"December Light", blue pastel, 6" x 6"
12/17/08
from the Southern Tier
JB is a skilled and thoughtful participant in Aspire's iXpress program in the Southern Tier. His choice to create with pastels allows this artist to work in ways that express an engaging confluence of personal process with media. The effects of layering, blending and stroking/marking convey visual depth as well as an immediacy of the experience of art-making. This artist is gifted with an ability to create in ways that offer fresh opportunities to the viewer for considering the ways that art may enhance our own ways of seeing and understanding each other, our experiences and the world around us.
"December Light", blue pastel, 6" x 6"
"December Light", blue pastel, 6" x 6"
12/10/08
Cheryl
Recent works by iXpress artist Cheryl R. She primarily works with paint on canvas and loves to select colors mixing a la prima as she works. Most of her works are inspired by everyday people and places which are noted in her titles.
"Outside, Here", 2008, acrylic on canvas
"Outside, Here", 2008, acrylic on canvas
Loretta
We have another completed interview via Sonja, one of our speech therapists. This one is with iXpress artist Loretta here is what she had to say:
1. How long have you been working with iXpress?
Since I came to Brock almost three years ago.
2. Why do you make art?
It keeps my mind off of things that bother me. I think about the art instead.
3. How do you feel when you’re working?
Happy. It makes me think about happy things. Also, I can get my frustrations out.
Sometimes I get excited, too.
4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I would like more help to be careful and not make mistakes about how I (use colors) and about fixing mistakes. I ask Jody, “What color should I use here?” and she tells me I should figure it out. She might bring me three colors and tell me to mix them until they look like I think they should.
5. As an artist what is your most important message to get across to your audience?
I like to do my own work. I can do it but it’s going to take me a little while. I worked hard at it. I want you appreciate me for who I am.
Since I came to Brock almost three years ago.
2. Why do you make art?
It keeps my mind off of things that bother me. I think about the art instead.
3. How do you feel when you’re working?
Happy. It makes me think about happy things. Also, I can get my frustrations out.
Sometimes I get excited, too.
4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I would like more help to be careful and not make mistakes about how I (use colors) and about fixing mistakes. I ask Jody, “What color should I use here?” and she tells me I should figure it out. She might bring me three colors and tell me to mix them until they look like I think they should.
5. As an artist what is your most important message to get across to your audience?
I like to do my own work. I can do it but it’s going to take me a little while. I worked hard at it. I want you appreciate me for who I am.
12/4/08
Anna
Within iXpress the creative process relies heavily on communication between the facilitator and the artist. As facilitators we want our artists to express to us in any means they can what their vision is so that we can help them to achieve that goal.
We work with a number of people who use alternative communication methods including Dynavox machines, sign language, alternative sign language and symbol books. Knowing our iXpress artists is the best way to learn what they're trying to say but sometimes we need to ask our talented speech therapists to help out. Recently, I sent a list of questions to the Speech department and asked if they would help work on these questions with some of our iXpress artists. Anna was the first one to complete the questions with speech therapist Martha. Anna has a Dynavox on her motorized wheelchair but she prefers her Bliss symbol book. The process of communication is slow but always worth it when we have a really meaningful conversation about her art.
Anna and I work as a team on her art from coming up with the idea to applying the paint to canvas. Anna uses a universal cuff to help her hold the paintbrush, it's like an elastic band that wraps around four fingers of the hand. This helps Anna work because she doesn't have to strain to hold onto the brush. When she works I am also there for additional physical support to help her raise her arm and move around the canvas. Currently, we are looking into more advanced adaptive equipment for Anna and artists like her so she can work more independently.
So, thanks to Martha for going the extra mile so we could all learn a little more about Anna. Here are her responses:
1. How long have you been working with iXpress?
I have been painting at Aspire for over 10 years.
2. Why do you make art?
I make art because I enjoy being creative and working on something meaningful.
3. How do you feel when you're working?
When I work on my art I am very focused and it gives me a sense of purpose.
4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I wish we had the time, money and resources so that I could spend more time working on my art.
5. As an artist what is your more important message to get across to your audience?
I want people to see that I do good work.
If you have questions for our artists, feel free to leave them in a comment and we'll be sure to survey our artists. Thanks for looking!
We work with a number of people who use alternative communication methods including Dynavox machines, sign language, alternative sign language and symbol books. Knowing our iXpress artists is the best way to learn what they're trying to say but sometimes we need to ask our talented speech therapists to help out. Recently, I sent a list of questions to the Speech department and asked if they would help work on these questions with some of our iXpress artists. Anna was the first one to complete the questions with speech therapist Martha. Anna has a Dynavox on her motorized wheelchair but she prefers her Bliss symbol book. The process of communication is slow but always worth it when we have a really meaningful conversation about her art.
Anna and I work as a team on her art from coming up with the idea to applying the paint to canvas. Anna uses a universal cuff to help her hold the paintbrush, it's like an elastic band that wraps around four fingers of the hand. This helps Anna work because she doesn't have to strain to hold onto the brush. When she works I am also there for additional physical support to help her raise her arm and move around the canvas. Currently, we are looking into more advanced adaptive equipment for Anna and artists like her so she can work more independently.
So, thanks to Martha for going the extra mile so we could all learn a little more about Anna. Here are her responses:
1. How long have you been working with iXpress?
I have been painting at Aspire for over 10 years.
2. Why do you make art?
I make art because I enjoy being creative and working on something meaningful.
3. How do you feel when you're working?
When I work on my art I am very focused and it gives me a sense of purpose.
4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I wish we had the time, money and resources so that I could spend more time working on my art.
5. As an artist what is your more important message to get across to your audience?
I want people to see that I do good work.
If you have questions for our artists, feel free to leave them in a comment and we'll be sure to survey our artists. Thanks for looking!
11/13/08
Peg
Today's post comes from Peggy Ross. Peg has been working really hard on refining her art making, right now she is studying the always captivating works of Van Gogh. Van Gogh's colors and textures are a great way for an artist like Peg to expand her visual vocabulary. Below the pictures Peg tells it in her own words.
Hello My name is Peggy Ross. I belong to the iXpress art program at Aspire of Western New York. I am learning how to paint free handed & it is a little scary for me because I have never let myself out of my comfort zone. But I am happy I did.I like painting because I can put all my feelings into them. Without the iXpress program I wouldn't be able to show people my art pieces. And to sell my art work. I like learning new brush strokes and how some make things look like they are jumping out at you. And other brush strokes makes parts of my painting look quiet. I am happy for the art teachers because they help bring out the artists gifts in me.
11/8/08
Jamestown
iXpress' Jamestown location in the Southern Tier just put up a new show, if you're in the area stop in and look at all the amazing artwork they're doing!
10/27/08
Palm Trees
Today's post is artwork by Veleka G. , she has been participating in iXpress for 5 years. These two paintings are from some of her recent works and show a more indepedent approach. Below the paintings are Veleka's own words about the art program and her work.
'Palm Trees'- Veleka G.
'Looking Out Onto the Horizon'-Veleka G.
Amy encouraged me to do art when iXpress first started, that was the first I ever tried painting. Painting makes me feel relaxed and helps me to express my feelings and it helps me to become creative. I like to paint nature in general. I like to work with pastels because they make the picture come alive. Pastels have more oily consistency while acrylics are more smooth.
What I'm working on currently is the butterfly mosaic tile. I'm trying to create the shape of a butterfly with mosaic tiles. I know what I want to do but my brain works faster than my hands want to work. Even though it takes me a little longer than some I still get my idea completed.
-Veleka G. iXpress artist
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