One of the best parts of writing this here fancy-pants blog is all the cool authors I get to "meet." Today I have another interview to share with you. It is with Susan Schwake, the author of Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages.
And COMING SOON in Spring 2013:
Art Lab for Little Kids: 52 Playful Projects for Preschoolers!
Developed for the younger set (4-6 years old), Art Lab for Little Kids is the perfect book for parents and teachers who are looking for unique and inspiring experiences to offer this age group. As in Susan’s first book, Art Lab for Kids, the labs can be used as singular projects, or used to build up to a year of hands-on fine art experiences. Each lab also features the work of a prominent artist for inspiration. Rather than “cookie cutter” end products, these open-ended lessons allow for fresh, new results each time they are used.
Susan is an avid teacher. If you like taking classes, she will be teaching an adult weekend workshop this September at the Teahouse studio in Berkeley, CA, in Playful Printmaking (printmaking without a press) and in October offering a workshop for kids at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA.
Read on!
1. What does your workspace/design space look like?
My working spaces are a mix of personal and public. As a teacher in my own little art school (http://www.artstreamstudios.com) I have space within my classrooms. Our painting studio is 1200 square feet within a 106 year old building set on a river in NH. Our north facing transom windows flood the whole building with natural light. The exposed brick, slumped glass windows and old beadboard walls give off a great vibe to everyone who creates here! It's large enough to have my own work going in my area and hold classes too. It resides at the back of the gallery (http://www.artstreamstudios.com) - so there is a ton of inspiration on the walls for everyone. I have a second personal studio inside our home for my mixed media work and painting. I love that it faces south and that even in the middle of a NH winter the sun shines through. Can you tell I love natural light?
2. Do you save your mistakes or designs you don't love right away - or ditch them?
I used to burn everything I didn't like! Now, I like to save the work which didn't quite make it and turn them into something else later - old works on paper have become bookmarks, collage papers, cards. I also revisit these pieces with a fresh eye and new insight - even months later - to work further on them to completion.
3. What's on your "next to try" list?
Letterpress. I am pretty excited to be taking a class this fall at the Canterbury Shaker Village!
4. Do you ever work with recycled materials?
Yes, often I do. I use old found wood for supports on my mixed media paintings. I also love vintage wallpaper, old German song books and letters from people I don't know.
5. What music do you listen to when designing?
I love the quiet nature of making art. I find listening to music an engaging activity and can't split my thoughts. Sometimes though I do turn on my own iTunes mix. I am partial to jazz (Billie Holliday, John Coltrane, Billy Cobham) from the 50s and 60s as well as an eclectic mix of punk and soul from the 70s and 80s (think Al Greene, Aretha Franklin and Jim Carroll).
6. How long does a design take you to create?
Some days the art moves quickly - other days it takes weeks. I rarely complete anything in less than a week.
7. How do you organize your supplies?
Ikea expedit, some custom built paper holding stacks, and reclaimed shelving from a factory not too far from here make up some of my favorite ways to hold my supplies. I also use tons of old jam jars, cigar boxes, wooden boxes and old stationary boxes for tiny items. I love a good container. It's kind of a sickness.
8. What books/magazines do you read?
Currently I am reading The Night Circus; I just finished Wild. Barbara Kingsolver and Charles Dickens are my all time favorite authors though and I reread their works from time to time. I love Uppercase and Anthology magazine!
9. How would you describe your personal style?
Minimalist eclectic. Is that a style? I love color but in little bursts. I am all about muted neutrals with pink, turquoise, or orange accents. In our home I love uncluttered cozy. Making or teaching art everyday keeps my wardrobe minimal so it's all about the bright accessories for me. Neons and paisleys are pretty exciting to me right now (again).
10. How do you determine what a design is going to be made with?
Often it is the last thing I noticed around me - a budding tree, a look from a stranger, something I just read, all point me in the direction to the right materials. Specific subject matter makes for specific material needs.
11. Do you have a collection of anything?
I have two collections. One is vintage beaded bags. Most of them were made by my great aunt in the 1920s. The other is artwork given to me by my youngest students over the past 20 years. They are charming and inspire me endlessly.
12. How did your book come to be made?
I was lucky I guess to find the right publisher who was almost immediately responsive to my idea of writing a book about making art with children. Thank you Quarry!
Thanks Susan for sharing!
More about her book:
by
Susan Schwake
Rainer Schwake
A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, Art Lab for Kids encourages the artist’s own voice, marks, and style. This fun and creative book features 52 fine art projects set into weekly lessons, beginning with drawing, moving through painting and printmaking, and then building to paper collage and mixed media. Each lesson features and relates to the work and style of a contemporary artist. Lisa Congdon, Megan Bogonovich, and Amy Rice are just a few of the artists included. It's the perfect book for creative families, friends, and community groups and works as lesson plans for both experienced and new art teachers. Children of all ages and experience levels can be guided by adults and will enjoy these engaging exercises.
What a wonderful and creative space...makes me want to get far more organized myself!
Posted by: ACreativeDream | August 17, 2012 at 05:13 AM