This will be the last blog for the year.  I bet Lexi will like that idea. The AP Art Showcase was a big success.  You all did such a great job of bringing it all together!  So proud of you. We will tally up the sales this next week and get checks out to all of you.

This next week is all about your AP art portfolios.  You will need to get all your work uploaded and get your quality sections looking good.  I think we are meeting with Ms. Emery on Wednesday.  Portfolios are due on Friday.  Remember how we made a website for your breadth section?  We will also be making a website for your concentration and quality section.

After the AP art portfolio week we are going to start on our last project.  We will be creating digital collages.  We will learn about the artist, do some research and then go on a field trip to take pictures of people in downtown Portland.  It's going to be a great way to finish off the year. 

AP Upload - Quality - AP Art Showcase

Hello crazy art week. 

What needs to be done before Thursday:

1. prepping your work for the showcase.  see handout
2. picking out your quality section - five actual works that will be sent for the AP test - 18 x 24 or smaller  (cannot be sold at the showcase.)
3. photographers - if you haven't done so already......  you need to print out your photos.
4. Upload, Upload, Upload  https://apstudio.ets.org/apstudioart/
5. bring all supplies that you have 'borrowed' from the school

I think that's enough!  Oh wait, don't forget to vote for the vans.  If you have, try and get someone else too!

We are a FINALIST! Your vote is needed!!!!

Please take the time to vote this weekend for your classmates.  Lakeridge High School is a finalist in our region, Northwest. 

Wahoooooo!!!!! Go here to cast your vote:  http://www.vans.com/customculture/

Put this on your Facebook page and earn extra credit!!!  Yes, it's true. 

Homestretch

We are almost there. The last critique of the year will be on Friday the 27th! Crazy. Once we get our portfolios together and upload them to AP we are heading off into a new direction.

This is the artist that we will be looking at for the Scholastic Art Magazine project. His name is Kehinde Wiley. We will be creating a collage, I'm still toying with the idea of creating the collage in Adobe Photoshop. We will definitely be going on some sort of field trip, most likely to downtown Portland to get some source material.

http://www.kehindewiley.com/Kalkidan_Mashasha.html

The Columbus Museum of Art, which hosted an exhibition of his work in 2007, describes his work with the following: "Kehinde Wiley has gained recent acclaim for his heroic portraits which address the image and status of young African-American men in contemporary culture."

Napoleon Leading the Army Over the Alps, 2005

Wiley’s paintings often blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary modes of representation. Rendered in a realistic mode–while making references to specific Old Master paintings–Wiley creates a fusion of period styles, ranging from French Rococo, Islamic architecture and West African textile design to urban hip hop and the "Sea Foam Green" of a Martha Stewart Interiors color swatch.

Vans

A month ago I signed the Lakeridge High School art department up for a contest that Vans puts on. Essentially, you are sent four pairs of shoes from the company and then you transform them. Each shoe has a theme, this year we were required to have one shoe for each of the following:

Action Sports, Art, Music and Local Flavor.

I asked Katey Jacobsen, Kelly Sosa, Anna Engstrom and Nicholai Busch to participate. This is what they came up with! We have to wait a month to see if we are finalist in our region. If we are, we will need to rally the Pacers and start voting!!!!! Cross your fingers.

Which pair do you like the best?

Scheduling

I feel like we all keep saying this but... this year is going by super fast. Mr. Helle and I are having a rough go finding a date that works for the majority of the AP students for some kind of an art show. Any suggestions? The district calender is packed and you all are very busy little munchkins.

Maybe we all can think out of the box and come up with a new and exciting idea for an AP showcase? I'm sure you have nothing else better to think about...hee hee.

This week is the last official NEW art critique. We are going to have a visitor that day. A teacher in training. She is excited to see how we do things in the LHS art room. One piece is due on Thursday the 12th. The next critique will be a rework of an old piece. That critique will be later in the month.

Note: If you don't have a piece to work on in class you can always be photographing your work or adjusting it in Adobe or even uploading the work to the AP site. We all need to be having conversations about what pieces you will be using for your Quality section. Lots to do. Always!

BTW, I know the picture of the dog is random. I couldn't resist.

A New Week - New Deadlines

Is it really time to go back? You betcha!!!!

There are several deadlines most of you need to be aware of...

1. Wednesday, April 4th, Marie Walsh Sharpe applications due. Juniors who will be Seniors next year. Most of you are done, but just in case, I need the statements, forms signed by PARENTS and all your images no later than Tuesday. I have to have this postmarked by WEDNESDAY.

2. Friday, April 6th, OAEA Scholarships due. These are seniors who are graduating who will be majoring or minoring in art or art education. If you are one of these people you need to fill out the application and write your essay explaining your goals and interest in pursuing an art career. Essay should be a maximum size of one page, about 300 words typed.

THE ESSAY AND FORM ARE DUE IN MY HANDS ON MONDAY. EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE CLASS ON THAT DAY. THERE'S A TON OF STUFF DUE THIS WEEK, SO MS. MCB NEEDS IT NOW!

If you don't have your application anymore or have changed your mind and would like to apply here is the link to the website with the information:

http://www.oregonarted.org/index.php

3. If you are one of the students doing the VANS. Those are due on April 9th at the latest.

4. This month we have two concentration checks. One is a new piece, the other is a reworked piece. We are almost done!

See you all soon - can't wait. Ms McB

Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break

Concentration Check on Wednesday....and then....it's Spring Break!!!!!!

OAEA applications are due April 6th

Marie Walsh Sharpe - Juniors applications are due April 4th - form and statement by Monday please :)

What are you doing for spring break?

AP FEE - Now is the time

Deadline for paying for the AP 2-D Art Studio test is March 16th.

Don't miss out!!!!

See Mrs. Beers - she's the bookkeeper for the details

Work Place

I LOVE that former students are always emailing and visiting me. Just today, Garrett Durant and Marta King, class of 2005 came to visit. They are both still active with their art making which of course makes me happy.

Lindsay Iredale, currently at MICA, is looking for an internship this summer and emailed me this nifty site she found it's called Work.place and it focuses on artists in their work place. If you take the time to look and scroll down you will see cool stuff. Artist working in their creative environment. Thanks Lindsay!

How do you work on art when you aren't in the classroom. Take a picture of your 'creative place.' What does it look like?

work.place is a documentary of Portland, Ore. creativity facilitated by local photographer, Carlie Armstrong. The aim of work.place is to understand creative processes and the places that contain them.

We also hope to inform - by displaying the work of some of the most talented artists, musicians, designers, and craftspeople in this great city.

work.place is a completely film-based effort and all photographs are taken on a Twin Lens Reflex.

Thank you for exploring work.place, please be sure to check out the artists we've photographed (see: links and our archive).

http://workplacepdx.com/about.php

New York City Baby

One of my favorite places, aside from being with you all of course, is New York city. So sending the group text thing didn't work out. But I have been taking some images of things that are interesting to me. I love how being in a new place inspires you.

Where have you been recently that inspired you? Doesn't have to be a destination, it could be your backyard. Which I guess technically qualifies as a destination. I'm having a great time in New York. Wish you could all be here as well. That would be an amazing field trip!!!! Bummer won't let me load images from my phone. I'll figure this out and get images here soon! Tootles.

Glee - what are you looking forward to?

I just finished watching the season finale for Glee. Wow, a shocking ending and they touched on so many meaningful topics.

I loved the scene where they all sat around in a circle and talked about what they are looking forward to in the future.

What are you looking forward to? It could be something that could happen in a week or in 20 years.

Right now, I'm looking forward to going to New York and reconnecting with old friends and learning new things at the National Art Education conference. Looking ahead, I'm looking forward to our son Xander graduating from college.

Scholastic Ceremony

This Wednesday many of you will be honored at the Newmark Theater for the Portland Metro Scholastic Art Awards. It's an exciting night with many of you receiving scholarships, and additional awards. Rehearsal is at 4:30 sharp! The actual ceremony will start at 6:30 pm.

Festive attire allows you to dress up or wear something fun! Try to avoid wearing jeans.

The show is up until the weekend of the 25th of February. If you haven't had a chance to see the work it will be at PNCA and OCAC. You should go!

Sweets for your Classmates

Monday will be exchanging cards and sweets! Don't forget to make an extraordinary card to show them you really care. The most creative,interesting card receives even MORE candy!

Here are some ideas just to get your creative juices flowing....

How many faces?

Can you find all of them?

Scholastic, GFU and LO Reads Receptions

Everyone is invited to attend the TWO Scholastic Receptions this year. There will be a formal ceremony for the Gold Key and Portfolio students later in February.

On Thursday, February 2nd there will be two receptions. They are both from 4 - 7 pm.

• One is at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, located at 1241 NW Johnson St.
• The other is at the Oregon College of Art and Craft, located at 8245 SW Barnes Rd.

The LO reads reception is also on this night. As is the George Fox reception (note, I contacted the guy who runs the George Fox show and none of the 2-D kids received an award, so...)

It's going to be a fun artsy night no matter how you shake it! I hope that you can come and see your own work and support your classmates who have work in the show!

Clean Slate

Second semester is here, which means a clean slate, a new beginning. For many of you new classes are on the horizon. It's always fun to start again, change is good.

Check out these really cool leaf cut outs. Amazing. Maybe this new semester can encourage you to look at an alternative surface to create on? Leaf cut outs anyone?

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/

Scholastic - Reveal

1. If you entered something into Scholastic PLEASE be prepared to bring it to school on Monday or Tuesday at the LATEST. You made be a last minute person but I am not and we need to have all work matted, eye screwed, pretty etc. ASAP. Delivery of work is Friday, January 27th. 3:00

2. I would appreciate it if everyone could come to the art room during the break on Monday, January 23rd to hear who won what for Scholastic. I would just feel better knowing that everyone knows on Monday. Exciting!!!!

3. George Fox work due on Monday. This will be delivered by Mr. Helle, Wednesday at 3:00.

Crazy week with finals and Scholastic and George Fox but we can do it!!!! Hang in there, get some sleep, be good to yourselves.

Need a break from studying?

If you need a break from studying this weekend check out this website that Evelyn sent me. It's This is Colossal. REALLY amazing stuff, lots of variety and great for generating ideas. LOVE it.

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/

Two WORK Days

This week you have two uninterrupted work days. It's important that you bring canvases, paper, cameras whatever you need to WORK in class. If you have one wet canvas, bring another one that you can work on.

Photographers, if you are planning on leaving to go on a photo shoot, this is something that needs to be scheduled before class starts. Arrange your models etc. Use your time productively.

If you are not interested in hearing the book bring some headphones and music. I will continue to read for half of the class and then stop so that you can chat quietly while you are working.

I want to see productive, busy, AP art studio students. Theme of the week in AP art studio class,

The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today!

All Scholastic All the Time

Tis the season, Scholastic season. Everyone has done a remarkable job of getting in forms and fees. January 17th is the deadline. The work will be juried on Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd. Everyone will know what's up on Monday the 23rd.

If your work is selected as a Gold Key, you will need to mat your work, canvases will need eye screws and wire and the forms will need to be attached to the back of the work. It's a lot to do in one week and guess what? It will be finals week, hurray! I will not be able to do this without you. When the time comes I'll let you know and we will make plans to prep your work.

If you volunteered for any of the Scholastic events PLEASE don't forget and be there on time. Your help is critical to the success of the program. We can't do it without you.

I'll need some help after school on Wednesday, Jan 19th. We need to put stamps on the invitations to the Scholastic ceremony.

If you have not already done so you really should visit the National Art Write Now Touring Scholastic show at PNCA. It's pretty great. Picture above, Eva and I with her work and Arthur DeBow from OCAC.

That's it for now!

The week ahead

First, you have three work days this week. I EXPECT that you will take advantage of the time and be working in class. Working on art.

Work is defined as, an activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

I still need MANY volunteers to help out with Scholastic. Please consider giving of your time to help. Scholastic is a huge undertaking and cannot happen without the volunteer support of students. If you volunteer on Saturday, January 28th to help set up the show there is free pizza involved!!!! Sign up in the art room.

Monday, MICA will be visiting. You will have half the class period to work. If you have any art that you would like reviewed, this is a great opportunity to have someone else critique your work. Admission directors LOVE to talk about art.

Wednesday, work day.

Friday, work day.

Last day to make up hours is January 18th. No school on the 16th and the 17th is the deadline for Scholastic stuff!

Eyes-Eyes-Eyes

By now you should all know how I feel about eyes.......

This artist, Marion Bolognesi has made me rethink the possibilities.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/Anm7dC/www.marion-b.com/index.php?/paintings/sneak-peek/

Pinterest - Officially addicted

Thanks Nellie. I'm now officially addicted to Pinterest. If you haven't discovered it or been 'invited' to be a part of Pinterest, you should!!!!

It's an amazing resource for ideas and inspirations.

I have a board of Unicorns, Crows, and my own art.

It's a time sucker, so if you don't have the time, don't be tempted....it's pretty cool though. Here are some images from Pinterest.......