Observe

As I have previously stated, my personal artwork exists somewhere in the middle ground between fiber and painting.  I mostly dye fabrics using natural materials in my kitchen and sew them to paper, which I have either made or bought for painting purposes.  Mixed media might be a better way to define it.  As far as my creative process goes, I can often vary between extremes depending on the day and my mood.  Under normal circumstances, I like to work during the afternoon or evening, but never too early or late, as I get sleepy.  I almost always listen to music--but always from my computer (and never too loud) so I can hear other things that are happening around me, from the whirring of my sewing machine or my kitty sleeping behind me.  I like to be alone in order to minimize my distractions.  I usually don't eat and work, as that can get pretty messy and inconvenient with sewing, but sometimes I'll indulge in a glass of wine (or three) while I work.  My space is almost always neat and organized--a big mess makes me anxious and uncomfortable (plus I can never find anything when it's in a pile).  When I begin a piece of artwork, I almost always start by choosing a color palette that is seeming particularly inspiring to me.  From there I search for fabrics and papers that match my color scheme and go from there.  I have a plan of action before starting, but I never plan down to single details as I feel it really limits my creativity.  I'm interested in the process of moving, from the day I dye my fabrics in the kitchen to the day I sew the final french knot in a piece of paper.  The experience, the tactility of it all is what speaks to me.

App Review: Vine

For this project, I chose an app that I was familiar with as far as function goes, but it is also one that I have not used.  I selected the free app, Vine, which is described by Vine Labs as: "Vine is the best way to see and share life in motion. Create short, beautiful, looping videos in a simple and fun way for your friends and family to see."  Essentially, Vine is an app that allows users to take six second videos that loop when played.  The user is able to stop the video when creating it, so it does not require one long take.  I have seen many Vines before, as a fan of Best Vines on Facebook and an admirer of my partner's humorous videos, but had never created one before.  The app was pretty user friendly for me.  It requires the user to hold a finger on the screen in order to record, and I did find myself pushing the screen and letting go (like taking a picture), which is not the way Vine works, so it took some getting used to at first.  However, one you get past the initial tour of the application, it works well and is easy to interface.  It is similar to most other apps in that you can find and add friends, favorite videos and users, and share your creations to social media.

Vine seems to have countless classroom applications, and I can especially see this being used for stop-motion animation projects in the classroom.  Vine takes away the hassle of having to import still images into computer software because at the lift of a finger, the video stops for you.  The fact that Vine loops would also be great for producing mini stop-motion films.  I could really see kids getting excited about using the app in the classroom.  The only issue I would have with this is that it would require some kind of classroom set of tablets because I don't think it's fair to force students to download an app they may not want on their personal devices.  Overall, Vine is a pretty great tool and there have been some extremely creative and funny products from it.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vine/id592447445?mt=8

https://www.facebook.com/BestOfVines?ref=br_tf

http://mashable.com/2013/06/04/15-twos-company-vines/

EDIT:  I have somehow just realized that I neglected to add on my read and react to this post.  Sorry!  The readings felt a lot like review for me this week, especially the Rosen chapter (however, the Brooks-Young article seemed incredibly outdated).  Both of the textbooks really advocate for seeing the cell phone as a portable computer with infinite possibility as far as the classroom goes.  In all honesty, I feel that I am trying my best to do this in my classroom already, but I know I could do more.  My main concern here is that there seem to be many teachers who have very staunch opinions on cell phone use during class--when what they may not realize is that a student may be looking something up or searching for inspiration.  The question becomes how to motivate teachers with these beliefs to change and start something new.  

Read & React: Rosen Chapter 6

For the most part, the Rosen chapter felt mostly like review for me.  The current generation of students needs something more in the classroom in order to succeed, and including technology can be incredibly beneficial to them.  It was particularly interesting that Rosen mentions video and audio as possible modes for assignments and projects.  I'm fairly inexperienced at making film, but I have liked what I have done and know that students really love it.  This seems to be an easy route for technology inclusion in the art room because nearly any assignment or Big Idea can be somehow transformed into moving images.  I enjoyed that the text mentions how much the iGeneration enjoys writing (mostly about themselves, but not always) on the internet because it's true.  (If kids didn't like to write and communicate, they wouldn't text so damn often!)  However, I didn't like that the text made it seem as though technology has "dumbed down" kids through use of "net speak" and emoticons.  While I do know that using technology sometimes requires an entirely unique vocabulary, students are definitely not stupid and many of them still enjoy traditional writing.

The author also mentions videos on YouTube that seem like wastes of time.  There seems to be a large gap between technology users and people who aren't as familiar with it that creates a misunderstanding about its use.  The greatest part about developing new technology is that it can help us become more creative beings.  While apps like Vine and Snapchat might seem like a waste of time for some, I see them as vessels of possibility for creation.  For example, Snapchat isn't just about taking a picture of what you're doing and sending it to your friend.  There is a great tool on this app where you can use different colored "pens" to draw on the image you take.  I do it all the time, and so do others!  Here's a gallery I found of some great snap art: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97473808@N06/9035173683/.  Another amazing example of creativity within technology is Minecraft.  If you have never played this game, trust me when I say you HAVE to.  You can build ANYTHING you can possibly imaging.  From the Taj Mahal to a hut to a flaming cross, in this game you truly have the power to make it all happen.  Check out some great images here: https://www.google.com/search?q=minecraft+art&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=x8w4Ur73L8GoqQHR4YCwCw&biw=1280&bih=624&sei=ycw4UqK_FofyqQG7n4DACw#hl=en&q=minecraft&tbm=isch&um=1 

While I didn't wholly agree with the entirety of the chapter, I think the main point of this week is how to harness technology as it relates to our content and create projects that are technologically driven for our students.  The art room has so many possibilities for using technology, from camera phones to video to stop-motion animation.  As teachers, it's our job to figure out how we can do this in a way that benefits and creates learning experiences for our kids.

ReMixing Regulation

When I first read the assignment guide for the week, I had no idea how compelling and interesting I would find the materials to look into.  When I was watching the film this morning, I found myself completely and totally absorbed by what I was watching.  The debate on copyright is definitely an interesting and complicated one and both film examples this week did an excellent job of stating their beliefs on the matter.  It all comes down to this: is it possible to own an idea?  Ownership is defined as the state or fact of owning something--but an idea isn't really a "thing".  An idea is a concept, a thought--it isn't a car or an invention or a pet.  You can't own it.  Ideas are meant to spread; to inspire others to innovate and create something based on that idea.  That's the founding principle of creativity.  Both film samples advocate for this principle.  Less law and less guidelines will encourage creativity and innovation, whereas our current state only inhibits our ability to make something new.  I really loved the films and was surprised at how engrossed in them I became.  They are fabulous vessels for discussion in my own mind and in the classroom.  Some questions that came to my mind for possible discussions were:

How many times/ways should something change before it becomes new again?

Is it possible for someone to own an idea?

What determines if something is ownable?

Should all art be free and accessible to everyone?

Does more freedom equal more creativity?

Have you ever violated copyright law?

Are ideas art?

Should inventions/medication be copyrighted to prevent others from developing similar technologies?

What should copyright NOT apply to?

What should copyright apply to?

How do you think copyright laws can be abused?

Bloggy Forecast

I currently use blogging only for my coursework at MU.  I've used it since my undergraduate career in many of the required courses for Art Education.  With that being said, I have a difficult time envisioning myself going further with it in the future.  I am glad to use my blog as a vessel for my writings as I am in school because it allows me to add my own creativity to it, and Blackboard and Lore do not.  I also like that I am able to re-read that which I have written in the past.  However, I don't think that I would ever blog for a personal purpose and I think that today's youth tend to steer more toward social networking, which is what made me decide to create a Twitter account for my classroom.  Blogging may be a good match for some people, but something about it seems off for my personal style.

Artwork Examples

I primarily work in the realm of the fiber arts, however I also love to paint and draw, which sometimes shows up in my work.  I am posting two examples of work from just a few months ago.  Look for the first example at the Boone County Art Show this October!

Below are two examples of student work, one from last year and one from just last week.  I love working with such talented and lovely people.