thinking about patterns

rusty iron things make cool patterns

so do stacked stones and arched bricks

there is amazing inspiration all around if you look close enough

journey 2013

Looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead... and seeing old things in new ways.  Happy New Year!

final touches

My shopping is done.  Just finishing up a couple of projects this week.  Thanks Northern Granville Middle School! 

saturday afternoon

Firebird popup on collage board

collaboration introduction

Diamond quiet, shyly cutting

twin birthdays plus or minus one

overlapping initials DJB

mentorship begun

fitting it all in

This time of year is always so crazy busy.  It starts just before Thanksgiving and then in a whirlwind of rushing around, the holidays are over and I usually feel let down, and winter blahs find a very easy target.  It is mainly my own doing.  Patterns of behavior and personal stress quirks become illuminated and magnified with every LED twinkle light.  Trying to fit it all in is exhausting.

This Fall I've had the great pleasure to be involved with Communities in Schools of Orange County.  I am finishing up a 12 session residency with a Middle School after school program.  CIS facilitates opportunities for kids to have additional educational opportunities and resources via this casual learning environment, plus they get a nutritious snack, and some supervised afterschool TLC.

Besides creating a  mosaic artwork I have incorporated as much as I possibly could into these 12 sessions; world cultures/history, literature, math, science, computer skills, working with tools, brainstorming and planning, working individually and collaboratively, creative thinking/play with recycled and non/traditional materials, hands on art activities, and photography.  There have been a few challenges, not all students come to all sessions, the time is condensed due to their bus schedules, and several of the students do not speak English.  I have learned so much from these kids.  I'm so glad I took the time to fit it in.

not quite turkey

Thanksgiving week residency,"tessellating falcons".  Tessellations are shapes that fit together without any gaps, and can continue to infinity.  In nature, the perfect tessellation is a bee's honeycomb design.  A checkerboard pattern is the most simple... repeating squares in rows and columns.  The abstract shapes above represent soaring "falcons", middle school mascot. Did you notice the white falcons too??  Sections were created by 175 8th graders, panel is awaiting installation, then I'll go back to finish/grout, hopefully this week.  Maroon and gold are their school colors.

happy mosaic makers

Hardworking, happy, smiling, focused, awesome mosaic makers... just how I like it!