I had my students blow up two balloons. One balloon had all the people or things they hated. Then I told them to write all the people they loved on the other balloon. I spoke to them about how Jesus loved every one and how we should follow by that example and how big the word hate was. So I had them pop the balloon that had all the people they hated on it. They did it right away kids love to pop balloons. After that I told them to write all the people that they thought they hated on their Love balloon. Soon after that i told them they should love every one. I had them deflate the love balloons slowly and cut them into hearts and put them on recycled cardboard. So to show off all the people they love.
Rachel is a woman who will keep you smiling with her excitement for life. She is more than just a model, she is a woman that can motivate any man or woman to crack a smile. She cares nothing about what others might think of her and she takes pride in that. She really doesn’t care what other people think so when you head to her link discretion is advised. That is why I LOVE HER! Something we should all practice. How to help ourselves be ok with being ourselves. If you really want to know what I am referring to, take a look at Rachel’s website. I met this muse in LA. She is close friends with Retna and the 7th letter crew. Which is how I met her. She continues to lift hearts every where she ends up. How can she not? She is no ordinary Model, She is a PICTURE POET.
Every summer Urban promise in Camden, NJ puts together this thing called all camp day. Its been a tradition every summer for the kids to show there stuff. I wanted to help so ended up sewing the mascot putting another mural together almost completely by myself within five days. This mural was 12 by 15 feet! One of my students named Pedro who liked my art class enough to want to volunteer and help me. This gave me a chance to bond with him and the project ended very nicely!
GODZILLA
Here is an okay picture of the Mascot. He was Godzilla from the hood! ha ha. Its not that good of a photo but its the best i got! I sewed this entire thing together in One night! It was awesome!
I spent six weeks collaborating ideas with my fellow teachers in Camden, Nj complete with a common goal.
( http://urbanpromiseusa.org/prog-finearts.php )To help the kids escape from there daily obligations as young adults. Grades of 5 through 8th grade. Much of my experience with art therapy has been complete trial and error process. But i have managed to make it work for me as well as others. I have dedicated my life to helping others as well as myself.
Retna This man so busy yet he finds time to allow me to follow him around every five seconds of the day in his studio. He was very professional but at the same time I refused to ask him all the same questions that he was asked in various magazines. I wanted to know painting techniques also to get to know him through his friends eyes. I had a limited time to ask questions and feel comfortable enough to do so. Of course every business man has to stay busy. You cant trust everyone who bugs you to be apart of there life and their story. Retna keeps a good Rep I will attempt to not mess that up. Everyday was a new day for me even if he didn’t think so. Our life styles growing up where pretty similar so I was able to relate with him. Also, I wanted to get to know him for who he was not his professional side. No one wants to open up there entire selves when you first meet them. I soon realized that our lives where very similar.
Retna
Brimstone and I became a little more acquainted after similar habits kicked in. I found that trying to reach your dreams isnt easy when you have old habits chasing after you. Creativity always finds you when you feel your worst but Retna showed me that you dont need to concentrate on those things to have good work. I have no need to write my entire life story within my article of Retna but I can tell you that this man is about working with others and strongly believes in growing old with his friends who he calls his family. Understanding, at the same time that everybody is trying to survive, so of course everyone wants a piece of bread.He is willing to cooperate and in some situations he is helpful to the point that he doesn’t benefit but he isnt naive, he knows what he is doing. When it comes to artist, he knows its not easy which is one reason I believe that he gave me a chance to work for him. I wish there was more I could have done for him but a man that stays that busy all the time doesn’t always have time to talk about his personal issues which is why it shows in his Art.
is the man.
So, I kept my mouth shut and my ears wide open unless I wanted to see him smile. Id tell a really corny joke. He wouldn’t say anything but id catch him laughing. I learned a lot from this mystery man and I plan on working with him one day in the future. He was a huge inspiration for me to go to Camden, New Jersey with complete confidence. Seriously, if he had not approved my request to study his work in LA, CA. I may not have started and finished two murals while I worked for six weeks on the east coast.
