PORTRAIT--LINOCUT

Low on budget, for my brother's birthday I decided to make him a birthday card. I've been wanting to work with linocut this summer and took the opportunity to make a portrait of my brother. So I drew the portrait in my sketchbook, traced it and transferred it onto my linocut and carved away. The size is 3 by 5, I think.

After my first print, I decided to carve in some lines into the black shadow for the finish. I used the back of a spoon as a press--I realized I didn't have an extra roller aside from the one with ink. Gotta do some more supply shopping. Anyway, I'm looking forward to working in this medium some more. I have a thinner surface coming up next, slightly bigger, as well as some different colored inks. Maybe eventually I'll be working on wood--ooo la la.

SUMMER CAMP

Summer Camp. Well--not for me, for the kids. It's what's been up with me the last 3 weeks. I'm one of the counselors for the 17 kids ages 3-4 in my classroom. It has its ups and downs but most of the time it's pretty comical. I bring my sketchbook with me wherever I go, but I normally wouldn't take it out while I work until one day, the kids were given blank white canvas sketchbooks---yes! Sketchbooks at the age of 4! Sure, they were a lot smaller than the ones we usually carry around but they got to decorate the front and work in it everyday.

Every morning I'm in charge of the "writing center"--really art center because 4 year olds can't write more than their first names. Anyway, I was sitting there one morning watching them draw and color pretty amazing stuff in their little books (I can already see the future artists stick out). So I thought it was the perfect time to take my sketchbook out and draw these kids that NEVER sit still unless they're drawing or being read to. I used whatever was handy that day: one day crayons, another washable markers, and today, cray pas. The kids enjoyed getting drawn (contrary to people on the train). I even had one girl ask me to draw her again: "But this time, don't draw me so serious..." Another kid drew me--I felt so special! :) Although sometimes they can be a pain in the behind, I do enjoy the happiness they find in simple things. I especially love their art-- it amazes me everyday.

TRAIN SKETCHES

I always get paranoid when I sketch on the train-- there are always people that I'd like to draw and I feel the need to whip out the sketchbook and sketch away... I wonder what they think when they see someone drawing them because getting drawn is different from getting a picture taken. Do they feel self-conscious? Annoyed? Proud? Weirded-Out? Do they feel like I have invaded their privacy? It's difficult for me to be in their shoes because I am on the inside, I know what is happening...

Then there's the part when you get caught. I've once been told to stop drawing--they seemed offended...or I'll get dirty looks. I guess in fear of this happening again I always go for the ones sleeping or really into their books and crossword puzzles. Sometimes I luck out and get a really interesting face or two. I'm not sure what to call this whole thing... you know, the unwritten rules on the train and in New York in general-- Don't get caught in the act of staring at someone. Which is pretty much what someone drawing is doing...Don't make eye contact...If you get caught, "WHATCHU LOOKIN AT?" And, especially in the Bronx, I've seen many fights start over "the stare"--which is almost as bad as stepping on the latest kicks. So I say "Hey, hey, make Art, not War." Then the other obstacle: timing. On the train, you gotta be quick, because you never know when they'll get up and leave or wake up and change position completely. I like this part better than getting caught which is probably why I still do it anyway.