Today was the beginning of the wire sculpture project

Our first project for sculpting and modeling is a wire sculpture. I decided that I wanted to keep it simple. For a biomorphic design you can either simplify or embellish the original form. It must be suggestive of a biological substance/creature/form. I chose to work off the form of a fish. My project morphed as I did sketches. Right now the form is in a fish motif. It must be expanded upon to only suggest a fish. Not sure exactly how to take it to that point. But drawing is crucial to sculpting--that is where the idea gets worked out. And it is also used in the progression of the idea. Now I will sketch some ideas of how to take the form away from the obviousness of the fish. The notes on the side are ideas and elements of design.....how to make it work, whatever direction I take it.

What's a Good Bargain in Education

I am going to get edjumacated. Has anyone noticed the dichotomy of philosophical viewpoints? That is the arrogant vs the bargain basement mentality regarding educational systems. What I am trying to say is that some people really look down their noses at the community college system. Sociology 101 is sociology 101 where ever you go!

I first encountered this in 1979. I was a arrogant little dr's daughter and I chose to go to Ithaca college. I later transferred the credits I earned to flcc when I pursued my nursing degree. in 1979 I could have received a continuation of my education---psych, sociology, into to the college level sciences at flcc. Instead I went off to the fancy school and withdrew.

When my kids went off to college--Natalie could not decide between Cornell and flcc. Cornell bribed her with a camping trip, so she went there. Natalie is not pretentious.

The four year private school is a racket. It plays on parent's pride. Thousands of dollars are raked into these institutions because a parent wants to brag the fact that their child is a success. It is a major status statement! Well, he might become successful, but has he learned to play the game or to think on his own? I paid 16,000 dollars for my daughter to go to Cornell and I am very proud of her. She excelled. My son went to Flcc and he makes more than she does. He is an agricultural worker for a famous grocery store chain. I was lucky that because my daughter was so gifted she received grant money. I am equally blessed that I was able to pay for my son's education right out of pocket.

Some say that a community college is a junior college- a continuation of high school. I have been to Hobart William Smith and Ithaca and I don't see the great chasm of quality that would be expected for the price difference.

All the profs want to see you go on to get a four year degree. That is a good thing. I think that the community college is a wonderful institution. It is an equalizer in this world of financial inequality. I don't think that the education is of a lesser quality.

Mona Lisa Smile Day

It was my first day in art history today. If anybody has seen the movie Mona Lisa Smile--my art history class was a little like that. She put up slides and we responded if we knew the work of art. The famous pics were an arc de triumph, the colosseum, a goddess sculpture...and so on, of course early cave paintings!

We were not like the girls at the ivy league school, but we did okay.

In intro to drawing- the prof went over expectations and gathered info about each of us. He is the same teacher who will instruct me in sculpting. In the art class we will be using pencils, sketch pads and drawing pads...big ones. We will sit on this funny benches. I will have to do a photo blog to explain! Prof Barron showed an interest as to where we all were from. I don't think that he realizes that I am fifty! What does highschool mean to someone who has been out for over thirty years!

The professor of the design class--a studio class, went over expectations, rules and regs and supply needs. We have to gather natural forms--like thistles and bring them into class in a bag for Thursday. The class work is all done in black and white. He was not too curious about us as people.

We shall be introduced to color in the second semester!

First Day of Art School

When I grew up, my Mom used to say, "when I was in art school...." "In art school we did...." I am starting art school, Mom, I hope you would be proud. I once thought, "be your own person, Amy....don't reference your mother when you discuss your talent." Do I have talent? I don't know. But my mother was very talented. I thought about my favorite singer song writer Leonard Cohen..his son Adam is a musician and so is John Lennon's son. We cannot change the fact that our parents are a part of who we are. They help form our identity. So, Mom, I thought of you today when I listened to my sculpting professor, Barron, at my new adventure in "Art School." I thought, I bet my mom is right here with me. I will think of my mother, when I tell people. "hey, I am going to art school!"

"Art school" sounds bohemian. I attend FLCC, not too bohemian! Finger Lakes Community College. I am a firm believer in bargains and shopping locally! The college is 10 minutes away, even doable by bicycle.

The great thing about community colleges is that you can redo one's high school years. In high school I was all college prep/ math science. No time for art. The schedule was full. Art was a secret longing. In my twenties and thirties I was a farmer's wife/mom and then a nurse. My mother was alive and she was the artist. I was intimidated to try to even go there! So I focused on my career and motherhood.
Mom passed away 10 years ago this December. I wish I could have shown her more of my appreciation of her talent.

I have just one class on Mondays, Sculpting and Modeling--and this class is usually for second year students. The prof said not to worry, that the class would work along with the other classes that I am taking simultaneously. I am excited to try this out. I already have a plan for my first project, the wire sculpture assignment.

The other students are all young. I am fifty. Mid-life exploration. If I do well enough I might consider doing a double major with graphic arts, as I only have to do about 4 classes next year to fulfill my degree requirements. If I do a double major then there definitely might be career potential.

My plan is to do this web-log and give a chronological account of my education as it happens!