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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Bright Colors



I'm not sure what gave me away, but one of the first discoveries my husband made about me was that bright colors (Sunday Postcard Art) make me happy. Not rocket science, but true. That's why January and February are the hardest months for me; the dim muddled light of these two months makes me a little prone to the blues. I just seem to want to eat and hibernate, Maybe I have a touch of Affective Light Disorder, I don't know, but I have found out that I can fight off tho blues with art. I used to spend the long cold winter days sewing or making scrapbooks for my sons, and, this year I plan to paint. I've actually been dying to work on the three ideas that I have swirling around my brain, but December has been devoted to Christmas decorating and to finally making curtains for my keeping room.

This postcard was originally the title page for the new art/poetry journal I started with my writing class, but my students really like it, so I've converted it into a Christmas card that I plan to give each of them. For the final semester project in Writing, I assigned a compilation of original poems and illustrations. My students have written enough 5 paragraph essays, as far as I'm concerned, and I think they'll do just fine on the Georgia High School Writing Test, so I decided to wrap up the year with some creative writing for their souls. We've spent the last week eating cake, burning cider-scented candles, and listening to holiday music (I told them, "I love Christmas music. I love to sing, and I don't do it particularly well, so deal with it.") When my Harry Connick Jr. c.d. cycles on we've even danced a little bit. Good times. Don't get me wrong; we're not just partying. They actually have to include specific criteria in their poems. You know: the ubiquitous metaphor, simile, personification, visual imagery, yada, yada, yada, but we are having fun. Somewhere in the midst of all this merriment, each student has managed to write 8 poems, and some of the journals are beautifully illustrated. One of my girls, Jazmyne, loves journaling so much that she spends an extra class period (her lunch and advisement time) with me every day, painting. When the journals are turned in next week, I'll share some of their pages with you. Until then, though, "may your days be merry and bright!"

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

That came out beautiful! Love the deep and vibrant colors! You brought me back to my Creative Writing class in H.S. I remember my teacher crystal clearly. It was my favorite class and one in which I always did so well. I thought I had a talent for writing but I haven't felt as fluent as I did back then, since. You are one of those wonderful teachers who knows how to make learning fun. That's rare and I'm sure your students will remember you for it. Serena

P.S. I LOVE Harry Connick, Jr. That voice...those eyes...that smile...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Wouah, fantastique ! J'adore les couleurs, la posture, la poésie, ce côté pop de la femme. Superbe !

Sandy said...

Woooooooooooooooooow this is spectacular. Fabulous colors and design. Love them.

Anonymous said...

your feeling for colors, images and poesie is so great, you stop my breath. wonderful

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

This almost, ALMOST makes me miss working as a teacher. I tried to incorporate as much creativity as I could whether I was teaching English, Swedish, Creative Writing or Swedish for immigrants and the students appreciated it a lot. I kept getting unemployed because I was the youngest / newest teacher and the schools always need to save money...
What I don't miss is being surrounded by people every day and having to get up early.
Why am I on your blog whining? I should start painting instead.

♥ visit me at www.afiori.com

Moira said...

Fabulous piece and warming words about your students they sound a lively and creative bunch.

Kim Mailhot said...

Way to celebrate the season right, Teach ! Those are some lessons that they will never forget !

Happy Giving Season !

indybev said...

I think your students are VERY lucky, and I think your entry for this challenge is wondrous! Standing ovation from my corner!

Leslie Rubio said...

So beautiful, I love your collages. I love color too and I'm with you on not appreciating the winter months as much as I do the others...Is that a picture of you in the collage?

I love, love, love it!

Leslie

Unknown said...

One word......STUNNING!

Sharon P Pope said...

This is just gorgeous. I love the vibrant colors and teachers like you are the ones I learned the most from. They cared and they made learning fun and I've never forgotten them. They made a difference in my life. Your students are lucky to have you for a teacher.

~*~Patty S said...

Wonderful all around creation!

Amy Lighthall said...

I love this and what you wrote about your art! I love bright colors too!

Fiona said...

What a stunning piece - I don't normally like bright colours but this is a true exception.

*jean* said...

i'm with you, i'm painting this winter!! and walking on every single sunny day that i can...and visiting the flowers at the local conservatory every chance i get...and going to my very favorite whole foods store and just walking around in the lovely, colorful displays of all things healthy...and relishing in the fact that i can still ski, as long as i'm careful....and i'm going to meet friends for coffee and tea on a regular basis and show them a little colorful art....that all helps me....merry merry!!!