Monthly Archives: June 2013

The EARTH without ART is just EH

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I love looking at beautiful things whether it is the natural world or made by humans.  I also love creating things. I consider myself more of a craftsman that I do an artist. I rarely draw or paint but I love creating things with my own two hands. I always forget how focusing on the task of creating can soothe the restless soul.

Last week was particularly stressful for me. I had too many thoughts running through my head and very few solutions or good options available. My house was a wreck and I had some long overdue projects to complete. I decided to run away from the housework and work on the projects.

I always forget how creating something returns balance to my world. Some people get this feeling from cooking and nourishing their loved ones. Cooking has never been a creative outlet for me. No matter how hard I try, cooking is only functional for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love eating and trying new things, but it always is more satisfying when someone else creates it. Thank goodness, Mike loves to cook and is very good at it. What satisfies my soul is making something beautiful and functional from material that would normally be thrown away; for example, mosaic light-switch covers from broken pottery or candles  from leftover candle wax.switchplate

I have wonderful childhood memories of going into NYC, riding the subways, walking the streets and going to museums. I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the mosaics everywhere. For years I thought about making them, how I would go about it, read about making them and then I finally made one. To get started, I asked local potters and asked them for any broken pottery and they were more than willing to provide me with an ample supply.

My first project was a family name sign that I gave my husband for our first wedding anniversary. Although I made some mistakes, I simply love my first mosaic. I love seeing it hang outside our house. Unfortunately, after 12 years of marriage and being exposed to the elements, it has developed cracks along the seams. Construction of the frame was one of my mistakes – never use unsealed wood – ever. As a gift to Mike for our 12th anniversary, I decided to repair our family sign so it can weather the storms once again.

BiltonenAlthough I was not creating something new, it felt so good to get into a creative project again. I haven’t made a mosaic for a couple of years. When we moved cross-country, I decided not to take ten boxes of broken pottery with me. I kept telling myself, I could get some wherever I go, which is true. When we moved back to the east coast, I started talking to potters again and they were more than happy to give me their broken pieces. In fact, some shops said they would sell my switch-plate covers. Nevertheless, my head wasn’t in that special creative place anymore, or at least I kept telling myself. I guess I was focusing more attention on creating herbal remedies. It seemed like a new creative outlet for me but now I realize it is not creative enough. I must go back to creating utilitarian art. Perhaps it will be mosaics again or something new. I just acquired an old wooden love-seat that needs some attention. Perhaps, once it is reinforced and stabilized, I can adorn it will some lively colors. Regardless, I must create; I must remember to feed my soul.

switchplate What do you do to feed your soul? Please share.

One of the best moves we ever made

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Mathew's first day at the Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca

Mathew’s first day at the Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca

The other day I was preparing to teach a class in papermaking at Mathew’s school when I had a revelation. I haven’t taught papermaking to more than a few people in almost 15 years. Moreover, those classes were typically only a couple of hours long, not for an entire week, and this class will have 13 students between the ages of 6 and 12. This was all very daunting, to say the least. I decided to test out a couple of ideas ahead of time that I hoped would occupy and engage the students. Thank goodness I did, because some of my ideas really weren’t all that great. But, while I working with the slurry and deckles (see my other blog on how to make paper), inspiration took over and I came up with even better ideas. Bonus: the process of creating also calmed my concerns about teaching the class.

So, why am I teaching a week-long class at Mathew’s school? Unlike the schools Mathew has attended in the past, his current school switches gears in June. While most schools stop their normal curriculum and do “fun things” they are actually biding time until the school year is over. This school instead announces that the standard Montessori curriculum will end; and in June they will begin the “Switching Gears Mini-courses.” The new focus is two weeks of mini-courses in the mornings, play rehearsals, and other activities in the afternoons. They create workshops called “playmania” which involve activities centered on the theme of this year’s school musical, “The Phantom Tollbooth.” They also ask parents to teach mini-courses for a week. The kids are so excited to learn different things and work on the play; it is amazing the renewed energy there is at the school – and it is JUNE! Of course, there are a bunch of field trips sprinkled in here and there as well.

In the past, I always felt school in June was a waste of time. Last year, I kept asking myself why I was waking Mathew up at 6:20am to go to school to do nothing.  In September, Mathew began attending the Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca. Enrolling him there was perhaps one of the best moves we have ever made. Their main goal is to create a mindful and just society through education and community building. I cannot describe the love and thoughtfulness that goes into every lesson, event and process at this school. Everything we have attended has moved me to tears of joy. Last week we went to Mathew’s “Moving Up Ceremony,” announcing that he will be graduating from Junior Level and moving on to the Upper Level School next year. To honor the students moving up, the teachers create acrostic poems describing the student’s attributes and read them to the students in front of all their classmates and families.  I am tearing up just remembering the lovely ceremony.

Acrostic Poem for Poem

Acrostic Poem for Mathew

Mathew's Moving Up Ceremony with his teacher's Deb and Scott

Mathew’s Moving Up Ceremony with his teachers Deb & Scott

It’s thrilling and an honor to teach at this school. But I can’t lie; it does make me a bit nervous. There’s a lot to live up to – the teachers and administrators are awesome. I’m glad I picked a fun and creative activity that I am passionate about and love to share. I can’t wait to see what the students make from all the papermaking activities I have planned.