Sumi-e Workshop

We met the Four Gentlemen and spent the Four Treasures at today's Hands on Workshop on sumi-e, a Japanese ink-painting tradition, presented by Erika Snow Robinson (who also wants you to come see her perform with the Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra--information here).   Don't forget to check out the South Bay Hands on Art board at Pinterest, for many more examples of sumi-e art.

Here are some photos from Thursday's workshop:

Meanwhile, in Reaching Out...

Many of you will know that "Reaching Out" is the South Bay Hands on Art program that brings projects to schools in Compton and Lennox.  The projects are usually from previous years, because they use materials we've already purchased, and they rely on the previous training of docents, who have already attended the workshops on those projects.  Volunteering for Reaching Out is great community work, but it's also fun because you get to revisit past projects one more time.

Recently, Reaching Out took last year's "Tumbling Tiles" to Compton.  Here's what Stefani Conniff writes:

The kids, though first apprehensive, loved the project once they understood the fun of tumbling the tiles.

At the end, I had them create a big puzzle or maze, combining all their design. I had them explore all the different possibilities of creating new designs.

So, the entire class (5th grade) got involved and they created their Compton.
They called out rivers, lakes, schools, playgrounds and there was a lot of pride in their work.

And here are some pictures of their work.  Thanks for sharing, Steffi! 

Resource Links for Hannah Frank Project

YaVanna Baird's scratchboard nightscape

There are a couple dozen photos from the Hannah Frank docent training workshops here. 

For more information about Hannah Frank, including books, cards, and prints for sale, go to the official website here. 

Looking for the slideshow from today's presentation?  It's here, in PDF format. 

Want more materials like we used in the workshop, for your own projects?

This is the scratchboard we used in the project.

Here's the 7-piece tool set I showed most of the tables.  Here's the four-tool set that the Hands on Art program purchased for the schools.

Some general resources on the Art Nouveau:
National Gallery of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Europa 1900 (about the "Glasgow style" Art Nouveau)

I also found this pinboard dedicated to the Glasgow style, on Pinterest.

Oh, Ocelli!

Today South Bay Hands on Art kicked off its 2012-13 season of six projects with "Proud as a Peacock" by Lee-Jean Lin.  If you're in the Thursday workshop group, you already know it's a fun, colorful project with unique materials.  If you're in the Friday workshop group, you'll find out tomorrow!  Today's brunch was provided by Adams Middle School, with helpful signage to take the  "Is this vegetarian? vegan?" guesswork out of the buffet.  Good thinking!  And now, some photos from the workshop:

Year-End Brunch Report

In case you missed the year-end brunch for South Bay Hands on Art...

Part of the delicious brunch spread

We ate very well (as usual).  Sweet little thank you gifts were exchanged--the school chairs never cease to amaze with their clever packaging and generosity.  And, the projects selected for next year were revealed.  Here's the line-up (subject, as always, to change):

Scottish Nights

based on Art Nouveau illustrations of Hannah Frank

Penny Richards

Proud as a Peacock

based on James McNeill Whistler's Peacock Room
Lee-Jean Lin

Painting a Sumi-E Poem

based on traditional Japanese brushwork
Erika Snow Robinson

Good Things in Life

based on contemporary Brazilian artist Romero Britto
Marcie Heaslet

Picasso's View

based on Picasso's "The Doves" (1957) and similar works
Marianne Coble

Fanta-sea Reefscape

based on the colors and shapes of a tropical coral reef
Marianne Coble