Before 40 - December : Part 1

A little background is required to tell this story correctly.  When I went to college many moons ago, I had no idea what to major in.  I was interested in many things, and considered many things, but somehow decided to major in Art.  (One in a long line of mistakes, probably, but for the sake of keeping this story short(ish), I won't go there).

I loved being in college.  I loved the freedom to make my own decisions.  I loved meeting all new people.  I loved being an art major.  I was a bit odd, because unlike a lot of kids that age attending college, I wanted to learn.  It wasn't about what classes were the easiest, or which teacher gave out the most A's.  For me, it was wanting to learn as much about everything as I possibly could in four years.

Which is exactly why my Printmaking class upset me so much.  Printmaking was a required class for all art majors.  Some of the students didn't have the slightest clue what printmaking was, nor did they care, but I was excited to start making some prints!  Relief Printing, Intaglio, Lithography, Screenprinting, and Monotype/Monoprint!  I arrived at the first class, early and eager to get started.  Pretty soon, the whole class and I were waiting outside the classroom door.  "The guy is late to class on the very first day?", someone commented.  We waited about 15 more minutes, before a very ill prepared, oddly unapologetic professor showed up.  I think he shoved a syllabus at us, before saying something about not feeling well, and said he would see us at the next class.  

I arrived on time for the second class, along with most of the other students.  Ten minutes after the class was supposed to start several people left, 5 minutes after that, several more left, and 10 minutes after that I looked at someone and said, "Well, what's up with this?"  The rumor was that the professor was an alcoholic.  Sometimes he showed up, but usually he didn't.  One of the students informed us that he gave everyone A's, and that seemed to satisfy everyone... except me.  I showed up for every.single.class.  Most of the time, I waited 15 or 20 minutes before leaving.  I didn't learn a stinking thing about printmaking.  There is an "A" on my transcript next to "Printmaking" even though I don't know a darn thing about it, and that always annoyed me.

So, for the "Before 40" in December, I went back to school.  That's right.  At the age of 39, I took a Printmaking class.  Unfortunately I have about as much money now as I did when I was a college student, so I could only afford a one day class.

I showed up early (of course), found the room, and said "Hello" to the other students.  The instructor wasn't there yet.  (Do you see where this is headed?)  Fifteen minutes later, I told the other students what had happened the last time I tried to take a Printmaking class, and they all laughed.  "I'm sure she'll be here any minute", one assured me.  Five minutes later, I went out to call Jim.  "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!", I shouted.  "MY TEACHER IS A NO-SHOW!  CAN THIS SERIOUSLY BE HAPPENING AGAIN?!"

She did eventually show up (30 minutes late!), and I did learn how to make a Monotype.  That's pretty much all we had time for.  So, I didn't learn much, but it's a step in the right direction.  Maybe by the time I'm 50 I'll be a printmaking expert?  It was fun to get my creative juices going again.  A person should never stop learning, after all.  (As you probably guessed by the "Part 1", I did another new thing in December.  That one needs its own post, so stay tuned for that).

This Is What Happens When I Clean

One weekend, we got Jim's mom to watch Dylan at her house, so we could get stuff done around the house.  Jim installed a ceiling fan in our bedroom.  I tried to tackle the disaster area that is our spare room, and get stuff ready for several sales coming up.

Installing a ceiling fan meant moving the bed.  That allowed me to see the humongous dust bunnies that had been living under the bed, which led to me deciding that I must clean every inch of the bedroom immediately!  That led me to discover the four boxes of artwork that Jim had shoved under the bed.  THAT led me to possibly an hour of discoveries, looking at Jim's artwork that I hadn't seen before.  THAT led me to this post.

When Jim tells me about his dreams, I've noticed they often involve him being a badass.  I think he has always had a secret (or not so secret now) desire to be like this guy...

Or maybe this guy...

Or, this guy?

I KNOW he wanted to be this guy for a while...

Oh, and he wanted this car... and still does...

In truth, sadly, I think these drawings were a more accurate foretelling of his future...

I mean, we don't have a convertible, and I'm not blonde, but still... pretty accurate.  And, this next one really made me think he is secretly psychic...

In case you ever wondered how old Jim is, this should give you an idea...

This one is so uncharacteristic, at first I thought it was one of mine.  I love it, and I want to know what that girl is thinking...

Some of you will be able to relate to this one... I know I can...

You might have noticed, a lot of Jim's artwork is somewhat "dark" in subject.  But this next one scared me!

That's one of his ex-girlfriends.  HAHAHAHAHAHA (snort)  That is what I thought when I saw it, but the funny part is that when I asked him about it, he said, "I demonized a picture of an ex-girlfriend".  "She must have been so flattered", I remarked.  "Hopefully, you won't be doing one of me any time soon?!"

He got a B+ on this one!  Are you kidding me?!  Just goes to show that art is subjective.  Well, I for one think he is very talented.  I'm his biggest fan, just like this chick...

Yea, I'm exactly like... that.

Paint With Me - Three

The theme for Paint With Me Thursday is "three".  In keeping with my last PWMT post, the main focus for me was to "just do it".  I have a hard time drawing things without a picture or photograph to look at.  Drawing things that are just from my head has always been a struggle, so I thought I would try it.

This is Dylan's drawing of "three".  It is Dylan, Jim, and I.  What?  You didn't recognize me?

Don't you just love the way our "hair" floats above our heads?  And our "arms" come out of our "heads", along with our "ears"?  I think I'm the colorful one, with really long legs.

By the way, I forgot to tell this story last week.  For "self portrait", I was going to write words that describe me.  I was writing some ideas down, and Dylan asked what I was doing.  I said, "I'm trying to think of words that describe me".  He was confused at first, but eventually told me I am "Funny", "Silly", and "Happy".  The fact that he would use those THREE words to describe me makes me incredibly "Happy"!

(Speaking of "three", we had professional photos taken of the three of us this past weekend.  I will try to figure out how to post them soon).

Paint With Me - Self Portraits (and Smear)

I have this problem with Paint With Me Thursdays. I went to college for four years to get a degree in Art. I feel that if I'm going to paint/draw something, it should be GOOD. And, there is the problem - I don't have time to be GOOD. I have a really hard time carving out an hour or two of uninterrupted, child free creative time. So, what do I do? Nothing.

Did you ever see the Friends episode where Monica's credit card is stolen, and the woman who steals it is charging all these amazing, fun things that Monica has always wanted to do? She decides to go to one of the classes to confront the woman, and ends up taking the class herself. At the end of the episode, the teacher of the class yells at her, "Monica! You're doing it all wrong!" She answers, "Yea, but at least I'm doing it!" At the time, that really struck a chord with me. I think I need to get on board with that concept. So, this week, I didn't do anything GOOD for Paint With Me Thursday. But... I did it.

Actually I did it last week also, but then didn't get time to post it. Last week's theme was "Smear". I immediately thought of the fact that my glasses are smeared constantly.
First, I took a picture of my glasses.

Then, I quickly sketched them with a marker. Then, the phone rang, and when I got back, Dylan had added a few "smears" of his own with a pencil. At that point, I decided, if you can't beat them join them, so he helped me make another thing that is always smeared around here - his hands.

Now, on to this week's theme - Self Portraits.  I forced myself to just do a quick cartoon with markers, so I didn't over think it, or obsess.(My hair is a hot mess lately)

This one is from college. This represents the things that make me feel alive... Sunny days, the ocean, creativity and art, following my own path, and love and friendship. The words at the top say, "I want to see the world as if seeing it through a child's eyes... with curiosity, with hope, with honesty, and with love".

A Creative Family

It's Thursday!  You know what that means, don't you?  Time for Simply Feather's Paint With Me challenge.  After you look at my stuff, why don't you head over there to see what everyone else made?  Who knows?  You might leave inspired.

Here's what Dylan made this week...

Other than cutting the egg carton, I didn't help.  I just sat back and watched him create, loving the look of concentration he gets on his face.

This one, I finished a few weeks ago, for my Mom's birthday.  But, I was rushing to get it done in time, and used the wrong adhesive, so I made her return it, because stuff was already falling off.  Dylan made the picture of him and "Mi-Mi" holding hands, and wrote "I love Mi-Mi".  I just made them smaller, so they would fit.

Remember this from last week?

Well, I made it into this...

One problem.  I need one more T!  It is supposed to say "The Great Outdoors" at the top.  So, now I have to go back to Jo-Ann Fabrics or Michael's and get a whole new sheet, just for one letter.  Of course, you know whichever store I go to first will be the wrong one, right?  GAH!  Another unfinished project!

Now, I've been talking about my talented artistic husband, so I thought I would show you what he's been working on.  I'm fairly certain once you see this, you'll forget all about what I made.  Try to throw a little love my way, too, okay?  My ego is fragile, you know.

What Was I Saying?

I'm not a slob. I'm not lazy. I'm not stupid. I'm not afraid to try new things. I just lack focus. This fact became startlingly clear to me a couple of weeks ago, when my parents watched Dylan for the day, so Jim and I could tackle the studio. If you're going "Studio?", let me explain. Jim is a graphic designer, and is an extremely talented and creative artist. He went to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. So did I, among other schools (See? Lack of focus!). No, that's not where we met. He's 7 years older than me, so when he was there, I was... just noticing boys maybe don't have cooties? Between the two of us, we have just about every art material/tool imaginable. That is why it's not an office, or a study. It's a studio.

The studio was a raging mess. It needed organized. It needed shelving. It still needs organizing. It probably needs more shelving. It definitely needs decorating. It needs new furniture. But, back to my point. I lack focus. (See?)

Here are the photos to prove it...

(Click on the photos to enlarge)
I never sold a photo I took, (unless you count when I worked at Olan Mills).  I got to page 28 on the first journal and didn't fill out a single page in the second.  I never invested online.  I gave up on the silk screen, and t-shirt business idea.  I never put The Monet Project on the wall.  Those last two?  Well...just... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Something happened in the studio that day.  I was shamed.  Shamed into action.  I need to stop starting new projects.  I need to start finishing old projects.  So... I did!

(I've had this frame for two years!  TWO YEARS!)

(Feather posted this idea back in October, and I said I was gonna do it.  OCTOBER!)

(This one Dylan made.  I saw the idea in a magazine 

 last week, and we made it this week!  This is BIG people!)

(I thought the frog was cute, and

it is a TOY!  I even followed the rules this week!)

(I like the one on the magazine better.  The store I went to didn't have a black zipper, and I had a few other problems, but I did it!  A FINISHED project!

Although the studio shame gave me the biggest kick in the pants, I would like to give Feather credit also.  She got the creative juices flowing initially, with the Paint With Me challenge.  How about you?  Got some unfinished projects sitting around?  Why don't you join in?

Outside The Lines

When I said that I have major issues with the art projects at Dylan's preschool, I wasn't kidding. Yes, they did dress the boys up like girls, but that's not even my biggest complaint. At least they only did that once.

I told you before that they only focus on one color a month. What I didn't tell you is that every morning they put a coloring book sheet on the easel, and let them paint it with that ONE COLOR.

Do you see how he is trying to paint inside the lines? Do you understand how CRAZY that makes me? Now, I am probably going to make myself very unpopular with my next statement. I HATE coloring books. HATE THEM.

Children are born creative little beings. Give them some sticks or a big cardboard box (or both), and you can witness their creativity. Telling them to "color inside the lines"? Praising them for being "a good colorer"? Telling them to color a picture that someone else drew? All that does is stifle their creativity in my opinion.

Coloring books impose an adult standard of draftmanship, setting kids up for frustration. It feeds the myth that you have to be a "good drawer" to be "artistic". You don't! There are many forms of art that aren't dependent upon realistic rendering.

If kids are born creative, how do they lose that? The answer, I feel, is that the adults in their life squash it. It doesn't have to be "adults", either. Just one can damage it. Those of you who say, "I'm not an artist", or "I can't even draw a stick figure"? I'm willing to bet there is a moment/a person that stands out in your mind that gave you that feeling about your creative self.

I will never forget being given an assignment in art school, to illustrate the cover of our hypothetical autobiography. I drew a self portrait that was made of of many different pieces. The pieces symbolized the way people seem to want to put you in a certain box, or role - mother, artist, teacher, etc - and look no further than that. I was saying that to truly understand me, you need to look at ALL the pieces and how they fit together to make me the person I am.

We were to each meet with the professor with a rough idea, before finishing the project. I explained the above to her, and also told her that the title was going to be "Outside The Lines". I told her I planned to splatter paint in random areas of the drawing to symbolize "outside the lines". She told me that would look "sloppy". She basically told me to "color inside the lines". I lost all desire to try in her class after that. She just didn't get it. She just didn't get me.

Do you understand how it must make our children feel when we tell them to color inside the lines? When they show us their art and we ask "What is that?" (Why does it have to be anything?) When we grab their picture to "help them" draw something, when they didn't ask for our help? When we show them a craft that an adult made, and ask them to recreate it?

Someone said to me, in rebuttal to my argument, "Well, don't they need to learn to follow the rules?" That's just it. In art, there are no rules. Art is subjective. It is open and free, and the process is more important than the end product.

Giving a three year old a small paper with a picture someone else drew, ONE color of paint, and a giant paintbrush, and telling them to paint inside the lines is absurd.

Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain
an artist once he grows up.
-Pablo Picasso

Paint With Me - What Week Are We On Anyway?

I sat down with Dylan, to try and paint some umbrellas.  Five minutes into our painting session, he spilled the entire cup of water all over the table, and the floor.  After that, he was disgusted with himself, and insisted that we do something else.  So much for finding myself in The Zone this week!

I did finish the second scrap box, but I don't have a picture of it.  It was a gift for my mom, for her birthday, and I rushed to finish it, forgetting to even snap a picture!  So, I will just show you a few things we've been creating the past few weeks...

Dylan painted a birdhouse.  He was very serious, very concentrated.  He couldn't wait to see some birds come to eat the seeds we put in it.  We have not seen a single bird!  Could someone explain that?  Did we accidentally paint it a color that scares birds? What the heck?

I love Sesame Street.  I grew up watching it, and now I'm watching it with Dylan.  He's learning all sorts of new words - "Hibernation", "Metamorphosis", "Habitat", etc. (I drew the picture with a permanent marker first, which explains the line that doesn't belong. Then colored it with Dylan's markers).

Do you know about "Rolie Polie Olie"?  It is one of our favorite children's books!  The pictures are adorable, and the rhymes are just fun to read. "The Rolie Polie Rumba Dance was always done in underpants".

(I drew this one with pencil first, then colored it in with markers).

If you would like to join in on this Paint With Me challenge, or just want to see some other creativity, check out Feather's site.

Scrap Boxing

Ever since the Paint With Me challenge started over at Simply Feather, there's been more art in my life.  More looking at other bloggers' art, (which I am greatly enjoying), more thinking about art, more talking about art (my husband's an artist), and of course, more creating art.

Every time I go to Target, and wow, I go a lot, I find myself in the dollar section.  I find my hands full of scrap booking supplies.  I never knew why.  I don't scrapbook.  I don't have the time or desire to scrapbook.  It didn't make any sense, but I just kept buying those stickers.  I figured it involved a desire to go back to my childhood, to the days of collecting stickers for my super cool sticker book.

Recently, I finally figured it out.  Scrap Boxes!  I made my first one last week.  I'm just about done with my second, and I've started on my third.  It has nothing to do with nature.  Sorry!  I'm not the greatest at following the rules.  Perhaps you've noticed!  But, I'm participating, and that's what counts, right?

(I blurred out some details (like our last name) )

I didn't have a lot of time, when I posted this.  Here are the detailed shots...

(The first shots taken of Jim and I with Dylan - Jim's taken with my cell phone, because Dylan came so fast, we didn't even have a camera with us!)

(Look how little his feet were!)

(The little hat he wore at the hospital, and the picture the hospital took).

(His little bracelet, and the bib his doctor gave me).

Scrap boxing appeals to me because instead of shoving these precious things in a box, which would probably be lost, or end up in the attic collecting dust, they will be displayed and cherished.

The Easter Bonnet

I have MAJOR issues with the art projects done at Dylan's preschool.  MAJOR, as in my husband probably really, really wishes I'd shut up about it.

But when Dylan walked into the pick up room today, (first, no less), wearing this...

I would have paid good money to see my husband's reaction.  I'm pretty sure it would have been worth it.
(By the way, Jim, Dylan couldn't have ripped that thing off his head any faster.  Then, he threw it on the floor, and stepped on it.  I kept it, though.  In case you'd like to try it on).

The Zone

My favorite art teacher didn't walk, she glided gracefully through the classroom.  She was a strong, confident woman, but sweet and soft-spoken at the same time.  She never tore people down, but instead made all of us feel special.  She made us want to be better.  She taught us to use the right side of our brains, the creative side, and how to get in "The Zone".  When you're in "The Zone", you are creating freely, without inhibitions, without worry of "doing it right".  You lose track of time and place.  Your body and your mind is peaceful, caught up in the joy of being creative.

I used to be The Queen of "The Zone".  I had an art class right before dinner, and I would meet my roommate, and some of our other friends at the cafeteria.  When someone would talk to me, my roommate would say, "Don't even try to talk to Jen for at least 15 minutes.  She's still in The Zone".

My junior year of college I transferred to the college where my dad taught (where I should have gone all along).  At that college, juniors went to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh for a year, and completed a Visual Communications/Graphics program.  This was a bit of a struggle for me.  Previously my art was very loose, very free, and very messy.  Suddenly the focus was on precision, design, and execution.

These days, when I try to draw, or paint, or do anything creative, I struggle to balance the two sides of myself - the free and the precise.  I probably lean more towards the graphic side.  The free, loose part of myself is harder to reach.  It's hard to get in "The Zone" when your 3 year old is saying, "Are you done NOW?... How about NOW?"  That is why I love what I did last week for the Spring prompt (I'm a week late).

I started out drawing the picture in pencil, then colored it in marker.  Then, I got out the watercolors, and the precise side of myself tried to paint "inside the lines" (I'll discuss that some other day).  But, that's the great thing about watercolors.  They bleed.  They run.  They do what they want.  They force you to be free.  I won't say I reached "The Zone", but I could almost feel it on the horizon.

(If you don't know by now, Simply Feather, is the ringleader of this Paint With Me weekly challenge.  If you are creative, or long to be, head over and find out how to participate.)

If Ever It Were Time To Leave A Comment

As I mentioned last week, many moons ago I was an art major.  Some of the people majoring in other subjects thought that we had it pretty easy.  They thought that while they were reading chapter after chapter, and studying for tests, that we were just painting the days away.  They didn't know about the critiques.

In my art classes, every so often, it was critique day.  On that day, we would each line, or hang our work up on one wall, and then the torture would begin.  When it was time for everyone to critique my work, I would do an inner pep talk to appear confident, but in truth, I was sweating and ready to collapse from the anticipation.  When people would say something critical about my work it was tough.  But, the absolute worst was when the teacher would ask for opinions and the room would fall silent!  I'm telling you, I would rather a person say it was the worst piece of junk they ever saw, than to say nothing.  Saying nothing, to me, said that they didn't care.  The piece had no effect on them.  It didn't make them feel... anything... think...anything.  They didn't care enough to even give me some constructive criticism.  Ouch.

So, when Lisa over at Boondock Ramblings, asked me to show some of the art from my art school days, I cringed.  Did I really want to open myself up to that?  What if I show my work and I only get one or two comments?  I'm not sure my ego can take it, people!  But, this Paint With Me thing IS a challenge, and what's a challenge without...well... challenging yourself a bit?  So, please, say whatever you want to say.  Be brutal.  Be honest.  Just say SOMETHING, okay?  (I'm talking to you people who never comment, too.  If you don't know me, you can be even more honest.  I don't know where you live!  If you don't want to leave a comment, email me.  I'm declaring this National De-Lurking Day).

(Heather, I did do something artistic this week also, but I'll save that until next week. I can only take so much! Didn't want you to think I cheated!)