Archive for February, 2012
The wonderful wizards of Art…
The Magic Mile 2.5"x3.5" watercolor painted in NYC after a visit to the Met
Most of you know that when I am not painting far too tiny artworks or cooking new dishes I spend a lot of time in my art classroom trying to give 5-12 year olds an art education. As a professional in the field I feel it’s my duty to develop my skills and learn from the experts….let’s say wizards of art.
Tomorrow I will whisk away to New York City to attend a conference of Art Educators. I’ll be traveling solo and as you might remember from my notorious #eatpaintNYC trip in 2011 I’ll be anxiously tweeting away my nervous tension that comes when traveling alone. My husband and daughter enjoyed my tweets from last time and I find it a very cozy yet public way to keep up with what’s going on. Follow me on the twitter at www.twitter.com/eatpaintlauren (you don’t need an account to read the tweets).
Wish me luck! And with any luck at all I’ll come home a smarter better educator and an inspired painter of far too tiny artworks 
Museums truly are the greatest places. I’m always hypnotized by what I see in galleries but today while working in a gallery classroom I came upon a book that belonged to another teacher. Here’s the first page…
It had me at hello with a drawing of my home state. I started reading about Saul Steinberg (whom I had only heard of and never gotten to know). Saul is an artist who fits no where specifically but is most known for his cartoon work for the New Yorker. I love an artist with a sense of humor and a strong use of line.
Untitled, 1948. Ink on paper, 14 1/4 x 11 1/4". Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
His work is shown all over the world. He’s big time. He’s unique and his work is quirky and beautiful. I’m all over it. Well, now I am.
Main Street--Small Town, section of The Americans mural, American Pavilion, Brussels World's Fair, 1958. Collage, mixed media, and enlarged photographs, approximately 10 x 20'. Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Brussels.
I have been in a “who am I as an artist and what does it all mean” kind of place (also known as a “time to do your taxes and see if you’re actually making or losing money on this” place). And investigating Saul has inspired me to just do what I want to do. Right now I just want to explore.
Untitled, 1957. Ink on paper. Originally published in The New Yorker, June 1, 1957.
Gender role discussion anyone?
Kidding.
Hi again!
It’s me, Lauren. Sorry I’ve been a little blogless lately. I’ve just been painting my little heart out and you know, working a full time job and trying to be a good parent. Other than that…I’ve been watching a whole lot of Mary Tyler Moore on dvd. I know, it’s a little random.
But it’s hilarious and beautiful and inspiring also, Mary Tyler Moore that is. She’s got spunk you know. (Go ahead….say you hate spunk!)
Well, I hope you’re doing okay. Thanks for reading and let me know which of those paintings you like the most up there. I’ve been going in all different directions and love to hear your feedback.
Till next time
Lauren
