Woodcarving Workshop

The Woodcarving Workshop concluded as the success I only hoped for (see March 8 post). As classical music played in the background there were times when you could have heard a pin drop as everyone focused on creating. Each student (including me) took home a walking stick on which they had carved a male wood spirit & the head of a bear. Each walking stick was finished with a coat of wax and given a rubber tip on the bottom. Can you tell I was very pleased?

Photos are examples of instructor, Tom Cannon's work.

Sign Sunday

Well, surprise, surprise! Two of my ceramic masks sold. Good news/bad news; I had committed to put them in another show. I need to make more. Actually the thought crossed my mind to challenge myself to make one a day for a month. Something to think about.

Chiarocuro

Chiarocuro= black & white & tones of gray. This technique produced by low-key lighting emphaized the drama of this classic story.

Cinematographer, Greg Toland was not nominated for the Oscar.

Black & White

An opportunity I couldn't refuse! The local theatre was holding a special showing of The Grapes of Wrath as part of a Dust Bowl Symposium. For the admission price of 35 cents a crowd of people got to see this great classic on the big screen, well modified big screen. I went specifically for the black & white. I was a little concerned that a colorized version might be offered (I hope a colorized version was not produced). Part of the drama, pathos, emotion of this film is only enhanced by the stark black & white. The shadows on the "dead" earth, the candle light and moon light on faces helps to set the mood of many of the important scenes. Director John Ford certainly used black & white film to his advantage to tell this moving story. I still have some research to do to find the cinematographer.

Really Sad

I was visiting with " Tony" recently, who works at a gallery that I frequent, and she shared her sad art tale with me. When she was in art class in Jr. High an art teacher was critical of her work and told her she wasn't the least bit creative. Shame, shame on that teacher! Art is objective. That teacher did not have the right to judge the art of any of her students by her own likes or dislikes; her job was to grade on how well they followed the assignment. Her job was also to encourage. Sounds like this teacher was laking in artistic bedside manner. She was probably insecure with her own art work, and countered it by finding fault with the art of others. "Tony" is not the first person I've met whose creative pursuits suffered because of a critical art teacher. Thank goodness there are many, many good art teachers; encouraging, educating, inspiring, talented students to pursue their passion for art.