The artist David Kracov from Los Angeles, CA is the feature for today’s Motivational Monday.
His works are pop art-inspired creations with bold colors and forms. Read more about David and his work at his website or take a visual tour of his works on Instagram @davidkracov.
The Book of Life
Basically, a zine is a homemade magazine, according to Wikipedia, “The term was coined in an October 1940 science fiction fanzine byRuss Chauvenet.” This week, and as we head into spring break, I think it is an appropriate time to create your own zine. You have some time to work on making the physical zine and fill the pages. All you need is a sheet of paper, something to make marks with, and your imagination.
There is a cool trick in which you take a single sheet of paper, like a slice of printed paper, and fold it into a small booklet that has 8 pages. If you don’t have any fresh, clean pages to work with, use something that already has type on it, don’t limit yourself to the standard 8.5 by 11-inch standard sheet either. I wouldn’t try to use anything too small, or too large, but make one using what you have available. If you do use one that already has stuff printed on it, consider making blackout poems as your content. You can also check out what Mr. Kleon has on his post, “Drawing with kids” The artist Ed Emberly has a real simple idea similar to the visual alphabet we have talked about in class.
I really appreciate what Austin Kleon does. I subscribe to his newsletter and I have his three books, each of which I have read multiple times and shared with others’ who I think would enjoy them or benefit from them. I have quoted Mr. Kleon below and kept the links to his website and social media.
“Lately my mantra has been: ‘Stay home, make zines.‘ Keeping my hands busy and my mind clear for an hour or so every day with these little things. You can see them all on Twitteror over on Instagram. (If you want to make your own, here’s how.)”
~ Austin Kleon from his weekly email newsletter, dated Mar 20, 2020.
In addition to his resources, you can find a bunch of tutorials and ideas with a simple web search. The important thing here is to try it out and if it is messy than try again. Save all your efforts and we will upload a quick video of you explaining your zines the Tuesday after the break, 4/7/20. Get going, make a zine!
I found this video on how to draw a Mandala. If you know about mandalas you would know that this is a westernized version which is basically a collection of geometric patterns and designs. In Buddhist and other traditions there is more to it than decoration. If you are interested in learning more, this article from the Ancient History Encyclopedia has some good information to start.
Mandala making in progress is pictured here. The next steps will be to add color and then a final once over with a black line.
So here we are, in San Mateo County, sheltering in place. My closest friend sent me a link to the website of Todd Stahl. I have yet to explore the rest of his space but I wanted to share his “The Great Quarantine Art Adventure” project.
A new prompt each day to interact, react and create in any way you see fit. Then post it using the #TGQAA. You can find them on Twitter @Quarantine_Art_
What better way to express your creativity than an open-ended prompt.
Welcome to our first workbook prompt. Rather than Sketchday on a Friday, we thought a midweek opportunity may be better. So, if your class does not meet on Wednesday, then play-along when you get to the studio on Thursday.
What would it look like? How did it get there? What is it doing? Was it prepared?
As always, please take your time to create a well-developed page. Use any media you prefer to create this page.
