exploding third graders

having this sculpture in the art room has been an event in itself. today my thrid graders drew the sculpture after we discussed it for a while, complete with sound effects. i love the initial reactions when the elementary students first walk into the classroom. and this class seemed to really soak in the meaning of regeneration.

an explosion in the art room

paper-mache-ers hardly seem to notice the explosion near by.

Fighting self-focus

Hey I'm grateful for the new friendships i've gained from this little art show. and our dinner conversation on the porch was helpful. Julia and Bill, we were discussing the temptations we're expecting to come at Na. as we starting listing specific ugly thoughts, there seemed to be a common theme: Self-focus. especially in our thoughts. that lead to words and actions.

well i'm seeing the need to take action sooner than later. this morning i picked up Piper's Future Grace. Basically, he argues that all sins come from unbelief that God is more satisfying. here's some quotes from chapter 6 that are helping me to think through this:

From CS Lewis, "The pleasure of pride is like the pleasure of scratching. If there is an itch one does want to scratch; but it is much nicer to have neither itch nor the scratch. As long as we have the itch of self-regard we shall want the pleasure of self-approval; but the happiest moments are those when we forget our precious selves and have neither but have everything else (God, our fellow humans, animals, the garden and the sky) instead."

Consider artistic gifting too, with wisdom: "When we boast in our wisdom we have turned from God to trust in ourselves. We disclose that our satisfaction is not first in God's infinate, primary wisdom, but in out derivative, secondary capacities." p89

he discusses Jer.9:23 and wisdom, might and riches: "Each one lures us away from trusting God as the superior satisfaction above them all. It is radically humbling to confess that the source of all our joy resides outside ourselves." p88

(!) okay! that give me something to put on: confessing that all my joy resides outside of myself and that no amount of recognition or glorifying me will satify me. no! i find a much deeper joy in the One who deserves the Glory. magifying him is much more satisfying.

Conversation series

Hey Philly people. lol
Who has the conversation series? I say we bring that down as well. I think it was a fun a very successful project and should be in the show. can we also have these for friday morning?
Thanks
Rob

Friday ART PICKUP

Hey all,
Here is the final final details. This Friday - 5/12 - at 1301 Cherry Street - PAFA will be loading all the work into the van. My goal is to be there for 9 - 9:30am. Please have art work ready for that time, and remember to bring plenty of papers, bubble tape, blankets and etc to wrap and protect your artork, for a bumpy 3 hour drive to maryland. Any questions, please call me at 609-238-7983.

Also, better to address the issue now than later, but we have to figure out how to get the artwork BACK from Louisville. I believe Connie said that they could bring it back to Maryland, but that we would need to transport it from Maryland to Philly. IT seems like the best solution, would be the same: rent a truck and deliver work to one spot.
Rob

Trip to Maryland This Friday

Hi all,
OK. Here is the plan. I am going to rent a "Budget" truck. To pay for the gas, insurance, adn mileage for a trip to Maryland - it will cost roughly 235 dollars. thats about as cheap as you can get for a truck. I have agreed with Connie to aim to be in Maryland for 11:30/12:00. So, since it is a 3 hour drive to Gaithersburg - we need to leave with all of the art around 8:30/9:00. We need to coordinate a Philly pickup - the less traveling the cheaper and quicker. Alison, Bill and Julia - are you guys able to coordinate and consolidate a location in Philly for about 8:30 am?
We can split the cost of the truck 5 ways which will be fairly cheap. Also, for safety reasons, please wrap up your artwork in blankets, bubble wrap, etc. Most likely a bumpy ride. Connie emailed me directions yesterday - so thats fine. Please let me know asap your plans. I would prefer to have someone drive with me, but if no one is available thats cool, my mom has offered and I believe it would be easy to find someone to take a trip with me. I understand everyone is busy and has finals and etc, so let me know.
Rob

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get their work back from New Attitude?

frames

hey i saw in the paper that frames are on sale at michaels this week. i dunno if you guys have a Michaels store handy, but if you do i have some gift cards you could use for frames there. but i dont know how i'd get them to you...i think its wall frames, so big ones (?) on sale.

the truck

i'm happy to chip in a bit for the truck...and then maybe you guys can stop by the Martins house (where i live) to pick up my pieces on the way to the church/school.

thanks for taking this initiative, rob.
connie

later better 4

Ok. here is the deal. My neighbor is a framer and she is going to frame my two pieces for next Friday. I currently dont work on fridays so Im hoping to get a Penske - pick up my stuff and everyone else's and then we can drive em down to Maryland. Im not sure how much it costs to rent the truck, but will get ya the details. Is it possible for everyone to consolidate their art at one location? Or due to size stay in separate places and we can pick em up. Is anyone up to going to Maryland to transport them. ehem Bill!!! JK also, Connie, I would need directions specifically where to go and is next Friday ok for you?
Rob

later better

rob, i think your idea makes the most sense- for all of us to get our stuff to you next weekend at one time. it would give everyone one more week. where do you live though?

later better

hey all,
I'm thinking about getting a truck to drive down the artwork for hopefully next weekend to Connie. The drive isn't too far, so I believe it will be practical. If that happens, I say we all try to consolidate our work together and make it in one sweep. That is of course, if ya'll can't get it done by Saturday.
Let me know any thougths and ideas you may have. Rob

later better

Hey, y'all, later is better for me since my painting for the show is in lancaster. Julia will probably be able to have her stuff framed by the concert on saturday, or maybe by first friday tomorrow so that would be something.
bill

later better?

hey, I would definitely stand behind the idea to get a truck and take the stuff to MD not this weekend. From my standpoint:

A.Framing has yet to happen
B.Honestly I'm still working on the sculpture, and it may or may not make it. I'm trying but my sanity is slipping. I do it to myself. Connie we'll have to talk when you're here this weekend.

So that's my 2 cents. I don't know any plexi framing places offhand but I will ask around.

Philly artists

Hey guys,
Apparently this Saturday is D-day. Has everybody figured out how they are going to get their work to Connie? The Bolivia Benefit concert is at church this saturday. So I have to be there for work and everything. I am going to try to figure out a way to my work to Connie. Does anybody know where I can get two of my pieces framed with plexiglass? Is it expensive? Let me know what you guys are doing, and perhaps on this short notice, we can arrange something.
Rob

a taste of the artshow

Meet the 5 Na artists with a small sampling of the art that will be shown at the Na art show. There will be a total of 13 pieces including 12 2-D works and one sculpture by alison (whose pic file size is too big for me to post here).




with a few silly faces thrown in for good measure.

decisions!

are being emailed to you tonight!

thanks for your patience!