Let's talk FASHION!

Note:  Okay, I have been totally slack about blogging but I do think it is important to document what goes on in my lil' creative world- if for no one else but me!  So this post was added after the events ocurred, in this case my two art camps at the Armory...but...I did make time to add this post, 'cause it is important to me that I try to keep track of stuff like this...especially when it was so much FUN!!  -JLG

What were we talking about?  Oh yes, FASHION!

...FASHION CAMP, that is!
This was my second summer teaching fashion camp(s) at the Armory and I gotta say…THIS is what dreams are made of!  The kids that sign up are SO focused and into their work…I mean…they REALLY love fashion.  Sometimes it would be so quiet and I would think, ‘Oh my gosh- they are bored.’ I would look around and see all of my students fully engaged in not only their fashion sketches and related projects- but also in the work of their peers.  I really love teaching this subject and in this format, it didn’t even seem like a ‘summer job’…just me, heading to the studio to hang out and talk fashion!

So...let's begin!

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WEEK 5: July  5th-8th Fashion and Fabric Art

For my first week of camp my focus with the students was more illustration/2d-based.  We talked about drawing proportions for fashion, coming up with a ‘fashion form’, creating inspiration boards (and original fashion designs!) for each season, creating a repeat pattern and we even had time to play around with some DIY jewelry and accessory fun! 

...a view from the final exhibition!

WEEK 9: August 1st-5th Fashion Upcycled

A day in the life...the kids literally made me wish-lists for my lunch time trips to Resource Depot :)

The second week of camp was right on the heels of my trip to Kansas City…like, literally.  I flew in Sunday, started teaching Monday.  But it was worth it- pure art teacher heaven! I had another amazing group to work with, this time our focus was on one of my favorite things- upcycled fashion!

Why upcycled fashion...or anything for that matter? Well, I sure do like having a planet to live on and stuff...and I like to make thangs so...might as well combine the two. Plus, I am always creating on a budget, and recyling and upcycling sure does help with that.  

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I taught this camp just a little bit differently than my first week.  I try to infuse as much 'choice' into my teaching as I can, whether in a camp format or in my regular classroom. For my first art camp I had a schedule for the week, but the students were welcome to work on any project once it had been introduced.  For this week I approached it more like a group meeting in the morning where I would show them a technique (like tape transfers, basic sewing etc) and then I just added it to our project/technique list and they could work on anything they wanted, with the goal of at least trying everything- but the freedom to interpret it in their own way and put more time into exploring what appealed to them the most.

The result?  Engagement.  A quiet buzz of work.  Discussion of their work without me prompting in any way.  And many trips to Resource Depot on my lunch break...and so many hot glue sticks!  They really used their time to create and as much as they wanted.  I had some students that proudly took home almost a bag of creations EVERY day.  When they would ask, 'how much can we make of  ___________'.  My answer would always be 'make 'til we run out of everything...then I will go get more!'  And they would grab their materials and run happily to their spot in the studio- ready to be immersed in 'the make'.  And this was the daily routine...meet, teach, make, discuss...then make some more.  Here is my informal schedule/agenda:

I guess I should mention that upcycled jewelry...yeah, it's kinda one of my favorite things EVER.  I SERIOUSLY LOVE IT!  I brought in some of my own creations for inspiration, mostly statement necklaces.

Various DIY Upcycled pieces from the past couple of years...materials ranging from paint chips, toilet paper rolls, magazine and greeting cards to scraps of fabric...and always some kind of sparkle. The two pics on the right are accessories that I made during camp- bottle caps, paint chips, etc

 I wanted to note that I DO actually WEAR these crazy pieces!!  My husband usually questions me ('babe, are you REALLY gonna wear that?')  and... I do!  So, these pieces aren't just for show.  Don't believe me?  Look below- me, in public- wearing my crazy, creative creations!

I really do wear this stuff! From left to right: Pic with Sof in the dress I made using Art Hive Magazines... a reversible re-make of a cheap-o necklace I made to wear for two events during Art Palm Beach...Tshirt necklaces for my show at Harold's (my friends are wearing my creations, too!)...the greeting card necklace and a crayon necklace I made to wear on the first day of school! This isn't everything...just some of it!

...and now...here are the pics from camp!

...and that's it!  Both weeks of camp exceeded my expectations...the students were off the charts-creative and so engaged in their work.  I sure hope I can get another 'fashion fix' soon!