#artandecology

[amyfelder]

The Murmuration

Last spring, I set a goal to create two paintings this summer. I knew one would be a painting of a cherry blossom tree that my husband had asked for a while back. I had no idea what I would paint for the other one.

At the beginning of the summer, I took a Storytelling and Bookmaking in the Art Studio course. One of our projects was to create an altered book. When shifting through the box of discarded books, I came across Leon Leyson’s The Boy on the Wooden Box. I chose it because it had these wonderful, silhouetted images of birds in flight as chapter headings. I started to glue beautiful white tissue paper embedded with blue thread on the end pages. Careful to leave the birds intact, I collaged around them. Then, I created my own scene of flowers, spirals, and wind. I had no intention of it becoming anything beyond an experiment. Free from the pressure of creating something that would be shared, I simply played.

The next day during a Digital Portfolios course, I was introduced to a printmaking technique which substituted ink with markers. Eager to try it out, I decided to engrave a flock of birds onto my Styrofoam plate. The printmaking process was a total flop, but I left the class knowing I wanted to do something more with the bird imagery.

That is when I decided to paint the birds. Embracing the joy of play, I allowed myself to let go of my quite serious artmaking practice and to veer away from my normal realism. Instead, I created something whimsical—The Murmuration.

While creating The Murmuration, I kept a log of my hours and a record of what I did each day. As I reflected on my time, I categorized the various activities by Studio Habit as defined in Studio Thinking from the Start: The K-8 Art Educator's Handbook by Jillian Hogan, Lois Hetland, Diane B. Jaquith, and Ellen Winner:

Develop Craft (Technique: Learning to use tools, materials, and artists conventions and Studio Practice: Taking care of tools, materials, works, and space)

Engage & Persist (Finding personally meaningful projects and sticking to them)

Envision (Imagining new artworks and steps to bring them to life)

Express (Making works that convey personal meaning and interpreting meaning in the works of others)

Observe (Look closely and noticing)

Reflect (Question & Explain: Talking about students’ work and working processes and Evaluate: Talking about what works well, what does not, and why, in works by self and others)

Stretch & Explore (Playing, trying new things, making mistakes, and learning from them)

Understand Art Worlds (Domain: Learning about what artists make and Communities: Learning to collaborate and understanding that artists often work in groups) (p.4)

As I reflect on the creation of The Murmuration, I am struck by how much playing, failing, and redoing goes into my studio practice. Seeing an artwork through from start to finish not only requires commitment but also a willingness to go on a journey. You have to be okay with not knowing exactly what directions to follow to get to the destination. At times, you are fumbling. At other times, you are right on track.

Log of Hours:

Day 1 (June 21, 2023) – 2 hours

Practiced the Studio Habit of Mind Develop Craft: Studio Practice by setting up my home art studio. Organized my workspace, inventoried my art materials and tools, and bought materials I needed. Measured windows for assembling custom screens so that I can open my studio window for ventilation. Practiced the Studio Habit of Mind Envision by imagining new artworks and steps to bring them to life. I envisioned a plan to create a final artwork of birds flying for me and a final artwork of cherry blossom trees for my husband's study. Discussed canvas size/dimensions options with my husband.

Day 2 (June 22) – 3.5 hours

Sketched out birds on the canvas with charcoal [Envision]. Practiced the Studio Habit of Mind Develop Craft: Technique by practicing with techniques and materials. Painted the background. Practiced the Studio Habit of Mind Reflect by documenting my artmaking process. Photographed my home studio and my work in progress for a future blog post. Self-evaluated my artwork.

Day 3 (June 23) – 1.5 hours

Bought a canvas and managed my art budget [Develop Craft: Studio Practice]. Collaborated with my husband about whether the canvas was a good size/dimension for his study. Painted two of the birds [Develop Craft: Technique]. Practiced the Studio Habit of Mind Observe by viewing my own work closely to find areas to keep and to improve. Removed some of the black paint from the birds until they were the right shape and size.

Day 4 (June 26) – 2 hours

Continued to paint the birds [Develop Craft: Technique and Observe].

Day 5 (June 27) – 1 hour

Continued to paint the birds [Develop Craft: Technique and Observe].

Day 6 (June 30) – 3 hours

Finished painting the birds and revisited the background [Develop Craft: Technique and Observe].

Day 7 (July 5) – 3.5 hours

Repainted the background and the birds. Decided to make some of the birds gray to appear in the distance while keeping some birds a sharp black in the foreground [Develop Craft: Technique and Observe]. Completed finishing touches and signed my work with my initials.

Day 8 (July 6) - .25 hours

Consulted a bird expert who identified the birds as starlings. Researched starlings and decided they are a good fit. Titled piece The Murmuration. Practiced the Studio Habit of Mind Express by discerning the meaning of the piece. The painting shows only a few starlings to depict the decline in the starling population. This fits with my current body of work about ecology and humanity's complex relationship with nature [Reflect].

Total Time – 16.75 hours

Image credit: The Murmuration, 2023 | Oil on canvas | 24x18 inches

Reference

Hetland, L., Hogan, J., Jaquith, D., & Winner, E. (2018). Studio Thinking from the Start: The K-8 Art Educator’s Handbook. Teachers College Press.

[environmentindia]

👌 Great Eco art by @cartoonistharikrishna #art #environmentind #india #art #artandecology #ecoart #cartoon #artist #artistsforwildlifeandnature #awareness #nature #environmentindia #environment #ecology #wildlife #conservation #animals #vegan (at India That is Bharat) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZoNst7vnwJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[johnhooperphotographer]

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A post shared by John H👀per (@john_h00per)

our @pale.blue.dot.collective at #marsandbeyond @oxotowerwharf 💫 opening night! Some super amazing and immersive works curated by @oskarokkrajewski We are showing our film Infinite Journey ✨ . . . . . #londonexhibition #mars #artrecyclism #openingtonight #astronomy #space #greepeace @greenpeace #oxo #fragileearth #environment #artandecology #bargehouse #londonexhibitions #art #journey #travel (at Mars & Beyond) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zUtojlfGm/?igshid=1whb49vht9dxj

[joya-air]

title: cuenca #11 (the swale at oare) / acrylic on paper / 38 x 27 cm / Simon Beckmann

[c-lavigne-studio-practice]

‘Reverie’ 24”x 36” Acrylic on wood panel $820 CAD One of the works created this year while developing some new approaches to painting and ideas for conceptual work. Here I am examining a sense of awe in the experience and connection to our natural world. I like to highlight the beauty and importance in what seems imperfect, inspiring hope in the health of the land and in the continuity of natural cycles. She’s available for purchase now!! #nbartist #acrylicpainting #contemporaryart #contemporarycanadianart #preciousecology #artandecology #natureinspired #boldcolours #artforinteriors #artforsale https://www.instagram.com/p/CemI0ojPj92/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[12goldenberries]

We posted the first episode of the Ground Shots podcast, an audio project that is a part of our Ground Shots work, last week. . Episode ONE features an interview with Zapotec weaver Samuel Bautista Lazo from Oaxaca, Mexico. It was a great experience getting to talk to Samuel about some things I have been thinking about for a long time- the effects of tourism on indigenous culture, the way that craft skills can be powerful but also complicated to share, and the historical stories behind how humans have worked with plants to nudge them to grow according to our wants or needs - something we touch on specifically around corn and cochineal. It’s pretty different than how I ‘assume’ things to be from the outside, from an observer’s perspective. The dynamics of colonialism and how they have and do play out are complicated. I am interested in exploring these complexities through conversations like this, with the hopes that stories can imbue a different lens. . If you haven’t heard it already, give it a listen, tell me what you think, give us a review on iTunes. It is also worth following Samuel’s handles at @dixzarugsorganicfarm and @sam_dixza to see into the life of weavers in Samuel’s region of Oaxaca. . Find the podcast on iTunes, or listen on our website, linked in our profile. #weavers #oaxaca #weaving #naturaldyes #corn #cochineal #craftsposure #craft #craftsmanship #crafting #makething #makersgonnamake #artandecology #getoutandgather #artistoninstagram

[matlakas]

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A post shared by Riccardo Matlakas (@riccardo_matlakas)

Follow Up Performed by Matlakas at Territori Performance Festival for the HUMAN? edition. curated by Isa Sanz Video by Xavi Xerrero Follow Up “Follow up” was conceived in 2019. With this work I would like to bring this work as it is about the emergency of global warming and it's a message of care for the planet. I made a wearable structure with an ice pyramid over my head that slowly melts. Whilst the ice melts, drop by drop will be a reminder of our world’s emergency, each cold drop is a knock of consciousness to whats’ happening to our earth because of human activity. The ice cube will be slowly melting on my head, highlighting the fact that human being cannot escape natural disasters as there is no escape but the earth we live in. “Follow Up” represents the problematics humans cannot escape wherever they go, the repercussions will “follow up”. This work responded with the world’s condition and it emerged during a trip to Iran when I was exposed to an emergency of severe drought, especially in the south. I therefor first performed another work which was similar, its title was “Saffron Tears” where I put saffron in 5 kg ice cube and I posed for a while letting the ice melting over my head, holding it only with my hands. Saffron is very symbolic for Iran and in this case it represented the power and the reminder of the respect for nature which sustains us. Since then I created more pieces with Ice amongst them “Ocean Dash” where I help a block of ice containing fish, that slowly melted away revealing the dead fish. To to highlight the deaf of several species in the sea because of human activity. Follow up, wants to be a reminder, drop by drop. #follow up #ice #iceperformance #globalwarming #performance #performanceart #artandecology #ibiza #artandwater #artistsoninstagram #instavideo #videoperformance #ibizacinefest #pyramidice #meltingice #matlakas #performingarts #territori #human? #contemporaryart #art #kunst #instart #instaartist #contemporaryperformance #performingarts #artandperformance (at Santa Eulalia Del Río, Islas Baleares, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0m4X5FQ7W/?igshid=ggedvzizqbbo

[artistopencalls]

And these 👉 @airieverglades Interested in an artist residency in Everglades National Park 👉 https://www.airie.org/residency-information 👈👀 (@evergladesnps) exploring environmental and social issues impacting the Everglades and our global community? Apply at www.airie.org before June 1. Tell your friends! Like this post! Share - share - Share! 🌿2022 AIRIE Fellows are selected by AIRIE's National Advisory Committee (head to airie.org for more info on this awesome Advisory 🤩!) 🌿2022 AIRIE Fellows receive $4000 Fellowship Grant + support for travel and living expenses 🌿2022 AIRIE Fellows get to work with experts in Everglades restoration + interpretation 🌿2022 AIRIE Fellows are given time & space to develop art with environmental preservation and justice themes - time & space are 🔑 👌 Lots of info at the link in our bio! [Image: Water trail through green mangrove trees with overlaid text that says AIRIE, 2022 Residency Application, Closes June 1, 11:59 PM EST, Apply Now] #artandecology #environmentalart #everglades #evergladesrestoration #findyourpark #contemporaryart #performingarts #curatorialpractice #airieverglades #artistresidency #timeandspace #fellowshipgrant #artistfunding (at Everglades National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/COVb1EJlf3C/?igshid=ej3u6yf20j33

[kohakuroon]

Part of an ongoing project on Plankton and ocean acidification. Pteropods (tiny swimming snails). Bit of a misfire for a couple reasons- see my blog. (Details in bio). #ecologyart #plankton #oceanconservation #contemporaryceramics #natureart #oceanart #anthropocene #modernceramics #artandecology #environmentalart #clay #cremerging #lifewithceramics #ceramicminds (at Moscow, Idaho) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNahMEjDCwR/?igshid=1j7mnh3n8bmwl

[artandecology-blog]

Happy World Oceans Day 🌊❤️👩🏼‍🎨🌍 #mermaid #mermaidart #artandecology #mermaidjournal #worldoceansday #artandscience #watercolour #painting #oceanart #conservationartist

[danielledemuro]

In progress self portrait painting that I started before the pandemic. This is about my relationship to some insidious plastic in my life—but the emotion seems sooo applicable to my state of mind surrounding the virus crisis. How’s yours? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: #art#artist#painting#oilpainting#contemporarypainting#contemporaryart#portraits#artandecology#plasticpollution#earth#climatecrisis#selfportraiture (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-f_EFClume/?igshid=dtuo2rk8g8g9

[amyfelder]

Mark your calendars to attend Paradise Lost, a solo show featuring my work! My latest work Do Not Leave Food Unattended (shown above) and more will be on view!

Exhibition dates - July 14-August 1, 2021

Hours - 1-5pm, Wednesdays – Sundays

Artist reception - 6-8pm, Friday, July 16th

Location - Art Lab Fort Collins, 239 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

To preview the show, click Paradise Lost.

Image credit: Do Not Leave Food Unattended, 2021 | Wool, wire, tree stump and Cheetos | 18x16x14 inches

[deemakesjewelry-blog-blog]

Open call for Mountain to Oceans: the paradox exhibition Location suited for large sculptures Location: Berlin Deadline: March 31, 2020 *👉 REPOST FOR @asexhibits 👈 Calling for submissions Ocean Exhibit Series 2020 Mountains to Oceans: the paradox exhibition  Exhibit dates: 1 - 30th Sept. 2020 In the event of a cancellation, the exhibit will take place here in Spring 2021. 
Time is pressing. In over 4.5 billion years of geological time, earth’s carbon system has suffered few extremes like today's. We and our fellow species are in trouble - here and now. ​The immediacy of the effects of weather changes, humankind’s degradation of the forests and oceans, and the intimacy of the effects on us, in juxtaposition to geological time, is stunning, and is good reason to bury our heads in the age old sands.  Alongside captivating works by a wealth of international artists, Art Science Exhibits brings nature science solutions into the conversation - such as ecosystem regeneration and clean-up - with the idea that when people begin to connect to the answers, change can occur. ​​​ ____________________ Mountains to Oceans inaugural exhibition will take place at our main location in the very heart of Berlin, the Grand Hall of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin’s Thaer-Institut of Agriculture, next door to our friends at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Natural History Museum). This site is three stories high and especially suited for large sculpture. 
www.artscienceexhibits.com Application Fee - €20 Link in bio ( @asexhibits ) for more information and to apply. Photo by exhibiting artist Nina Shipoff. #opencallforartists #environmentalart #environmentalartist #environmentalscience #artandecology #installationart #sculptlife #sculptorsofig #artsy #berlinarts #berlinartist #moutains #savetheoceans #monumentalarts #germanarts #artistsoninstagram #environmentalist #environment #arte #artvibes #artistic #oceanlife (at DE3) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9wjEn9lPmv/?igshid=1d0f6qf8vep1u

[placentamom]

A little late for Earth Day, but still beautiful & I had to share. 🌎❤️ #earthday2019 #mothernature #placentamom #sacramento #placentaencapsulation #Repost @magovin ・・・ If we do not honour that which holds our lives, become active stewards in cultivating sustainable beliefs and practices, we will loose our future. If we destroy the sustenance that supports our roots we cannot grow. As Earth Day begins around the world let us remember that "we are guests of nature" #earthday #madretierra #artandecology #environmentalart #environmentalactivism #pachamamaart #sustainableliving #artoftheday (at Cameron Park, California) https://www.instagram.com/placentamom/p/BxEeMiTAQCr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=phgno3ug5tg

[joya-air]

title: cuenca #12 (Tagus en flujo) / acrylic on paper / 38 x 29 cm / Simon Beckmann

[12goldenberries]

We posted the first episode of the Ground Shots podcast, an audio project that is a part of our Ground Shots work, last week. . Episode ONE features an interview with Zapotec weaver Samuel Bautista Lazo from Oaxaca, Mexico. It was a great experience getting to talk to Samuel about some things I have been thinking about for a long time- the effects of tourism on indigenous culture, the way that craft skills can be powerful but also complicated to share, and the historical stories behind how humans have worked with plants to nudge them to grow according to our wants or needs - something we touch on specifically around corn and cochineal. It’s pretty different than how I ‘assume’ things to be from the outside, from an observer’s perspective. The dynamics of colonialism and how they have and do play out are complicated. I am interested in exploring these complexities through conversations like this, with the hopes that stories can imbue a different lens. . If you haven’t heard it already, give it a listen, tell me what you think, give us a review on iTunes. It is also worth following Samuel’s handles at @dixzarugsorganicfarm and @sam_dixza to see into the life of weavers in Samuel’s region of Oaxaca. . Find the podcast on iTunes, or listen on our website, linked in our profile. #weavers #oaxaca #weaving #naturaldyes #corn #cochineal #craftsposure #craft #craftsmanship #crafting #makething #makersgonnamake #artandecology #getoutandgather #artistoninstagram