Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Got Art?
Since I have all sorts of free time on my hands (ha) I decided to start a second blog. Actually, this one is for my art students. It's a resource they can use to keep up with the 24 slides a week that I bombard them with in class. Take a look at http://ccaarthistory.blogspot.com/ to see what it's like. You can search for an artist by course or by the artist's name. There's even a weekly study guide for the current quiz.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Carmellina
So we're back in Philly now. I managed to pull of 12 "nature studies" while we were in NY. Now as we wait for the arrival of the new baby, I'm attempting to do some newer drawings of the girls. Carmellina is going first. Here are some slides to give you an idea of how it's going so far:
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Day 27
To all of our faithful readers: Sorry for the delay in our next entry. The change of hands in blogging took a bit of time with inexperienced me (Jessie) taking the wheel. I hope you enjoy my portion of this experiment, though I make no promises of beautifully edited videos with a score. There will be pictures though! Once I learn how to add them. :)
We arrived in New York safely after a brief stop-over in Philadelphia. Joe took his motorcycle and I followed at a distance with the minivan full of children, luggage, and our dog. We had a perfect ride with beautiful weather all the way.
Now, being here since the fifteenth of July, Joe has completed the commissioned piece from last summer and begun his work of nature studies. He launched his first attempt today by photographing a plum, an apple, and a cherry. By midafternoon he astonished us all by displaying a finished 5X7 plum study...it is such a delicious rendering that Rosemary was tempted to pluck it from the page. Joe feels these type of drawings will not take much time to do because compared to a face, the fruit is just a lump with a stem. Good point, but what an accomplishment for his growth as a artist to crank out a drawing that a few years ago would have taken him much longer.
As for the children and myself we are happy to play in the yard at Grandma and Papa's, splash in the pool, slide down the slide, and just enjoy the time here. I don't think we've completely turned the house upside down, but we've definitly loosened the look of Dad's carefully manicured house. Since Friday we've also enjoyed having Grandma Oreste, Joe's grandmother, here to stay. We've had two cookie fringed visits with Uncle Dom, her son and Joe's mom's brother, who brought the girls black and whites cookies on Friday and rainbow cookies yesterday for Joe. Yummy Italian cooking abounds with sausage and peppers one night and meatballs and ravioli tonight (the girls helped Joe's mom make the meatballs...Carmellina especially takes an interest in cooking). We are definitly well fed-even unborn baby Sinagra.
More soon!
We arrived in New York safely after a brief stop-over in Philadelphia. Joe took his motorcycle and I followed at a distance with the minivan full of children, luggage, and our dog. We had a perfect ride with beautiful weather all the way.
Now, being here since the fifteenth of July, Joe has completed the commissioned piece from last summer and begun his work of nature studies. He launched his first attempt today by photographing a plum, an apple, and a cherry. By midafternoon he astonished us all by displaying a finished 5X7 plum study...it is such a delicious rendering that Rosemary was tempted to pluck it from the page. Joe feels these type of drawings will not take much time to do because compared to a face, the fruit is just a lump with a stem. Good point, but what an accomplishment for his growth as a artist to crank out a drawing that a few years ago would have taken him much longer.
As for the children and myself we are happy to play in the yard at Grandma and Papa's, splash in the pool, slide down the slide, and just enjoy the time here. I don't think we've completely turned the house upside down, but we've definitly loosened the look of Dad's carefully manicured house. Since Friday we've also enjoyed having Grandma Oreste, Joe's grandmother, here to stay. We've had two cookie fringed visits with Uncle Dom, her son and Joe's mom's brother, who brought the girls black and whites cookies on Friday and rainbow cookies yesterday for Joe. Yummy Italian cooking abounds with sausage and peppers one night and meatballs and ravioli tonight (the girls helped Joe's mom make the meatballs...Carmellina especially takes an interest in cooking). We are definitly well fed-even unborn baby Sinagra.
More soon!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Artists' Birthdays
In case you haven't noticed yet, we've been posting the birthdays of artists as come. Keep an eye on how many birthdays are in July. There's almost an artist a day born in the month of July. Maybe there's something in the air that makes July babies extra talented...not that I'm implying anything.
Anyway, in some cases there are no accurate records of the artist's birth. I guess birth certificates were not common back in the 1400's. So while Botticelli's mom and dad must have been happy when he was born, no one else knew, or cared, who he was. By the time he died, of course, he was famous so we do have a record of their death. So in those cases, while I can't post their birthday, I will post their deathday. Hope that's not too morbid.
Anyway, in some cases there are no accurate records of the artist's birth. I guess birth certificates were not common back in the 1400's. So while Botticelli's mom and dad must have been happy when he was born, no one else knew, or cared, who he was. By the time he died, of course, he was famous so we do have a record of their death. So in those cases, while I can't post their birthday, I will post their deathday. Hope that's not too morbid.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Day 12
Jess has been moving fast. Today she threw 8 more pieces and spent a while putting handles on things. She's already used 5o lbs. of clay and she's going to start on a third 25 lb. bag now.
Things are getting pretty exciting around here!
Things are getting pretty exciting around here!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Day 9
This was going to be a blog entry about Jessie's 25th bowl she threw and what the next steps were going to be now that they are beginning to dry. Instead we're bringing you three very poor quality cell-phone-videos about what happened when I went out to photograph the last few pieces.
We made it out eventually. I grabbed the dog and ran. Thankfully all of the ceramics were covered in time!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Day 6
More pots! Jess is on a roll (or a wheel, at least). We also had an outing today to the playground, followed by a dance performance from the girls on the first 1/8 of the deck and a trip to the local ice cream parlor.Here's some more slides to enjoy.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day 5
A few setbacks today. We got hit with a major rain storm. I've never seen a rainstorm so intense that wasn't a part of a hurricane. The area lost power, had a few mudslides and multiple lightning strikes.
Jess has enjoyed working outside all season, but today's rain not only stopped her from working, but it destroyed a few of the pieces she had finished! 
Work on the deck had to stop as well. No one wants to use an electric circular saw in a lightning storm.Needless to say everyone was a little disappointed in the weather. But we played some Yahtzee and watched some TV and everyone (except Rosie) napped. So maybe tomorrow (weather permitting) we can all make up for lost time.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day 4
Jessie is moving along well with her work. She hopes to do some test-glazes soon.
Sorry about the poor quality...I guess I shouldn't have used my cell phone!
Sorry about the poor quality...I guess I shouldn't have used my cell phone!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day 3
Not too much to report today. Jess kept working at her wheel.
Joey nearly choked to death on a piece of breaded scallop. (Not an exaggeration...seriously scary minute or two there...anyone know baby CPR?)
And apparently building a deck is a LOT more work than I was aware of (not that I have any concept of what goes into building a deck) we work for several hours and there's not much standing there yet!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Day 2
Jess had the chance today to get to her wheel. It took her a little while to back into the swing of things but it came back to her eventually. By the time she finished wedging and wetting the clay she really only had an hour or two before dinner to work.
She did, however, make a two vessels before she was done, and she is ready to jump back in tomorrow.
We also had a fun treat this morning. Joey and the girls went to their first day of swimming lessons at the Tunkhannock High School. Check out the slide show for lost of pics!
She did, however, make a two vessels before she was done, and she is ready to jump back in tomorrow.
We also had a fun treat this morning. Joey and the girls went to their first day of swimming lessons at the Tunkhannock High School. Check out the slide show for lost of pics!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Day 1
We arrived in Nicholson, PA this afternoon after a fairly uneventful 3 ½ hour car ride. Those of you with children know that “uneventful” is really the best that could be hoped for on a ride that long.
After a quick lunch, Jessie, Nick and I started work to get the clay studio up and running. A cursory survey of the shed quickly told Jess and I that it had been used WAY more than we thought and we weren’t too sure that the smell of grass clippings and gasoline would be conducive to Jessie’s creativity…never mind her pregnancy.
This however turned out to be a happy providence. We instead erected a clay “tabernacle” next to the shed using a lot of the camping equipment that my in-laws have. Jess was thrilled at the idea of working out doors with a view of the woods out back and the fresh air.
The process took several hours. During that time the kids entertained themselves.
In the end we got a product that I think Jess is very happy with. So tomorrow (Tuesday) Jess will begin her throwing. She hasn’t used her potter’s wheel in over two years. Thankfully it wasn’t rusty at all. Let’s hope we can same the same for Jess!
After a quick lunch, Jessie, Nick and I started work to get the clay studio up and running. A cursory survey of the shed quickly told Jess and I that it had been used WAY more than we thought and we weren’t too sure that the smell of grass clippings and gasoline would be conducive to Jessie’s creativity…never mind her pregnancy.
This however turned out to be a happy providence. We instead erected a clay “tabernacle” next to the shed using a lot of the camping equipment that my in-laws have. Jess was thrilled at the idea of working out doors with a view of the woods out back and the fresh air.
The process took several hours. During that time the kids entertained themselves.
In the end we got a product that I think Jess is very happy with. So tomorrow (Tuesday) Jess will begin her throwing. She hasn’t used her potter’s wheel in over two years. Thankfully it wasn’t rusty at all. Let’s hope we can same the same for Jess!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Arganis Art Productions
Summertime is here!
For most people this makes little difference in their day-to-day routine, but for students and teachers summertime means summer vacation.
For a little school kid that means swimming pools and water guns and the feeling like school will never return. For older school kids summer vacation means summer jobs. Cutting grass. Flipping burgers. Packing groceries. Bussing tables. Selling blood. The thrill of the summer job cannot be over-emphasized.
One of the perks of being a school teacher is still getting summer vacations…paid summer vacations. One of the anti-perks of being a private Christian school teacher is still needing a summer job.
In my 8 years of professional teaching I have still had the questionable pleasure of working at a summer job. I’ve been a camp counselor, a house painter, a landscaper, and even a private art instructor. It is difficult to describe the joy of making less than minimum wage as an adult trying to support his family. Nothing says “summer vacation” like working all summer.
But this year is going to be different. This year Jess and I are embarking on a new and entrepreneurial endeavor.
We leave Monday for Nicholson, PA. My father-in-law, Nick, has graciously agreed to
relinquish his shed for three weeks to give Jessie the opportunity to set up a make-shift clay studio. Jess’s old high school art teacher has also agreed to allow her access to his kilns. So for three weeks (or so) Jess will be working in her clay studio making ceramics. I will be watching the kids while she works and building a deck with my father-in-law and brother-in-law.
From there we’re heading to Long Island for three weeks (or so) and I’ll be focusing on my drawings. Portraits, botanicals, and some nature studies. Jess will be watching the kids (as usual) and she will not be building a deck; mainly because her due date is August 21st.
So this summer’s goals are:
1)Jess will make a LOT of well-made, sellable ceramics.
2)I will build a deck without losing any digits.
3)I will make a lot of small sellable drawings.
4)Launch a website (not a blog site) about the work we’re making.
5)Get back to Philly before the baby comes.
6)Find an art fair for the fall where we can sell the things we’ve made.
So for the next seven weeks the blog site will be devoted to tracking this endeavor. I have no idea how this will work out, but we’ll be posting updates as often as possible (hopefully daily) so keep checking back often to see how we’re doing.
And keep praying for us!
For most people this makes little difference in their day-to-day routine, but for students and teachers summertime means summer vacation.
For a little school kid that means swimming pools and water guns and the feeling like school will never return. For older school kids summer vacation means summer jobs. Cutting grass. Flipping burgers. Packing groceries. Bussing tables. Selling blood. The thrill of the summer job cannot be over-emphasized.
One of the perks of being a school teacher is still getting summer vacations…paid summer vacations. One of the anti-perks of being a private Christian school teacher is still needing a summer job.
In my 8 years of professional teaching I have still had the questionable pleasure of working at a summer job. I’ve been a camp counselor, a house painter, a landscaper, and even a private art instructor. It is difficult to describe the joy of making less than minimum wage as an adult trying to support his family. Nothing says “summer vacation” like working all summer.
But this year is going to be different. This year Jess and I are embarking on a new and entrepreneurial endeavor.
We leave Monday for Nicholson, PA. My father-in-law, Nick, has graciously agreed to
relinquish his shed for three weeks to give Jessie the opportunity to set up a make-shift clay studio. Jess’s old high school art teacher has also agreed to allow her access to his kilns. So for three weeks (or so) Jess will be working in her clay studio making ceramics. I will be watching the kids while she works and building a deck with my father-in-law and brother-in-law.
From there we’re heading to Long Island for three weeks (or so) and I’ll be focusing on my drawings. Portraits, botanicals, and some nature studies. Jess will be watching the kids (as usual) and she will not be building a deck; mainly because her due date is August 21st.
So this summer’s goals are:
1)Jess will make a LOT of well-made, sellable ceramics.
2)I will build a deck without losing any digits.
3)I will make a lot of small sellable drawings.
4)Launch a website (not a blog site) about the work we’re making.
5)Get back to Philly before the baby comes.
6)Find an art fair for the fall where we can sell the things we’ve made.
So for the next seven weeks the blog site will be devoted to tracking this endeavor. I have no idea how this will work out, but we’ll be posting updates as often as possible (hopefully daily) so keep checking back often to see how we’re doing.
And keep praying for us!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Oops.
...been a little disctratced around here...
As I was posting Raphael's birthday on the 15th I was overlooking the birthday of another great artist. He was an inventor, a painter, an Italian, a Ninja Turtle, and, yes, another lefty:
Leonardo da Vinci.
Happy 557th birthday Leo.
As I was posting Raphael's birthday on the 15th I was overlooking the birthday of another great artist. He was an inventor, a painter, an Italian, a Ninja Turtle, and, yes, another lefty:
Leonardo da Vinci.
Happy 557th birthday Leo.
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