Interview with Edna Hibel

Today I had the amazing experience of being able to speak with the artist Edna Hibel and her son, she is 95 and mentally very sharp. It was amazing to be able to discuss art with a Leonardo Da Vinci award recipient and artist that holds 6 honorary doctorates.

We are so lucky to have a Hibel Museam here in South Florida on the campus of FAU it was intriguing to look through the art and memorabilia after reading the biography of the artist.
Hibel Museam at FAU

I was especially interested in the chinese painting, learning about her trip as the first artists to show in the PRC after the death of Chairman Mao.  The museum features a gorgeous painting of the artist's dear friend "Winnie" a Harvard grad who was a casualty of China's cultural revolution. I was also intrigued to learn about the artist's beginnings in Boston, this will definitely add to my trip this summer.

The interview has definitely made my research very interesting, I will be sure post more on this after my paper is complete if you are a local you will be interested to know that the artist will be making an appearance at her gallery in August. I will be sure to post more after I finish this research paper!

For once, a positive mom!

At last year's FAEA conference I heard a speech from a positive mom for once, and it was awesomely encouraging!   I keep thinking about the speech that Jaqueline Roch gave at the FAEA conference, she is inspiring, as not only is she a brilliant artist but a mom of 4 children.

(all images are the work of Jaqueline Roch, Miami, FL)

She challenged us artist teachers not to make excuses, as a full time teacher she worked on her pastels.  Later Jaqueline was eventually able to be a stay at home mom she said that she had much more free time than when she was teaching so she was able to spend time perfecting her craft. The teachers at the conference we all gained insight on how she worked; it was fascinating that much of her painting time was during her children's naps.

The pastelist talked about how teacher's often try to hide behind the successes of others almost as an excuse...wow that one really hit home! I feel like sometimes as women we hide behind others successes and claim them as our own as an avoidance tactic. It is especially easy for teachers to pat ourselves on the back because of successes in other's lives due to our investment. I think it is quite difficult to break outside of the success of others and also make time to engage in personal development.

I feel myself becoming frustrated as more and more as I see and hear from moms who get to stay home can't seem to take a shower, yet they freely tell me how easy life as a teacher and full time student must be after all "you don't have kids yet" so you can't possibly be busy EVER.

In stark contrast is this artist mother of 4 who stopped the excuses, as you can see her art is spectacular and she recently sold rights of her works to furnish the cabins on a cruise line.

She isn't blogging about how she doesn't ever get a sick day, how exhausting it is to put her child to bed, or how she is a professional expert on every subject known to man because she has children; instead she is supporting her family with her craft, creating beauty, and inspiring teachers all over South Florida.

Jaqueline Roch, Pasel

So every time I hear some cynical mom imply that women's personal aspirations must die to become a good mother I just smile and remember that there are indeed women who bring more value to their family, personal development, and community during nap time than some do in their entire lives. As teachers we can continue to wear the "I inspire"t-shirts but how much inspiration can we offer if we are not personally inspired?

Lighouse Center for the Arts Show inspiring art!

The following are snaps of a local k-12 art show.  We have some truly amazing teachers and students in Palm Beach County! I took some pics of my favorite artwork from the show to inspire new projects and ideas. 

Art Advocacy Tile wall

So just how did we create the tile wall art advocacy project? Take a look below: 

Spanish and Art Advocacy Projects 2012

The projects are images of interdisciplinary projects. 3rd grade students illustrated unit studies in creative ways and 4th and 5th grade students were assigned a Spanish speaking country for a report and poster project. The 4th and 5th grade projects were a lot of work, but I found that most of the students were so engaged that they went far above and beyond requirements! I never expected that the posters would be so amazing! Overall I think that students had a great time learning. 

More pictures from the 2011-12 school year