technology, math, art, and selfies

I've been doing some afterschool sessions with the Communities In Schools Of Orange County, and this week made some great connections with Middle School students in regards to technology, math, and art. 

Lately I've had many students mention that mosaics are like a popular game called Minecraft.  It's basically a 3d game in worlds built with cubes.  For old timers, think square legos that can be animated.  For some students, this connection to their technology experiences, helps everything click together (literally).  This student was not particularly engaged until we hit upon the things that he likes, basketball and Minecraft.

 

He first planned his designs on graph paper, to help with scale, but preferred to access his laptop to recreate Lebron James and Kevin Durant (NBA players).  This middle school is a 1-1 laptop school, and students are used to most of their lessons on the computer.  When the students were finished, I handed them my digital camera (and many of them took their own phone photos) to let them document their own work.

*** Important programming note, when you hand your camera to 13 yr olds, expect some hilarious selfies...

oh yes, I do commissions too

 

Reminding myself that I do private commissions too....  I've been working with a Chapel Hill client who is in the middle of a kitchen remodel.  Planning to do their focal wall backsplash too... but need to finalize the construction measurements first.  This is the kitchen island front, which is open to the living room/dining room area.  Funky colors and organic flowing design will bring this great space some energy and zest....

 Overview in my studio, before face mounting tape, cutting/labeling sections, and delivering to contractor.  Can't wait to see this installed!  Let me know if you're planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel and would like some custom tile work!  This mosaic has unglazed porcelain, and recycled glass tile.

value of process

 

Many of the mosaic residencies that I facilitate focus on the end product, translation: what it will look like up on the wall.  I get that because often it's a permanent installation and more costly than the average paper or paint project.  And, I do love when a gorgeous visual concept comes to life in mosaic.....

 

However, there's much to be said about the value of the process of creating, without the pressure of resulting in the ultimate masterpiece.  Expecting anyone doing something for the first time, with new materials and vocabulary, in a one hour class period, to have perfect results is asking a lot.  

The school I was working at this week was gracious in this gift to their 5th graders.

They were allowed to have the freedom to experiment with pattern and color, inspired by Navajo weaving patterns (which will connect with their upcoming social studies curriculum).  They were asked to think about balancing cool and warm color families, and geometric patterning inspired by some printed examples of Navajo design.  Some students worked individually, some with a partner to create 16  samplers of 49 tiles each, so that each of the four classes would have one 2x2' artwork to hang in their hallway as a legacy project for their school.

Thank you Washington Elementary School for embracing the process of creating, enjoy your mosaics!

unveiling

 

Barbieri Elementary School mosaic, Framingham MA.  2014.  Collaboratively designed with original concept by Martha Fuentes, facilitated by Jeannette Brossart, created by 625+ students K-5th grade. 

9' x 5', photo and assistance by Maria Enrique.

"Somos Estudiantes Orgullosos de Barbieri" means "We are proud students of Barbieri", which is part of the school pledge which is recited each day.  The tree is modeled after the Mexican Tree of Life, a ceramic craft tradition, the 4 birds represent the multicultural presence of this community (Bald Eagle/US, Parrot/Carribean, Queztal/Mexico and Central America, and Navarro Pirineo/Spain).  The child is meant to represent "every child", not a boy/girl, not one specific heritage ("skin" tiles are in 5 different shades).  The books represent learning and early education.  The sun stands for Barbieri "CARE" values.

Kindergarten students created the sun.

1st graders created the border letter and pattern blocks

2nd graders created the tree trunk/branches, parts of the sky, and books

3rd graders created the leaves and flowers

4th graders created the birds

5th graders created the child and grass.

collaborating with teachers

One of the really great things about what I do is having the opportunity to collaborate with teachers in order to facilitate a mosaic for their school that is truly meaningful and exciting for that specific community of participants.  For the Boston (Framingham) residency, I had the great fortune of being discovered by art teacher, Maria Enrique, who then was my primary faculty contact as well as daily staff support.  She is an enthusiastic teacher and creative person, and was a pleasure to communicate and work with.  She was able to coordinate concept and sketch ideas (thank you 2nd grade teacher, Martha Fuentes for your fabulous designs), keep up with my emails and distribute information as needed, receive materials ahead of the residency, and coordinate every class schedule to have time with me in her classroom for 2 weeks, whew.

 

She had trust and faith in me that I knew what I was doing, and could actually facilitate this vision.  I was happy to be able to show her some of the process like using the tile tape and spreading mastic, and she was on hand to help with cutting out patterns, tile tape, and talk through each group of participants and the groups she thought would work best together (classroom management).  

Other faculty, parents, and staff (thank you maintenance dept!), were also instrumental in ensuring that I had everything I needed and that each day went smoothly.  The administration team came to many of the sessions, and were able to understand and experience how their students were able to create this mosaic together.

This is truly a collaborative process, and I am grateful to this sharing and welcoming community!

 

pattern piecing

Working mosaics with very young children requires small groups, patience, and some control.  Sticking with simple colors and shapes keeps it from being overwhelming and ending up like tossing a bunch of colorful confetti up in the air and waiting for it to land.  Directional lines help participants understand the flow or "andamento" of the design.

Portioning out a large work so that the classes working on the last day have the same opportunity as the first day is very tricky.  Sometimes adding an extra element (like a specific number of leaves on a tree, or flowers) enables this to work out more smoothly with a specific number of students/classes.  Giving them some creative choices within the structure is important.

 

As the participants age/skills increase, they are able to use a larger variety of colors, shapes, and more complex use of color like gradation and shading.

Boston Beginning

Ten days ago on a frigid, snowy Saturday, I flew into Boston Logan airport and made my way West on Mass Turnpike to the city of Framingham MA to begin a two week mosaic residency.  The project had been long in the planning, and many preparations had been made.  I arranged to meet some of the school faculty and Cultural Arts representatives on Sunday at the school to be sure everything was in order and ready to begin with children on Monday morning.  625+ children (K-5th grades).

Getting the design transferred to the (3) cement board panels, and holes pre-drilled was one of the first steps, as well as double checking and organizing the glass tiles.  I took multiple square feet of many colors back to the hotel to nip that evening and for the next 5 evenings.