VisArts Art Supply Drive for the Holidays

What a great way to brighten a little one's holiday! 

 The VisArts Center of Richmond is having a 

holiday art supply collection for needy kids.

It is so wonderful to see the bin filling up at the center, but let's get it overflowing!  If you remember the next time you are picking up a little something at a drugstore or even grocery store swing by the school supply aisle and spend an extra couple $.  Then either send it my way and I will drop it off next time I am there or bring to them at 1812 W Main St RVA.

Thanks for considering it!

Kathy

Thankful for Art

What a hokey post title, huh?

But I am. Not only for the opportunity to produce, share and teach it but for the way art can bring people together.

Especially this season, thanks to one of the sweetest and strongest art teachers I know,  Mrs. Ashley Cogbill.  (BTW she was also one of the sweetest art students I ever had. Wish I could remember her artwork but honestly that so long ago and I think I was teaching about 12,000 students at the time.  Love her stuff now though)  Anyway, Ashley graciously invited me to come be an artist-in-residence at her elementary school in Henrico County this past month.

I had an absolute BLAST working with her inquisitive, flexible, energetic and creative students.  

24 bundles of enthusiasm greeted me each Thursday as we worked together to create a 10'x5' mural, titled "Water Is Life" as part of the Wyland Art Foundation National Art Challenge.  

Though Ashley will not take the credit, she made my job so much easier by getting the kids prepared and working though a lot of the decision making before I even showed up. 

 She really spoiled me.... Ashley even served me tea while we were working!

So I got to do all the fun stuff like teaching chalk transfer techniques, making individual studies and splatter painting.

Not only were these kids and their art teacher a complete joy to work with but the whole staff at Springfield Park Elementary did so much for make me feel welcome.  I was especially impressed by classroom teacher, Melanie Moore, who was so giving and flexible with the class schedule.  Without her support and so many other teachers willing to switch around their schedules this mural just would not have been able to happen.

So this Thanksgiving as I tuck into my turkey I will be thinking of that kind art teacher, those 24 adorable artists and that caring faculty who helped to remind me how creating, sharing and teaching art are some of the most wonderful things that people can do for each other.  Thank you Ashley for making this happen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kathy

Is Art Life?

Yet another great article that really hits the mark about the timeless and universal way art can really sustain us, whether as artist or viewer.

 Alain de Botton has makes a few great  points in this essay, like the one below...

 In 'At the Linen Closet', a modest domestic scene by the 17th-century Dutch painter Pieter de Hooch, we see a couple of women putting the household linens in order. His painting suggests that the big themes of life—the search for prosperity, happiness, good relationships—are always grounded in the way we approach little things and ordinary routine. Peter Horree/Alamy

Just make sure you can pull up the artworks he references, otherwise it is just a touch annoying.   Reading about the influences these paintings had on him without being able to view them can be frustrating.


Otherwise, happy Reading!

Kathy

Competition vs Creativity

Which one do you think is the most important? Maybe some official definitions will help...

com·pe·ti·tion

ˌkämpəˈtiSHən/

noun

1. 1.

   the activity or condition of competing.

   "there is fierce competition between banks"

   synonyms:

   rivalry, competitiveness, vying; More

   
   courtesy dictionary.com
   
   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   cre·a·tiv·i·ty

    [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee, kree-uh-]  Show IPA

   noun

   1.
   

   the state or quality of being creative.

   2.
   

   the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns,
   relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new
   ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality,
   progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in
    modern industry; creativity in the performing arts. 

   3.

   the process by which one utilizes creative ability:

    Extensive reading stimulated his creativity.

   
   

   courtesy dictionary.com

   
   
   

   

   
   

 Bet you can figure out which one I thought it was.  Then, a while ago, I had this ephiphany..

 Does it really have to be an oppositional thing after all?

A point I have pondered for many many years until today when Mr John Cleese of Monty Python fame has the answer for me from a speech over 20 years old!

John Cleese: A Lecture on Creativity 

Class, this will be on the test...

My take away... Deciding between creativity and competition is like trying to decide which foot to walk with.  Both are needed in the right amount at the right time to propel us forward. 

Thanks so much John for clearing this up for me!

But really, his humorous and insightful explanation is worth the entire watch (about 15 minutes).  Besides, it's fun to see if you can link up the Danish subtitles with his words...talk about creative!

LOVE This!!

Wish you had gotten that art history degree but now you just do not have the time?  Click on the link below to take a look at this shortened and funny version...

How to Recognize Famous Painters According to the Internet

Hmmm...Is He a Happy Partytime Guy?  Or Does He Look Like Putin?

I adore this as only an art teacher could.  I kinda do the same thing when I explain art history to my students but without the salty language and drug references... really.

Ooooohkay....  Now I Know the Difference Between Michelangelo and Rubens!

Enjoy!  Kathy

UNOS Opening Friday September 6th

Please consider yourself officially invited!

The Entire Hot 100 and UNOS

Isn't it just GREAT when really cool opportunities come your way?  Especially when it involves those who do such an incredible amount of good in this world.

For those of you who remember my thesis exhibit, I donated a portion of all sales to Habitat for Humanity.  Now I am thrilled and honored to have my Hot 100 series connected with yet another very worthy organization, the United Network for Organ Sharing.  I have been asked to exhibit my Hot 100 next month at UNOS gallery in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The opening for all you RVA folks is Friday September 6th from 5-7:30 pm.  It is free and open to the public!

To celebrate I am posting my Hot 100 here, but of course I think that they look much better (and surprisingly somewhat different) in person.

Special thanks to Lisa Schaffner and UNOS for giving me (and my paintings) this opportunity.  Hope to see you on the 6th at UNOS, 700 N 4th Street RVA.