The Wood Block Project



The wood block project was touched on in an earlier post, but it is a project that I came up with using materials that Angie and myself came across while cleaning out the closet. They started out as hardwood flooring samples. Next i used white gesso to cover the samples and prep them for the students to paint on. I began by painting the block that will be in the middle of the finished project with the COLORS logo. I also painted a few example pieces for the students to get ideas from. On Monday, the students from the Boys and Girls Club were asked to pick a wood block and paint what COLORS makes them feel. The students did a fabulous job and I was able to get a variety of subjects and colors. Once the paint was dry, I took the blocks outside and sprayed them with a clear glaze so that the paint would not chip. Next I secured the blocks to a piece of plywood and attached the frame.

 the wood flooring samples before I applied the gesso.
This is a similar arrangement to the finished product.



 the students lining up their finished blocks.



The Studio

             Below is a view of the studio. Many adults don't get the opportunity to view the studio in depth if they get a chance to see it at all. The studio space is about the size of an average classroom. What is not shown in the photograph is the many cabinets behind me. There is an adequate amount of storage space for the materials we use.  You can see in the right hand corner the greenware and bisqueware (for those who aren't familiar with ceramics that means just made/not fired, and fired and ready to paint/glaze) shelves as well as the drying rack for wet paintings. The dark brown tables are used for painting and drawing and the lighter table is used for clay. They are separated like that for various reasons, the main being that the clay table has a special table top made to not dry out the clay and for easy clean-up.     
               I love that there is artwork everywhere. It is on the cabinets, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. The kids can look around them at any time for inspiration and anyone who walks in can see what the students here create.If the kids ever have a hard time getting ispired to start a piece, they can look around the studio, view one of the many books and magazines, or they can look outside the large windows. The view from the studio looks out at many buildings including the BB&T building and the First Baptist Church. On warm days, the students can also take turns in small groups and go out to the courtyard that connects the CCC and SAM. There they can draw anything from plants to people walking by, to the restaurant across the street. The studio is a very colorful workspace, that allows children to come in and have artistic freedom!      


the color wheel hanging from the ceiling of the studio

(a small color wheel for students to use while working is
 attached by the sting you see going out of the frame and
hangs about 6 inches from the table top for easy use.)





student work hanging over the front office of the ballet studios

Student, Zara, with Instructor, Toddrick, and his work

Old Photos!

When cleaning out the closet, we came across these old photos and I wanted to share. The children and artist in these photographs are so inspiring. They all look so incredibly happy to be creating!



a young boy enjoys chalk drawing on the sidewalks of downtown.



two COLORS students stop drawing and painting for a quick picture!



students and instructors work on a mural downtown.

 

this mural is on the corner of East Main Street where
the restaurant Limeleaf now stands.



Current Exhibitions at SAM

"1881-1949" by Will Henry Stevens

March 8th- May 7th

Stevens was born in Vevay, Indiana in 1881. He began studying painting at the Cincinnati Art Academy and the Art Students' League in NYC. In 1921, he moved to New Orleans and became an art professor at Sophie Newcombe College (now part of Tulane University). Stevens spent his winter and summer vacations studying various landscapes. His paintings of these landscapes are featured in this exhibition. Stevens died in 1949 after returning to his home in Vevay.



"A Southern Perspective" by West Fraiser

March 8th- May 7th

American artist, West Fraiser, has built his career on richly painted, atmospheric cities, coast and landscapes. He has focused on many islands off the coasts on South Carolina and Georgia. Many of his paintings also feature international locations from his travels. He has studied many places including Tuscany, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, and Scandinavia. This particular exhibition explores his paintings of Southern rolling hills, mountains, marshlands, forests, and sea islands.

all information and credits from http://spartanburgartmuseum.org/Exhibitions/Calendar/2011.htm#fraser