Michelangelo

We’ve been looking at Michelangelo in my art classes.  On the Sistine Chapel ceiling, this is one of the Old Testament prophets that foretold Christ’s coming. Through time we’ve been looking at how symbolism is changing.  Can you look at this picture and guess who the prophet is? 

SPOILER ALERT!  The fish.  Jonah. The interesting thing here is that Michelangelo wasn’t content with just painting a figure.  As in all his work he wanted to create a figure at a particular moment.  An example is his sculpture David - at the very moment he was coiling his muscles and scrutinizing Goliath as he contemplated the kill (vastly different from all sculptures of David that went before.) 

So, Jonah? Can you see here that God’s telling Jonah to go, and Jonah is struggling with ‘No, I don’t want to do that! I... think I’ll run away... I’m going to fight this...’  Every fiber of his being in this painting is struggling with God.  Only got Jonah into, uh, deep trouble, wouldn’t you say?  I guess the moral of the story is - let’s obey God the first time, shall we?

I teach at two locations, The Training Center

www.ttcclasses.com

And HIS Classes (Homeschool Instructional Support Classes)

www.hisclasses.org

These are formal art classes that run through the entire school year for homeschoolers.  Both organizations offer all subjects; I just happen to be the lucky person to teach art.

I also teach super fun, super messy classes in the summertime so let me know if you’re interested.

An Art Teacher’s Homework

These are Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). They must be a certain size, signed on the back and traded, never sold.  I’m doing them with my students in my classes. There are all kinds of places where you can trade and lots of online trading groups.  When I need inspiration, going through my ATCs can put me right back on track. My students think THEY have a lot of homework; I have to make one card for each student!  Fun work, though. :)

Upcoming Art Classes

Gathering supplies for my new students - can’t wait to meet them!  Classes start SOON and I am gearing up! I have a couple spots left in each class so look up www.hisclasses.org or www.ttcclasses.com and let me know if you want in.  These are formal, weekly art classes for homeschooled students ages 9-18 through the entire school year.  The websites:

www.hisclasses.org and

www.ttcclasses.com

And, a little known fact about me - I almost never erase to get rid of a mistake.  Not that I don’t make a LOT of mistakes, I just draw so lightly and loosely in the beginning that the mistakes simply get covered up. Do you see how these art erasers are flat?  That’s because they’re for oh so much more than deleting bad stuff.  They’re good for drawing in ‘light.’  They do highlights, reflections, light lines, smudging, strands of hair... all this can be erased out of dark values with the edge these babies have.  Love these things!  

Want to join in on the fun and creativity?  Check out the websites and let me know!*

* If you’re interested in privates, I give them as well.  Just ask.

Art Classes for Homeschoolers

If you’re still thinking of art classes for the fall, I’m switching into high gear gathering supplies and preparing lesson plans. I teach in two locations: www.hisclasses.org and ttcclasses.com.  Two of my seven classes are full, but there’s room in the others! Did you know I also give private lessons? Message me about that.