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| A letter slipped to me by a group of students the last day of class. |
A surprise
Author Archives: swartstudio
Look who came to visit!
I’m working as both teacher and co teen program coordinator, but that’s not to say I stepped away from the elementary age students. Today I hosted a guest speaking event with Wonder Woman who spoke on being a real-life hero. My friend, Maggie, rocked as the Amazon Princess.
Here she is signing autographs for a group of 1st graders and preparing for a short video interview.
Lastest project
Really Saying Something, Bananarama, 1982
I was a last minute addition to the summer faculty of the New Art Center and I couldn’t be more thrilled! This video inspired my latest project for my students and they have been hard a work at reinventing the video for a slightly more modern audience, but without loosing any of the camp feel. I have two classes that have reinterpreted the song by creating story boards, props, and choreography. I can’t wait to post the final edits of the videos!
Bop bop soo-be-do-wa!
Oh! And we’re also working on expressive self portraits and preparing a special week long summer show —
Some Exciting News To Share!
The New Art Center has extended its summer programming for teens and with my involvement we’re pleased to announce a series of educational and fun field trips to shake up the typical summer experience. NAC just released an update on its website with all the exciting details!
Latest work
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| “severe tranquility abstract”, diptych, mixed media, 2011-12 |
This poor painting just gets no love. Originally it was commissioned by a friend of a friend for her Cape house. She was determined to display something completely modern and I was eager to create something purely abstract. After several preliminary sketches, we seemed to find a happy medium. As with most clients I ask for half the fee up front, and the remaining upon delivery. The latter never happened and I’ve kept the painting in my possession for several months.
Every once and awhile I would add or take away, slowly modifying it. Then, just recently, I was offered a part in special one night show. I dusted this off, tweaked it a little and was preparing to have this sent to the gallery. Then last minute, well almost last minute, I checked the fine print of the contract before signing and realized that the venue was not something that would benefit my career as an artist. It looks like this painting will have to go back in storage another few months until I find the right time to have it on display.
Bridges!
I was pleased to wrap up the spring semester with a fun “contest” as my fourth graders built bridges designed to support the weight of the classroom boombox. Following a short lecture on the logistics of man-made bridges students were only allowed to use white sheets of paper, scissors, and masking tape. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves!
New classes for the fall!
I’ve signed on to teach three more classes for the fall semester for the New Art Center, just outside Boston. Registration for these classes beginning in mid-late September is now open, click on the class title to register online!
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| Jann of the Jungle #16, 1957 |
Graphic Novel & Manga Exploration, Grades 6-9, Mondays:
Explore the subject of the graphic novel with comic books and manga by delving into the history of the medium and its influences on animation, anime, music, and film. Students will create their own graphic novel with focus on story structure and pencil and ink art. Sketchbook required.
Graffiti Art, Grades 6-9, Mondays:
In this class, the history and perceptions of graffiti will be used as inspiration for nique works of art completed with a variety of materials such as chalk, paint, colored pencils, and oil pastels. Students will create a final class collaborative piece for display at the New Art Center. A perfect class for budding artists who like to work BIG. Sketchbook required.
Architects’ Building Studio, Grades 2-4, Wednesdays:
Bring your ideas to life in this fun class that moves from 2D into 3D. Using architecture and the built environment as our theme, students will develop their ideas in drawings, and then use their drawings as a basis for creating 3D models and sculptures. If you can imagine a world underwater, or a city of treehouses, this class is for you!
I’ll post more announcements for future classes and events as the summer progresses!
Work In Progress
Two months ago in my personal blog I blogged about a painting I had begun and since that time I’ve continued working on it on odds days off or when time allows. Hopefully the summer will afford me greater opportunities to work on my art. To date I have three paintings uncompleted. I would like to see at least two finished before the end of August.
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| “Buddha Glam” work in progress |
More student work!
I’m proud of the work my students Grades 6 & 7 have done in the last few weeks. I can’t help but show it off!
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| Etchings and prints of individual hands. April 2012 |
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| Some students are really into the mechanics of the final major project of the semester. |
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| Skeleton hands made of sticks and wire. May 2012 |
April was Architecture Month!
April became the unofficial month for architecture in my classes Grades 1-4. I hadn’t planned this exactly, rather each class ended or began at a specific time when architecture would be the theme of the next project. While students and I discussed the influence of classical architecture of Greek and Roman designs on modern day works of art, we couldn’t help but use our imaginations and take our ideas of the future to paper. My 4th graders are still working on 3D designs based on their blue prints.
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| 4th Grade “blue prints” |
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| 1st Grade pop out houses. Exterior w/ interior. |
SWart Studio 