Artist Charley Harper

We have been studying the artist Charley Harper. Charley Harper was an illustrator and artist for 60 years. He developed a style he called minimal realism. His work is characterized by simple shapes, bright colors and subtle humor. There is a new retrospective book of his work coming out, put together by designer Todd Oldham, who became friends with Harper after discovering and admiring his work. I did not have any luck finding books on Harper at the library, so ordered a few resources from Amazon.

Last week we finished up our Matisse project, and then the kids worked on some coloring pages from Harper's coloring books while I talked about his life and showed some of his work. This week we painted Charley Harper birds and leaves on balsa wood from an art kit I found at Target. They include paint and really nice brushes with each project at a reasonable price.

After each student painted one bird, they could choose one of four Charley Harper works to reproduce onto the front of a card. This year we are using simple cards for each project we do. If anyone gets done early they can decorate the front of the card in the style of the artist we are studying. We will keep these cards as a retrospective of our year, and display a selection of them at the end of each semester. Charley Harper was fun artist to copy and the kids did some great work.



I had to make a Harper card too.

On To Corn

Beans are done.

 

Quilts and Blankets

Our church has a yearly craft and quilt auction to raise money for missions. A. and I went for a bit on Sat. I was able to send a couple of crocheted blankets (below). The blue one is a little "lovey" blanket with a tiny "bonus" take along blankie. The pink and orange one is lap blanket sized. A. took a couple of pictures of neat quilts for me.

This blue and brown blanket did not go to the sale. Mom and Dad took it home with them last time they were here, but I never got it posted.

Seventeen, Baby!

Last night we had supper out with the kids for a seventeenth birthday. G and G  were in town so they came too!

This morning we had family presents. I made her a crocheted blanket.

Also an owl mug (thrift), vintage owl bookend, clay owl by W., Joe Walsh and Bing Crosby CD's.

The owl bookend looks great with this cool set of "The Worlds Best 100 Short Stories in Ten Volumes" that we got for her on Amazon. She had bought volume three at a thrift sale for 50 cents and loved it, so I found the whole set on line for a decent price. Such a fun gift!

Fall

 The girls have piano, dance and volleyball once a week on the same day. This week my driver (L) took them in and I found myself home alone. This does not happen much. Later in the day I even got out for a walk. It has been very nice outside, so I grabbed the camera and took a few more fall pictures.

Birthday Week

This week was Aunt Marilyn's 76th birthday and Husband's mom's birthday. We took M-I-L out for breakfast on the 20th. You know you're aging when the kids take Mom out and we all get the senior discount! Dang!

Harvest

Harvest is in full swing-early this year because of the dry conditions. They are switching from corn to beans and back again as fields become ready. Yields vary. We are grateful to have a crop when so many will not.

Returning from town last night, I came over the hill and saw below me the guys harvesting on the Horn farm. The evening light was golden and the colors rich and beautiful. Praise God from whom all blessing flow.

Cheetah Ballerina

The word of the day is "Cheetah Ballerina."

Ooooooh Matisse!

We studied Matisse this week in co-op art. I have done this lesson before. This lesson is simple to prep for and easily successful for each student.

We looked at lots of Matisse art and talked about his life, focusing on his cut paper work. The kids had to choose a Matisse work to copy or they could make their own design in a Matisse style.

 They were not allowed to draw their designs, they had to cut them freestyle like Matisse. Some kids hate this, but most adjust to the idea quickly and do well.

I did two cut outs of my own-one copy of a Matisse (small blue left), and one of my own design (on yellow) with Matisse elements.