Photo Compositions from a Day Trip

In my photography, I enjoy exploring light and shadow and a range of compositions, particularly cropping, altering the photo plane and angle, and capturing compositions in unexpected places.

Zooming in to capture details is like painting a small object in a large, abstract way.

In portraiture, I experiment with backgrounds and how to make the person blend in or stand out from his surroundings.

Click trips & treks, my travel blog, for more info

about these locations and my day trip to get here.

Quoting Another Art Student

The following is a conversation that took place near the end of the school day with yet another third grade class.


(Photo taken in the Enchanted Forest at the Children's Museum)

Third Grade Student X, aka Governor, and other students at his table, discuss colors of yarn being used in weavings.

Student X: "Most girls like pink. Mrs. Gordon, do you like pink?"
Mrs. G: "Not really."
Student X: "Why?"
Mrs. G: "I don't know..."
Other students: "You're a girl."
Mrs. G: "Yeah, maybe I don't like it because most people think all girls like pink."
(My striped shirt I am wearing with sweater shrug over it actually has a hint of pink. :) )

Student X: "Do you like... (orange, blue, green, etc.) purple?"
(I mention colors I like to all students at the table.)

Mrs. G: "Somewhat... my husband really likes purple."
Student X: "YOU HAVE A HUSBAND!"
Mrs. G: "Yeah, it's okay. Having a husband is a good thing."
(I'm thinking, as opposed to other standards he may see or know in the world.)

Student X: "I thought you were a teenager."
Mrs. G: "Well, how old do you think I am?"


Student X: "43."

Quoting an Art Student

(Photo taken at the Children's Museum)

Setting: My Art Classroom at the end of the School Day


Characters: 2 boys in the 3rd grade

Student A: quiet, usually works hard

Student L: interesting, surprisingly informed in some areas for a 3rd grader, hypochondriac (loves visiting the school nurse)


Plot: Apparently Student L felt the need to comment to Student A about his weaving.


Quote:

Student A: "Don't make fun of my artwork."

Student L: "I'm not making fun of it. It's called art criticism."

Drawing with Lines, Shapes & Patterns

Title: "Keeping the Beat"

Medium: Ink

Style: Abstract

Materials: Ballpoint Pen

Date: February 3, 2009

I had fun with this drawing.

The large, white "music notes" provide an interesting contrast to the details in the background. The layering and overlapping of shapes and lines give the illusion of depth.

This drawing was actually a gift for a buddy who is my former high school chorus and music teacher.

My Portrait

During his free drawing time today, one of my first grade students drew this:

He handed it to me before leaving art class and said it was for me.... which is fairly common. After the class left and I looked closer, I began to notice MY multicolored shoe strings, (black and orange for school pride,) jeans, black sweatshirt with a tiger, glasses, and apparently MY hair.

MY PORTRAIT, I presumed!

Template

What are your comments, concerns, or suggestions on the blog color changes?

Handmade Book 1

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I was reintroduced to handmade books in a workshop last year with Martha Depp. Check out Martha's work at MarthaDeppArt. Martha is a colleague who also teaches elementary art.

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Title: "Surprise"

Medium: Mixed Media

Materials:

matte board, watercolor paper, watercolor paint, brushes, scissors, glue stick

Date: November 2007

Note: I made a few handmade books in college, from digitally designed books with handmade covers in Graphic Design classes, (yes Beth and Natalie, I used a Mac,) to completely handmade books and covers in craft classes.

Just Having Fun: An Interview

The following is a series of interview questions given to me by Beth at The Cat in the Adage.

Rules: If you'd like to join in:

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (And your e-mail address if I don't already have it, please.)

2. I will email you five questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

(Original Graphic Design by AAGordon)

The Interview:

1. What was your favorite toy, or type of toy, when you were a child?

I did not have a toy that I carried around with me. I also went through “stages” of favorite toys, depending on my age and interests. In random order during childhood, I had: about 3 different dolls that I named, (2 were generic, 1 was Cabbage Patch,) a collection of Matchbox Cars, (particularly a Corvette and 57 Chevy,) outside toys, (a skateboard, bicycle, scooter, and Big Wheel,) Fisherprice Pool Table, board games, (Outburst Jr, Connect Four, Guess Who,)...


2. What art form/medium is your least favorite and why?

DIFFICULT QUESTION… While oil paintings are traditional and usually very good work, I have not worked with oil very much, if at all. Traditional oils dry very slowly. While I don’t mind taking a while to finish a painting, I like to layer paint and colors and correct mistakes or paint over the paint quickly, without having to wait for the medium to dry, which is impossible with oils.


3. What is/was your favorite Christmas ornament?

When I think of Christmas ornaments, I immediately think of a small, wooden house ornament with some details, including a clock. I have had this ornament since I was a child, (and convinced my mom to let me bring it with me when I got married.) My great grandfather, my dad’s mother’s father, (my dad’s maternal grandfather,) gave it to me. He lived near us, practically next door, for several years.


4. You have written your autobiography and it is ready to be published, what will the cover look like?

Option 1: My portrait in a room or other setting, decorated with objects reflecting my interests: a Bible, art supplies, musical instruments, books, a camera, photos, teaching supplies…
Option 2: An Original Photo, possibly a landscape, with colors and setting, reflective of contemplation, nature, peace, variety…
Option 3: An Original Photo with a graphically designed border, containing objects that represent me, as mentioned in option 1


5. What is your favorite dessert?

Candy Bar: Three Musketeers
Pie: Pecan Pie
Birthday Cake: White Confetti Cake
Ice Cream: Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip
Cookie: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Chocolate Chip

(I’m sure I could continue this list further…)

Draw...

Title: "Prints"

Medium: Ink

Style: Abstract

Materials: Bic Mark.it Permanent Markers, White Drawing Paper

Date: December 2008



I worked on this drawing over time for the last few months. The subject matter reflects the shape of a tiger paw as a tiger is the mascot of the elementary school where I teach.

Drawing Fun

Title: "Light Show"

Medium: Ink

Style: Abstract

Materials: Bic Mark.it Permanent Markers, White Drawing Paper

Date: December 23, 2008

This composition continues with my non-objective, pen and ink style and moves toward abstraction with reflections and inspirations from Christmas lights...