Today Artist and Teacher Amelia Epp came to Pender with me to lead us in a process learning about creating sculptures. Besides learning about some principles of sculpture we talked about working with others. Communicating, listening, keeping it positive, inviting quiet people to contribute, being open to suggestions, thinking creatively... these all help to create an interesting sculpture.

We took advantage of another gorgeous fall day to take the group Grade 7 photo for the yearbook.

The Grade 7 and 8 Art students are showing me the following assignments:
1. Name Tag
2. Colour Wheel
3. Face shading
4. Self Portrait with realistic proportions
5. Picasso-like self portrait
6. Big Water colour painting using at least 5 techniques.

Next week we will start a sculptural project. If anyone has items with a shape... preferably recycled items... please drop them off in the art room. (little boxes, containers, ( clean), anything with shape that you might want to get rid of.... shoes, pine cones, etc.....) Thanks in advance!

After a ride up the gondola we started with a hands on sketching workshop. As we left the chalet we were thrilled to see two big and beautiful grizzly bears up close and personal . ( behind an electric fence).  We  tromped through the snow to the Long House where a Squamish Nation elder named William told us stories and led us in some singing and dancing. Then artist Mark Hobson told us stories about living on a houseboat in Tofino and painted us a seagull painting for us to bring back to Pender. On our way to lunch we were delighted by a friendly blue grouse.We toured two different gallery displays with art and sculpture by Robert Bateman and other famous artists for conservation. The day wrapped up with a great film about artists who were responsible for saving a rainforest in the Congo as protected areas for gorillas. Thanks to the Moms who drove and to the students who made the effort to broaden their minds.

Fresco means fresh. The senior art students have a wonderful collection of small frescos they have created by sculpting plaster then painting. The final image is sprayed to give a protective coating so the colours will be fast and the image will be fine in a room with moisture. After practicing a variety of watercolour techniques, the students are starting to use watercolour paints on textured watercolour paper.