Once again my friend and teacher extraordinaire, Shannon McBride, has invited me to come to her art classroom and guide this year's people through the intricacies of the long stitch journal. Here's what we did this week.
These journals will be used for writing and art exercises. And secrets. Personal stuff.
Each student tries a personal approach for their covers. Some paint, some collage, some glue fabric or paper.
Not one of them is afraid to try.
I consider that advanced.
This is happiness.
These are the raw materials.
"I made it!"
The boys thoroughly charmed me. Graceful, willing, promising.
This is what pride looks like. Each book a masterpiece.
Well done, grasshoppers. Once again ... I love the classroom. I love these kids. They really, really give me hope. We have to take good care of them, fund our schools, protect their future. xo
Lovely, lovely. They are blessed to have been under your guidance today. I hope each of them fills those journals with words, images, laughter, sorrow, his or her very self.
ReplyDeleteFund our schools. Teach our children.
And then let them lead the way.
You certainly did your part in that art room.
Yay for you.
Yay for them.
oh okay i LOVE this post.
ReplyDeletegod.
i love the fearlessness of trying.
xx,
amy
Bravo you! And all the loving energy you always put forward comes back to you a hundredfold..Look at those faces, what joy and promise are contained within. You look blissed with your day!
ReplyDeleteCynthia
a full time member of the "Wise" women fan club.
I absolutlely love this new generation and their journals are wonderful, you bring out the best in them!
ReplyDeleteI really loved seeing these pics! Thank you for sharing the magic. I've taken a few simple books, like a paperbag one into my sixth grade room, and the kids always beg to make one.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful, Judy! you did a great job with them. Their eagerness is fetching and I love the final photo!!
ReplyDelete~Dawn
How wonderful to see these happy faces, these brilliant results. You must be a very good teacher, Judy!
ReplyDeleteI know I don't comment often but I always read...this time, however, I had to at least say "Well done!" for the awesomeness of you instructing this new generation. It is so good to see them enjoying bookbinding (and maybe getting into some art journaling *crossing fingers*.)
ReplyDeletePeace & Love,
Barb
Judy, I don't know why, but when I finished this post I found myself with tears in my eyes. I saw the pride in the girls eyes showing off her book. How I would have loved being in that class as a participant. I loved the comix book cover...the intensity with which they were all working, such a joy. And yes, our schools need more of this. not less. Lucky kids to be in a school that offers art at all; and the likes of you, well such icing on the cake that is!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! We must take care of our children. Teach them well. Good job, Judy!
ReplyDeleteWe were the lucky ones! Judy is a gifted teacher with so much to share. She gives of herself entirely. The students loved her and now have beautiful sketchbooks that they will fill with images and yes, their secrets! We have a few of the students who want to make a book 'making' club. Should be fun. Thank you friend for sharing with my students and me!!!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me want to go back to school...
ReplyDeletewhat resonates for me here is *SELF-ESTEEM*: what the creative process gives them, individually in the way each of them need it.
ReplyDeleteAnd what they are going to fill each of their journals WITH, again, is such an important element to personal growth, mental health (get it out of your head and body! put it in your journal!), and self-realisation: that private, sacred place that each of them have created for themselves. It's pure alchemy!
(Wouldn't it be great to travel the world and share it with young people everywhere...? ;)) Cheers! Lisa
Sweet! Love this, the kids are darling...artists every one of them.
ReplyDeleteI love that you take time to share your gifts. Happy Weekend Judy!
♥Jenny
Just wonderful. Love this. How lucky those kids are to have you visit them and teach them how to create those beauteous journals!
ReplyDeletethis is a moving and inspiring post, judy! love, love, love it!!
ReplyDeleteyou have such a beautiful heart and it shows!!
xo + smiles~ jill
look at all those beautiful smiling faces!!! how wonderful life is with you in the world!!! ;)
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
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ReplyDeleteAmazing. Judy I am in awe of you!! How wonderful for these students to experience your talent, energy and generous spirit. My daughter's been asking me to come to her school and do something like this, I may finally give in - thanks for the nudge, xoxo
ReplyDeleteI loved this post Judy! They all (including you) look so darn happy!
ReplyDeleteYou glow. Those teenagers glow. The books glow... this post and the photos makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post. I'd have been beside myself to have had anything like this when I was in school. Look at those faces. You can tell they loved it!
ReplyDeleteGOOD JOB!!!!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a LOT of smiling happy kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-)
This is so wonderful, Ms. Wise ! How amazing for all of you to have shared that creative time together.
ReplyDeleteLove it !
Wow what a wonderful class, happy creating, beautiful books..you are so awesome Miss Judy...
ReplyDeleteXOXOrly
I wish that I had understood what journaling was all about at that age. Oh, the teenage issues that could've been worked out. They are so fortunate to have had this experience making their own journals. Personalities shining through starting from the covers--working there way to the pages inside. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow inspiring. Lovely books. Yes, we certianly do need to take care of our kids and their futures! Art is certainly an important aspect of their education too.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all that.
ReplyDeleteThis was positively inspirational! Everyone looks so happy and there are genuine smiles all around! The sketchbooks look amazing!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Judy..you have done it again. It truly is such a pleasure to visit here with you..and I've been gone for too long!
I shall make myself another coffee and catch up!
ciao bella
creative carmelina
This makes me miss teaching middle school art. Beautiful books, and beautiful students.
ReplyDeleteroxanne
Judy.
ReplyDeleteJudy, Judy, Judy!
I guess that's all..
I know you don't know me, and I don't really know you (I just found you!), but I just love this post! Seeing those young people making books, well, it just really warms my heart! How awesome must it be to get to be there and help them stretch their artistic and creative wings!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this post and these pics!