sarah bell smith

Classes I'm teaching for 2012

2012-01-20T15:24:00.000+10:30

I've been busy working on lesson plans for all my new classes for this year. I only have my timetable for semester 1., but that is still plenty of work for me to do. Below is a list of the classes I'm teaching and the work they will be doing.

I hope to post a few of my samples of work that I do with the students one we get going. The topics of teaching below in textiles are not quite what I would have chosen for teaching, but I'm new to the job and so am happy to simply teach what I am told. It is not my place to start a new job and ask to change things right away.

For those overseas people reading this, year 9 for example doesn't mean the students are aged 9. We just often say year 9, rather than grade 9.

Subjects
Yr 7 art- typography, paper mosaics

Yr 8 art- pattern animals, matisse paper cuts, pos/neg drawings, jackson pollock exercise

Yr 9 home group teacher

Yr 9 art- altered books

Yr 8 textiles- cushion covers

Yr 9 home ec- various cooking and nutrition tasks

Yr 10 textiles- children's wind-cheater

Yr 11 textiles- free choice garment

Doesn't sound overly exciting when you see it written like that, but I'm a teacher that prides myself on making learning fun and interesting.

Time to go back and write more lesson plans now. yah for me.

Doing some hand quilting

2012-01-18T14:57:00.000+10:30

I did a lot of work for the SAlt exhibition group earlier in the holidays, but haven't finished a couple of the pieces. One of the pieces I'd been working on involved a lot of applique and it resulted in the background fabric becoming slightly puckered. Therefore it is time for me to do some hand quilting.

I've only ever made one 'quilt' as such (quilts aren't really my thing) and it was for a friends baby so it didn't have to be perfect. This quilt however is for an exhibition so I thought I better actually do it right this time. I went over to Suzanne Gummow's house to do a trade. I helped her with some blogging issues and she helped me pin my quilt. Below are a few photos of the quilt pinning.

As the work is part of an exhibition, I cannot show photos of the actual 'real' work. Our group has agreed that no work is to be shown before it is exhibited.

Taping and clipping the bottom fabric and the

Pellon to a table for a nice flat start.

A closeup of all the clips keeping everything

taught and in place.

The fun job of adding a thousand safety pins.

So tonight's job is now to do some hand quilting so that I don't leave the safety pins in too long and they mark the fabric.

I really am still alive, here comes 2012

2012-01-15T18:23:00.000+10:30

Right, it is way overdue for me to update on here and so here goes.

2011 was a busy year and the end of a few things in my life. For one, it was the end of my unhealthy eating habits and my no exercise regime. I am now much better at eating healthy and also trying to keep up exercising.

I also finished working at Marden Senior College. I loved my time at Marden and must say I’m sad to be leaving. I learnt so much in my time there and am very thankful to the staff I worked with.

I had been there for 4 years, on a yearly contract. Therefore it meant that at the end of every year I had to wait to see whether or not my contract would be renewed. This made life somewhat uncertain when you have bills and a mortgage to pay. I also didn’t get paid for holidays so when you have 5 weeks off over summer and you’re waiting to find out if you even have a job the next year it is fairly stressful. It is for these reasons that I decided it was time to find myself a permanent job.

At the end of January (we’re 2012 now aren’t we?) I start a new job at St. Peter’s Girls. It will be a huge change for me as being a teacher at Marden was very different to most schools. Marden had no parent teacher interviews, no school camps, no sport duty, no out of school time commitments, no discipline problems, student reports were just tick boxes and 95% of my students were all over 50 year of age.

St Peters will be the absolute opposite of Marden. It will require everything that I listed above (that Marden didn’t require) and more. I went to Marden after a bad experience at another private school that ended up in me taking a significant amount of time off. I’m now quite apprehensive about returning to a normal school (Marden wasn’t normal) again.

I’m keeping in mind that this is a different school (not the one that was awful) and I just need to pace myself. I’m only going to be 0.7 so that means I will have 1 day off a week, this will be a big help. I also have to remember not to over prepare and that I don’t have to over plan everything and organise the next 6 months all in 1 day. I like to be very well organised, make that extremely well organised.

So a new school and healthy habits are 2 of the plans for 2012. The other plans involve continuing with house renovations, working on a solo exhibition and working on a joint exhibition.

I’ve spent most of my holiday painting doors and doorways in our house, exciting, I know. They were buttercup yellow and had been driving me crazy since we bought the house 2 years ago. Once I finish all the doors, I will then start with the walls (not bright yellow, so not as urgent) and then start ripping up the carpet to show off the polished boards. So in other words, I have a large amount of work in front of me. My husband works 12-14 hour days and 7 days a week a lot of the time, so I do most of the renovation work.

During 2012 I will continue to be part of a textile arts group called SAlt. SAlt stands for South Australian living textiles. There are 5 women in our group, this includes; Julie Haddrick, Judi Bushby, Francie Mewett, Suzanne Gummow and myself. We meet once a month to review our progress and critique each others work. During 2011 we each worked on 4 pieces of work, we all had the same theme for each piece and then simply took our own approach to creating the piece.

During this year we aim to complete another 4 pieces each, the themes for this year are linked to last years themes. We are currently working on the exhibiting part of the process. It won’t be for quite some time, don’t worry I’ll make sure the whole world knows about it when it happens.

The other thing I’m working on this year is the idea of me having a solo exhibition in the next couple of years. I’ve talked about it on here before- I call it Exhibition X at this stage as I haven’t decided on a name. The work is based around the idea of vessels in nature. I am looking at nests in particular at this stage. I’m still at the drawing and planning stage as I want to put some real thought into this before starting the making part. I’ve already posted some pictures on here before, they are not actual pieces of work, purely just me getting my head around this topic.

So after explaining all that, I wonder am I going to have any spare time this year? I’ve never been good with having spare time anyway, I’m not good at sitting still.

Well that’s it for me, until next time……

I'm still alive

2012-01-04T09:39:00.000+10:30

Well I'm still alive, it has just been a super busy period between christmas, new years and everything else. I want to write a decent post that explains my work changes for 2012 and other bits and pieces. Therefore I decided that this is just a short message to say hello and hope you all had a good christmas and new year. In the next couple of days I will write a proper post and detail my plans, etc.

Christmas time already???

2011-12-22T11:14:00.000+10:30

I can't believe that it is Christmas time again already. This time last year I was in India with my husband having the most fantastic time of our lives.

Christmas this year is with my family in Victoria so we are heading off for the nice long drive tomorrow and will be gone for about 5 days.

I'm taking my sketch books with me and hope to do some more planning for exhibition ideas and maybe I'll actually finish writing a magazine article I started about 2 months ago.

When I return, I will update you all with the major life changes that are happening for me at the moment. Just haven't had a chance in the last few weeks. I'm sure you all know what it is like at this time of the year.

Enjoy your Christmas, see you soon.

Sarah

Yet another nest drawing

2011-12-13T16:41:00.000+10:30

Hi all,

Hopefully your not getting too sick of all my drawings of bird nests. Here is another one.

Photoshop experiment with nest drawing

2011-12-10T18:23:00.001+10:30

Last time I posted on here, I included a drawing of a bower bird nest. I decided to add some colour to it using Photoshop.

It is very very roughly coloured, and the fact that all the sticks don't match up are even more obvious. Oh well, it was just a bit of fun really.

Yet another bird nest

2011-12-07T19:40:00.000+10:30

Below is a drawing I completed based on the nest of a bower bird. I've only included the shape that they form with sticks, I've neglected to draw all the little bits and pieces that the birds collect for their nests.

Not all the sticks meet up- I was rather 'over' the drawing by the time I was half way through.

More drawings from exhibition X

2011-12-03T14:45:00.000+10:30

Here another few drawings for Exhibition 'X' I've been working on.

These ones aren't looking at insect nests but bird nests this time.

Another drawing for exhibition X

2011-11-29T20:14:00.000+10:30

Here is another drawing based on a paper wasp nest that I drew to give me some ideas for my Exhibition X work.

I've actually been learning lots about paper wasp nests and bird nests while doing some research. I'll post some of the really cool things I've found out another day.

Handmade Paper Art and Textiles Flickr Group

2011-11-24T20:14:00.000+10:30

I recently set up a group on Flickr called 'Handmade Paper Art and Textiles. The aim of the group is for people who use handmade paper in their artwork to post photos of their work. Photos of just handmade paper sheets are not excepted. The photos have to show how you use handmade paper in your art and textiles.

Below is an image of the first page of photos from the flickr group. If you would like to add photos to the group, you will need to hold a flickr account. Flickr is a great website for artists to promote their work and it is a simple site to use. You can upload 6 photos a week to the group.

Here is the address for the flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/handmade_paper_art_textiles/

Please feel free to go and check out the groups work.

Drawings for Exhibition X

2011-11-23T17:19:00.000+10:30

Well below are 2 of my drawings I've been doing for Exhibition 'X'. The drawings won't actually be in the exhibition as such, but I may use them in collages or something along those lines.

Drawing of a bird sitting on edge of nest.

Drawing of a paper wasp nest.

Drawings of ideas for Exhibition X

2011-11-22T21:32:00.001+10:30

I've been busy doing some drawings of bird and wasp nests which link to my idea for my exhibition X. I haven't finished them yet, but when I do, I'll post them on here.

Otherwise it is a very hectic week at work for for me as it is the last week of classes. This means lots of marking and report writing. One of our teachers is also away and so we have to pick up all her classes and marking as well. I'm not really qualified to mark calligraphy, Oh well.

So once I've had 5 minutes to myself I will post some of the drawings I've been playing with.

My helpful friend

2011-11-20T14:59:00.000+10:30

I bought this basket yesterday to use as the basis for a sculpture. I went out to get it a few minutes ago to find that Charlie was trying it out for size. It appears it may be the new cat bed rather than a sculpture.

The basket was sitting on a white table which is why Charlie and the basket look like they have been cut out from the background.

My new business card- what do you think?

2011-11-14T18:57:00.001+10:30

I've been working on a business card design for myself lately. When I swap jobs at the end of year, lots of people have been saying they want to stay in contact with me. So rather than me scribble my details on a bit of paper, I can give them a business card.

I've pasted it in below and want to know what you think. I will eventually get them professionally printed once I've finished the final editing.

The copy below isn't the quality the final print would be.

Some inspiration for exhibition 'X'

2011-11-13T18:46:00.000+10:30

I've been doing some brainstorming for my exhibition work (still calling it exhibition X for the moment) and found the perfect inspiration.

I'm interested in the idea of natural vessels that are made by animals for holding and carrying things.

I couldn't believe it when I found this gorgeous little wasp nest at work the other day. My eye managed to pick it out amongst some long over grown grass. I feel like the luckiest person ever, it is so perfect for the sort of work I want to make for my exhibition.

Unfortunately my camera doesn't have the best macro lens so I couldn't take any closer photos. A new lens is on my list of things to buy. The list is growing and growing however.

The most incredible photos

2011-11-13T14:01:00.000+10:30

I wanted to share these photos with everyone. I think they are simply stunning.

The photos are by Alvaro Sanchez Montanes who found this house in a desert. Incredible what the sands of time can do.

Crazy about french knots

2011-11-13T13:56:00.000+10:30

I was updating some of my photos on flickr this morning and found the two below. I hadn't posted them before. Thought I would put on here for those of you that love french knots as much as I do.

A walk through the old swamp lands

2011-11-06T15:04:00.000+10:30

My husband and I went for a really nice walk this morning in the Onkaparinga old swamp land area. Its a very strange area as there is very little signs of life other than a few kangaroo droppings and a few swans on the section of the river that fans out into the swamps.

We did find a tent and campsite hidden under some trees in our trek, my husband suggested we not go too close. I wasn't so much worried about who lived there, I was more concerned that the person might be deceased. We got close enough to see that it had been recently inhabited and there were no unusual smells. All good thankfully.

Below is a general photo of the area we were. From a distance I thought there were lots of black rocks in the water (should wear my glasses more often), I then realised they were actually swans.

I found some wonderful snails living on a dead bush as you can see below.

I love all these pieces of dead sea weed, I might have to collect

some in the future for paper making.

These holes in the mud intrigued me, I'd love to know what

made them. Worms, yabbies maybe?

This is the swamp ground below where all the water is drying up.

I love this last photo. I think it is 'lichen' maybe?

Red objects at the Craft and Quilt Fair

2011-11-04T18:08:00.000+10:30

I took these few photos at the Craft and Quilt Fair. Do you think perhaps I'm a fan of the colour red?

Adelaide Craft and Quilt Fair

2011-11-04T18:01:00.000+10:30

Today I headed off to Adelaide's Craft and Quilt Fair to do some professional development for work and also to enjoy myself of course. I'll put my photos in over two separate posts as the images are quite different. Below is a selection of the products I bought while at the fair. I did set myself a limit, I only went over it a little bit.

Seeing as I have a new job next year I decided I might need

some new jewellry. These beads come from Indonesia and

are a type of rock (can't remember exactly) that they hand dye.

These gorgeous beads are made in New Zealand and are

made from lava rock.

Gorgeous hand made clay beads from South America.

Great yarn that has little bits of paper attached to it.

Some unusual yarn that almost has a clay like substance in it.

Silk Cocoons

Some very cute ribbon tape

Playing with ways of posting photos.

2011-11-02T21:19:00.000+10:30

Below is an experiment in formatting photos for putting on here. They are photos of some of my dyeing work, but it is the format that the images are presented in that I was more interested in.

Exhibition X

2011-11-02T20:36:00.000+10:30

I mentioned previously in a few posts the idea of working towards an exhibition of my own work. The work would be nature based and I still haven't said much about it yet other than posting a few drawings.

It is very vaguely going to link to the idea of nature being a form of transportation, a way of holding on to things, etc. I don't want to say too much sorry.

I will however from now on in call the exhibition 'X'. At least it is some sort of temporary name. I know the real name already but i don't want to give it away when the work has to be kept secret until the exhibition opens. And no, I don't know when that will be.

Below are a few more of my drawings and collages that link into some of my ideas. They won't necessarily be part of the final works but they are part of my thinking process.

Above are the collages, below are a few of the drawings.

Exhibition of my students work

2011-11-02T20:06:00.000+10:30

On the 10th of November my students put on an exhibition of their work they have completed throughout the year. The exhibition is held at my work place, Marden Senior College.

The types of work include; printmaking, textiles, dyeing, wearable art, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and basically every type of textiles work you can imagine.

My own classes will be exhibiting clay work, mixed media sculpture, dyed fabric, embroidery, printmaking on fabric, drawing, painting, applique, and a few other small bits and pieces.

There is a copy of both sides of the invitation below, the artwork on it is Yr 12 students final work.

It is a great opportunity for students to have their work in an exhibition (often their first) especially when just trying to start their careers. Its a nice stepping stone for them to work on and then have on their resume.

Image Transfer Experiments

2011-10-31T20:13:00.001+10:30

Here are some experiments I've been playing with in regards to putting together some work for an exhibition. They are all done using a range of different techniques and a photo I took of a mannequin.