Young Pirate
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Resident BrowserI was working on one of our pizza-box picture frames when this resident browser stopped by for a look-see--sometimes she runs her fingers over the gluey fresh papier mache work and makes a face, but I have never gotten her to join the fun of producing any art.She always carries her dolly--I guess to remind her of other times and places....
Curious Bystander
Other people come and go quite frequently---only with us for days or a few weeks.But almost everyone who can stops by the tables where our creative workshop meets to watch us paint, draw or model with papier mache or salt dough.Everybody seems to enjoy the stimulation of art and creativity.I believe that deep down everyone is an artist or at least an art lover--and this is part of the "human condition".It is good to be a part of the creative processes that create "something beautiful"--even if it is only beautiful in the mind of the creator!...
Zaccai and Model Mongol HorsemanZaccai's home-school history lesson now is about the days of Genghis Khan and his Asiatic horsemen which conquered so much of Asia in the ninth century AD. We thought it would be interesting to make a miniature rider and horse in the costume of the Mongol horsemen.We are trying flour and salt clay instead of our usual papier mache for the model--it seems better for small work and fine details--well, we'll see.We made an iron-wire (construction wire) armature and covered it with the "clay". To save baking electricity we are experimenting with sun-dried "salt-flour clay". Usually these little creations take at least several hours of oven baking at 250 degrees--but that's pretty pricy for school work--which doesn't have to last forever!...
Katya
We welcomed a new artist to our Creative Workshop on Thursday. Katya is seven years old and is the daughter of one of the working women at the care facility where we meet.
She speaks Spanish as well as English and is an avid watercolorist.
Her mother said that Tamara wanted a watercolor paint set for Christmas and nothing else!
That is the sure sign of a REAL artist!When paints and paper are set before her she goes right to work. She is very self-motivated and seems to have in mind exactly what she wants to create. To my way of thinking--that is another sure sign of an artist....
Mary
Today she said she would be willing to try drawing--but when I put the paper and felt-tip pen handy for her --she changed her mind.
Since she was there I did a quick sketch of her.
You gotta watch out when you get near our workshop! You draw or be drawn!
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As you know, we have two neighborhood home-school kids who meet with our workshop group twice a week at the care center across the street.As their tutor, I ask myself: What do these children need to know?
Maybe a better question is: What does THIS child need to know? Because to me every child is different--and every individual needs to know different things.
Lucky--we don't have a classroom here loaded with 35 kids all the same age but all with different needs!
Two kids is almost perfect--one teacher for two children--brother and sister a year or so apart in age!
The old people are also there--but just there. Their day is almost done. They watch the kids with more or less interest--some may try to communicate a little--but mostly they are just there in their wheelchairs.
Maybe THAT is the lesson they are teaching--and it may be a powerful teaching--a lesson stronger than I could ever teach in words or diagrams. They teach by their presence.
Old people darshan, maybe?
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Several times a week different ambulances pick up or deliver patients to the care facility where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets.
The elderly persons who participate in our creative work are reminded constantly that life is time-limited. Whatever we can do--we should do now because there may not be a "later".
This is not just a memento for the old, of course, since none of us knows how many moments we have left to "run and play in these beautiful fields".
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Tanya photoNot everyone ends up in a care facility.We were grocery shopping yesterday and saw this beautifully restored Model T Ford in the store's parking lot. We walked over and had a chat with its owner.That proud owner of same is in the photo with me. (I am the one in the brown shoes.)He said he bought one just like it brand new when he was 15 years old in 1930 for $500.oo then last year--many cars and years later--he got a phone call from his grandsons who said: "Grandpa go outside. We sent you a present and it is loaded on a truck! And, of course, the present was the Model T which they had restored for him.Nice, huh?He said not many 15 year-old kids these days would--or could--do that. I guess not since there are about a thousand people living in California now for every one in 1930!(He also said the price of gasoline back then was about 8 gallons for a dollar.)...
Flowers in Vase (mixed media). Tomasito's Creative Workshop
Every time we get together, creative things happen.What starts out as one thing might become another as different people have a chance to work on the same project.The above started out as a watercolor rendering but was changed (improved) by one or two other artists who had a go at the painting.I like this finished mixed media product.All it needs now is one of our classic pizza-box frames!...
We should mention that our good and faithful worker, Bea--our 91-year-old artistic sensation--has moved to another care facility to be nearer to her children. Bon Voyage, Bea--it was good to have you here!...
Acrylic-marking pen Picture by Tomasito's Creative Workshop
Most of the residents at the care home where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets are wheelchair-bound.
Life for these adults (There are no children or young people) is circumscribed by the limits of the long central hallway, their shared small resident's rooms (usually two residents per room), the exercise room and the large dining room/activities room. All of the residents receive 24 hour medical care, medications, physical therapy and counseling. They are fed, bathed, changed, dressed and groomed with haircuts, fingernail care and so forth.
There is easy access to television, games, etc. for all--as well as weekly religious services and occasional professional entertainment and seasonal parties.
The few ambulatory residents are variously physically or mentally challenged so all external doors are alarmed or constantly watched for the resident's safety.
Caring for the residents is a business. All the official care personnel are hourly or contract employees--all have the qualifying levels of documented skills for their function. The facility is kept scrupulously clean and all the employees are polite and smiling. It is a business.
So it is. ...
Strange Animals
He is ready to tackle just about anything watercolory now!
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Young Pirate
