Sep 22, 2010

Garden Stairwell

 

These pictures start at the bottom of the stairwell and progress upwards.  Above: looking at the entrance/exit. 


 


 

Round the corner...

er
 

  

 

Below: view from the second landing down.

 

Bird house on the second landing:

 

Second landing:

 

 

 

Up the second flight of stairs:

 

 

 

Third landing:

 

 

 

 

I loved working at Womanspace.  The staff was caring, kind, and incredibly friendly.  Their heart for the place was evident in their attitudes as well as in their aesthetic treatment of the place.  It was a pleasure to work with them, and I look forward to hopefully returning and painting with the kids there.

Sep 17, 2010

Womanspace... Kids Playroom

For the past two days I have been painting a wall in the children's playroom of Womanspace.  The directors of the shelter were innovative in their requests: a peace sign surrounded by hands holding hands.  I liked the imagery and ran with it, adding vibrant colors, a playful sun, doves, dolphins, and flowers. 



Next I tackle the three story stairwell...

Sep 8, 2010

Coloring in Tents

After gathering together one to two hundred kids from the tent city, the WRC team led an afternoon of activities in the big church tent.  We sang songs, put on a skit, and played games.  I decided to bring paper and crayons for those who might want to color too.  The response was enormous.  Nearly everyone wanted to draw, including many adults.  


To my surprise, everyone came and handed their work to me (or one of the other volunteers) when they had finished.  I tried to explain they could keep their work, but they insisted on handing it in.  They were gifting the art back to me.  Their desire to create and then to give the beautiful objects away they had just made overwhelmed me in its generosity.  I have and treasure almost all of the three hundred drawings created.

The subject matter of the drawings varied, but common themes included hearts, houses, flowers, trucks (every little boy drew one), and plants.  Despite the suffering and the difficulties these people have experienced, beauty and hopeful words such as "God is good", "God loves you", "transcended the pieces.  Here are a few samples:
















Thank you to the Haitian artists who made these!  I hope to make a series of paintings based off the shapes, colors, and themes presented in these drawings to raise awareness about Haiti.

Another view of the tent:

Art Break

I returned to Henry Street today to paint with some of the seniors.  Together, six of us sat down and put some paint on canvas.  




Margaret decided she wanted to keep my painting...


Margaret's painting and mine side by side...

Little Artist

With each mural project I complete, I make sure to share the opportunity to paint with those interested.  Below my little assistance (unfortunately for privacy reasons I had to crop out his adorably cute face) has begun his masterpiece entitled "Monsters".  He wanted these creatures added the mural next to the rainbow -- a request that his superiors had to regretfully turn down.  You'll notice the energy of his lines and vigorous sense of rhythm that will surely develop as he cultivates his talent.