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Two projects coming to and end today...my daily series (the fashion illustrations painted with wine) and my sewing project for this month, this lil' sparkly green number. I really enjoyed painting with the wine this month and I think I will be revisiting it again at some point, maybe in the fall- I think the deep maroons and dark reds will be great for when the leaves change. And this is my third small sewing piece and I have really enjoyed just sitting and sewing each day. Sometimes I only get one 'line' (what I call a whatever I can get out of threading my needle one time, maybe there is an official name, not sure), sometimes I go wild and stitch for a bit more. I look forward to sewing each day and go into it with no pre-planning, so if you know me then you know that I am really letting loose...because I plan literally EVERYTHING.  (L) Final piece of the month (R) Finished sewing piece. I take it out of the hoop and stretch it over a tiny canvas.
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I needed to do this- for me. We have all made so many adjustments since the start of this pandemic, and working from home is part of a story we all know too well. My angle on the story is that of a teacher, and of an artist, 'cause that is what I know. Last March when this all began I was thrown into the world of remote learning- just like everyone else. I had no idea where to start. It was stressful. Sure, it was fun wearing yoga pants for months...but like my waistline, I do better with a little structure. When I am stressed I like to clean and organize. I thrive on giving myself a 'project' that I can throw myself into. Well, last March that project was redoing my studio back in Florida to accommodate this new remote learning platform- and to create a space to record material and do my zooms that would still feel like a 'classroom' space for my students. So I took everything out and rearranged it to create some work areas for myself. What I didn't know is that is how I would end that school year. But first, here is that space. I miss it for sure, so much natural light! It wasn't a large room but it was perfect for what I needed it for;  Seriously, this was one of my favorite home studio/office/classroom spots to date.  (Left) My work area...I spent SO much time there responding back to my students, giving them feedback on their work- and just listening to them (Right) My recording area, being tested out by one of my trusty teacher's assistants, Milky  ...and it wasn't limited to my studio- I literally brought home EVERY SINGLE AP 3D fashion pieces and AP 2D works that I could because I just had a feeling that we wouldn't be going back- and I was right. So- this became a home gym/art storage while I met with students to deliver their work and supplies so they could finish their portfolios- and it paid off! We had great scores, some 4's and a 5! And that is how I finished out the year, just like everyone- teaching/learning from home via the interwebs. Not really knowing what I was doing, but doing it enthusiastically and trying to make it fun. Just trying to do my best. And then, in the middle of all of this madness- John and I moved. Yup, during a pandemic. We uprooted ourselves. I found myself not only teaching in another state- but teaching elementary after teaching HS and MS for the past eleven years in Florida AND...still in pandemic mode so REMOTE. Once again, I set up my studio space to accommodate my remote classroom needs. There is a whole blog post about it, and you should see what this room looked like when we got here-seriously, major makeover! https://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/new-studiovirtual-classroom-set-up The left area was my dedicated 'virtual classroom space'. That is where I did all of my videos and my Zooms. But after going at this for almost a year...after teaching fully remote in Florida from March 'til the end of the year, and then 'til October here in NC...then teaching face to face and virtual....half capacity, remote days on Wednesdays...now back five days a week, full capacity but also having remote students too... One day I just reached my breaking point. I needed to separate my personal studio from ANY hint of a classroom. I needed to reclaim my creative space. So I did. And it may not seem like I made a ton of changes, but I made enough to make it mine again. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, my students are fab- but I needed to come HOME again- not to feel like I never left work.  The classroom can stay at school. Work can stay at work. Home is home again. I finished this project up over the weekend and every time I go in that room I feel like it is 100% mine again, I don't have to share the space, I don't have to think about work. I am home.  (Left) ...just a selfie in the top my SIL bought for me- she knows how much I love leopard! (Middle) Daily wine painting (Right) Teeny tiny metallic stiches Did you ever just lie on the floor when you were a kid and you were supposed to be cleaning your room...but you just plopped on the floor and started zoning out for hours. Or are you normal? Me- total floor flopper. I would pull everything out, then immediately regret having done that but be too far gone to stop the task so then I would just lie around and contemplate life. So that is kinda what it is like when I start a new series. At least this time. The cats were super excited that I joined them on the floor- and they even helped me pick my color scheme for my April sewing project!  It was a tough decision, so I had to have the kitties help me make it- obviously. Mackie was all about the yellow- Milky liked orange...but Mackie is older so he won.  Prepping my fabric and gathering my sewing supplies...by the way, the yellow represents all this dang pollen in NC! Glad I don't have allergies- same for John.  To prep for my daily series I took an early morning trip over to Airlie Gardens. It was COLD! I took a ton of pics, and even saw a bunny. You can't tell from the pic but my nose is super cold and pink! When I met Raliene last weekend I made arrangements to come back and switch out my coffee paintings for the news ones from last month. I love going downtown first thing in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays- parking is no problem and the streets are pretty much clear, so is the riverwalk. I feel like I have the place to myself.  Weekend are my FAVORITE! Not only because...ummmm, hello-WEEKEND?!?! I also love having quiet time while John is sleeping to play in my journal. I have been keeping up with my morning pages for 11 weeks (!!) but weekends is when I have time to doodle and make the pages come to life.  John and I decided to take a ride down to Carolina Beach to check out a grill in a gas station that was supposed to be legit (OFFICIAL REPORT: It did NOT disappoint! Best hotdog everrrrrr!) Then we kept on driving down to Fort Fisher to walk around for a bit. Seems like everyone else had the same idea- everywhere was packed...except for our fav spot.  ...sweet notes from my students...random selfies in the hall between classes with Doug...wine painting..sewing!  We have had some really nice days this week-PURRfect for porch time! She had me a pageant gowns and coffee illustrations! This was a really fun group of coffee paintings to complete, Raliene wanted paintings of some of her outfits/gowns from her pageants. I have one more to complete for her, she wasn't quite sure yet which one she wanted. Will post a pic of that once it is done and delivered. ...and how did she find me? My art display at Port City Java!  ...been working on these coffee paintings for a commission.  I had already completed the 'interview outfit' in February, but I noticed AFTER I finished it that there was a crease in the paper that drove me nuts- so I redid the piece.  Two more paintings of her gowns...she had a cool peacock feather ear cuff that she wanted to include. It was pretty small in the piece, so I added the color to give the detail a little more presence.  Delivery day (part 1)...one happy beauty queen!  Typical day...screening the kids coming off the bus and then teaching art all day...coming home and doing my wine painting and my sewing. Repeat.  Just sewing thangs...I picked up this metallic green thread on my 'extended artist date' to Southport...and I finally decided to treat myself to some new scissors just for my sewing- and look how pretty they are!  Had some nice days to sew on the porch, loving this spring weather! |
AuthorArtist and Art Teacher 
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