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“Artwork of the Month” March 2012
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Our March student Artwork of the Month was created by Ruben Rodriguez during a recent acrylic portrait class with Pamm Hanson, Teaching Artist. We interviewed Ruben about his work. Read below to find out more!
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1. What memorable responses have you had to this painting? My classmates thought it was a very difficult way to approach a self portrait. They said it represents who I am. They told me that it looked like me and said that they thought my color combo was very unique and that the proportions were interesting. 2. What type of creative things do you most enjoying doing? For me, I have been painting many years but have never tried to make a self portrait. To paint yourself is difficult because of the self examination required. You go beyond the surface to your feelings, emotions, culture. When you are painting your face, you are painting what you left behind. 3. Describe a real-life situation that inspired you? I am inspired when I go to the Recovery Cafe and see so many backgrounds and cultures and races. When I look around, I see that everyone has a story that nobody knows. The outside world mostly sees Cafe members as having addiction problems. I know that everyone has a story and and that they are different than the addict stereotype society has created. When I paint someone from the Cafe, I am paining a representation of realness because the people there are real. The people are unique. Their faces represent a complex story and history. 4. What is your dream art project? My dream project would be to create a website that would showcase paintings from local artists. People could buy the paintings and the proceeds would go to a different nonprofit each month. I would like there to be more free places to look at art. More spaces where people could see art for free and artists could show their work and develop community. 5. How did you get involved in Path with Art? I heard about the art classes at the Recovery Cafe where I am a volunteer and a member. I go to the Cafe for counselling and emotional support. I also volunteer in the kitchen, cooking food for hundreds of people! In three months I am going to start teaching a Spanish language class there. I have enjoyed my experiences in the Path with Art classes I’ve taken so far and want to take more! -Ruben Rodriguez, Path with Art student |
“Artwork of the Month” February 2012
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Happy Valentine’s Day! We are doubling the LOVE today with two student Artwork(s) of the Month! February brings us a painting created by Gayre Jamieson during a recent Sumi-e class led by Lois Yoshida, and a poem written by Sung-Jin Han during a poetry class with Rachel Kessler.
My Voice Is Slowly Being Woven One Strand of Bamboo Over the Other
My lips were sewn shut like the tight knot of a balloon. Will the bellows of my heart and thoughts explode out into pieces on the floor? How many times have I not acknowledged my voice? Do I know what is sounds like? What is the purpose of my voice? Would you care to listen? So I hum. So I sing and follow the words of the music I listen to. So I listen. Because listening to what is inside of me is just as important as finding my voice. |
“Artwork of the Month” January 2012
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January’s student Artwork of the Month was created by Deena Sackman, during a recent acrylic painting class with Pamm Hanson, Teaching Artist.
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“Artwork of the Month” December 2011
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December’s student Artwork of the Month was created by Becky McDill, during a recent 3-D collage class with Jen Dixon, Teaching Artist.
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“Art is fluid and possibly never finished. It is so subjective-what one person considers art might not be the same for others. For the first time ever, I made something that I am proud of and that I like. Path with Art makes a difference in people’s lives. It is a privilege to be able to participate. It’s easy to get involved. I want viewers of this artwork to know that I love my cat! My cat is named Peanut.” -Becky McDill, Path with Art student |
“Artwork of the Month” November 2011
November’s Artwork of the Month was created by Path with Art student Lois Lax, during a recent Sumi-e class with Teaching Artist, Lois Yoshida.
“In this class, I learned that something I thought looked easy to do took patience and effort. I am proud that I stuck with the class despite frustrations. I signed up for this class because making art makes me happy and working in Sumi-e was a challenge. When I made this work, I thought about simplicity… stillness… peace… compassion… one love.”
-Lois Lax, Path with Art student
“Artwork of the Month” October 2011
October’s Artwork of the Month was written by Path with Art student J.L. Connelly, in a recent Poetry class with Teaching Artist, Rachel Kessler.
Ode to a Crisp Delicious
Crisp and delicious.
Juicy crunch echos
Like a rock ricocheting in the Grand Canyon.
Delicious juices slice through my teethLike candle wax, potent, sweet meat
Nourishing my body, feeding my soul, making me whole.
-J.L. Connelly, Path with Art student
“Artwork of the Month” September 2011
At the beginning of each month, Path with Art randomly selects a piece created by one of our students to be the Artwork of the Month. September’s Artwork of the Month comes from a recent digital photography class led by Adam Doody, Teaching Artist.
We interviewed Path with Art student, Gretchen Easterberg, about her work. Read below to find out more!
1. How did you set up/take this intriguing photograph?
My experience taking this photograph of the Heron bird in the Path with Art “Digital Photography” class occurred as a result of our class assignment, which took place in the area of the Ballard Locks in July of 2011. Our instructor, Adam Doody, gave the class the assignment of taking portraits in the Ballard Locks environment. During the process of taking portrait photographs, I found that it was necessary to ask permission of the portrait subjects, before taking their photographs. Consequently, due to the nature of the portrait assignment, I ended up speaking with a variety of photograph subjects for the purpose of taking their photographs.
At a point when I was taking photographs of 2 transient males, who were sitting in a cement block structure, one of these individuals pointed out the location of the Heron bird nest. Initially I did not see the birds, but after I looked closely, I recognized the shape of the heron, which was surrounded with a very large area of leaves. Taking the photograph of the bird was especially challenging, especially without a tripod for the camera. Also, it was necessary to increase the focus to the highest setting on the camera, so the limitations of the camera determined my ability to photograph the bird.
The communication with the subjects of the portraits allowed me to learn about the Heron bird nest that was hidden in the trees, which were located in the trees that faced the water below. My positive experience with this Heron photograph suggests that I should continue to work with both natural settings and people in photography.
2. What type of creative things do you most enjoy doing?
I enjoy participating in various art medias, so it is difficult for me to specify which media form I prefer, especially because each art media differs in its characteristics. I enjoy two dimensional art medias such as painting or printmaking, because the artist has control over the design elements of an image, such as the lines, colors, shapes, and the texture.
However, digital photography has an advantage, due to the quick results of the camera technology, which allow the artist to spend most of the time working on the composition of the image. Also, digital photography allows the artist to experiment with compositions, allowing the artist to experiment with many images for the purpose of finding the most visually effective perspectives.
3. Describe a real life situation that inspired you.
Taking the digital photography class inspired me to continue to both pursue, and to create visual artworks. I did feel very inspired through my experiences with the digital art photography class, although I also learned about areas that need improvement.
Simultaneously, as a Real change paper vendor, my involvement with the the Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project also inspired me, because I was given to opportunity to display and sell artworks that I created in the past. I have been inspired to continue to work on visual art projects through my experiences with both the Path with Art, and the Real Change News organizations. In addition to my inspiration related to art, I am inspired by individuals who devote themselves to various kinds of public service, whether they are doing volunteer work, or paid employment. I am amazed by some of these individuals, who have invested their time and money for the purpose of helping others.
4. What is your dream creative project?
I am particularly very intrigued with holographic artwork, due to the luminous effects of both brilliant colors and light, in three dimensional imagery. My dream art project would include large interactive 3-D holographic imagery, with geometric compositions, which the viewer could walk through, since holographic images are not solid. Therefore, the viewers would be able to interact with the imagery, thus becoming part of the 3-D composition. My interactive holographic dream art project would also include music, for the purpose of creating a 3-D audio-visual experience.
5. How did you find Path with Art?
I discovered both the Path with Art organization and classes through the Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project, as a Real Change News paper vendor. When I saw the Path with Art brochure, with the class listings, I was pleased to find art classes were offered at no cost to the participants. I have not recently had outlets for creative expression. So far, I have greatly appreciated having the opportunity to participate in creative endeavors.
Welcome to Path with Art’s NEW website and BLOG!
Hi. We’re Path with Art, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing adults with opportunities to engage in the creative process as a unique means to improve and rebuild their lives.
Welcome to our blog. In this area of our website, you’ll find all sorts of Path with Art extras including exclusive interviews, student artwork, videos and more!
