Pastel self-portraits
At the beginning of this year, on the first day, our question was: "What is your holy grail?" What is the thing you most need to do? What is the essential problem you need to resolve; the path you need to follow; or struggle you need to overcome? What is the most important quality you want to manifest? Who do you want to be?
We wrote speeches about our answers to these questions. We then made collages of grails, and then we did carefully drawn and painted versions on paper. These grails were then copied out and painted onto wood panels that we prepared by sanding and gesso-ing. It took many weeks to finally finish the full set. Finally, each student graced his or her grail with a quote taken from the original speech.
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In the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, one of the most important tasks before us is to begin looking at ourselves. Who we are, who we want to be. We also circle around the constant truth that what we show ourselves to in exterior appearance is almost always a mask or diversion for what is most true on the inside. Picasso's famous painting "Girl Before a Mirror" is a study of the power of the "inward" gaze: the girl with light on her face sees in the mirror something darker and more deeply complex. We studied this painting in detail before we made our own copies. The only requirement was to use Picasso's forms as a guideline, and have two figures looking at each other, reflecting each other. The result was a wild freedom of expression and a kaleidoscopic variety of color and tone.
"What I Have Learned So Far"
Mary Oliver is talking about something she knows, something she has learned, a way of living and questioning.
What have we learned so far? Today? This week? This season? This year, this life?
It is an enormous question with a massive door and an endless road in all directions. At 8:39 on a Thursday morning, North Branch students are confronting this question: What have you committed to marrow and memory? Listen to students' responses to this question bellow.
What have we learned so far? Today? This week? This season? This year, this life?
It is an enormous question with a massive door and an endless road in all directions. At 8:39 on a Thursday morning, North Branch students are confronting this question: What have you committed to marrow and memory? Listen to students' responses to this question bellow.