Week 12: April 8 - April 14

Residency - AVIVO - Jes Reyes - 5 hours

This week I delivered the charcoal workshop that I’ve been looking forward to! After a brief presentation showing examples of charcoal drawings that use both additive and subtractive mark-making, I gave a demonstration on how to start a drawing on toned paper. For the workshop I gathered multiple reference images that spanned a broad range of subject matter while still holding relevant and challenging value ranges and textures. Once the demo was given, students were given an hour of supervised work time so that I was available for feedback and in progress critique. 

The outcome of the work was very impressive considering that this was a new method of working for almost everyone involved. The challenges encountered were that of frustration with the impermanence of the material and frustration of working in a subtractive way. Despite these challenges, the response of the students was positive and inspiring considering that multiple people expressed that they would use this technique in all future drawing to encourage a more in depth drawing. 

Week 11: April 1 - April 8

Residency - AVIVO - Jes Reyes - 0 hours

This week I did not attend any placements due to the fact that my residency at Perpich has concluded, and we did not meet at AVIVO due to my advisor being out of office. I have been finalizing my lesson plan to teach a charcoal workshop at AVIVO along with accumulating the materials needed: charcoal, erasers, and paper to be cut down and toned.I completed a powerpoint presentation and schedule for the demo that I will teach at the beginning of the lesson. 

Along with art historical references, I have also included student work in my presentation to introduce more relatable work to my class.

Week 10: March 25 - March 31

No official placements this week.

This week I did not participate with Perpich now that I have completed my hours, and I was sick on the day of my AVIVO placement. Despite not working out and about, I have been finalizing my lesson plan to teach a reductive mark-making charcoal workshop. After setting out a sign-up sheet at AVIVO, I’ve seen positive feedback and anticipation for the workshop. I’m most excited to see everyone engaging in a shared practice as opposed to working individually like most days in the studio. I think this will be a very successful, collaborative learning opportunity.

Week 9: March 18 - March 24

Perpich - Residency - Kathryn D’Elia - 6 hours

I was out of town Monday for my session at AVIVO this week, so I only participated in the Perpich residency. I was very eager to see the student’s work for the project that I assigned. Upon arrival to class I had students fill out a critique form in order to brainstorm questions and topics before we met as a group. I also did this for the purpose of documenting participation for students who were more shy. These forms also helped in my assessment of the completed work.

I led a critique that rotated three pieces at a time in the front of the room. I encouraged the students to lead the discussion as I paraphrased when appropriate. Overall, the finished work was very impressive and creative! I was so pleased to see students thinking outside of the box. Although the lesson was fulfilling, it was a bittersweet end as I finished grading on Thursday and parted ways with Perpich. Working with Kathryn and her students was incredible.

Week 8: March 11 - March 17

AVIVO - Residency - Jes Reyes - 5 hours

Perpich Arts High School - Residency - Kathryn D’Elia - 6 hours

Things are close to wrapping up at Perpich with the end of the quarter approaching on March 22nd. In both classes, students are aiming to complete their projects, with Drawing to Painting focusing on a value still life painting and Advanced Painting working towards an independent project. I also delivered my lesson REINVENT on Thursday to the Advanced Painting class. I gave a brief slideshow and proposal guidelines to follow so that I could approve the proposed project. Students got started right away and will work through next Tuesday when we have a group critique.

AVIVO was calm this week with only a few artists dropping in to get studio time. I spent most of my time brainstorming and refining details for the charcoal workshop that I will conduct on April 8th.

Week 7: March 4 - March 10

AVIVO - Residency - Jes Reyes - 5 hours

Perpich - Residency - Kathryn D’Elia - 6 hours

This week at AVIVO I started brainstorming a lesson plan for the artists that attend open studio hours. Now that I have established myself at AVIVO, I find that I am facilitating special relationships with people, both in terms of their practice and in terms of their lives. The discussions are genuine and the collaboration is exciting. After generalizing the wants and needs of the community, I am edging towards building a lesson on reductive mark-making in drawing because the majority of attendees are well-versed in 2-dimensional design with dry media.

Things accelerated quickly this past week at Perpich. In the Drawing to Painting class, students developed thumbnails based on collaboratively built still lives and then began their grayscale value paintings. There was a short video delivered on how temperature within grays affect depth. The Advanced Painting class is wrapping up their individual projects before I deliver my lesson on Thursday. Some issues arose with time management as many students started ambitious projects, but Kathryn and I walked the room as resources for advice to help students as they continued on. The sketchbook assignments for this week encouraged experimentation with distressed surfaces and implied narrative - which is a perfect precursor to the lesson I will deliver about reinvention through obstruction.

Week 6: February 25 - March 3

Residency - AVIVO - Jes Reyes - 5 hours

Residency - Perpich - Kathryn D’Elia - 7 hours

The turnout for studio time at AVIVO this week was small due to the weather, so myself and other staff enjoyed a work day with a few artists. I have started gathering ideas from members on what type of painting lesson they would benefit most from.

Tuesday was students’ last day to work on their facial plane drawings in charcoal. They alternated posing/drawing with a partner with one, harsh light source and aimed to complete the portrait, with remaining work to be done outside of class. Kathryn and I surveyed the room and gave any last minute feedback.

On Thursday sketchbooks were turned in for both classes, which focused on grayscale value for the first block and a conceptual response to a podcast, movie, etc. for the second block. Kathryn and I graded these together.

The Advanced Painting class introduced proposals for independent paintings that focused on a specific type of brush stroke/style of their choosing.

Week 5: February 18 - February 24

With this week including both President’s Day and more snow, I unfortunately did not participate in any residencies. I did, however, begin brainstorming lesson plans for the next month at both Perpich and AVIVO. Through multiple days of shadowing and participation, I have started to grasp the needs of the communities I’m working with in order to develop something both beneficial and interesting. I have spent more time at Perpich and I want to introduce the students into an assignment that is more relevant for college preparation since many students have expressed interest in building a portfolio for a BFA. I intend on introducing the parameters of writing a proposal which is crucial to being a professional artist. I have had less time to speak with artists at AVIVO, but tomorrow I will sit down with individuals one-on-one to address their needs and wants in order to create a lesson that is relevant.

Week 4: February 11 - February 17

Residency - Perpich Arts High School - Kathryn D’ELia - 5 hours

Residency - AVIVO - Jes Reyes - 5 hours

My first official day at AVIVO consisted of observing the open studio atmosphere. Around noon, artists started filling in to work on their personal projects. Collective members had their own studio space within the room, but everyone that shows up was able to use the materials in the class. Jes, her coworker, Christie, and I were available for feedback, conversation, and helping navigate the room.

The biggest takeaway that I was anticipating the most was the opportunity to get to know the artists personally. The range in skill, personality, and background means that every day will be truly unique. The air at AVIVO is so positive and supportive, I’m very excited to continue on.

At Perpich this week in the Drawing to Painting class, we introduced planar analysis, emphasizing on facial planes specifically. After a brief review on using vine and compressed charcoal as a medium, students paired up and took turns referencing each other from life to practice. 

The Advanced Painting class began a two-day long reductive oil painting in order understand how to use this technique, especially in underpaintings. I participated in the demo for the class period. Later in the week, we switched gears and the students were introduced to palette knife painting, which seemed to challenge some. To conclude the week, Kathryn and I finalized plans for the lesson I will teach in mid March. Now that I am more integrated into Perpich, I have been noticing both the skill level and needs of the students which will help me produce a lesson that is relevant.

Week 3: February 3 - February 10

Residency - Perpich Arts High School - Kathryn D’ELia - 3 hours

Residency - AVIVO - Jes Reyes - 3 hours

I completed the new hire orientation on Monday morning at AVIVO. A small group of new hires and I were given information on starting our positions, which included material from administration, HR, and tech support. I begin working directly with Jes starting next week now that I am initiated.

Most of the classes on Tuesday at Perpich were studio time in order to make up for multiple snow days last week. The Drawing to Painting class worked on a final cross-counter drawing of hands. Kathryn and I surveyed the room as students drew in order to give feedback and advice. Almost all students had an adequate grasp of composition, but some struggled with executing contours. Students that progressed quickly took on more experimental techniques by either using colored materials or incorporating imagined objects.

Similarly to Drawing to Painting, most of Tuesday was set aside for work time in order to catch up in Advanced Painting.. Kathryn had completed a demo of a grayscale value painting from a still life set up in the middle of the room. Students had previously completed thumbnails on a day that I wasn’t present, then began making a limited value palette of warm and cool grays in order to block in the value painting. The day consisted of feedback for the in-progress work and tackling the issue of articulating both value and temperature simultaneously. Classes were cancelled on Thursday due to the weather.

Week 2: January 27 - February 2

Residency - Avivo - Jes Reyes - 2 hours

This past week was unfortunately rendered short due to the polar vortex! Perpich Arts High School closed school on both days I was scheduled to be there. I anticipate that the next week will require some catching up to do with students, and I have reviewed the syllabus to prepare for the extra work ahead.

On Monday, I met with Jes Reyes at AVIVO to complete an entrance interview and tour the facilities. Jes was very informative and gave me a thorough description of every that AVIVO does in order to assist in chemical/mental health recovery and employment/job placement. I will be starting my position on February 11 as a teaching artist intern to help facilitate the art studio as individuals in the program advance their studio practice and find places to show work within the Twin Cities.

Week 1: January 20 - January 26

Residency - Perpich Arts High School - Kathryn D’ELia - 4 hours

On Thursday I began my residency with Kathryn D’Elia at Perpich Arts High School just outside of Minneapolis. This arts focused high school has advanced classes reminiscent of introductory college courses, two of which I will be participating in every Tuesday/Thursday: Drawing to Painting and Advanced Painting.

Today was the second day of the quarter for students which meant that both classes started with refresher material and going over safety guidelines for handling classroom equipment and facilities. In Drawing to Painting, we introduced the importance of making thumbnail sketches, building a strong composition, and the techniques and goals of cross contour line drawings. Students made 4-5 small thumbnails sketches of hands or feet to warm up. Kathryn then split the class in halves and assigned a group for herself and I so we could have a discussion with students about which thumbnail met most criteria for the final drawing.

In the Advanced Painting class, most of the time was used to review safety measures for working with and disposing of oil paints. There was also an informative sheet on paintbrushes and mediums given out to review. To end the class, Kathryn ran a demo of temperatures within grays to help prepare the class for a still life value painting that will be completed next week.