Earlier this week I received this email from Britta, a high school art teacher in St. Johns, Michigan:
I just wanted to email you and let you know that I used your blog as inspiration for my “Fundamentals of Art” class. I first saw your work in a magazine about blogs, I was inspired by your stencils and spray paint. ( I teach art in St. Johns, Michigan at of course, St. Johns High School. )
I made up a lesson plan about stencils, symmetry, asymmetry and of course, safe usage of spray paint. I had the class go to your blog and check out your work.
I think they did very well….and I wanted to share some with you, our inspiration.
That email and these resulting photos have been my hand’s down favorite correspondence from a total stranger since I began blogging. What an utterly cool surprise.
These stencil-based collages are pulsing with color and vitality. I love the narrative quality don’t you?
What an interesting class of thoughtful students. I’m struck by how visually expressive they are, how deeply they feel their lives and communicate their ideas.
I wonder if they keep visual journals? I will add more photos to this post as Britta sends them to me. In the meantime I’m going to keep staring at these compelling stencil portraits and wondering about the students who made them.
I bow to you, talented artists from St. Johns.
I have been reading your blog for awhile now and it had occurred to me that it’s like getting a letter, from a good correspondent, with the added attraction of not having to write back. Thank you for this.
WOW!!!
so it’s true, what we do affects 7 generations. Congratulations on making the world a better place now and in the future. Many people do not get a chance to see the beginning of their legacy.
What an honor for you and these journal pages are wonderful. They have great talent. Who knows where they will go with it, that’s a great thing. If they don’t keep visual journals I hope they start.
See how many people you reach with your blog? I love the internet and seeing all your journals.
Thanks for sharing this story with us.
Dude!
wow. this is truly awesome, mary ann. thanks for showing us…
I’ve been reading your blog regularly but just now noticed the pic on the left sidebar of Garrison Keillor – Prairie Home Companion. Had to comment because my family enjoys the show emmensely and my 18 year old daughter and 14 year old son are going to the live performance on the 29th at Cincinnati Music Hall courtesy of their god-father. They are so looking forward to this. Have a great weekend!
So if kids in a HS can get the stencil thing why not me? I need the SPECIAL NEEDS stencil class that won’t hurt my self esteem and comes with an IEP good for 3 years and…hey! Don’t you TEACH????? Hmmmmmmm…..
no s**t, these kids rock. I got 3 ideas just like that! wow, you are the instigator, woman. Your love just sprays out everywhere. (i heart you, man) xo
You are an inspiration to all of us who follow your art experimentation, but how wonderful to get this kind of recognition. What a wonderful teacher she must be to go off the charts with this kind of assignment. The kids did an awesome job. I think each of them did an excellent response to the assignment.
Hey, Mary Ann, this is such a tribute. This is so awesome, isn’t it? I really think journalling may be the best therapy around, and also the best communication medium (next to that one where two people are together somewhere doing something–nuff said). Look at how Britta enlivened these students to be bold and brave, to honor themselves so openly! I’m really impressed.
See how you are?
Man, my journals look positively geriatric next to the power and punch of these pages. I gotta start taking my vitamins again.
Wow, these are amazing! I can definately see your influence in them as well. Awesome!!
Wow! What an awesome compliment!Those kids did a wonderful job! karen….
Amazing the power of art to speak and express at any age.
I LOVE these pages.