Lone Prairie School

Blogging as Citizen Journalism.

2008-09-28T17:00:00.001-05:00

This post is the follow-up to the NIPA Conference session that I led on September 29, 2008. If you were a participant, feel free to leave comments about things we discussed, questions, or links to your own blogs in the comments section of this post. I was initially surprised (yet pleased) to be asked to participate in the conference. In keeping with the interaction that blogs provide, I solicited thoughts from my own readers on the topic which you may find interesting.

Links:

The session and discussion at the NIPA conference wasn't meant to cover the broad range of topics involving all things blogging. In that way, the links provided below are "extra."

Blogging Platforms

Links to Blogs

From DC to Iowa: The blog of law professor Nick Johnson.He taught a class called the Law of Electronic Media that a friend of mine took. Johnson said he loves blogs because they are the great equalizer. Until the internet, the communication was all one way—now it goes in both directions.

Citizen Journalist Sites

Yahoo's You Witness News
Center for citizen media
Citizen media law project
CyberJournalist
CyberJournalist's list of citizen media sites

Links to Related Articles

Cartooning class.

2008-07-30T16:49:00.010-05:00

::Here are the documents and examples I used in a two-hour cartooning summer art class in Langdon. The students were in the 6th - 8th grade range.::

About the class: The class was a very basic introduction into cartooning. I did not teach it as a "how to draw" kind of class, but rather, an introduction into things to consider in setting up a one-panel and multiple-panel cartoon. We discussed dialog/thought balloons, character development, use of visual elements to help tell the story (since students tended to try to cram too much dialog in instead of using the images to do that work), and more.

My notes:

Pre-planning, brainstorming, and class summation
Cartooning class examples: Diagrams and discussion used on the board and with the students; examples using the worksheets that the students used

Worksheets:

Cartooning layouts

The dress dyed.

2008-05-18T16:41:00.006-05:00

I can't stand using patterns because I don't like people telling me what to do.

So, that's how I found myself with a page torn out of a catalog that showed a dress I thought was beautiful that I decided to attempt to mimic using cheap men's white cotton T-shirts and a wing and a prayer.

First, I bought some three packages of T-shirts: 2x, XL, and L. I cut them into thick rings; the shirts don't have seams and that's one reason I used them. Also, because they are 100% cotton, the really sop of the dye and take the color very well.

Then I had to figure out the dye baths. To make the colors gradually shift from a rich scarlet color up to an almost skin tone was tricky. Using rit dyes in scarlet, purple, blue, orange, brown, and wine, and also a little tweaking with watering colors down, I managed to somewhat capture the gradual effect (though not flawlessly). Let me tell you, that was an entire afternoon's worth of work, and was exhausting. Dyeing material requires a lot of hot water and back strain. I washed the dyed strips of cloth and then dried them.

Next, I sewed the rings together, in the order that I dyed them. I wanted the rough edge to overlap on the top of the strip. I also double sewed the seams just in case a seam popped during wear; that would be a little catastrophic, if a part of the dress started to come apart and fall off. I used a kind of zig-zag stitch that is meant for knit; it provides a little give and doesn't break with stretching (as often happens with T-shirts that are hemmed with a regular straight stitch). It took a little longer to sew using the stitch, but the final result was a lot of stretchiness, which was good.

At this point, I had a variegated tube of material. Here's where I wish I had a dress form... I put the tube on over my head, used a wash-away sewing pen, and began making marks to where things like arm holes, neck holes, etc should be.

The tube was huge, by the way. I'd seriously over-estimated how big I was. This meant I ended up doing a lot of wrapping and top-stitching and using darts and such to get it to fit my form. It was really tricky and I have no directions for you other than stand in front of the mirror, wrap and pin, and then carefully take off and sew. It took quite a few try-ons, pinnings, and a few sections that had to be taken in...but finally I had a less tubular shape and a more fitted garment. I also sewed two strips of medium-width elastic into the underside of two of the stripe seams in the back. This helped with fitting it, as well as provide a gathered effect on the back which helps to hide my huge rear-end.

Yeah.

The dress on the model from the magazine is much more attractive, and made from a lot nicer material. But, for a non-sewer and a person who refuses to start with a patter...I think it ended up OK. It'll make a nice summer dress.

Anyway, here is the final product: Front of Dress | Back of dress

Note: This post was pre-written and published as scheduled. Read more about this here.

Video: Drawing a cartoon.

2008-05-09T15:59:00.004-05:00

This is a video of me drawing the cartoon you can see and read about in this post. I use a variety of pens and nothing close to archival supplies in any sense. My goal in this cartoon is not art that will be framed and preserved, but as an online image. So, I mix and match permanent, gel-based, and pigment pens. I'm drawing on cheap sketchbook paper.

Sketch 2: Berlin horse statue.

2008-04-24T10:32:00.004-05:00

Here's another grainy and low-quality video -- my specialty! -- for you to watch if you're interested in drawing. It's similar to the previous video in materials used, etc.

Sketch 1: Prague street scene

2008-04-21T10:46:00.003-05:00

There's no shortage of videos on YouTube that show people sketching. The one I made (rather quickly and crudely) yesterday certainly isn't among the best. However, I always found it fascinating to watch artists draw; I learned a lot about technique and got new ideas just watching them set up a sketch and how they handled the materials.

In the video below (which has no sound), I'm sitting on my bed drawing from a photograph I took when I was in Prague about 15 years ago. You can see it's a new sketchbook, one I purchased recently when I realized my "sketching for fun and learning" had dwindled to nothing and was replaced by "sketching for projects only." I'm using a black "pencil" by Lyra, called a Ferby, which is similar to sketching with a grease crayon or litho pencil. Drawing with a litho pencil is an ideal experience, I've always thought, but the Ferby is the next best thing, much softer than a regular colored pencil but without the excessive greasiness of a litho pencil.

Anyway, here you go.

Oriental Trading Company offers art ideas.

2007-12-20T14:50:00.000-06:00

Oriental Trading Company, along with offering art supplies, has a blog which contains ideas, projects, and lessons on all things art. Check it out here.

Tempera painting.

2007-12-17T12:23:00.000-06:00

Many people shudder at the thought of painting with tempera, but trust me, this medium has its own perks. This project sheet will help you fall in love with tempera painting.

Tempera painting project sheet (PDF)

Make an expandable book.

2007-11-23T20:16:00.001-06:00

Get the instructions and project sheet for making a mini-expandable scrapbook over on the Lone Prairie Stuff blog. This is an easy project perfect for gifts or beginning bookmakers. It's also a great way for writers and artists to think of their writing or book art in a non-linear fashion, since this book allows you to rearrange pages.

Make something for Christmas.

2007-11-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

Looking for gift ideas to make for your Christmas gifts this year? Want to do something different than spend mindlessly, or want to give a gift that has a little more meaning behind it than a "made in China" sticker?

Read more here. Get ideas of things to make here, with an ever-growing collection of links to helpful web sites full of ideas.

Project ideas to keep you busy up to Christmas.

2007-11-15T23:34:00.000-06:00

'Tis the season to make your own gifts and, with all that's available online, you shouldn't have to spend any money to get those ideas. Here are some great places to find ideas and instructions for things to make for your Christmas gifts this year.

Links:

CD case art project.

2007-11-15T14:38:00.000-06:00

Make creative frames and message containers for you and friends out of empty CD cases.

CD case art project sheet (PDF)

Folding techniques.

2007-11-05T08:43:00.000-06:00

Though technically not a "project", this sheet is helpful in discussing folding techniques which are useful in making books.

Folding techniques project sheet (PDF)

Recycled papermaking.

2007-10-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just like natural papermaking, recycled papermaking is a lot of fun. Plus, it gives you a way to use up your shredded documents, old envelopes and other paper scraps and turn them into something artistic.

Recycled papermaking project sheet (PDF)

Art Critiques: Need some help?

2007-10-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

It usually goes something like this:

Jane Doe: Hi. I really like your web site. I've liked to draw since I was a kid. I was wondering if you'd look at a few of my drawings and give me some pointers on how I could improve them? I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Me: (Pause) OK. First, I see that you... (and then I write a really long and in-depth personally specific information-filled yet positive and supportive critique of one person's work, putting in about 30 minutes of evaluation and typing and including links that might help, and never hear from the person again).

It's not that I don't want to help. I do. But, for the same reason I started the Google Group --putting all that time and energy into just one response that helps only one person -- I started to rethink this model. I paid for my education. I've put time into learning the techniques I've come up with. I should think that if someone would like to benefit from that, they would be willing to throw a few bucks my way. So, even if it seems odd, I now offer art critiques for a fee.

How it works: It's very simple.

Using either the Google Checkout or PayPal buttons at the end of this post, purchase the critique for only $10.
Email me links to your art on your web site, or email me the images directly. (In the case of the latter, please do not send images larger than 96 dpi, or with a width greater than 600 pixels.)
There is a limit of up to three images. I will critique and comment on no more than three.
Once I've received your order and images or links, I will write up a critique and provide it to you via Google Documents. It will be available online for a limited time, so you'll want to print it out as soon as you can.
I will answer one session of follow-up questions, if you have any, via email.

What your critique will contain: I'll answer any specific questions you might have in your email, (though if you have hundreds, I'll just pick a few). Then I will critique each individual piece on the positives as well as areas that you could improve or change. I will include links to any online resources that I think might help you.

Sample: View a sample critique here.

Google Checkout: PayPal:

Image Transfer: Ink jet printer and transparency film.

2007-10-29T10:40:00.000-05:00

Over at the new Lone Prairie Google Group, I've posted instructions on an image transfer method using ink jet printers, transparency film, and gloss acrylic medium. Head on over and check it out.

Denatured books.

2007-10-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Though I am loathe to destroy a book, that is what this project will require. So find books that don't mean anything to you. Denatured books are a lot of fun to make, and this project sheet is mainly to give you some ideas since there is really no right or wrong way to go about. The idea is to take a book and make it into something else. This is reminiscent of my grandmother's era, where blank journals and books weren't as plentiful as they are now. People would often past clippings and photos in a book they no longer wanted to read, changing the book into something very personal.

Denatured books project sheet (PDF)
"Stories" gallery show, featuring denatured books.

Image transfers.

2007-10-28T14:28:00.000-05:00

Transferring images to art, journals or other projects is one of the top requests I get. This project sheet will give you a few ideas to get you started. Keep in mind that the toxic version, which uses acetone, is not safe for children.

Image transfer project sheet (PDF)

Natural papermaking.

2007-10-27T14:27:00.000-05:00

Papermaking is simple and fulfilling, but too many people have been taught it requires buying raw materials and expensive equipment. Not so! This project sheet will tell you how to use the plants around you to make basic paper.

Natural papermaking project sheet (PDF)

For Teachers: Biomes.

2007-10-26T12:06:00.000-05:00

This project sheet explains how to make a biome, or a three-dimensional display that your students can create out of simple materials (colored paper, glue, etc.). It's a great way to learn about ecosystems or make a low-cost diorama of favorite stories or other scenes.

Biome project sheet (PDF)

Bookmaking: Tab-slot book.

2007-10-25T18:29:00.000-05:00

This project sheet gives you the template for making a tab-slot book. I've used this book many times with young children in a classroom setting. This book requires no sewing or glue.

Tab-slot book project sheet (PDF)

Bookmaking: Pamphlet stitch book.

2007-10-24T18:31:00.000-05:00

One of the simplest stitches you can use to assemble a basic book, the pamphlet stitch is a great place to start your book making career. By modifying the stitch or using it repeatedly, you can create a large journal or book with this simple stitch.

Pamphlet stitch project sheet (PDF)

Collage techniques.

2007-10-23T21:02:00.000-05:00

The word "collage" brings a lot of things to mind. Some people might see it as random gluing, a task only done by children in grade school. I frequently use collage in my multi-media paintings and have a number of techniques that use affordable materials but still allow for sturdy, workable and flexible results that integrate well with traditional fine art practices. There's no Mod Podge, for example. Trust me.

Collage techniques project sheet (PDF)

For Teachers: Butterfly book.

2007-10-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

Used with a kindergarten class, this book becomes a young butterfly enthusiast's dream. Students look up different butterflies on the internet or in books, and then draw and number them on the opposing blank side, and then record other information about them in their butterfly book.

Butterfly book (PDF)

Paper envelopes.

2007-10-16T20:06:00.000-05:00

Make your own paper envelope with this simple project sheet, complete with a template and basic instructions. These envelopes are the small, narrow variety often found in business supply stores. They look great for all kinds of art projects.

Paper envelopes project sheet (PDF)