Last week in our Summer Sketch class we were teaching chalk pastels, the technique for which is all about layering colors and putting light shades over dark to create the illusion of light. The forecast called for rain, so we had class on the terrace rather than out on the museum grounds as we had planned. One boy in the class was inspired to draw the terrace's bright pink and yellow lanterns hanging above the gray stone floor and silver metal tables. He layered white onto gray onto black, creating a picture with some real depth and beauty of what's really simply a place for visitors to eat their lunch:
Then on Saturday we had a Steig-themed family day that included a tour of the Love and Laughter exhibit, a dramatic reading of some of his books (including Shrek!) and an art workshop making wooden figurines in the style of Jeanne Steig. This last part was so interesting--most families had had a chance to see her sculptures, which are made out of found objects, in the galleries. Their projects were both inspired by her and also went in completely different directions--one girl made an adorable wooden pig, and a little boy set about the task of building an entire (miniature) house.
One of my favorites was this grandmother, who worked with her (camera shy) four year-old granddaughter to make this figure. Can you see the striking resemblance?
I'm getting to the point in my internship here where I find myself breezing through the galleries on a beeline to whatever piece I need to look at for a certain project, or helping the kids in an art class (which can always be a little chaotic) without paying attention to where I am. So it's exciting to see visitors who are inspired by the art they see around them, both inside the galleries and out!
P.S. There will be another Steig-themed family day on August 14th...and this one promises to be Shrekalicious!
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