Rocking the Arts

Hidden Gifts

2009-10-28T04:14:00.001-07:00

Watch CBS News Videos Online

We all have gifts. Often they are hidden, even from ourselves. I hope this video inspires you to keep looking for your own special gift. Pat, Donn Young, and I are working hard to make the the RCC ARTS program the kind of place that welcomes and fosters everyone, regardless of their seeming difference- because we know there are hidden talents waiting to be drawn out.

(Sorry for the ad.)

2009-09-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

Check out Rocking the Arts at RCC!

Radial Design Project, Fall 2009 Design I Class

2009-09-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

This is not every student's work in Design I class. I will add the missing works and repost.

Design Website

2009-09-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

Check out this design website called Design Boom

Radio spot on Art School in UK- take a listen

2009-08-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Inside the Arts Schools is a interesting radio documentary on art schools today in the UK. Take a listen!

A good place to start

2009-08-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

Does this do justice to either art or craft? Let's discuss it.

Tired of Recession? Think Creatively

2009-08-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

We are going to have a great time thinking and acting creatively in the art program at RCC this coming year! Check out this video as a reminder of how important these habits are for our future and that of our children.

Enter FAFA this summer

2009-05-13T09:46:00.001-07:00

Attention Students! FAFA is holding their exhibition this summer. Be sure to enter! We have always done well with winning awards (think $ in your pocket!) You can request an entry by email now. Here is the information:

The 2009 Fine Arts Festival of Rockingham County will be accepting entries as follows in Rockingham Community College's Whitcomb Student Center:

Literature & Music - Thursday, June 11 - 10-7

All Other Categories - Wednesday, June 24 - 10-4
Thursday, June 25 - 1-7

To obtain a copy of the 2009 Registration Packet, please send an e-mail to:
fineartsfestival@yahoo.com

News Article

2009-05-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Check out this article on last semester's artist visit by Ahmed Fadaam, Iraqi sculptor.

http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/rockingham_news/article/iraqi_artist_speaks_to_rcc_art_class/8046/

Our Art is headed to Northern Ireland

2009-05-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Britt and Erica have flown away into the sunrise to visit Northern Ireland. They have taken our students' art, and their own, to share with students at our partner College in Newry, Northern Ireland. Thanks Dougal for making this happen. We look forward to your students work coming to see us next year! Man, wish I could say MY art has been exhibited in another country!

Top 10 Cities for Creative People

2009-05-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Great news! The RCC foundation has sponsored us again with money to help pay for our fall semester trip to Washington DC. THNAK YOU FOUNDATION GODS! Pat and I want to leave the Spring trip option up to the students to pick. We will gladly return to New York City, but Chicago has been suggested too. Here is a link to the top 10 places in the country for creative people. Check it out and be thinking about which of these would make a great trip. Go to http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/74718/real_estate/top_10_us_cities_for_creative_people.html
Post your ideas here!

Poly' Parade on the move

2009-04-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

Artists Ian Gamble and Sarah Witt have created a new project to spur awareness of the waste material (plastic) and its uses called the Polymorphic Plastic Parade. Check out their new website and keep up with the BIG plans for this summer and beyond. Way to go Ian and Sarah! We are proud of your commitment to creativity and the environment.

International Arts Newsletter

2009-04-29T04:51:00.000-07:00

Hi students and other art fans. Subscribe to this free newsletter on the arts and receive free news updates on art from around the world. go to http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=artknowledge

Tour Our 2009 Student Show

2009-04-21T16:37:00.001-07:00

Earn Cash from Your Art with Threadless

2009-04-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Josh Tucker just told me about a great looking website company called Threadless that is paying big bucks (from $2,000 up to $22,500) for great T-shirt designs. You can submit your design for a critique before submitting it for the prize money, so it can be a great learning experience too. If you are looking for cash to travel or need something to do instead of sitting around this summer wishing you could find a job, consider putting your talent to work and going after these prizes. Go here to view the rules and process for entering.

Jewelry Making Comes to RCC

2009-04-19T05:36:00.001-07:00

Necklace by Amber

Our Sculpture I Class now offers metal casting as a big part of its curriculum. Students are enjoying making a wide range of objects including necklaces, rings, and key chain fobs. This affordable process is also making money for students who are selling their creations. Amber has sold several pieces right off her neck while at work. Another student sold enough to help finance his trip to New York City. Unfortunately, so much has sold we will have less to show in the Student Show. A few pieces will be on display at the Monday Opening.

We are looking for a display case to show off our creations for future shows. If anyone has access to one that could be donated to the program, please contact Mr. Drake.

Flash Animation now offered at RCC

2009-04-18T09:19:00.001-07:00

Here are a few animations made by students at RCC. They are their first attempts. Students are currently working on their second attempts which are even better. This class will be offered next fall semester. You should be an experienced at drawing and either meet the prerequisites or show Mr. Drake your portfolio to get into the class.

Rock Drop by Brandon Wall

Mad Monster by Michael Williams

2009-04-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

New Images and Animation from RCC Computer Arts Class

2009-03-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Helen Lauzau created this great image in Photoshop as an assignment in Art 171. Students are also learning basic Illustrator skills and Flash animation. Stay tuned for more great works!

High Line in NYC

2009-03-07T14:50:00.001-08:00

Check out what they are doing in NYC to improve community and reconnect people to nature. We will look out for this on our trip.
If you cannot watch this You Tube at RCC, check out the High Line Blog.

Northern Ireland Teleconference this Wednesday

2009-03-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

We are meeting with our Northern Ireland counterparts this Wednesday, March 4th at 9AM in the teleconference room across from the Studio in Humanities. Please come and join in the fun as we open our "gift" boxes and plan our next steps in the exhibition. Students who participate will have their art shown in Northern Ireland!

Still Dreaming.....

2009-02-21T03:57:00.000-08:00

I am still dreaming of a dedicated art gallery space for RCC. The possibilities for teaching opportunities for the entire community are endless. In these tough times the thought of bringing art to the students instead of making them travel to the art makes sense too. Space and funding are current road blocks, but everything we do starts with an idea. Maybe it's time to get really creative a carve out a space from a closet. We'll see. In the meantime read this interesting article on why university museums matter.

Student Trip to New York City

2009-02-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

We are headed to New York City March 26th-March 30th.

Here are some relevant websites to help us all plan:

Same Day Broadway tickets: http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

West Side Studio Hostel: Our home away from home: http://www.hostels.com/maps/West-End-Studios/805

MTA: Subway System http://tripplanner.mta.info/
Check out this NY Times story on how some New York City subway cars sing part of broadway tune. Be sure to listen to audio file.
Museums:

MOMA - www.moma.org

MET- http://www.metmuseum.org/

Guggenheim http://www.guggenheim.org/
Whitney
AMerican Folk
New Museum
PS1

Folks we hope to meet with while in the City:

Curators of Exit Art
Artist Lauren Gibbes
Artist Jason Weatherspoon

2009-02-08T05:36:00.000-08:00

Check out this great video that shows the working process of Dougherty Patrick, a sculptor we are visiting in April.

Student Presentations

2009-01-04T10:38:00.001-08:00

We will be having student presentations on artists of importance this semester in many classes. Here is a good beginning point for researching artists. www.artfacts.com Top 100 Artists List Click on an name and you will get a short bio, sorry no good pictures. Also, this list shows their age, whether they are alive, and what their art is selling for at auction. This site is used by the buyers and sellers of art. I will also have a list of artists available in class from which you can choose.

Eric's in Chicago

2008-12-28T18:57:00.000-08:00

You may remember the amazing sculpture Eric Isbanioly made last semester that lit up when you cranked it. Well, Eric was one of three RCC art students admitted by a visiting counselor from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has made the jump and is enrolled in art classes at the Institute in the Windy City. He is taking a neat foundry class next semester.

Drawing Students Check this out!

2008-11-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

Check out this flicker group for doodle drawings. I have tried to encourage such imaginative drawing this semester in Drawing I. Maybe we need to start a flicker group of our own or maybe this is a beginning point idea for our Ireland Collaborative Project!

Go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/doodlersanonymous/pool/

Horrific Heaven Project

2008-10-29T05:23:00.001-07:00

Design I students picked the theme "Horrific Heaven" as a concept to design a black and white project around. Check out these two examples.

Design I class art work getting positive feedback

2008-10-29T05:16:00.000-07:00

DC Trip Was Great!

2008-10-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

Art Students, Pat Harden, and Todd Drake travelled to Washington DC in October to study art in the numerous museums and national monuments. They spent the night in a hostel run by a homeless soup kitchen near the National Mall. They also cooked most all their own meals. One student's cell phone recorded his steps and recorded that the group walked over 25 miles! Check back here to see some photos from the trip coming soon.

Material List for Spring 2008

2008-08-13T10:48:00.001-07:00

Reference Books for all AFA students:

Artist Beware, Updated and Revised, 2005 edition by Michael McCann PhD
ISBN 1592285929, The Lyons Press,
Painter’s Handbook, Updated and Revised, 2006 edition by Mark Gottsegen,
ISBN-13: 978-0823034963,

Materials needed for all students taking a studio art class:

1. One small sketch book. This sketch book should fit easily inside a pocket book, nap sack, or pocket.
2. One large sketch book, spiral or book bound.
3. Drawing pencils and kneaded eraser.

Art 121, Design I:
Text: Art Fundamentals, Tenth Edition,
ISBN:-10: 0-07-286233-5, McGraw Hill

1. 16” flexible ruler
2. Flat bristle brushes in the following sizes, (#1, #3, #5, #8).
3. #3 round watercolor brush
4. #3 fan brush
5. 3 fine tip BLACK sharpy markers
6. 2 wide tip BLACK sharpy markers
7. small leak proof plastic containers for water and various liquids.
8. Acrylic paint in the following tube colors.
a. Cobalt Blue
b. Ultramarine Blue
c. Permanent Green Light
d. Hookers Green
e. Napthol Crimson
f. Cadmium Red Deep or Alizarin Crimson
g. Cadmium yellow Light
h. Cadmium Orange
i. Mars Black
j. Titanium White (Get a large tube - you will use a lot of this)
k. Dioxazine Purple
9. Acrylic Gloss medium
10. 6 large poster boards
11. 9 clear CD cases

Art 131, Drawing I:
Text: Creative Drawing by Howard Smagula, Second Edition
ISBN 0-07-248282-6, McGraw-Hill

One drawing board, 20 by 26 inches, with Heavy metal clips for holding paper.

Assortment of drawing pencils with soft, medium, and hard leads ( 4B, 6B, 8B) and solid graphite drawing instruments

Artist kneaded eraser (gray, clay-like)

2 compressed charcoal stick -black
1 compressed charcoal stick –white
1 compressed charcoal stick- Sanguine red
1 packet of vine charcoal, soft

2 stubs for blending
Chamois cloth for erasing soft charcoal

1 bottle of Indian Ink
One empty baby food bottle ( or other small container for water.)
1 medium sized round sable haired brush #8 or #10

Ball point pens and assorted markers

1 Newsprint pad, 18 x 24 inches or larger (Write your name on front)
1 White Bond Drawing Pad, 18 x 24 inches or larger (Write your name on front)

One carry-all tool box to hold you art supplies. (Mark with your name.)

Personal still-life items. DO not bring into class until requested.

Art 132, Drawing II:
Text: Creative Drawing by Howard Smagula, Second Edition
ISBN 0-07-248282-6, McGraw-Hill

Same as Drawing I.

Art 240, Painting I :
Text: Painter’s Handbook, Updated and Revised, 2006 edition by Mark Gottsegen,
ISBN-13: 978-0823034963

Artist Beware, Updated and Revised, 2005 edition by Michael McCann PhD
ISBN 1592285929, The Lyons Press,

a small newsprint pad or single sheets of newsprint for preparatory drawings
a drawing board to hold the newsprint
4 big clips to hold the newsprint to the drawing board
soft vine charcoal
a kneaded eraser
A bound book of blank drawing paper for your Daily Journal, any size. No substitutes for the bound book will be accepted.

Oil paint, in 150 ml tubes, in the following colors:
flake white (lead white)in linseed oil

Oil paint, in 37 ml tubes, in the following colors:
English red( or Spanish red, or Venetian red, or light red oxide), raw umber,
burnt sienna,
ivory black,
yellow ochre, cadmium red deep, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light, viridian green
optional, and highly recommended:
• quinacridone crimson or alizarin crimson, pthalocyanine blue(red shade), chromium oxide opaque, cobalt blue, phthalocyanine
• green(blue shade), cerulean blue, dioxazine purple
•
I do not recommend brands. The tops of each line of oil paint are equivalent, no matter what the brand. Buy the best quality you can afford. Do not buy “student grade” paints, especially the paints that have the word “hue” after the color name (in particular, this applies to the cadmium reds and yellows, and the cobalt and cerulean blues): you will not get the real pigment. Quality art materials are expensive, inexpensive art materials may also be cheap.

If you are pregnant or suspect or know that you are allergic to oil paint, mediums, or thinners, see me now.
Brushes:
5 or so flat bristle brushes, none smaller than a #8
a 3” wide cheap house painting brush
2 or 3 round bristle brushes, none smaller than a #6

Additional general materials
Either pre stretched canvas or canvas, stretchers, and gesso for 6 paintings

a quart of odorless mineral spirits -a paint thinner. One recommended brand: Gamblin’s Gamsol. I do not recommend hardware-store mineral spirits. “Odorless” mineral spirits can be as harmful as regular mineral spirits, without the annoying odor.
a quart of ordinary cooking oil (Wesson oil will do)
If stretching your own canvas, a heavy-duty staple gun (such as Arrow T-50) or a magnetic tack hammer
a box of 3/8” staples or a box of blue steel #6 or #8 carpet tacks

a bunch of cotton rags -synthetic fabrics will work, but badly. NO paper towels
a palette knife
a palette make it or buy it: 15 inch x 20 inch minimum size. Glass is okay but must be ¼” thick and tempered
plate glass, with edges polished and taped: tape a piece of gray cardboard beneath the glass. Wood makes a better surface, but glass is easier to clean.

a small can (tuna), a large can (tomatoes) NO glass jars!!!!
a bar of cheap white soap (Ivory)

For Encaustic painting, you will need Crayola Crayons, a muffin tin, and flat cake pan (for double boiling), plywood to paint on (may be provided), and cheap craft brushes of various sizes. Do NOT use your good oil brushes to paint in encaustic.

Get something to carry what you will need each day, like a paint box or a fishing tackle box. No paper or canvas bags -they ruin brushes.

Art 241, Painting II:
Text: Painter’s Handbook, Updated and Revised, 2006 edition by Mark Gottsegen,
ISBN-13: 978-0823034963

Artist Beware, Updated and Revised, 2005 edition by Michael McCann PhD
ISBN 1592285929, The Lyons Press,

Student and instructor will agree on materials based on project goals of student

Art 288 Advanced Painting:
Text: Painter’s Handbook, Updated and Revised, 2006 edition by Mark Gottsegen,
ISBN-13: 978-0823034963

Materials agreed upon by teacher and student

Great Semester Coming!

2008-08-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings students and RCC staff! I hope you have had a great summer. I am looking forward to a wonderful semester at RCC and have lots of exciting new plans. First of all, I am teaching two new courses (for me) at RCC; Art Appreciation and Design I. I have worked hard over the summer to create engaging curriculums that use the best of my own experiences in the classroom with those of other instructors in the field. Pat Harden and I are teaching a new class together as well, called "Portfolio and Resume." This one hour credit course will up your preparedness as an professional artist and transferring art major. We are lining up some interested guest speakers as well and have a trip to Washington DC in the planning. We received a grant from the RCC Foundation to help off set the cost of this trip to students signed up for this course-so register for this class and join us on the Fall Break trip to DC.

Improvements in the 2D art studio will greet you on return too; we now have our own 13 computers to use for computer design. New storage units, shelving, and work tables are coming too.

I will be hosting some workshops and open houses this semester too. Keep looking at this email notification for details.

I will post a materials list on this site soon.

Check out this test and article on the BBC see about people who can hear images! Let me know if you hear the dots!

See you at the Rock'!

Todd Drake
Art Instructor

Check Out this Photo Resource

2008-07-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

RCC Students, there are several opportunities regionally for you to develop your skills and interest in photography. Check out this blog spot page from "the other RCC", that is, Randolph Community College. Be sure to look at their student blogs as well- inspiring!

Nature Trail Art Exhibit

2008-05-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Brandon Wall's tree faces may not speak to you without close observation.

Shelly Read painted each leaf around her dream catchers to transform the woods into its own dream state.

Take a moment to walk the nature trail at RCC and view four great student installations. All deal with activating the space along the trail and trying to get you to see the world in a new light.

Bryan Dismon's Logo Chosen

2008-04-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Chinqua Penn Plantation will use RCC Art Student Bryan Dishmon's logo on retail items for sale in their gift shop. Bryan's work catptures the unique treasure that Chinqua Penn Plantation is for our community and the whole country. Congrats Bryan, enjoy the prize money.

Students and Staff are Headed Out of Country!

2008-04-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Twenty five students and community members, along with RCC faculty Pat Harden, Kim Shiremen, and artist Jim Davies, are headed to Athens, Mycenae, Santorini, Crete, Ephesus, Pergamun, Troy, and Isntanbul to see art and experience other cultures from May 7th through May 22nd. Updates and reflections on their experiences will be posted here.

A Special Day

2008-04-25T05:23:00.000-07:00

Caroline Hong, Admissions Specialist, SAIC

Several exciting things happened yesterday in the RCC Art Program:

Bryan Dishmon had his logo adopted by Chinqua Penn Plantation for use in marketing.

Micheal Barnes had his logo adopted by the AT3 program at RCC.

Twelve students from the Art program received a letter of encouragement and a $100 gift from an anonymous donor in the program (not faculty!)

Michael Williams received the 2-D Student Choice Award for his amazing digital image.

Caroline Hong from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago meet with over a dozen students from RCC's art program and approved at least 4 students' portfolios for admission. Congrats!

We all enjoyed meeting Caroline who stuck the right balance of cool and friendly. Her presentation on SAIC left many, including this instructor, excited about what is happening in the art world. Although not right for everyone, this top rated art school may prove to be the best place for some of our talented pool of students. Caroline invited us to visit if we come to Chicago next year- a possibility if we receive the grant we have applied for through the RCC foundation.

Students also enjoyed our all student all class critique this year. A pot luck lunch rounded out the afternoon with discussions on good form and content within the student's work. Several lively discussion around topics such as health care, the war, and animal cruelty based art by Guillermo Vargas added to the energy of the afternoon.

Next year Pat and I plan to expose students to other programs including Greensboro College, and UNCG. My goal is to create articulation agreements with a variety of programs that will offer students a wide range of possibilities to match their dreams, career directions, and pocket books.

Cool is Ageless

2008-04-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

This photoshoped photograph taken by Bryan Dishmon of a well loved relative shows the talent of this student and the potential of photoshop to enhance the mood of a photo without drastically altering it. The original photo used for this piece has the same content but Bryan altered the color to add a more festive and fun feel to this work. I think this image is an instant classic. Be sure to check out his other images on his blog linked here.

New Works Showcase Writing and Drawing Skills

2008-04-18T06:35:00.001-07:00

These mixed media works by Calyn Wall showcase both here drawing skills and her writing skills. Using images drawn for Drawing II, Calyn cut out and mounted them onto poetry of her own creation. The expressive black ink washed onto the poems add a strong contrast to the fine and controlled drawings and creates a visual tension in the works. Be sure to see these excellent pieces in person at the student show before April 21st, when the show closes.

Virtual Visiting Artist Bill Fick at RCC

2008-04-16T08:12:00.001-07:00

Linocut by Bill Fick

Artist Bill Fick will bring his hard hitting art and himself to RCC for a virtual visit using Skype on April 16th with RCC art students. Bill teaches at Duke University and is currently co-writing a text book on printmaking. A past recipient of an NEA and NC Fellowship grants, Bill has worked and lived in New York City and exhibits nationally and internationally. A graduate of UNCG in Printmaking, Bill has also taught at UNC Chapel Hill. Bill will discuss the importance of foundational drawing skills, and share insights into being successful in today's art world.

Place Your Vote for Student Choice Awards

2008-04-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Students enrolled in either the fine arts program or the furniture program may vote for their favorite 2-D and 3-D work of art in the current Student Exhibition at the Student Center. Winners will be featured on the post card for next years show and will be recognized by the college. Only students currently enrolled in classes with the fine arts program or furniture program may vote. Sorry staff and faculty! See Todd, Pat or Mike for ballots.

Teleconference with Northern Ireland Art Students

2008-04-14T16:38:00.001-07:00

Historic Newry, Northern Ireland

RCC art students held their first teleconference with art students in Newry, Northern Ireland today. The hour long discussion got off to a fun start with the Newry students dressing as zombies and fooling us into thinking they were props rather than the real students. Following introductions students discussed favorite artists, stereotypes, Black Mountain College, Bush and the War in Iraq, and the aftermath of The Troubles in Northern Ireland on content in their art.

Our students were a little reserved from their usual wide open selves, but this will change as we continue to meet and discuss art and other interests online. Todd and Pat enjoyed the discussion and are planning follow up activities with Professor Dougal McKenzie including a trans-Atlantic collaborative art exhibition next year. For now students are leaving comments on each other's blogs, swapping My Space, and Face Book information and generally getting to know one another and each others art better. Later this month we will meet again and have more indepth discussions via teleconference.

Professor Dougal's students have created a blog sharing their art with us. A link will be provided soon. Be sure to read the comments left on our RCC students blogs and on Rocking the Arts.

New Student Blogs

2008-04-14T05:59:00.001-07:00

Digital Image by Amber Huffman

Self Portrait by Dixon Rivers done in Photoshop.

We have two new student blogs to share with you. Amber Huffman and Dixon Rivers have posted some of their great art on their new blogs. Go to http://amberlea311.blogspot.com/ to see Amber's work and http://dixonrivers.blogspot.com/ to see some great stuff by Dixon.

Student Show Opens

2008-04-11T06:29:00.001-07:00

Over 100 students, faculty, friends, and family attended the opening of the Student Exhibition at RCC last night. Students are currently sharing their art, poetry, and furniture in the Whitcomb Student Center Activity Room through April 21st, 2008. Be sure to see the 178 plus works of art on display and leave some positive comments in the comment book at the door.

Reaching Out

2008-04-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Todd Drake, RCC Art instructor, spoke to students at Northern Guilford High School on April 4th, 2008 about the collaborative art project title "The Talking Mobile" that he and art teacher Wade Belleisen organized to help with their transition into a new high school community. Students contributed their hopes and fears of coming together from diverse backgrounds to this new school. These questions were turned into "thought bubbles" displayed at both old schools and the new school. Students will now address those same questions and help create a lasting curriculum to address diversity and strengthen community. Learn more at http://thetalkingmobile.blogspot.com/

Weatherspoon Internships

2008-04-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

Four students from the RCC art program will be assisting the Curator of Education at the Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNCG this coming Saturday during their family day celebrations. This is an mini-internship for these students to allow them to see if they would enjoy a longer internship next fall semester.

Experiment in Volume

2008-04-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Ian models an experiment in volume for Design II class. Could this be a start for a new style in head cover?

Not our Paint Sink

2008-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

Shelly Read loves photography as well as painting. This is one of her shots from a visit to an abandoned house out in the country.

More Sculptures

2008-04-08T11:41:00.001-07:00

Micheal Barnes and Shelly Read created this sculpture in fun after seeing work by Mark Jenkens

Junk Yard Dog, a conceptual and found object sculpture by Jim Wall, Design II.

Amber Huffman's Mobile for Design II

Melissa Shahan's Bea Sculpture up close

Collen Wall's large relief sculpture

Meet Student Artists!

2008-04-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Come meet many of the artists whose work is featured on this blog at the 2008 RCC Student Show for Fine Art, Literature and Furniture. Our opening is at 7PM on Thursday April 10, 2008. Join us in the Whitcomb Student Center Activity Room on the campus of RCC.

Kellogg-Surf Teens

2008-04-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Click on picture to see close up of characters.

Micheal Williams has created a whole worlds worth of digital people. Here are just a few of his imaginative, full of life, characters. Micheal hopes to share his vision with the wider world through animated cartoons and movies. He is currently studying Photoshop in the RCC program and plans to dedicate his life to his art.

Expanding Horizons

2008-04-03T15:27:00.000-07:00

New, exciting, developments are taking shape in the RCC Art program. On April 24th a representative from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is coming to interview and critique our students and their art. Students are excited and already reviewing admission materials.

We are also developing a working relationship with students and an instructor in Northern Ireland. We are planning a teleconference on April 14th. Professor Dougal is having his students put up a blog so that we can look at and discuss each others art. Stay tuned for more on both activities.

Pat and I have also taken students to Chapel Hill, Duke, and Seagrove to see some great art this semester. Drawing I and II classes have also taken day trips to Chinqua Penn Plantation to draw. Affordable, out of state trips are in the plans.

April Fools Day Celebrated with Sculpture

2008-04-02T06:22:00.001-07:00

Micheal Barnes' sculpture in poster used on April 1, 2008

Amber Huffman's Design II sculpture made into a monumental public work at RCC.

Design II students had their sculptures photoshoped into landscapes at Rockingham Community College by students in the Computer Art Class recently. These doctored photos were used to create posters for the first annual sculpture contest to select one sculpture to construct on campus. Shelly Read's sculpture won! Unfortunately, this was all an April Fools joke and the sculpture will not be constructed and permently installed. Who knows though, maybe we will get a grant (and permission) to do this for real in the future.

Mixed Media Piece

2008-03-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

Shelly Read has been experimenting with paint and fabric in this work. She is planning to try using beeswax to set the string in place. Watch for her next work here.

Exquisite Friends, Exquisite Portraits

2008-02-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

Jamie, aka Takkataman, is creating a series of portraits of friends in the RCC Art Program that is knocking my socks off. Each work has its own unique honesty and is a world into itself. I hope you enjoy these seemingly simple, powerful, line drawings as much as I. Check out his other portraits at http://takkitaman.blogspot.com/

An Apple a Day.......

2008-02-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

Amber Huffman has created an excellent example of how to use contour lines to define volume in the above drawing. She and other Drawing I students are currently taking on this challenging assignment in class.

Figure Drawing Class Showing Progress

2008-02-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

The human figure is probably the hardest thing the draw in the world; get a proportion wrong and you have a gorilla or a dwarf. The figure drawing students this semester have really made great strides and are drawing now from the nude. Watch for some great "finished" works to come from this class in the near future.

Powerful Wire Sculptures Taking Shape in Design II

2008-02-05T13:26:00.001-08:00

Brandon Wall's Terminator sculpture has just about been finished. Check out this "powerful" sculpture in the Art Studio and watch for it in the Spring show.

Drawing II creating series

2008-02-01T09:22:00.000-08:00

Coleman Haley drew this wonderful image of an aligator head for his first series in the Drawing II Class. Each of the students have indentified an interest and theme to work with and are creating their own series of drawings. Working in a series is common among professional artists so this level II course is stressing this practice while also giving students the freedom to develope their own artistic voice.

Sculpture I making plaster casts

2008-02-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

Melissa Shahan displays her finished sculpture made from a plaster casting process.
Her work address the possible extinction of the bees and incorporates a Mayan symbol for extinction.

2008-02-01T08:51:00.000-08:00

Caylin Wall adds her imagination to the new collaborative drawing "I am your...."

Do you like graffitti art? If so, consider adding your touch to the massive collaborative drawing underway in the RCC Art Program's temporary annex, Room 109 Humanities. Initiated by the new art professor Todd Drake, but fueled by the excitement and imagination of the art majors and their friends, this mural is busting off the paper. Drake surprised the students, who had covered most all the wall, when he announced that another couple weeks of hard work would be needed to "finish" the piece. His intended lesson with this comment was that artists never stop with the easiest, first solution, but rather search for more invention, break throughs, and unity. Drake hopes this project exposes students to the amazing collorative art being made today all over the world. GO to www.youtube.com and search "Barnstormers" to see one group that has become world renouned for this approach.

Drawing I - Class Tackling a BIG Still Life

2008-01-23T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Drawing I class picked this work by Joshua Tucker as their favorite drawing produced so far this semester. Everyone is working hard on producing 3 finished drawings from a massive still life in class. Watch for more of these drawings to appear on this site.

Kinetic Sculptures Projects- Design II

2008-01-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

Version 1, Michael Barnes

Version 2, Michael Barnes

Keep your eyes open for interesting sculpture in motion as the Design II students finish their first assignment. Pictured above is a work by Michael Barnes titled "Harness the Wind." " I like optical art and tried to incorporate that quality into this peice." says Michael.

Photoshop Class Making Great Art!

2008-01-16T06:42:00.001-08:00

bBy Caroline Farmer

Ian by Bryan Dishmon

Study of Skull by Caroline Farmer

Images of Bryan by Dixon Rivers

The new Computer Design class is already working hard on creating new works of art. Caroline's and Dixon's images (above) are great examples. Caroline imported a drawing she did last year in figure drawing class and altered it to make it even better than the original! Dixon took a new photo and altered it to make it even more interesting. Check this site to see other works coming soon.

Corrections to Primitive Firing Announcement

2008-01-06T14:35:00.001-08:00

We will meet in the pottery studio on Saturday January 12 at 4:00 to make pots. Please note the date change. There is also an ongoing discussion of changing the firing date. Let Todd, Ian, or Pat know of any dates that won't work and we'll try to work around schedules. p.

Primative Pottery Firing Party and Campout for Jim Davies

2007-12-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

The students and art faculty are planning a primative pottery firing party for Jim Davies' retirment in January, 2008.

MAKE A POT or CLAY SCULPTURE TO FIRE: On Saturday, Jan. 5 at 2:00 pm everyone is invited to meet in the pottery studio at RCC to make pots - Also, on Friday. Jan 11th at noon in the pottery studio we will meet to make smaller pots that can dry in time for the firing.

COME CELEBRATE AND WATCH THE FIRING: The final firing will be the following weekend Febuary 18th through the 20th. (Location:____________) Times for digging pit, collecting fuel, firing, etc. will be announced. Questions? Contact Pat Harden at hardenp@rockinghamcc.edu

What to Keep? What to change?

2007-12-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

I will ask these questions of everyone at the start of the semester, but for those who find this space early, please consider sharing your thoughts here.

What about the Art Program under Jim Davies do you want to see kept?

What can you imagine new being added that would improve the program?

It's OK to brainstorm ideas- reality can always be invited in later.

I am working on lining up guest artists to visit RCC next semester. Do you know any local 2-D or 3-D artists that you can recommend?

What about field trips? Have you been to Duke's new gallery? To the Ackland? SECCA? Weatherspoon? Elsewhere? The Reynolda House? Diggs Gallery? The Smithsonian? The Met? MOMA?

Messages for Jim Davies

2007-12-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed meeting all the art students at the Year End Critique on Dec 6th. I was touched by the affection toward and joking with Jim that the students all displayed. This gave me the idea that it might be fun to include an option on this site to allow students (current and past) to leave Jim well wishes and notes of appreciation. I will link this post to his private email so he will hear from you directly too. Click in the work "comments" below to leave him a message.

Getting Started

2007-11-26T09:03:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying visiting Jim Davies and the students prior to my coming in January. I have seen a lot of good art and met some great people. I am excited about working with Pat and with taking Jim's program to new places. He has been helpful educating me on how things are done at RCC. I am writing syllabi and gathering materials to be ready to hit the ground running in January.

I plan to use this blog to share my thoughts, gather and share resources for students, and to showcase student work to the wider world. Enjoy! Let us know what you think by leaving a comment.