Will You Take the Time...

I randomly found THIS VIDEO titled "Quit Social Media" on YouTube, and while I think the whole thing is interesting, if you want to cut some out, try starting at around the 7:30 mark. That should give you the best nuggets.
I think his views are a little extreme, but I know there are studies that back up some of the claims he is making.
Warning: he isn't a super dynamic speaker, but he isn't terrible either.

There are also some really interesting things discussed in THIS Time Magazine article about smartphones. I think there is a pretty decent job of not laying blame for anything, but it does make me think...especially in light of other things I have tried to share recently.

I just wanted to pass this information along in case you thought it was interesting.

Actually, now that I type this, I think I would begin with the article and check out the video second.
But maybe not.

Per the Perspectives Ideation

I was thinking about your brainstorming for the "perspectives" topic from NUMU and then I was leafing through a book from the de Young (a great museum in the city if you've never been) and I saw the below painting from Aaron Douglas.

I'd never heard of him before, and I quite like this painting. I enjoy how the composition is dynamic in its use of scale and color, and then I noticed the shapes that radiate out from the seated figure. Those are cool.
This may not be the ideal way for you to show off your painting skills for a large project like this since there is, essentially, no modeling of form, but the idea works quite well. Especially if you take the time to read the snippet from the book you'll see how there is a lot more going on in this image than meets the eye.


On p. 95, the following is said about the above piece (titled, Aspiration)
"During the 1920's, African Americans created a thriving culture of jazz, theater, literature, and visual art in New York/s Harlem district. Known as the Harlem Renaissance, this artistic explosion fostered a cultural community of people who set about celebrating the opportunities of modern urban life in a language that drew inspiration from their common heritages as people of African descent. Aspiration is one section of a four-part mural cycle that Douglas created for "Hall of Negro Life" at the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas. The cycle reflects the optimism among African Americans that lingered well after the halcyon days of the Harlem Renaissance. In this mural Douglas organizes his visual image of African heritage according to a highly rationalized, didactic scheme: the shackled hands reach up in a gesture that links them with the experience of slavery, while the monumental figures represent the transformation from forced labor to a community of modern workers inspired by leaders trained in literature, science, and engineering, as symbolized by the book, beaker, globe, and compass and right angle. As a further celebration of African heritage, Douglas uses and Egyptian inspired figure and the pictorial conventions of Egyptian representation, which combine frontal and profile images. In this way he unites the flattened, abstract language of avant-garde modernism with the visual vocabulary linked to ancient Egypt and, therefor, African origins."

I also like this image.
 
I want you to push how you think with your thumbnails and think about ideas and feelings and perceptions that you could convey. Even if you know you are doing a master oil copy, this is a good process to go through. Besides, it will help you think of ideas for Independent Practice and daily sketchbook pieces as we go through the year as well.

Outside the Box

Los Gatos Utility Box Art Program

The Town of Los Gatos Parks and Public Works Department announces the unique opportunity for Bay Area artists to submit designs for the Outside the Box program.

Overview
The Outside the Box Utility Box Art Program is designed to enhance the area by adding works of art to the streetscapes on surfaces that are often targeted by graffiti vandals. Artwork on utility boxes functions as a form of communication to a moving audience with the goal of creating a safe, inclusive and interesting urban environment. Successful proposals will foster community pride, convey the sense of the Los Gatos community, and add awareness of sustainability to the Town. Accepted artwork will be converted into a vinyl wrap and installed directly on the utility box.

Design Guidelines and Specifications for Selected Artists

• Design must include all visible sides of the utility box
• designs must not be offensive, and no advertising, branding, or commercial images are allowed
• if the design is to include text, it must be included in the proposal. The artist must have the right to use this text. Designs may not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, images of illegal activity or involve the attachment of any objects to the box
• designs should not mimic or take the style of tags or graffiti
• the finished artworks will be in the public domain and therefore may be vandalized. Accordingly, artists should be thoughtful about having large open areas in the design - for example, large areas of blue skies may give a vandal the perfect spot to deface the work
• the vinyl wraps have a lifetime of five years; the town has the right to replace them at that time or if vandalized prior to that time
• selected artists will be subject to signing a public art agreement through the Town of Los Gatos and be held subject to those requirements, deadlines, and restrictions
• artists will be involved in approving a semi-final layout of their image on the utility box

Selection Process
A selection panel comprised of two employees of the Town's Environmental Services Division, one employee of the Town Manager's Office, and two members of the Arts and Culture Commission will review all applications and select up to five finalists. The number of artists selected and how many utility box designs each artists will create is chosen at the discretion of the selection committee.

How To Apply
Artists must be Bay Area residents

All applicants are required to submit the following application:
https://losgatos.seamlessdocs.com/f/jE8ilH

The application outlines the following:

1. Design concept - briefly explain your design concept(s) for each box
2. Resume
3. Digital examples of previous work
4. Design(s) - each applicant can submit up to three sample designs
5. Affirmative representation that the artist owns all copyright rights without restriction or infringement on any third party rights to the artwork submitted for consideration

The Town reserves the right to accept any applications, to not accept any artist recommended by the Selection Committee, to initiate an alternate selection process, or to reissue the Call to Artists.

If the submittal material package does not include all items listed above, the Town of Los Gatos shall determine which submittal packages are responsive and reserves the right to reject all incomplete proposals. Please do not send information or materials not specifically requested as part of this application.

Notification of Results and Installation

• the artist selected will be notified at the conclusion of panel deliberations. Applications will receive notifications of the panel's decision by email. The Town of Los Gatos reserves the right not to select any of the applicants
• Selected artists will be given a %500.00 stipend to design one mural each, featuring the theme provided for each box
• The fabricator will take artists designs, transfer them to a vinyl wrap, and then apply them to the utility boxes
• utility boxes range in size and shape. There are vertical and horizontal forms. Please be aware that the wraps and designs may also be modified to accommodate a number of special features including meters, vents, and handles.
• Note that because boxes range in size and images could be used more than once, some cropping may occur to images
• Artwork will be celebrated with an unveiling presentation

Timeline*
October 10, 2016 - call for artists
December 2, 2016 - deadline for artists to submit designs
December 2016 - Committee reviews design
January 2017 - Chosen designs announced
Spring 2017 - Wraps installed
*dates are tentative and subject to change

Application Submission and Inquiries
Applications must be received no later than 5:00pm on December 2, 2016. All questions should be directed to the Parks & Public Works Department at (408) 399-5770 or e-mail ppw@losgatosca.gov

Terms, Conditions, and Reservations of Rights
By submitting a proposal, proposers grant the Town of Los Gatos the right to use the selected artist' work in Downtown Los Gatos, as well as for advertising, promotion, and for any other Town purpose. By submitting the proposal, proposers agree that the Town of Los Gatos is not responsible for any incorrect information caused by any technical or human error that may occur in the processing of submissions by the Town, including but not limited to any misprints or typographical errors.

The Town of Los Gatos will not be responsible for incomplete, defective, or unreadable entries or for failure to receive entries due to transmission failures or technical failures of any kind. All submittals become the property of the Town of Los Gatos.

Utility Box themes: 

1. Environmental Cats Box: for this box, located at Blossom Hill & Union, the theme should incorporate our Los Gatos cats and environmental consciousnesss. This could include a Los Gatos cat with a background promoting clean air, clean creeks, alternate transportation, etc...
2. Town Sustainability: for this box, located at University & Main, the theme should centralize around town activities incorporating sustainability. This could include using recyling cans near local eateries, alternative transportation, shopping local, etc...
3. Promoting Active Lifestyles: for this box, located at Oka & Lark, the theme should stress the importance of active healthy lifestyles. This could include a collage of fitness activities or focusing on one particular outdooor activity such as walking, hiking, biking, swimming, etc...
4. Celebrating Open Spaces: For this box, located at College & Pageant, the theme should focus on bringing attention to St. Joseph's Hill Open Space. This could include such things as a trail map or overview point for St. Joseph's Hill
5. Keeping Creeks Clean: for this box, located at University & Mullen, the theme should focus on the importance of keeping our creeks clean, which ultimately leads to the Bay. This box could include a graphic that implies this. Please see West Valley Clean Water Program, The Ocean Conservancy, or The Surfrider Foundation for inspiration.

NUMU Student Exhibition

The annual NUMU high school exhibition isn't exactly soon, but since I have the information for the theme I might as well share them here.

The theme they have decided on this year is: Choices.

Here is what they have to say in the pamphlet I received from them:

"Which a spotlight on youth perspectives, NUMU asks stdents to visually communicate their responses to the theme, Choices.
Life is a set of choices. We live with the consequences of the choices we make as well as those made for us. Our family, our friends, our teachers, our leaders make choices that affect each of us. How does choice define you, identify you, or excite you? What impact has a choice made by you or others, regionally or globally, influenced you and/or the world? What single significant choice affects you now?"

You can find more information about the exhibit ONLINE HERE, or by taking one of the fliers from my desk.

Daily Sketchbook 8/23

The first daily in-class prompt of the year.
Please hold your excitement.

Draw some cloth with folds. You have two options.
First option, get a mirror and draw from your own clothing.
Second option, draw from the clothing of one of your peers.

Focus on shape and form and value please.

You do not need to fill the entire page.

Please draw in pencil only.


Smile.

Annual Art in the Council Chambers Exhibit

It's January (barely) so that means it's time for me to drop off oil paintings in the Town Council Chambers. I will say that they look fabulous, but of course you know I am biased.

Next week is the reception for the exhibit and I definitely would like to visit with you while you gawk at all of the goodness on the walls. I also am offering extra credit to the students that show up, so that's a good perk for them.

Since it is a reception, and teenagers are involved, it would be fantastic to have some parents volunteer some food and beverage items. You can do that HERE.

The exhibition is of a random selection of oil paintings from the Art 2, 3, and 4h classes so I think you'll be impressed by their diligence and hard work.

More information may be found on the Town AICC website. I hope to see you there.
The time is 6-7:30...in case you don't really feel like clicking the above link.

Have a wonderful weekend.

They aren't printing a physical postcard this year, so here is a copy of the image I sent them for the virtual one they will be emailing out.

If you have any questions please let me know. 

Great Speaker for Parents

Next week there will be an evening talk given by someone I think you might be interested in.

Julie Lythcott-Haims wrote the book: How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success.

I think I wrote about it before, but I really don't remember. What I do remember is that it is a fabulous book. I have a super busy week, but I have this talk on my calendar and hope to make it myself. I think you will enjoy it, and would encourage you to attend if at all possible.

Details:
Tuesday, January 19th,
7-8:30pm
McAfee Theatre at Saratoga High School

Here is also a link to the book if you are interested.

Opportunities in the New Year

I'll go in chronological order since there is one deadline this Friday. Yes, as in two days from now.

Last month there was an opportunity to put up some work in Shuly's Bakery and a total of one person submitted work for it to Tabitha Jacobson ( tabithajacobson@yahoo.com ). That was Grace, and the great news is that she sold the piece that she put up. So that's kind of awesome!

This Friday is the deadline for entry for a one month exhibit beginning on Jan. 16th. Personally I would like to see some of you put your oil or acrylic paintings from last year up there because they are so amazing. Please copy me on the email that you send to Tabitha if you submit a piece for this month. Below are the details:
1. image of your work
2. dimensions of the artwork (including frame size, if applicable)
3. your name, age, and high school
4. title of the piece, medium used, when it was completed

Email all of that to : tabithajacobson@yahoo.com


There is also a great opportunity for an activity that is connected to the NUMU (Los Gatos Art Museum) on Jan. 16th. You can find out all the details HERE, but I will put part of the description below. While you'll need to sign up on their website, you can get an idea here. I will give extra credit for anyone who attends this three-hour activity and can get me proof that you were there. See me if you are confused. I think it is super worthwhile and could be really fun for you.

Learn tips for writing your own artist statement and framing your own artwork. On the way to a pizza lunch, you will see how exhibits are installed in a behind-the-scenes tour of Selfie, opening January 21. Artist Danny Scheible will provide an introduction to the art of Tapigami, in a "Make it Stick" collaborative group activity. Registration is limited to the first 40 students who sign up.

Pre-Final, Art 3 & Art 4H

Before we begin the brunt of our final project I want you to quietly and on your own answer the questions you can find HERE. They should be straightforward but if you have questions please let me know.
If you are in Art 3, please read THIS POST for directions on what to do today.
If you are in Art 4, please continue working on the drawing you started on Monday.

For both groups, you will not be turning in a photo of your assignment once you are finished, but you do need to:
1) work for the remainder of the period and be as productive on the drawing as possible
2) know that you are not finished until I end the drawing and/or the bell rings
3) turn in a drawing project to me

Logo Opportunity from the District

As you know, I was contacted by the district office for a reboot of our logo - which they rightly feel is a little out of date.
What ideas do you have?
Put them down on paper (don't worry about any text needing to be perfect) and get them to be by the middle of May and we'll see if your design gets chosen to be used by the district for the next however many years.

Here is a copy of our current logo. Time to make it better.
Oh, it doesn't have to include mountains and all of the same text. Think different.

Univ Art U Create Day

I don't really know the details, but I'm sure there are some you can read HERE.

Annual Student Art Exhibit

For the 4th year the Los Gatos Art Museum has held their county wide juried student art show.
Ivy was the only one from LG selected this year and I am super proud of her.
Below you can see two images from the catalog that was produced (cover and her image/statement). The show is on view through May 10th, and more info can be found HERE.

Update on the Vans Custom Culture Expedition

With a due date looming before spring break begins...the work is in full on production mode.

What? Painting Outside?

Sometimes I do have weaknesses, it's true. Sometimes those weaknesses work to the advantage of my students, so today I gave my Art 4 students the option of painting outside or in the Art room.
Of course some of them took advantage of that. Of course. And they were productive I have to say.
Kudos!

Art 4 Daily Drawing for 3/26

Ah, Scott C.
That is, the guy you drew from last time. You know, your pencil drawing.
Today I want you to go back to that image and add as much watercolor as you can in your 15 minutes to get it to look like the original.
Get your paints out and let's go!

Art 4 Daily Drawing for 3/24

Art is work, but art should also be fun. I'm ok with you stuggling from time to time, but especially in your sketchbook you should feel the freedom to play.
I love this guy's (Scott C.) work because it is playful and so different than how I typically work. I don't know if you have noticed that I have a book of his work in the classroom, but I would prod you to look through it just because it is fun.

At any rate, I know you know I am really really trying to get you to build a habit of daily work in your sketchbook/life, and to see that little bits of time can be piled up to add up to something much more significant over a period of days.
You don't need to spend hours the night before something is due in order to get all of that work done.

Since I only see you in class twice this week we are going to take both days and work on the same page so that I can see how the image develops.

Today's directions: take one of the below images and draw it out with pencil lines only. No shading, no color, only pencil lines/shapes.

It doesn't matter which image and it shouldn't take you all of the allotted 15 minutes, but begin asap.

Remember, pencil lines only for today. Have fun.

Art 4 Daily Drawing for 3/20

You now know about Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, so below you will find a woodcut he did of fellow artist Jean Arp.

Grab a sharpie and recreate the below image in your sketchbook - without drawing it out in pencil first.

Some Kids Working

Y'all know I love the process, and as much as I like taking photographs of you and your work with my iphone, there is a very different quality you can get with a real camera, so here are some of those.

Art 4 Daily Drawing for 3/18

Sketchnoting. Maybe you have heard of it, maybe not. It can be a really interesting thing to do in terms of taking "notes" of a lecture/talk/presentation.
Since all of you draw well, it could be a really useful tool to have in your bag of tricks as you move forward in your education/life, too.

There are plenty of studies out there that give evidence of drawing/writing creating a deeper connection with material - which bodes well for learning and execution both in and out of any classroom/meeting you may be a part of.

If you want to learn more about this process there are a couple of good links to check out some time both HERE and HERE.

For today, though, I just want you to copy the below photo in your sketchbook as thoroughly and accurately as possible.

 

If you don't recognize the names/ideas/words from above, it would be interesting for you to explore those on your own time as well. For real.

Just as a point of reference, the above image came from Doug Neill at www.graphicrecorder.com 

 

Art 4 Daily Drawing for 3/16

Being thoughtful/mindful of your surroundings is always important, or as I have said many times:

Awareness comes in many forms but here is how I want you to apply it for your daily drawing today:

• think of an "everyday" object in your house (something that you see and/or use all the time without even considering it)
• this should be something that is "always there" but not something such as your smartphone or laptop
• it could be the funky kitchen timer you always use for making cookies or the rooster lamp your grandmother gave your dad or the alarm clock you got when you were nine and still sometimes use
• close your eyes and picture it in your head - think about it from all sides
• in the middle-ish of your page in pencil only, with your eyes still closed, begin to describe the object using words only
• is is curvy, sharp, metal, cold, shiny, rough, what kind of rough, tall, made of wood, does it have slits or holes...etc, etc
• spend no more than five minutes writing with your eyes closed
• once you have described it with as much language as possible, open your eyes and begin to draw your object in pencil only
• draw it as accurately as possible in proportion/line/shading as possible in the remaining ten minutes (or so)