Congo's Art Studio
I often think about the Presidents. The question is how would their presidential years look like in a cartoon. History is measured and remembered by the various movements and events that happened during certain time periods in the past. When you think of President Nixon you might think of "Watergate" maybe with Nixon doing a cannonball off a diving board with some cocktail waitresses holding trays of martinis and Vietcong hiding in the bushes nearby the Watergate Hotel. This is the process that happens when I begin to think about a president and their triumphs, short comings, or eventual downfall. Jimmy Carter sitting on his Georgia plantation porch with Bob Dylan, or Bill Clinton on an inter-tube with the bridge to the 21st century being shot at by a pirate ship the SS GOP. Ronald Reagan standing in the desert with dinosaurs and Nancy with her patent red dress smiling and oblivious to the world problems and environment behind them. I love the history, the old cartoons especially from the late 1800's and early twentieth century. I love the challenge and freedom of painting a "cartoon" of what the president might be remembered for many years from now.
It took one advisory, and one morning break to film. It took several days to edit and put all the pieces together. Thanks to Lila who gave up her break to be an announcer. Maria who filmed it, Brooks who stood there in moral support, and Kylie who laughed at us. It was fun!
Advisory creates a community of students and teacher who help each other stick to their goals. A support system that helps us feel safe and comfortable being ourselves without scorn or disapproval. My advisory is like my second family or my camp cabin that works together to accomplish personal, academic or long term goals. Winning IM games, sportsmanship, improving our work habits, and focus in the classroom. Advisory meets every morning before first period. Advisory is my favorite time of day. I'm still drinking my "hot beverage" and the day has all it's potential and possibilities. I like seeing my students every morning, and talking with them about real things. What are "real" things to a middle school kid? They are sometimes simple, sometimes complicated, almost always embarrassing, and topped with a little confusion for good measures.
It is that crazy time of year when we run around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to do way too much! Partys, events, school, and not to mention the usual things we are responsible for like, yard work, house work, homework, walking the dog, feeding the family, the dishes, football games to watch and of course finding time for art work. It's a crazy time of year! It feels like some irresistible tread wheel that I want to stay off but always seemed to get tricked into jumping on. It is that time a year for thinking about others, especially those less fortunate, or those non profits all for good causes that want our money. It is that time of year when a fool is soon parted from his money. My wife LG presented us with some choices for giving back the other night for "family meeting".