Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Almost done

We stacked the totem today using some net stands from the PE dept that we borrowed, just to get a sense of how the heads stack. I threw the spacers on the wheel and the students finished painting them today.We are going to make two totems and wonderful Jim Malone is going to build us boxes, sort of like planters with concrete in the bottom and then we will add the poles and stack the animals. That way we can move them around the school and they can visit different areas instead of living on the playground. We are going to build the boxes tomorrow and hopefully finish up this "one week" residency!
The students had to research an animal, do a drawing or painting and then create the sculpture. This has been quite an undertaking but what fabulous results!!!
Now, if I could just get paid. The history with that over the past six months hasn't been too good. I ask myself why I keep doing this, and then I see results like this. I just wonder if anyone that ever hires me has to continually go to their boss and ask when and if and how much they are going to get paid each week? Doubtful, don't you think?!

Here are some fun pictures of the proud artists!




10 comments:

Peter said...

Tracey, that totem is just wonderful! What a great project, and a real achievement for you and for those who took part. The students will never forget it. I'm sad to read the "if I could just get paid" part as it echos my own woeful experiences too! I have a small group of teenagers that have recently started coming to me for weekly lessons, I feel like sitting them down next week and showing them what you people have managed to do. It should inspire them to great things!
All the Best to you, Peter

Tracey Broome said...

Peter you should definitely do this with the teenagers. It is a good age to do it, because it is a bit difficult. I don't think my little kids could achieve this. They were really proud of their work and stayed so focused on it. Maybe they could do one that would live at your studio or do a wall mounted one like a gargoyle. As far as being paid, I have had the worst time trying to collect money this year. I have to call and call and it's taking over thirty days in most cases. Causing me some lack of motivation for sure!

Jerry said...

That's awesome! I must have missed the fact that they were for a totem. What a great idea.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Awesome project.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Oh, and congrats on your wedding anniversary!

Linda Starr said...

Hi Tracey, this is an amazing project, just wonderful. You've done such an amazing job and so have the students. Did they end up painting the totems with acrylic, I can't recall what you said before?

On the payment part, could you mail a bill so you don't have to call (of course it's probably easier to ignore a piece of paper than a person calling. But sometimes something in writing emphasizes the fact that payment is due and owed. Perhaps have something on the statement saying 30 days overdue, 60 days over due, and after a certain length of time start tacking on "late fees" to motivate them to pay or something. I realize things are tight but gee you are out money just driving there to provide the classes, not to mention costs involved and time and artistic vision and all. I had someone in my neighborhood approach me about teaching classes at my residence - would it be possible for you to do that and charge for them - parents are always looking for things for their children to do during the summer.

The totem is truly wonderful, congratulations to you and your students.

Laura Farrow said...

wow tracey! the totems are awesome!

Tracey Broome said...

Hey guys thanks for the comments. Linda, I sent an invoice and as always stated payable upon receipt which most just ignore and more like pay when I feel like ti or have extra to spare. I have decided that from now on I have to get the money up front and no more out of pocket spending on supplies. Apparently I am being processed through "the office in San Diego" and it will be a few more days.....meanwhile I have spent $125 on supplies and leaving for vacation next week. Arghhh.

Judi Tavill said...

Looks awesome!!! My 9 year old is BEGGING to try it.....

Tracey Broome said...

Judi: Go for it! Pretty easy, just build up with coils. Start a cylinder for the neck, then jut out the coils a bit for the chin (I learned this technique in a Debra Fritts workshop at Arrowmont) and keep building up. Then add on facial features. I was amazed at how quickly these came together.