Recycled Metal Table is Finished!

and the table is finished

So much accomplished at Blacklick High School

As this 20 day residency draws to a close, I am so thrilled to see how much we have accomplished so far.  We have three outstanding murals using huge recycled window blinds.  Each is so unique and since we worked in teams, a really good reflection of each group.  Our mobile projects are progressing really well and again we have refurbished and reused to create some truly well done art projects.  Some have obviously involved some physical strength and to see and hear the students communicate does my heart good.

Today was bring your child to work day, so Eric Hoover's daughter, Page was a welcome addition in our midst.  She created her own batik and left today with a nice art to wear project.  In our fourth period class that is actually a prep, we have gone from 3 students to an average of 11-12 students happily working on their batik designs.  We even have 3 or 4 who are not taking this art class but we welcome them in our midst.  Two young students bought the wrong size shirts (more like child size) and you can see their surprise when they unrolled the shirts.

I am so lucky to do what I love each day.  As I bought coffee today, the sales clerk said have a nice day at work and I grinned back and said, I surely will!  Thanks to the students and Eric for making my stay so enjoyable.

Batik

Table Tales.....New Table designs in the works for Waking Bear Studio

New ideas ore popping into my head for Table Tale designs......very excited and these are so fun to paint!

Batik Mobiles and Recycled painted blinds.....the art room is hopping!

Between the classes we are working on a assortment of upcycled, recycled and refurbished things.  From book mobiles, wood turning mobile and even a shark, the students are busy and working hard.  We have three large scale blind pieces that are nearing completion and have begun a Zen doodle batik sheet that will hang as a large scale quilt piece.  It may look like a madhouse in the art room and yet, we are accomplishing so much!

Progressing along

Three pieces started on the mural blind project at Blacklick High School......slow and steady gets the job done!

New things on the horizon for Waking Bear Studio

Wall Sconces we helped to make....First time I have seen them completed.

And the next residency begins

I am currently working at Black Lick High school located in the booming metropolis of Nanty Glo.  I say that with tongue in cheek as this is a small high school in a small coal mining town.  The school has been going through some major renovation and although clean and bright, a bit lacking in some artwork on the walls.

Initially, Eric Hoover (the art teacher) and I had thought to make some sculpture pieces from some recycled wooden blinds.  However, the wood proved to be too brittle so we changed our concept and are now treating these huge blinds as our canvas areas.  We hope to be able to complete about 5 murals with some recycled elements and sculptural content.

I am also working with the 7th grade students and we are using recycled milk cartons to create some whimsical animal sculptures using tissue paper and eventually paint as part of our mixed media.  The classes are small and ideal for getting alot of work accomplished in this 20 day residency.