a million bucks

Yesterday was my last day subbing at Hoover High for the year. The students made me feel like a rock star, asking me to pose for photos and adding me on Instagram and Facebook.

Personally, I have no problem using social media to connect with students. We're all human beings sharing in the digital zeitgeist, and I am a multimedia teacher, after all. ;)

speaking of comics...

Know what's awesome and totally inspiring? Teaching a comics-making workshop to Disney Imagineers. :)

(Just sayin')

adventures in subbing

I frequently sub for a high school ceramics class in Glendale, and today the teacher asked me to come up with a lesson on paper that was not clay-related. I decided to try a collaborative Superhero Jam. Results were mixed, but the activity did produce a few gems.

This exercise usually only takes about 20 minutes, but for a room full of 36 adolescents it took the entire hour. There was a lot of moaning and groaning ("do we have to?"), because how could I be so cruel as to make them do work on a Friday?

The teacher will have a fun surprise when she returns on Monday.

 
Above is "Smelly Hair Jeremy and Intelligence Dog."

This eleventh grader has a fine future in cartooning. 

LOL

My favorite.

Ah, high school!

to inspire wonder...

http://www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/adventures-in-nature

Wednesday is friends-day

Sarah's in town! She's one of my oldest and dearest friends from the mitten and I'm really excited to be spending the week with her. She came to art class at St. Doms today and helped out with the kids (she's a natural). Then we spend a lovely time soaking up the remaining late afternoon sun and coloring my teaching journal.

Photos courtesy of Sarah and Trent.

spring fling

Gearin' up for another 6-week comics-making session with the Mouse...details coming soon!

Sanctified

The magnificent Mary Anna Pomonis invited me to co-curate a performance program for her group exhibition Sanctified: Spirituality in Contemporary Art at the Vincent Price Art Museum. The show explores transcendence, shamanism and divinity, either through the artists' ritualized practices or the art objects themselves.

This gorgeous museum is part of the East Los Angeles College Campus.

 Nebulizer by Ross Rudel opened the show. This simple, elegant 5-minute performance involved the artist wearing a vintage Swedish wool army jumper, standing still atop a log. His head fit inside a spinning organic sculpture that was suspended from the museum ceiling. It was super cool.

 Semi-Tropic Spiritualists presented "Test Site No.2," an outdoor lecture accompanied by sculptural objects and didactics. The audience was invited to light candles, take a booklet and participate in Spiritualist lyceum recitations.

Dancer, teacher and yogi Diana Cummins performed an interpretive dance entitled Cellular Ritual.

Artist Jennifer Juniper Stratford led a Nichiren Buddhist Toso (chanting group) amongst the artwork inside the Small Gallery.

I didn't get any photo evidence of artist/intuitive duo Krystal Krunch, as they were leading a special 2-hour psychic workshop behind closed doors. KK, aka Haruko Tanaka and Asher Hartman, are two of my fondest colleagues from CalArts, and I was thrilled to have them participate. Those who were lucky enough to score a spot in the workshop told me that many third eyes were opened that afternoon.

Celebrated L.A. Cave/sludge metal band Barfth closed the show with their powerful blend of raw, heavy sound and ceremonial theatrics.

Some of Barfth's youngest fans. 

 We had a great turnout on Saturday afternoon; Over 60 people gathered to watch and participate in a variety of live performance art pieces inside and outside the space. 

The gallery show continues through April 26, 2013 and is definitely worth an afternoon trip down the Gold Line. Check out the museum website for gallery hours and additional info: http://vincentpriceartmuseum.org/.

stroke for stroke

Tuesday nights are Open Drawing at Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, hosted by the comely and effervescent Johnnie Jungle Guts. This is an excellent event for shy people, recovering artists such as myself, and people who like to say, "I can't draw!"

It's free, all materials are provided, and sometimes there is pizza. For more information, visit http://cfaer.org/ai1ec_event/open-drawing/?instance_id=

Screen 'n Zine @ The Pop-Hop

v

 

www.thepophop.com

future architects of america

Chillin' with a young Neutra fan
after lunch @ Peace4Kids this past Saturday.

Printed Matters

Here are some highlights from Printed Matter's first L.A. Art Book Fair at The Geffen Contemporary this weekend. One zillion hearts were set all a-flutter by the power, relevance and beauty of print. (Also: people watching, gourmet food trucks and celeb sightings).

Zines encourage positive change, race and gender equality, fair labor practices, education, and political action.

This was a drool-worthy event for design and typography lovers.

Did you know artist Raymond Pettibon was a prolific zinester?
Until Saturday, I didn't.

Polska reprezentuje! Maryna Tomaszewska came all the way from Poland to share her collection. Her large-format piece The Worst Magazine Ever is actually one of the best magazines ever. (Also, everyone loves pierogies)

Appealing to the masses at The Pop-Hop's table. Hope to see you for our workshop on Wednesday!