Have you
ever been some place where you had to
wait? Yes, we all have. Did you grab a magazine to look at?
Magazines are notoriously full of ads. However ads are everywhere: on TV,
billboards, clothes, etc. But have you ever thought about what you are really seeing? Are advertisements good graphic art? Art should tell a message. So...
If art tells a message, then consider: What
is your perception about a particular ad you like? What is the true
message? Do you get it? Why do
advertisements effect us the way they do? Can you imagine a magazine
without them? Does that appeal to anyone? Without pictures, what would we look at?
Yet, I can't help but think: the ads for alcohol, cigarettes, personal hygiene items, we could do without! Do you think there should be something done about the ads in magazines and newspapers?
In magazines, I have noticed that company ads feature big pictures or they have pictures on about 4-5 pages. Usually it's mostly an image, and their logo or name is in small print near the bottom. In a newspaper, it's one whole page, and usually not much image, but blank space, and then their name or logo.
Think about the advertisements you see, and consider these questions
next time you pick up a magazine, newspaper, put on a T-shirt with a logo or see one on someone's clothes, or see one on a billboard. Is it good graphic art?
1) Where were you when you saw the ad and what time did you see the ad?
(in the doctor office waiting and it was on the TV in the waiting room at 10:30 a.m.)
2) What do you think is the purpose/true message of the advertisement?
(I'll feel good if I eat this cheeseburger?)
3) How does the advertisement affect your thoughts and feelings?
(Do I feel what they want me to? Angry, sad, happy, inspired?)
Your comments are welcome. Email me: lydiagates90@yahoo.com
Friday, May 31, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Motivation: For yourself, your students, and others
I just received one of the best compliments. Just when I thought things were not going well. Two sentences in an email truly lifted my spirits! I am motivated now to try even harder to succeed, and delighted I have so far!
This brings to mind why I started my master's program. I attended (for continuing education purposes for relicensure) a Ruth Dey workshop in June 2011. The description of the course said it would help us motivate our students. It turned out most of the workshop was spent motivating ourselves.&& During the class, a Friends U rep came and visited our class to talk about furthering our education with a masters. I talked to everyone about it, and was sure that it was not for me. Later, Ruth gave each of us a mini book entitled, 50 Ways to Motivate Yourself, Your Students and Those Around You. We then spent half a day going over each one of these! What an eye opener! My favorites (no, I will not share all 50--LOL) but just a few.
#10 Use the right chemicals: Fun makes your chemicals in your body respond! Once you make the job fun, you solved the problem of self-motivation.
#21 Feel good first. Most people think they'll feel good once they reach some goal. The problem is linking yourself to a goal that might not happen. Your happiness shouldn't depend on achieving something. Start by claiming it and using it to make your journey fun and all the way and not just at the end.
#23 Just be unexpected. Being creative has nothing to do with originality, but being "unexpected." The secret is coming up with "unexpected" ways of answering life's problems.
#45 Welcome your problems. Problems are simply tough games for the athletes of the mind. Every problem has a solution.
**I will add here what someone told me years ago: God has an answer before we even know we have a problem.
How many of these do you think are just aimed at you? your students? others? Truth is, they are for everyone. I hope you are motivated to motivate yourself, students and others. The compliment I received, is a blend of how I have handled the four things I mentioned above.
&&By the way, the more I tried not to think about working on a masters, the more motivated I became. By the end of July I was signed up! I began the program in Oct 2011, and just graduated summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) on May 11, 2013. What a journey. Thanks to those who supported, and motivated me!
I had a link on here earlier to her website, but she changed it. I took it off. She sells juice and health stuff as well as being a motivational speaker. So, if you saw the link before, I'm not nuts, just surprised like you. Ha.
This brings to mind why I started my master's program. I attended (for continuing education purposes for relicensure) a Ruth Dey workshop in June 2011. The description of the course said it would help us motivate our students. It turned out most of the workshop was spent motivating ourselves.&& During the class, a Friends U rep came and visited our class to talk about furthering our education with a masters. I talked to everyone about it, and was sure that it was not for me. Later, Ruth gave each of us a mini book entitled, 50 Ways to Motivate Yourself, Your Students and Those Around You. We then spent half a day going over each one of these! What an eye opener! My favorites (no, I will not share all 50--LOL) but just a few.
#10 Use the right chemicals: Fun makes your chemicals in your body respond! Once you make the job fun, you solved the problem of self-motivation.
#21 Feel good first. Most people think they'll feel good once they reach some goal. The problem is linking yourself to a goal that might not happen. Your happiness shouldn't depend on achieving something. Start by claiming it and using it to make your journey fun and all the way and not just at the end.
#23 Just be unexpected. Being creative has nothing to do with originality, but being "unexpected." The secret is coming up with "unexpected" ways of answering life's problems.
#45 Welcome your problems. Problems are simply tough games for the athletes of the mind. Every problem has a solution.
**I will add here what someone told me years ago: God has an answer before we even know we have a problem.
How many of these do you think are just aimed at you? your students? others? Truth is, they are for everyone. I hope you are motivated to motivate yourself, students and others. The compliment I received, is a blend of how I have handled the four things I mentioned above.
&&By the way, the more I tried not to think about working on a masters, the more motivated I became. By the end of July I was signed up! I began the program in Oct 2011, and just graduated summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) on May 11, 2013. What a journey. Thanks to those who supported, and motivated me!
I had a link on here earlier to her website, but she changed it. I took it off. She sells juice and health stuff as well as being a motivational speaker. So, if you saw the link before, I'm not nuts, just surprised like you. Ha.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Painting Comparisons
A good art discussion, or good talking points can occur when viewing two paintings that are similar. Unplanned, and yet, it fit the moment, I noticed that in my little book of Impressionism** that two paintings, one by Auguste Renoir, (pronounced Ren-wahr) and the other by Veronese (pronounced Vair-o-knees--silent k, but sounds like knees), have striking similarities. (The SS lesson today focused on serving and showing love to one another. I shared these paintings.)
Contrasting the time periods,1881 Renoir's versus 1552 for Veroneses', the color schemes are the same. The perspectives and focal points, however are quite different. Renoir's painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party, focuses on enjoying the pleasure of each others' company, as they have already been served. A girl happily plays with her dog, while others are engaging in conversation or listening to one. The perspective is on the people and the food. It is small in comparison to the one below as it is only 51 x 68 inches.
Veronese's painting focuses on the act of serving, and being served. In The Marriage or Wedding Feast of Cana (detail), however, the focus is on the servers. The wealthy people are celebrating The Marriage at Cana. But one notices, that joy is not on their faces. And yes, note the dog, lower left. Each member of the party seems to be thinking or putting their direction on the servants. Art historians claim this painting of Veronese's is a wonderful work of art. Renoir thought so, for he visited the Louvre to see it again before his death. Why? It is a wonderful painting-descriptive, colorful, and painted with true craftmanship. This is a massive painting. How big? 22 feet by 33 feet.
The following questions I thought of as I looked at these two paintings side by side in my book:
Did Veronese influence Renoir's own painting?
Why joy in one painting, none in the other?
Does it make any difference if they both used similar colors?
Does the perspective of the tables influence the viewer?
Or does the facial expressions?
How has culture changed between the two paintings?
What was expected at these events?
What can we learn from these paintings about our own culture? about the artworks?
Another great book that does comparisons, is a small book, that I found at a local elementary school library. It is great to see the comparisons of the paintings. They are unlikely paintings to link together, yet it works. It would be a great teaching tool. Unlikely Pair, Fun with Famous Works of Art by Bob Raczka, 2006. Millbook Press, Minneapolis, MN. ISBN 0-7613-2936-6. lernerbooks.com. Link to info about book
Check out these paintings and do your own comparisons. Good luck!
Credits:
** Impressionism a biographical and critical study by Jean Leymarie 2nd volume, 1955, World Publishing Company, Cleaveland, Ohio
Renoir painting from: artseverydayliving.com
Image from: http://www.paolo-veronese.org/The-Marriage-at-Cana-%28detail%29-3.html
Contrasting the time periods,1881 Renoir's versus 1552 for Veroneses', the color schemes are the same. The perspectives and focal points, however are quite different. Renoir's painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party, focuses on enjoying the pleasure of each others' company, as they have already been served. A girl happily plays with her dog, while others are engaging in conversation or listening to one. The perspective is on the people and the food. It is small in comparison to the one below as it is only 51 x 68 inches.
Veronese's painting focuses on the act of serving, and being served. In The Marriage or Wedding Feast of Cana (detail), however, the focus is on the servers. The wealthy people are celebrating The Marriage at Cana. But one notices, that joy is not on their faces. And yes, note the dog, lower left. Each member of the party seems to be thinking or putting their direction on the servants. Art historians claim this painting of Veronese's is a wonderful work of art. Renoir thought so, for he visited the Louvre to see it again before his death. Why? It is a wonderful painting-descriptive, colorful, and painted with true craftmanship. This is a massive painting. How big? 22 feet by 33 feet. The following questions I thought of as I looked at these two paintings side by side in my book:
Did Veronese influence Renoir's own painting?
Why joy in one painting, none in the other?
Does it make any difference if they both used similar colors?
Does the perspective of the tables influence the viewer?
Or does the facial expressions?
How has culture changed between the two paintings?
What was expected at these events?
What can we learn from these paintings about our own culture? about the artworks?
Another great book that does comparisons, is a small book, that I found at a local elementary school library. It is great to see the comparisons of the paintings. They are unlikely paintings to link together, yet it works. It would be a great teaching tool. Unlikely Pair, Fun with Famous Works of Art by Bob Raczka, 2006. Millbook Press, Minneapolis, MN. ISBN 0-7613-2936-6. lernerbooks.com. Link to info about book
Check out these paintings and do your own comparisons. Good luck!
Credits:
** Impressionism a biographical and critical study by Jean Leymarie 2nd volume, 1955, World Publishing Company, Cleaveland, Ohio
Renoir painting from: artseverydayliving.com
Image from: http://www.paolo-veronese.org/The-Marriage-at-Cana-%28detail%29-3.html
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Expressing Yourself ?
Thanks to technology we can--with a few keystrokes--or a few pushes with thumbs--let our emotions be known instantly to our friends on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and email. Here are some of these emoticons (Emow-shi-kons): I know of 24 different expressions.
The most widely used:
:-) happy
:-( sad
:-p tongue stuck out (bluh)
:-D grin
;-) wink
B) smirky sunglassed face
<3 heart
But what about these not so popular ones:
O: is a gasping face
>:( grumpy face
:/ unsure
3:) face with horns (devil)
O:) angel with halo smiling
:* kissing face
^_^ kiki (giggling/laughing)
-_- squinting face
o.O confused face
>:O upset face
:v Pacman face
:3 face with curling lips
(^^^) a shark head
:|] a robot
<(") a penguin
and
(y) the thumbs up (Like sign on FB)
Question: Are the ones in the not-so-popular list above not used because they require a few more keystrokes or they require one to think a little more to make sure the right keys are hit? There are fun ones like the shark, penguin, kiki, angel, robot.Are people in such a hurry to send, they don't take time to think? or do they?
Surprise! The use of symbols or icons, though is not new. Hobos used them to leave a message to other hobos to let them know whether they were welcome, or to stay away; if they could get food, or not at a place, and if there was danger. They made simple marks or symbols on posts, fences, etc.
In one of the earliest known cave dwellings (Lascaux Cave)paintings were used to tell stories or send messages circa 15,000-13,000 B.C. In the Uruk period (circa 4500-3100 B.C.), in what is now known as present-day Iraq, a clay tablet features pictographic text through icons/symbols. The icons/symbols may have been made using a a reed or writing implement (like a stylus {needle}) to carve into the clay. Here is a link to view the tablet. (Click on this link below) http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/r/record_of_food_supplies.aspx
I wonder what messages or stories these represent? What we take for granted by typing or punching a few keys to send an emoticons, took ancient people months or years to create! Think about what you send before you send it. With the speed of technology today, once it is sent, it can't be taken back or deleted. There is always an electronic record of it somewhere. However, a gentle :-) or :D is always welcome! My favorite, and not on any list is :-k which translates into a cat with whiskers. lol (laugh out loud).
Credit: British Museum Terms of Use
and A History of Western Art, 3rd edition by Laurie Schneider Adams
Emoticons: someone from Facebook shared with me.
The most widely used:
:-) happy
:-( sad
:-p tongue stuck out (bluh)
:-D grin
;-) wink
B) smirky sunglassed face
<3 heart
But what about these not so popular ones:
O: is a gasping face
>:( grumpy face
:/ unsure
3:) face with horns (devil)
O:) angel with halo smiling
:* kissing face
^_^ kiki (giggling/laughing)
-_- squinting face
o.O confused face
>:O upset face
:v Pacman face
:3 face with curling lips
(^^^) a shark head
:|] a robot
<(") a penguin
and
(y) the thumbs up (Like sign on FB)
Question: Are the ones in the not-so-popular list above not used because they require a few more keystrokes or they require one to think a little more to make sure the right keys are hit? There are fun ones like the shark, penguin, kiki, angel, robot.Are people in such a hurry to send, they don't take time to think? or do they?
Surprise! The use of symbols or icons, though is not new. Hobos used them to leave a message to other hobos to let them know whether they were welcome, or to stay away; if they could get food, or not at a place, and if there was danger. They made simple marks or symbols on posts, fences, etc.
In one of the earliest known cave dwellings (Lascaux Cave)paintings were used to tell stories or send messages circa 15,000-13,000 B.C. In the Uruk period (circa 4500-3100 B.C.), in what is now known as present-day Iraq, a clay tablet features pictographic text through icons/symbols. The icons/symbols may have been made using a a reed or writing implement (like a stylus {needle}) to carve into the clay. Here is a link to view the tablet. (Click on this link below) http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/r/record_of_food_supplies.aspx
I wonder what messages or stories these represent? What we take for granted by typing or punching a few keys to send an emoticons, took ancient people months or years to create! Think about what you send before you send it. With the speed of technology today, once it is sent, it can't be taken back or deleted. There is always an electronic record of it somewhere. However, a gentle :-) or :D is always welcome! My favorite, and not on any list is :-k which translates into a cat with whiskers. lol (laugh out loud).
Credit: British Museum Terms of Use
and A History of Western Art, 3rd edition by Laurie Schneider Adams
Emoticons: someone from Facebook shared with me.
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