence into it that I know you are capable of, you will have an impressive end product, trust me.

However, there is something else you should be aware of that you maybe aren't considering.
Tradition. History - if you would rather think of it like this.

The art world is full of people being famous for just being famous just like people in the public eye today. And there are good painters who have fallen through the cracks and not received the kind of notoriety that they may have deserved.
Unfortunately this is life.

Just because you like someone's painting doesn't mean it will work for this project.
Just because someone can handle a paintbrush well doesn't make them a great artist. (The corollary for this being, just because you have a camera doesn't make you a photographer/artist.)

I want you to dig in to the history of painting and the history of art. I want you to have someone that "knows" what they are doing and how it is connected to the history of their medium. I want you to be aware of the fact that painting from other people's paintings is a storied tradition and an invaluable learning process.

This project is not just about making something "pretty". While this is all fine and good, there needs to be more to it than that if I am willing to devote a good chunk of our school year towards this endeavor.

You will have to find some historical facts out about your artist. This is easier when they are recognized by museums and the art world at large, and not just the internet.
The internet can recognize anyone and make anyone famous, and most of those people don't really deserve that recognition.

These "famous painters" are also, largely, famous for much more than just being able to handle a paintbrush. Such as creating works that used the medium in a completely unique manner; or dealing with a philosophy that had some significance behind it; or having a "new" outlook on a subject matter; or dealt with a difficult subject matter and used aesthetics/beauty  in a "different" sort of way.

Yes, I know, you may not like this answer. I'm sorry. Well, not really, but I hope you catch my drift.

"Famous Oil Paintings" is a terrible Google search topic. It doesn't mean anything. You need to get into the subject more than that. Have one artist lead you to another, for example - which is why that list on the class site is there.

For example, the first art book I ever bought when I was in college was on Gustav Klimt. In reading that book - yes, while looking at the pictures just as much - I found out about Egon Schiele and Oscar Kokoschka for the first time. They are great painters from the early 20th century that were of the same time/place as Klimt and have been recognized since that time for very good reason.

But that was just the very beginning of my own personal knowledge.
Now I'm asking for yours to start.

Set. Go.

Smith

Friday, September 21, 2012

In the Works

Those designs the Art 2 & 3 classes made this week? Yes, those designs. Ms. Pearson came and picked them up today and the judging has begun. There are a few meetings to discuss them next week and they may be in production in the very near future.

I don't know how many designs are going to be printed, but I am very impressed by the quantity of outstanding work that was turned in.

Stay tuned.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Fundraiser

It's official, our next fundraiser for the Europe field trip will be happening on Nov. 17th at Willow Glen Yoga in downtown Willow Glen at 1pm.

More details to follow.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Ice Cream*

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...typography!

We started the class for Art 2's today doing some typography and color exercises online in the library before beginning sketches for our latest project.
Please connect to the Kerning, Shape Style, and Color exercises from the "Latest and Greatest" portion of the class site HERE. Go through the exercises. Have fun. Love life.

We are working on a "los gatos", "lg", "lghs", "wildcat" something-or-other themed design to be available in the student store.
You can focus on type or image or both. It's up to you. It is also up to you to decide on the type of garment your type might go on (shirt, sweatshirt, hat, etc.).

Your sketches are due Tues and your final image will be due on Thurs.

Happy Friday.

*there is no actual ice cream associate with this post, nor, for that matter, the class in general (though I am a big fan of Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch - just saying).

Thursday, September 13, 2012

LG Design

A quick overview that will pertain to the advanced art students and the next project (for the student store here at school):

  • Think about what article you would like to conceptualize an idea for (t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat, etc)
  • generate many (MANY) sketches in your sketchbook (more than five)
  • think of text/typography, theme, "wildcat", etc
  • is there a "theme"
  • vaguely be aware of color (aim for a 2 color design, knowing that a 3rd color is, or can be, the garment color
  • you can be funny/humorous
  • think about what you would like to wear yourself (while it can be funny, it needs to be a "legitimate" design)

Friday, September 7, 2012

From the Band Teacher


It isn't band candy - though that is now available, I have snickers for sale for one dollar, too.
Help us get to Europe in April.

But this video is completely hilarious.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Sketchbook & Pre-Figure(ing)

Art 3's, this is what we did after the first 45 min of class today.

Step 1: go through magazines and get pictures of human figures (sorry, just a portrait/face will not work as you need to see most of the figure)

Step 2: cut them out with scissors or an x-acto knife to get rid of the background

Step 3: paste them into a dbl pg spread of your sketchbook
     
after step three your sketchbook should look like this (below)

 

Step 4: we will cover next time

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Art 2, Round 2

Art 2's, the next round of Study Drawings, due on Wed, Sept. 26th have the following topics:

A tree(s)
A self-portrait
Adventure

Have fun. Be awesome.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Extra Credit?

If you are interested in earning some extra credit for first semester, there is an opportunity.

Salvador is in charge of getting the fall play's sets and such done and he needs some help painting a large cafe exterior.
He has the idea and will supply the supplies, but he needs some help with the actual painting process.

If you would like to help I can put you in touch with him.
I don't think it will be difficult, but it will take some out of class time to complete. This is why I am offering extra credit for you to help your peers out.


Friday, August 24, 2012

First Week Recap / Update

I'm guessing you are either really happy to have yet another update regarding the art classes so far this school year or you are really sick of getting so much information from me already.

Well, either way, don't get used to it.
Really I'm just quite pleased with the way the first week has played out, and I want you to get used to going to the class site and the class blog.

In other words, I'm going to continue to give updates here and keep everyone posted on the class calendar, but I don't usually email this often.

So what has happened this week? Grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let me wow you with the amazing-ness that is are the art classes.


We have drawn stuff.
I know, fascinating. You can thank me for the fantastic nature of my teaching at back to school night!

I have taken money from children.
So much fun. One of my favorite things to do.

Aren't you jealous you are not in my art class? See what you are missing out on?!


In all seriousness, though...
Yes, almost everyone has provided the materials cost thus far. Thank you thank you thank you. This allows me to pay the debts the school has accrued while purchasing all of the supplies for the year.
If your kid(s) have not told you what they have received in exchange for their parent's hard earned dollars, ask them.
It is not money for nothing.

Everyone has turned something in to me (except the Art 4's) so far, and I know pretty much everyone's name - which I am very proud of.
Granted, I will likely forget some of the Art 1 names come Monday, but I am trying and doing my homework. For real.

The beginning of the year is all about learning how to see, learning tricks of the trade of representational drawing, and reinforcing known skills (or learning new ones). I have asked all of the students to draw from observation and many of them to draw from memory so far.
There are no grades yet, but those are coming (check Aeries for that).

Don't forget to mark your calendars for Back to School Night, which is coming up on Thurs., Sept. 6th. I believe it begins at 7, but don't quote me on that. You should come join me so you know the ridiculousness you allow your kids to be subjected to while in my class every other day (though I like to think of it as awesome-ness, I'll let you be the judge).
Plus, if I have to give up my evening to be here, you might as well join me. I mean really, what better things do you have to do on a Thursday night?

(For those of you who don't know me, that is supposed to be a joke, but I'm having a difficult time finding the "sarcastic" font here in blogger. I love meeting you all and truly look forward to that night every year.)

If you have any other questions, please email me.
Please do not call me and leave a voice mail. (This line is not a joke.)

True story, I just checked my voice mail two days ago and I had more than fifteen messages dating back to November of 2011. Yes, almost one year ago.
I rarely check my voice mail, but I am pretty stellar at getting back to emails. Just saying.

Since this is getting long and I am feeling lazy, I will sign off now. I hope you have a fantabulous weekend, and I'm sure your not-at-all-surly-teenager will be happy to fill you in on all the details of this exhausting week.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Tutorial

Yes, you know you are supposed to be doing something "academic" with your tutorial time.
That's just the way it is.

If you don't think so, imagine this scenario: All of your classes are 10-12 minutes longer each. Meaning, a MINIMUM of 100 minutes in each of those classes that definitely aren't as cool as art.
I know, sounds terrible.

So during tutorial, go hang out in a classroom. It's not rocket science.

At any rate, I'm going in to thing just to remind you of the following:

Wednesday, August 22 - Senior assembly in the theater during tutorial.

Thursday, August 23 - Junior assembly in the theater during tutorial.

Friday, August 24 - Sophomore assembly in the theater during tutorial.

For the rest of the week you have places to be. Freshman are busy in different ways, but I don't remember those right now.

This is all.

Besides: Cash Money.
Word.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Art 2 Study Drawings / Portfolio

When you turn in your last group of study drawings on Friday May 25th, you need to have:

1) three new study drawings with labels and your grade sheet

2) ten study drawings from earlier in the year
     these must fit in the portfolio pages
     these can be added to to make them better if you didn't love the final version from first turn in
     if you want to photograph one of your projects - for example, your monochromatic oil, and put a
          color printout of it in your portfolio as one of your ten images, you may

If you have any questions, please let me know well in advance.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Sketchbooks

Art 1 & 3's, you will definitely need your sketchbooks on Monday.
Do not forget or else I will have to disown you.


Due Date Update

Below are, I believe, the remaining due dates for the semester that you all need to be aware of.
There will, of course, be participation points available as well.

Art 1's, since you have turned in your grid drawing, we will do some other art activities, but I have decided to center them around your participation points instead of creating more new "projects" in Aeries.
I do expect your best efforts and for things to be turned in. You will need your sketchbook in class every day for the rest of the year.

Adv. Art, you will need your sketchbooks, too. Art 3 beginning next week. Art 2/4, when your current project is due.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Art 1
     5/24 Study Drawings

Art 2
     5/21 Project Menu Project
     5/25 Study Drawings
     5/30 Supplies

Art 3
     5/22 Study Drawings
     5/29 Funky Face (not the entire period)
     5/29 Supplies

Art 4
     5/22 Study Drawings
     5/24 Big Self Portrait
     5/29 Supplies

Note, Period 2/6 Art 3's - Study Drawings Due 5/25 (Carolina's Birthday)
     Topics: 1) optional subject
                  2) self-portrait
                  3) light
                  4) optional subject
                  5) dreams


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Reception

I know not even most of you were accepted for the juried museum show this year (and I am still waiting to hear back from the museum on a few of you), but the reception is next Wed, May 9th.

If you would like to attend and see work from a variety of Santa Clara County schools you are certainly invited.
And I'd like to "sweeten" the pot a bit. If you attend, and find me, I will give you some extra credit points.
No, I don't know how many. But I will give you some. You don't have to stay long, but you do have to see me there (I'll mark your name down at that time).

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Art 1 Matboard

Yes, you need to supply your own matboard for your grid drawing.
But you can share as you only need half of a sheet of matboard.
So good for you :)
Remember a full sheet is 32" x 40". We went over this in class and it is on your handout.

DO NOT GET WHITE OR BLACK.
For reals.

Other than that I don't really care which color you get.

University Art or Aaron Bros. are the easiest and "best" places to get this, but not the only places.
And share. If it will be hard for you to get there talk your partner into doing the dirty work. Or whoever it is that will be giving them a ride to do it, that is.

Ideally you would have it here this Thurs., 4/26, but it really, truly isn't due until Monday, 4/30.

Cheers.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

JumpstArt Deadline

While there was a snafu with the organization of the OSU JumpstArt presentation a month ago, that doesn't mean that JumpstArt isn't happening this year. It is.

I just received an email from former LG grad Nathan Langner (the guy in charge of it all) telling me the deadline is May 1st.
That means if you're wanting to go you need to get your "stuff" in order and apply.

You can go HERE for more info.

Awards Lunch

ATTENTION ALL ADVANCED ART STUDENTS...

I have emailed all of the parents of students that are seniors in both Art 3 and Art 4 about the annual awards lunch.
If you don't remember what I am talking about when I say "awards lunch", you are pathetic.
jk
But really, if you don't remember, maybe this will restore your senses to you...

This is when your parents bring awesome food and I give out the awards for best senior painter and excellence in art and I recognize all of the graduating Art 3/4's...

See, remember now???

At any rate, this year's event will happen on Wed., May 23rd, so mark your calendars.

Also, some of your parent's emails have been bounced back to me, so ask them if they have heard from me regarding this.
If they have not, please PLEASE have them send me an email so I can send them a link to help sign up to bring something.
If they can't bring something but want to attend anyway, please tell them the date and time.

May 23rd, 11:20-12:30.

Thanks.

Art Contest

I received an email from University Art recently (yes, that Univ Art, of which we all like to spend so much money) announcing an art contest they are holding for high school students.

The link is here.

Though here are the basic details:
Deadline: June 1st
First place: $1000
Yes, there are second and third places, too.
Categories: oil/acrylic; mixed media; watercolor; drawing(dry media)

You can get the prospectus for this at their website, along with all the details.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Wow, Lexington News

I don't know if you've picked up a Merc lately, but today's issue has a story about Lexington Elementary closing for next year and the kids having to come in to town for classes.
Crazy.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Art Room Open

For those that care (Emily, this is for you), I'm planning on opening the room around noon tomorrow (Sat., 4/14) if you need it.

I will try to remember to post here if for some reason I have to change my mind.

Happy Spring Break

Finished Vans

Just so everyone can see, here are the Vans that Kayla, Sophia, and Karla finished for the Custom Culture contest.
Wish them luck as the in-house voting begins at Vans next week.
Enjoy






Monday, April 9, 2012

Art 2's This Week

We'll be working on a t-shirt design for Jill's Ride for Hope this week before spring break.
HERE is a link for the eventbrite page from last fall's ride if you want to know more about the event itself.
The design will be due before you leave class on Thursday which means, yes, it is very likely you'll have to work on it outside of class. In truth, I don't feel too badly about this as I'm not asking for study drawings until after the break, and since those should have been turned in last week, you're kind of getting a break there.

Here are the details:
  • the design should have "Jill's Ride for Hope"
  • the design should use the current "butterfly" in some fashion
  • the design should be one or two colors (one will be black)
  • there is prize money available (1st, 2nd, 3rd places)
If you have any other details, please let me know.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Study Drawings

Art 2's, I have decided to postpone the turning in of your next set of study drawings until after spring break. I have some other things I'd like for us - meaning, you - to focus on between now and then.
Enjoy the respite.
Of course, that doesn't mean you can't get started now. If you do you'll just have that much of a head start for the next time they are due.
Word.

Google Art Project

Amazing views from from museums all over the world on view HERE. Yes, you should take a look.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Bragging (Rights)

Ya'll know I like to brag about my students because of their overwhelming awesomeness, so here goes.
Melissa entered a "duck" contest, for lack of a known title, and was announced the grand champion!
Woot woot!


It's a small image, but you should congratulate young Ms. Searle next you see her because she rocks it!


Damien Hirst Interview

http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/business/2012/04/03/rajpal-damien-hirst-intv.cnn.html

Vans

Let's begin here...IMAG0656IMAG0657IMAG0658IMAG0663IMAG0709
IMAG0710IMAG0711IMAG0716IMAG0717IMAG0722IMAG0722
IMAG0723IMAG0726IMAG0727IMAG0733IMAG0735IMAG0736
IMAG0764IMAG0765IMAG0766IMAG0767IMAG0772IMAG0773

Vans, a set on Flickr.

Check out the process of completing the Vans that Kayla, Sophia, and Karla are in the middle of.

Tessa, sketch.

Tessa, sketch. by misterthad
Tessa, sketch., a photo by misterthad on Flickr.

This is a perfect use of your sketchbook - to figure stuff out. Testing and trying is what you need to do.
Sometimes that includes drawing a face or hand or whatever; and sometimes not.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

At the CASA Fashion Show

Giving up some props to my girls (and guys)...Emilia, Kaitlin, Monica, Kellie Rae, Sophia, Kayla, Karla, Savannah, Andrew,  & Alexa

And I can't forget the former students: Desiree, Jennifer, Mahala, & Story

And of course, the Art Department's very own Mr. Aguayo!

Nice work everyone!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

"New" Museum Link

Here is an updated link for the Social Matters (issue) LG Art Museum show.

I also updated the broken link in the post from a few weeks ago that has more information in it.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

New View

Mr. Benz has done an amazing job of rotating some of our awesome artwork through the guidance office all year, and he's done it again. Though on a grander scale.
He orchestrated a big change - for the better, I think - in their office largely to showcase more of our student's awesomeness.
If you haven't been in the guidance office lately, I would suggest you go by and have a gander. The pics are below, but they really don't do the images justice.










Friday, March 23, 2012

JumpstArt

Here is the direct link for the JumpstArt program Nathan will be presenting on Monday at tutorial.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

JumpstArt Presentation

Our LG alum who is in gathering of Oregon State Univ's summer pre-college program called JumpstArt will be in room 502 during tutorial on Monday, 3/26 for a presentation on the program.
If you are even remotely curious you should come check it out.
Seriously, it's good stuff.

Congratulations

Kayla, Sophia, and Karla...congratulations on having your set of designs selected by your peers as our soon to be Vans Custom Culture design entry.

The due date for finished shoes and uploaded pictures is April 13th, so you have your work cut out for you, but I know you can do it and I'm very excited to see the end result.

Great job!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Museum Juried Show

As I have been discussing with you, the Los Gatos Art Museum has done away with showing strictly local LGHS art in their space. They have been altering the scope of the exhibition over the past three years and have made vast changes for this year.

The show is now a juried high school art show around a specific theme and is open to any high school art student in Santa Clara County.
The theme is "Social Matters."
More specifically, I have been told that students are being asked
"to depict visually a social issue that affects or is important to them.”

There are some specifics that you should know about on the Social Matters site found here,
and on the FormsCentral site, here, that you should know about. 

There are calendar issues/dates that you need to be aware of that I will post on the class calendar.
(note, some of these dates are confusing to me at this point and I am seeking clarification) 

Additionally, I am requiring all of my Art 3/4's to participate in this endeavor. 
Art 1's, it is strictly extra credit - though we can work it in to your study drawings as well.  
Art 2's, well...the jury is still out :) I haven't quite figured this out as it pertains to you. We'll discuss.

Here is some of the brainstorming ideas that came out of 5th period yesterday when thinking about social issues:
contraception, drug war, self image, racism, environment/environmentalism, unemployment, religion, peer pressure, police brutality, agism, sexism, stereotyping, cancer, health care, depression, poverty, death penalty, meat industry, suicide, assisted suicide, gay marriage, stress, drunk driving, underage drinking/smoking, abortion

Obviously this is not a complete list, but it is something to get the brain waves a-workin'.
Hopefully. 

Oh, did I mention they are giving MONEY away as awards? Yes, they are. Read about it on the site. 
It ain't chump change. For real.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Reminders

Reminders of some upcoming Due Dates...and stuff:

Today - Art 3's Oil Painting Due
3/8 - 3 & 4's, 2 study drawings due
3/12 - 1's, 3 study drawing sketches due
3/12 - 4's Acrylic Due
3/13 - Academy of Art presentation in the Career Center during tutorial
3/14 - 1's Imagined Landscape due
3/14 - 1's 3-5 black and white photos due (high quality - as in, forget the library has a printer)
3/15 - 2's 3 study drawings due
3/16 - vans drawings due
3/26 - JumpstArt presentation in room 502 during tutorial

As always, please keep checking the class calendar on the class website to stay up to date.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Vans Designs Deadline

The due date for the vans designs is officially set for March 16. That's a Friday, and I highly suggest you read all posts about the contest on the blog.
No late design submissions will be accepted.

Vans Updates

Here's what happens when you actually read the rules...
meaning, there are new things I've gleaned about the Vans Contest I need to share with you.

Each of the four styles of shoe needs to be designed;
Each sneaker style must be devoted to each theme;
Themes = art, music, action sports, local flavor;
All 4 themes must complement or relate to one another (teamwork, anyone?) so as to form a single message/statement...

That is a lot to do with the creation of the pieces/designs/shoes...there is more, bit we'll get to that later.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Some Thoughts

Some thoughts, yes, but not mine. I'll quote them, even though I won't give explicit credit.
Unless, that is, the author wants me to.
This is from one of yer peers and I thought it was interesting:

"...the point of art is to understand the differences and appreciate the similarities in others' experiences through artistic expression and appreciation."


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Vans Custom Culture

So...
Welcome back! I hope you all had a good break. There are a lot of updates, but the first one I have to make is thanks to Griffin Edwards, as he is the one who brought it to my attention yesterday.

Here is the main website for the Vans Custom Culture contest.

Basically what happens is that the first 1000 high schools that sign up for the contest will be sent four pairs of white vans shoes to design/paint/etc.
Then we'll have to upload photos of the shoes and they will go through a global judging contest.
You can read more about that here.

Pictures of past shoes can be seen here.
As usual, some are good and some...not so much.

I do have some templates that I printed out and will make copies of for people to begin brainstorming designs with.  You can also download your own templates right from their sight under the tab...wait for it ..."shoe templates". Ingenious!

I don't think I'm going to make this a requirement, but I will definitely let the designs stand in for some study drawing work.
Also, the design will be a study drawing, and the execution...once we figure out who will be doing that part...will be at least one study drawing, too.

You can work in teams or individually for this as far as I'm concerned...unless it states otherwise in the rules and regulations - which I have not read all of yet.

Just for more motivation, the top five finalists will be flown to LA for a ceremony, the top finalist will receive $50k for their school's art program, and the 4 runner up shoes will receive $4k for their art program.

I'm just sayin' that I think this is pretty awesome, and, uh, Europe fundraising anyone???

That is all.
For now.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Bon Voyage

I hear our Europe trip for April 2013 to France and Spain has been APPROVED by the school board.
That's obviously their Valentines Day gift to us since they met last night. I don't have the signed paperwork yet, but that's the word on the street.
Word.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Painting Thoughts (Bechtle)

Just a few simple thoughts from Robert Bechtle. Quick and painless. But insightful.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Trying More Harder

I usually don't do a great job of bragging about the things my students do outside of the art room, but I'm pretty excited for Cady, she's in the middle there in the photo, as she's on her way to state after rocking it out at CCS.
Way to go!


Europe Stuff

After speaking with our tour rep from EF this morning, I was sent these two videos for ya'll to watch.
They are both exciting and enticing and make you want to go to Europe NOW, which makes sense otherwise their advertising dollars would have been a total waste.
So I feel compelled to sent them along to you. Find them by clicking on the city names below.

Paris

Barcelona

Europe Fundraising Meeting

For those of you planning on going on the Europe filed trip next year, I want to hold a fundraising meeting THIS THURSDAY in room 502 during tutorial.
See you there!

Monday, February 6, 2012

LG Banner Project

Great opportunity.
Really, I'm not foolin' 'round here.

LG is looking for some new designs to replace the light post banners downtown - which is good because the current ones are boring.
Not trying to be mean, but they are.

I've received a couple of emails regarding this project - probably because the due date for submissions is coming up really soon, and wanted to pass the info along to you.

You can get all of the information here. Actually, you'll need the pdf that accompanies this link, but I'll just assume you're smart enough to figure that out :)

So what to do, especially since it's a very different kind of set up than you are used to doing for class???
Good question. We can work on that together, or you can find answers online.

I'd like to offer extra credit for those that do a legit job on this call for entries. Or, alternatively, I can work with you on this for substituting this for other things grade-wise.
We'll negotiate.

Again, the information you need can be found here.

CAHSEE

Just as a reminder, all sophomores will be taking the exit exam the next two days. Please see the school's site if you have any questions.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pre-College?

This here is a MICA pre-college booklet. They do a great program there...but there are other places that do, too.
Such as Pratt, OSU, and many others.
If you're thinking you might be interested in spending some time away from your family and surrounded by other creative folks, it is probably a good time to start thinking about that.
Just sayin'.