MOCAD Monster Drawing Rally!

Inside / Out solo show for Heidelberg Project Emerging Artist program

Detail

Work in progress - fiber art for Heidelberg show in December

Lots if stitching and texture - I love the process of each piece and looking at them together is inspiring. The pieces for this show have various textures and embroidery stitches and when shown side be side look amazing :)

Inspired Detroit show review

Thanks to Michael Hodges for reviewing the Inspired Detroit exhibit at the DC3 Accelerator gallery, curated by Katherine Maurer. I'm so thankful that he took the time to go see the show - the article, Visual Grab Bag at the DC3 Accelerator gallery, makes mention of all the artists in the show and the diversity of the work. The article also features a picture of one of my pieces!

The show is up until Oct. 31 - location:
DC3 Accelerator Gallery, Taubman Center for Design Education, 460 W. Baltimore Ave., Detroit


Artists in the show: Gilda Snowden, Topher Crowder, Colin Darke, Yvette Rock, JenClare Gawaran, and Kelly Darke

Detail of current work - embroidery, knitting, gesso

the back side of my latest work...

The front of the piece will be on display during my show at the Heidelberg Project opening December 1, 2012.

new work available on my website

www.KellyDarke.com

 

Sock knitting pattern available through Craftsy and Ravelry

pattern available through Ravelry and Craftsy and Etsy

Hand made stamps with yarn

I made stamps to use on my New fiber and paint piece

I absolutely loved the process of making these stamps and using them on my fabric piece.

New fiber painting

Hand stitching paper on fabric

Black straight stitch white paint - reminds me of a fingerprint

Colorful new sketch w thread and paint

Happy Friday! Make art

I think I've started a new daily visual journal...

Another small fiber / painting

New work - small fiber / painting

Working in some smaller pieces - instant gratification - well not instant, but much sooner gratification than my last piece...

happiness

I love my life. I have the most amazing family and I do what I love everyday. I am grateful and really just wanted to share that today.

V for Vincenzo

large painting completed - Gathering - 60" x 50"

  

fabric, acrylic paint, ink, paper, thread, wool knitting, machine stitching, hand stitching

Working on my art feels amazing

Happy with this so far
Happy.

More progress - so excited about this piece !

Another update on current fiber painting

Still trying to figure out how and where to place the red knit piece...

Work in progress fiber painting

> Time lapse video of creating artwork would be cool - a few pics will have to do for now.
>

The future of art education

Portrait of mom wearing her knit shirt and socks
with her painting behind her
by Vincenzo (6yr old)

I've been thinking a lot about art education lately and I feel that not all art education is equal. Some theories posit that kids need to be told step-by-step how to complete a project. But this only teaches them, or expects them, to follow rules or steps in a process designed by someone else, which is also teaching them that there is one correct outcome for their art. This view is limiting and detrimental to the creative growth of the child.

Children (most people, really) need a safe and supportive environment that allows them to experiment and play in order to feel creative. If children are taught some very basic techniques about how an art material works --> pencils makes different marks on paper depending on how you use them... then they are given the freedom to experiment, without judgement, and they can soar in creativity.

Let children use their own life experience as a catalyst for their art. Encourage scribbling and playing with materials (within reason, no one wants paint thrown around the room). Lines, shapes, and colors without a recognizable subject matter is great! Kids just need the supplies and freedom to create.

Some kids may need a little more structure. As parents and/or teachers we can make suggestions, or work on a project together asking the child to decide on elements of the project. I have seen a lot of well-meaning adults or older siblings tell a young child how to draw, "no, do it like this", which basically means there is a right and wrong way to make art. There is no right or wrong way to make art! (professional artists is a different story altogether). The child may just need a little direction in terms of a theme. I remember times when working with students who wanted to create a picture but couldn't think of a subject - I would ask them, "what do you like to do at home? with friends? at recess? what toys do you like to play with?" and so on. Eventually a question would resonate with the student and their face lit up with "oh! I know what to do!" The excitement is amazing and they are much more engaged in their work because it has meaning for them. Kids are so often told what to do all day, every day - they should have some freedom and feel ownership when being creative.

rolling shutter technique with iphone by Grace (9yr old)

sparkler light trail photo