Collage and symmetry

We took a look at the cloth weaving of the Maranao people of Mindanao. They have an amazing history of making head cloths called the pis siyabit and wrap-around waist cloths called the patajung. Showing them the patterns woven into them, it was said that each pis was unique, each pattern and design were unique to the whims and creativity of the weaver. It would usually have a central shape and the design would repeat itself on all four sides to represent the cardinal directions. We talked about the colors, and the patterns they created. I even had the guts to wear a malong in place of a patajung just to show off the garment to the students. 

Armed with strips of double-sided tape and colored paper, the kids attacked the project with some hesitation. Some of them wanted to draw the patterns, others spoke out because they were reluctant to use the scissors. By the end of the period, creative mayhem ruled the classroom. There were songs being sung, and paper and tape were being asked from each other. Colored paper covered the table, scissors were lying about, but happily, some got through it.  Others, found an interest in double-sided foam tape. But the hour ended too soon and we had to pack our mess away. They were reluctant to end the class. And deep inside, I was happy. 

Sarimanok-inspired artwork

Looking at the resources I had at home, mom had a large collection of books on Mindanao artwork and icons. I couldn't help it. Here was a whole month's worth of lessons just lying around and I wasn't using them! So, first up, the mythical Sarimanok. Colored paper, white acrylic paint, a bronze figure and legends on the Sarimanok started the course. I introduced Abdul Imao whose artwork on the Sarimanok gave the younger kids a simpler, vibrant picture of what they could make. An hour wasn't enough though. Sure, I had complaints, excitement, uncertainty and hand-holding as we started visually dissecting the Sarimanok, but I liked the challenge it gave them. I could wish for a lot more, more time, more silence. But its a start.

Old school work.

Was organizing the mountain of paper and whatsits at home and found these. An art project from my junior high students and some get-well cards from my elementary students. These junior high students are probably junior university students now, maybe seniors. Still, their work reminded me of days where the misfits were kings in class. Their shy smile from the sincere appreciation I gave their work spoke volumes.

Just for those moments, when I see these kids on Facebook and hear of their current exploits,
reminds me why I do what I do. Regardless of place, management, or circumstance.

Teaching graphic design in Poveda?

A dear friend invited me to speak at the San Pedro de Poveda School last June 5. I was lucky enough to have been chosen for the task. It was a workshop for the school's club moderators who needed ideas in setting up a graphic design group for the students.

Now, I'm not an expert in graphic design, but I've tried teaching it to high school students in the past and the experience helped set up the framework for the talk. But as the afternoon wore on, I realized my message wasn't just about design, but advocating art as a method of teaching and learning. Since my audience were primarily academic teachers, I wanted to share how you could use different methods in planning and implementing a lesson.

It was an interesting experience. I got to see an old family friend, and saw the inside of a school I normally would pass by on EDSA. Plus, my wedges were killing my by the end of the afternoon. Still, Friday's was within walking distance, and relaxing over a Coke and lime was good way to end the day.

Old exhibit photos SY 2009-2010

Didn't realize that I had a treasure trove of photos on my Facebook account. Still, looking at the pictures, I regret not taking more. It was a fun ride, finishing up the grades of more than a hundred students, telling them to submit, submit, submit! And who can forget the simple jokes a 1st grader would share with you and you just have to laugh...yep. Those days were fun.

Posting stenciled art work

Back to Tagaytay for another round of training. This time, with Grade 7 MAPEH teachers.

We had a cozy number of about 200+ teachers in the room, all from different schools in the Philippines. It was more intensive than the last workshop. The food was better too! :)

To be honest, I appreciated the schedule they gave us this time. It felt less hurried and we had more time to interact, talk and coach the participants.

Tattoo designs on cups 

Assemblage 

Weaving workshop

K-12 Teacher Training Workshop @ DAP, Tagaytay

Teacher trainers working their magic.

Group shots of trainers from different regions.

Demo teachers!End of April 2012.

We had 1,500+ Grade 1 teachers from all over the Philippines to be trained on how to teach the new K-12 curriculum. We were Mrs. P as the convener, one veteran art teacher, two art curriculum writers and myself as the National Teacher Trainers for Art.

One whole week of sharing, laughing, speaking, teaching and having a fun. It was also a frustrating, hair-pulling, more-than-words-can-say kind of anger at times but it was worth it.

I would never claim to say that the workshop participants learned a lot from us and they would move on to greater and amazing art classes in the future but as in any class, you have high hopes for a chosen few with whom you felt understood what you were saying and you hoped they learned from the experience. To be honest, this was the biggest workshop I've ever helped facilitate. EVER. And to have a handful of them echo the workshop perfectly to other teachers in their region is a possibility and I'm hopeful.

If you're reading this and you are a teacher, you might want to visit our Facebok pages and download the K-12 Art Curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 for FREE!! Yes, please don't be fooled into buying books for your Grade 1 or Grade 7 art classes. You can download it there, use it and hopefully, send us your pictures and feedback when you can.

https://www.facebook.com/ArtPhilippinesForGrade1

https://www.facebook.com/ArtPhilippinesForGrade7

Indian-inspired tatoos

Grade 1 classes are generally all about the fundamentals of art. Shapes, lines, color...and for patterns, we tried looking at Indian-henna tattoo patterns and tried to copy and create our own.

Not a lot of kids are finished with their work at present, and crayon etching is tiering business for their young hands, but the awe of etching, how the colors suddenly appear so brilliantly against the black...well, it had them furiously coloring just to have that magic happen in their artwork. I'm deeply satisfied and so are they! So much so that they want to work at home just to finish, so I tell them to start making their own at home. I'll bet they'll have a blast showing off to their parents.

My students from top left to right: Liam Tomas, Ulrich Tadeo, Cheena Chua, Bea Tang, Jillian Villafuerte, Jig Ang, Gavin Lee, and James Lin. Thanks guys for making it fun!!!

Cubist Faces!

My high school students are really proud of their work. And I couldn't be happier for them. A feeling of success shines from their eyes and I realize that these moments are what I live for. Congratulations Juniors!

Sketched, for a coloring competition

We were asked to sketch something for the preschool department of Hope Christian High School. The sketch would be used for a coloring competition for young kids during the school's foundation day. Again, Yang Gagelonia and I collaborated to create the piece. Happy!

Art Education!

Rediscovered doodle-ing!

Art classes poster

First study for ArtEd poster promoting Creative Advocacies' art classes. Old version, was meant for last summer. *Happy*

Grade 1 students making masks

Masks are one of the more popular art activities for my young students. Same topic, different country, different angle, different attack. Which continent do we visit now? Will they make Venetian masks or full-faced masks? Choices, choices. Should we paint them, color them, use glue and colored paper? Soon soon, I'll decide.