Student comments about residency

"Before, I didn't really like using watercolors because it was difficult for me. Ms. Murphy taught me brush strokes and color blending to make it easier. I actually like how my painting is turning out so far."

"likes to do animal and nature pieces and interesting to find out their spiritual meanings."

..." Ms. Murphy allowed us to be free with what we wanted for our projects, yet helped us with it along the way...."

" I LOVED the program. My favorite thing was the free range in the medium.....Ms. Murphy gave us plenty of tips, but never forced her ideas on my project. She was very encouraging and creative."

" She helped me take my painting to another level...."

" I enjoyed thinking and learning about symbolism. It was my favorite because I really didn't know about it."

Laurel Highlands Residency

Laurel Highlands High School is located in the Uniontown, PA area. Mike DeFazio is the art teacher at the school and after a summer of clean up and organization, has a great teaching space for his eager art students.





In a typical 10 day residency, I introduce myself and my work on the first day and work on meeting the students. This is my 7th year working with Mike although in the past I have taught with him in the elementary schools. My first year working with Mike, he was the only art teacher for 5 elementary schools. Talk about Art on a Cart!




Mike’s professional ability is his work as a painter and I got a chance to see some of his wire sculpture pieces. His range of talent is such a huge asset for the high school. All this plus the fact that the students love working with him is just another sign of a truly great “teacher”. Before school, during lunch and after school, his art room is Never empty of students who want to continue enjoying the art that is offered by Mike.


This year’s residency project involved the students in learning some basics about watercolor, composition and the use of symbolism to create their own piece. One of my favorite books called “Animal Speak” by Ted Andrews has been a helpful introduction to animal, insect, bird, flower and tree imagery. Students were asked to come up with 3-4 adjectives to describe themselves and these words were then translated into related symbolic images. Most difficult for the high school students were coming up with 3-4 Positive words to describe them. The end result is a type of Portrait, not of what they look like on the outside, but who they are on the inside.

Works by the students progressed very well in the 10 days. Using little tricks like Saran Wrap and Kosher salt to create water areas or texture is always a fun way to spice up a watercolor. Basically, I encouraged students to come up with a good rough draft, transferred it to watercolor paper and then had them start with light washes. Watercolor is a transparent medium so creation of color can come from layering color on top of each other. Some students inked in their designs while others used pencil to complete their pieces.

Also involved in this residency was the initiation of a large wall mural in Mrs. Savini’s room. She teaches hospitality and business and delighted in our creation of a beach scene with palm trees and water. The girls in this class were quiet and wonderful to work with on this project. Although it was not completed by the time I left, we did get a great start for the class room. In the process, the girls were commissioned to continue with their mural painting ability for several other class rooms.

The student body at this school were exceptional in their welcome to me. I will be delighted to return next year and continue another great teaching experience.

Sale Ends Saturday!

These are the last days of our February sale! Make sure you check these items out! Take advantage of the sale before it ends!

Metal:

Peace Angel

Believe In Angels

Joy In The Stars Angel


Watercolors:

Mermaid Turtle Watercolor

Seahorse And Fish

Woman With Water Horses

Rabbit Moon

Jonah Whale

Mermaid Swimming With Sea Turtles

Noah's Animals Are Resting

Back in West Palm Beach

We had a wonderful time for the three days we spent on Pine Island in the community of Matlacha! What could be more entertaining than to watch dolphins and manatees swim by the dock both morning and evening. Kelly fished avidly and we laughed at the size of the baby fish she kept hauling out of the water.

I did very well at Julia's Arts and happily sold a half dozen pieces and will be making more pieces to send to her when I get back in PA....watch for more photos coming to the site!

More from Florida!

To claim the weather here in Florida is better than in Pennsylvania is a gross understatement! Every day here has been partly sunny with rising temperatures each day. It is amazing how a little sunshine can lighten the spirit.

Speaking of spirit, I am headed over to the West Coast of Florida with my mom and sister for the show at Julia's Arts located on charming Pine Island. I had sent numerous pieces down earlier in January so will be excited to see what has sold and also to finally meet the owner of the gallery. We will be staying at the Bridgewater Inn which is actually a hotel on a floating dock. My favorite part is watching the manatees and dolphins in the early morning and evening.

I will be meeting people etc. all day Friday and then dancing to live Reggae music and visiting the other art galleries. I have brought my paints too, so hope to get some visual impressions down on paper.

Ciao!

Attention Floridians! Don't miss it!

Come join me at Julia's Arts in Matlacha, Florida! I will be there Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th! Come and have a great time! Be sure to introduce yourself, I love meeting fellow artists and art lovers!

Here are the details....

Florida's Creative Coast Weekend

Friday, February 13th, 2009

"Aqueous Transmissions"
Opening Reception: 2 pm to 9 pm

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Second Annual "Pine Island Plein-Air"
at Julia's Arts
Artists Demonstrations - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Come Show Your "Love" of Art !

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

The Sponges are Thirsty!

Okay, here is an expression via Mr. King that I absolutely love! Some days in a residency you find that the students are particularly needy of your attention....nothing wrong with that, but the expression....THE SPONGES ARE THIRSTY is a great way to explain that.



Anyway, we are on day 8 and experimenting with various watercolor techniques and some fun and always successful paper weaving of their paintings. I think this little exercise is very free and an activity where failure is never an option. I had collected a bunch of mat board last year and we mounted some finished pieces on mat board to give a better look for the artwork.



This year's residency has been full of bad weather but never bad attitudes. We started with 24 students and finished with 22 students. Usually the numbers drop by half so I am pleased so many remained for the 10 days. Several students were working on art portfolio's for applications for art school. Mr. King and I gave extra advice and help to those students. All in all, this was a great group with some really wonderful pieces to show for their hard work. Thanks as always to the Altoona School District for providing another wonderful After School Arts Program:)