Art in the Afternoon

Lately, my studio and art class and I have been stealing away in the afternoons and making art anywhere but in the classroom. There's nothing like the autumn afternoon light in Ojai for inspiration, pouring in through the coffee shop windows, filtering through high up leaves.

First Day of Summer (vacation)

It's official. The summer holiday has begun.

Last Day of School

I spotted this tiny tree climber last night at graduation. This is what Oak Grove kidlets look like at high school commencement — no stuffy miniature suits or bored fidgety faces.

And this is what our keynote speeches look like, all glowing green leaves and in-your-face June sunshine.


By tomorrow the campus will be too quiet.

They baked a cake!

Yesterday was our last day of studio art class for the year. It's  bittersweet, though maybe a little on the sweeter side this time because of a most amazing cake made by two of our students. A delicious ending.

sunshine and screen printing

For the first 2 weeks of this Oak Grove semester, a couple of us teachers and a small group of students spent our afternoons screen printing.

The students got so into their designs, took so much time and care.

And the results were amazing. It was so fun. I didn't want it to end.

Here are some of the gals on a much deserved coffee break after hours of art making.

daily grind

It's my first week back to classes after almost 3 whole weeks of vacation from teaching. While I never get tired of being on holiday, it's always a pleasure to work with my students again and remember how cool my job is.

Halloween Cuties

Since Halloween fell on a Sunday last year, I didn't get to see all the little cuties in their costumes at school.

But this year I had a perfect seat for the Oak Grove All Hallow's parade.

Classes Have Finally Started

After days and days of cleaning and organizing the art room, classes have finally started.





I'm getting to know all kinds of new students, and hanging out with some of last years art stars as well.





It's pretty awesome.

cyanotypes

Lately I've baking in the Ojai sun with matilija poppies and blue green chemistry. Think I'm falling in love again.


Hope this weekend finds you doing something that makes your heart swell and burst.

prom pics

I almost forgot to tell you... Mr. C and I were chaperones at the Oak Grove high school prom.

I was the photographer and was lucky to get these test shots with Ian as my model. Sadly, I didn't get any pics of me in my sequined frock....

So I had to shoot myself in our bathroom mirror at home.

stu stu studio

Today was our last Oak Grove Studio Art class for the year. I can't believe school's almost out for summer. I'm getting all sappy and sad thinking of the students who are leaving.

Monday Meditations

It was my first day back to work after a glorious Spring Break. I can't say I was glad to be up with the sun...

... but everything else was lovely. Our campus is in bloom and the air is thick with bees and Spring Fever.

Hope your week started with sweet smells and sunshine.

Awesome Art update

The Awesome Art opening reception was tonight. After all the anticipation and preparations, I was too sick to attend. I did get some good feedback about the event though and about the work of our Oak Grove Students. I heard it was, in fact, awesome.

Above are some photos from our student curated print show. It's up right now in the Staircase Gallery (on the way to the second floor of our art building).

Our Own American Gothic

Oh this crazy life has had me running this way and that for the last few weeks. Between all that's been going on at our home and my new job, I haven't been taking the time to bake or blog. Finally, the dust seems to be settling a bit.

My new gig is at Oak Grove, this amazing little school in Ojai. It's actually my alma mater and it's such a strange and satisfying feeling to be coming back to this place I know so well, this time as the new high school art teacher. It's sort of like a dream.

After weeks of meetings, gatherings, workshops and orientations, classes are well on their way and creativity is in full effect. Yesterday, the students and I collaborated to make our own version of American Gothic. We each drew a small part of the piece and as we finished we put them on the wall to recreate the painting.

The absolute best part of my week was seeing these wide eyed high school artists realize what they had made together. By the time all the pieces were up, everyone was gazing and admiring, snapping photos on their phones and patting each other on the back. So flippin' cool.