Visiting Redwood Day School

It was a gorgeous Bay day as I drove across the Bay Bridge on my way to Redwood Day School in Oakland last Thursday for my artist presentation. I was singing my head off and feeling excited to meet new friends and see what art might get made.

My fabulous directions took me directly to my destination with great ease and in perfect time. I walked into the school library and was struck at how beautiful it was. I wanted to wander through the aisles and look at all the books, but I focused on setting up for my presentation. Although, I couldn’t help but look at the colorful array of frog art displayed on the ends of the shelves and the amazing parade of art finalists above the window for the latest art contest. I could tell right away this was going to be good day.

Jen Ammenti, the head librarian showed me around, told me a few tales and generously took photos of me and the kids playing. I knew I wanted to write about my visit later, but it’s tricky to talk and take photos at the same time. Librarians are notoriously special folks! Jen has been added to my official list of librarians I love.

First off I got to talk with kindergarten through 2nd graders. I was impressed as the entire library filled up. I found a friend in the first row to help me out. She posed as I dressed her in the same shawl I photographed for Nana’s Big Surprise written by Amada Irma Perez. We talked about the story inside the story that the art can tell. We looked at how the shawl changed through the book. In the beginning it seemed like a heavy blanket to hide in but as the story progresses it transforms into wide, waving wings to dance with. The image and the word work together so that what cannot be said can be shown. There were even more things to look for in that book. I told the kids to look for images of keys and the journey of the grandmother’s heart as well.

Another friend posed as I dressed her as the “artist” in my paint-smattered apron, art-sleeves (my own invention!), palette, brush and paint rag. She looked just like me in my studio. We talked about coloring books and the importance of seeing yourself in your books. I shared about how my good friend, the river told me the story that later became the book I Know the River Loves Me. And how sometimes you have to turn a book upside down to see what might be hidden in the art like in My Colors, My World. Our time flew by quickly, but on the way out I made sure everyone got to touch my palette as we said good bye. I think everyone ran their hands over my rough/smooth palette and the many familiar colors from the art in my books. It always makes me happy to have the touch of the kids who know my books mixed in with the tools I use to make those books. Besides it’s really cool to touch real “working” art materials.

Next I got to talk with 3rd through 4th graders. They came from recess so we started off with a nice big sound to get the remnants of recess up and out. For some crazy reason, I told them they could call me Bob if they wanted. So we joined our voices in a phenomenally long “Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobbb!!!”
It seemed to do the trick. Then we settled down to talk some serious art. Because these guys were older we got to talk about different things entirely, like how a book is made and all the other folks that are needed to complete it. I also shared my three rules and we discussed my Polka-dot Theory and the concept of “cheating” when we make art. Like all kids, I found these friends to be smart and insightful. Better make some art I thought!

I asked the artists to draw themselves, but to forget what they looked like. Show me something that I cannot see just by looking at you, I included. Also feel free to portray yourself in the most wildest of ways! Horns are fine! Even fangs, if necessary. Feel completely free. We had read my story in Just Like Me: Stories and Self-Portraits by Fourteen Artists for inspiration.

I wandered around the artists sitting on the floor with their paper and pencils and was met with amazing images and hard workers. We laughed sometimes and some kids would only let me see what they had drawn. I looked at everyone’s. I know these images stay in my head and I carry them with me as I make more art and tell more tales. In closing, we sang out another “Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooobbbbbb”, even more special than the opening Bob. Our voices joined together one last time, then I watched as these good artists went on to the next adventure. Thank you Redwood Day School! My day had turned out to be a very good one.

Filed under Maya in the Classroom | Tags: children, presentations, school visit | Comment (1)