Rothko Remix Presented by Robin Sarner



For our last workshop of the school year 2015-16 we looked at the color fields of Mark Rothko presented by Robin Sarner. 

We discussed the artist's technique and the relationship between color and emotions.  To create the artwork docents mixed color pastels in layers to produce unique color combinations in a similar way Rothko would have used layers of oil color.

Brunch was provided by Parras, Tulita, Tuvia and RCC and our chair Erika Snow Robinson shared her amazing artwork with us.



Giants of the Earth: California Sequoias Presented by Lee-Jean Lin

This month Lee-Jean Lin introduced us to John Muir, a very important conservationist born in April 1838, who is considered the 'father' of our National Parks.  During a new industrial age John Muir was an outspoken champion for the natural world.

During this workshop Lee-Jean explained point-of-view and perspective which can be clearly seen to have an important role in the composition of the finished artwork.  The Sequoias were then brought to life with watercolor and acrylic paint.

Brunch was creatively presented among a forest of Sequoias by Madison, St James and RUHS.

The vendor was Karen Miller Johnson who displayed her nature inspired artwork.

 

 

South Bay Hands on Art Fundraiser: Uncork Your Creativity

The 2015-2016 South Bay Hands on Art fundraiser took place on Saturday February 27.  Thank you to the program chairs, Erika and Gina and all the SBHOA committee who all worked tirelessly to make this a fun evening.  And also a huge thank you to the very generous donations from local artists who helped to make the event a success.

Each year we have one main chance to fundraise for Hands on Art.  All the monies raised goes towards keeping project costs down which is essential for schools that receive minimal PTA funding.  It also supports 'Reaching Out' which takes art into schools in the Compton and Inglewood areas where they have no PTA support at all.  Without Hands on Art these schools would have no scheduled art lessons on the syllabus. 

Gina, Erika and all the SBHOA committee would like to thank everyone who supports and donates to this program.

Pop Art Pets Presented by Stephanie Kohler

The cafeteria was alive with vibrant color as Stephanie walked us through the process to create our colorful pets using foam plates and vivid printing inks.

Not only was it a fun project with great results I love how the Andy Warhol inspired project linked us back to our previous project as Warhol and Basquiat were good friends.  Big shout out to the Design Team for putting together a well thought out schedule.

Thank you to Stephanie for a great project.  I never knew Andy Warhol was a pet lover!

Thank you to Jefferson and Lincoln for the Pop Art inspired brunch and Saskia Garel for sharing her creativity with us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boom for Real - Presented by Marianne Coble

What a great start to 2016!

This month South Bay Hands on Art students will be inspired by the controversial
 artist Jean Michel Basquiat (Born: 1960 Died: 1988).  After an introduction to the 80s artist who is famed for, among other things, for being Andy Warhol's friend and Madonna's boyfriend, students create a portrait of the artist by using layering techniques with a wide variety of medium such as acrylic paint, oil pastels, gel pens, pencil, gesso and spray paint. 

This is a fast, energetic way of creating art which intends to capture emotion rather than creating realistic looking artwork.  Words, symbols, colors, scribbles, splashes and drips converge on the paper to create a snapshot of the artists' current emotions.  Does it sound complicated?  Well, maybe if you over think it.  The workshop was lively and fun and the docents produced some great artwork.

Why was Basquiat controversial?  Some people didn't think his work was 'art'.  Many 'old school' art critics had a hard time understanding neo-expressionism and it's rough handling of materials, but Basquiat cultivated a fan base that included musicians and celebrities who appreciated his personal and expressive works.  Basquiat achieved fame at an early age and was one of the first young artists to cross over from his graffiti roots to high-end galleries. 

Mrs. Whaley's 4th grade, Tulita students were excited by the wide range of medium available to them during the lesson took very little encouragement to start experimenting.  A few students found it difficult to create layers especially when it involved painting over or covering up words or symbols that they really liked, but the end results were, fresh, fun and exciting.  This project really opened us all up to a different way of creating. 

Thank you Marianne Coble for a great project.

Also a huge 'THANK YOU' to the Beryl docents for the wonderful brunch spread - we really appreciated the variety of hot items and vegetarian too!

Another thank you goes to Sonia Carratala of Kandlegirl Studio (Candles with Drama) and Victoria Pitzele who shared their beautiful handmade candles and fairy light bottles with us. 

Did your students enjoy the project?  Share your experience in the comments below and post photos and comments on our Facebook page.