creativity

I feel like I've had a very creative start to the year.  With extra time in my schedule, I have time to think/read/research creativity and I feel like I've begun something.  I'm still looking for a masters course to begin; something somewhere that allows me the freedom to explore the issues in education which I wish to explore. Mainly: creativity, innovation, mindfulness.  While I'm looking, I spend my "downtime" at school (when I'm cutting paper, or making posters) listening to audiobooks which address such topics.

On top of all that, I've finished a painting that has been playing on my mind for the last 6 months: It's based on sketches of the rain tree which is everywhere in Singapore.  I didn't just want it to be a painting...I wanted to explore some collage.  I'm fascinated, living here, with the burning of the joss papers (especially this time of year) and how offerings are left around the base of certain trees.

 So, my painting started off like this (I always take photos of where I start with a painting now as they never end up the same way).  I bought a whole packet of various joss papers, incense, hell money etc at the supermarket and built it up with small torn up pieces.

 I'm really happy with it.  I love it when I can create layers within my work and this has small images you can identify, creates a larger unified image of the tree and has the layers of reflective light that I love.  I used both the metallic of the joss papers and I bought some metallic leaf as well.

 It's called "rebirth" as it's an exploration of the papers being burnt, of paper being used to make a tree.  Another one designed for Matt's office.

 I thought I'd also share a few sketched that I've been doing in my sketch book at school.  With longer lessons this year, I've implemented 15 minutes of silent drawing at the beginning of every lesson.  I have a drawing station by my desk with pictures of all kinds of things as well as real things so that the kids can never say "I don't know what to draw".  I'm also using that time to sit amongst the kids (when possible, I have quite a few full to the brim classes this year) and draw with them.  I am a big believer in modelling for kids and I do show them my artwork all the time and individual kids will ask me how I did certain techniques and I will sit and show them.

 Personally, I am loving how creative it makes me feel being able to have 15 minutes of silent drawing every lesson.  I've told the kids that we are practising focusing, attention and producing creative brain waves.  I have a few kids who are struggling with getting settled during that time, but for the most part they LOVE it and are producing some fabulous work.

the kids have been involved with a competition to draw what they think Singapore will look like in the year 2065.  This was my take on it...but I think it's quite depressing.