plankton lab

tide pool study

We walked in to Brady's Beach at low tide. After exploring the intertidal profile, we settled down to directed obsrevations.

Our discoveries required patience and stillness as the drama of the tide pool unfolded.

There was a particularly agressive and hungry sculpin that we watched for a long time. Any morsel that floated down was gobbled up immediately to the resignation of its fellows.

Back in the studio, we used these sketches as ideas for larger works or continued to add to them from memory.

alberni inlet - going to Bamfield

Each year, the Grade 5 class goes to Bamfield Marine Science Centre (BMSC) for a three day field trip. This year, they took their sketchbooks and their artist in residence! (Yipee!)



We bused to Port Alberni then boarded the Frances Barkley to take us down the inlet. It was cold and misty. We were still new with each other. I pulled out some pastels and tempra blocks. Some joined in. Recording experiences and exploring materials.

experiences in the field

The Garry Oaks Preserve is an easy walk from the school. From the beginning of May many classes spent time making observations there.

We were not the only ones. A couple of biologists were also working in the field, flagging and mapping rare flowers that enjoy this particular ecosystem. We met them a few times. They showed us their field books and we shared ours.

Since the pen is water soluable, we used small brushes to manipulate the ink and create tonal washes. Sketches capture the sensory information and save it for further reflection. They become the raw material for studio explorations.

experiences in the classroom

Drawing from collections was the first exercise in observation. Each class went through the same process. Slowing down and noticing edges and details was essential in discovering and recording the objects.

Using mark making as a means of describing our experience. Notations on paper - evidence of careful looking.

The line is bold and fluid. And permanent. Enlargements encourage detailed descriptions. Practicing noticing before taking our notebooks into the field.

Art Show

Last Wednseday we put up the show at school. Children toured adults and each other through the hallways - pointing out their work and ideas. In the community area, I set up a drawing, painting and collage station for people to explore.

I'm back - with a little rant about dial-up, and new postings...

I'm on Vancouver Island. A lot of interesting things have happened at school this spring but I have not had access to high speed internet at home, so I've not been posting ongoing experiences. Blogging on dial-up seems impossible. However, thanks to friends, internet cafes, the school server and free floating wireless signals, we can continue...

I came out in February to do a workshop with the staff. We all began to work in our sketchbook, using it as a place to explore and record sensory experiences. Drawing from collections, from obsevation, with a watersoluable black pilot fineliner in a hardbound 5 x 7 sketchbook. I came back in April ito begin working with the students and parents as well. Recording, experimenting, remembering and documenting our experiences. Visual field notes. Our project involved the whole school in creative research, production and reflection as part of grade specific, collaborative inquiry projects based on authentic experiences in the natural environments. Sketchbook journals became tools for observation, documentation and reflection, both in the classroom/studio and in the field.