Bernie's Ramblings: An apple for the teacher... Did you know?....

I'm not only an artist but an advocate for the arts... with that said... I believe that introducing the arts to children is of the utmost importance. Today is the last day of school so I thought it appropriate to ramble about these important things...

Did you know?
~ The arts teach kids to be more tolerant and open.
~ The arts allow kids to express themselves creatively.
~ The arts promote individuality, bolster self-confidence, and improve overall academic performance.
~ The arts can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to delinquent behavior and truancy while providing an improved attitude toward school.

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:
~ 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
~ 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
~ 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
~ 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
~ 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Recently... I did an art demo in my daughter Olivia's, second grade class. I have done one of these demos in her classes since kindergarten. I set up a small still life and the children watched me paint an apple from life. We talked about painting and the arts in general. We also discussed the things they are doing in school right now that may be helpful in the career of an artist... things like the importance of each subject they are taking and how that relates to being a successful artist. They offered some GREAT answers and insights. Olivia was in rare form as she was helping every step of the way... after all... she is my painting buddy! In fact... we reached a point where I painted and she answered the questions. The kids were more interested in her as an artist... asking her questions like... "When did she start painting?"... "What does she love to paint most?"... I enjoyed seeing her and the class interact... a GREAT day in making memories!

"An Apple and a Pear for Mrs. Davis"... 5x7" Oil on panel, painted 2009, alla prima from life as a demo for Mrs Davi' second grade class.

Here I am pictured with Mrs Shirley Davis (Olivia's second grade teacher), Olivia, and my granddaughter, Savannah. Mrs Davis' second grade class was awesome... we opted for an apple and a pear this year (2009).


Olivia and Mrs Tyson (her 1st grade teacher)...


"An Apple for Mrs. Tyson"... 5x7" Oil on panel, painted 10-31-2007, alla prima from life as a demo for Mrs Tyson's first grade class.

Olivia and I pictured with Mrs Davis' kindergarten class. Livie is holding a painting she did when she was four.

"An Apple for Mrs Davis"... 9"x12" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, September 27, 2006. Painted as a demo for Mrs Sandra Davis' kindergarten class.

Memories indeed! To be continued next year with Liv's third grade class!

Thanks for dropping by... feel free to comment... would love to hear them.
Bernie

A couple of great articles about the importance of art and children can be found here:

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ATTENTION PARENTS: A little art is not enough for our kids...

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All Children are Born Natural Artists.... and Painters!

Lone Granny Smith Apple #2

"Lone Granny Smith Apple #2"... 6x6" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, "Painting a Day" series, 7-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Jonathan!
Knoxville, TN

Click on image to see a larger view...



This small painting was the result of a live demo in my Sunday School class. I had the students read "light" verses from the Bible as I painted. We talked about how light adds form to objects... in art and real life... let your light shine...

20 2999

"An Unlikely Pear" by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"An Unlikely Pear"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 3-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Randy!
Lake Ridge, VA

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Two more willing and patient models... a perfect studio sitting! For some reason I love painting items on my wife's grocery list. These daily paintings from life are among my favorites to paint... I never tire of them.

20 1995

Impressionistic Apple by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Impressionistic Apple"... 6x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life,
2-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Betty!

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SR75 2/25/08

Back-lit Apple by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Back-lit Apple"... 6x6" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 2-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Jon P., Portland OR.

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Another willing subject posed in my studio for a small still life from life. This apple was a study in shadows and dramatic lighting. I back-lit the apple and allowed the shadow to help emphasize the composition. I like this square format and plan to do many more like this one.

Bookworm

"Bookworm"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 2-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Jo!

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I set up this small still life and painted it as an art lesson for a friend who has recently taken up oil painting. We talked about the importance of painting from life... how it hons the skills of an artist by teaching him how to "see". The "art of seeing" as my art teacher called it. We could all benefit from the "art of seeing"... a method where we learn to see the things around us by taking them in, savoring them, and thinking about what we see... sure beats the alternative... "just looking".

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

40 4100 4/9/144

Mixed Company

"Mixed Company"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 1-2008.
SOLD... Thanks again Lloyd!

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I've been on a fruit kick lately... I gleaned the frig and came up with these unlikely subjects for another still life painted from life. After setting up this composition I couldn't help but think they seemed to be lined up for the fruit cocktail cannery... of course they were totally unaware of their fate and posed so patiently for me.

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

30 3983 5/10/156

Granny Smith #2

"Granny Smith #2"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima from life, 1-2008.
SOLD... Thanks Susan S. !

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NOTE: The line in the upper left is not a scratch but the way the light hit the textured surface while I was photographing the painting.



Apples are among my favorite subjects to paint. I set up this small still life to continue my "painting a day" series for 2008. My six year old daughter was insistent that these were hers when I finished... needless to say... the whole one made it into her lunch box the next morning... how's that for recycling?

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

20 1995 2/8/94

Impressionistic Granny Smith

"Impressionistic Granny Smith"... 6x8" Oil on canvas board, alla prima from life, 1-2008.
SOLD... Thanks James R.!

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Most people take trips to the grocery store to buy food for supper... I go to find willing subjects for my daily paintings. I never tire of painting fruit and vegetables... is that strange? These granny smith apples were a challenge with all that GREEN! I chose to play the vibrant green against its opposite color red of the background. The apples almost seem to dance in this vibrant setting... my mission was accomplished.

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

20 1995 2/2/55

Lean on Me

"Lean on Me"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, 11-2007.
SOLD...#150... Thanks Shirley!

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My love of painting pears and apples was combined as I set these two friends up in my studio. I say "friends" because that was the first thing that came to mind when the set up seemed to naturally tilt, better yet... lean... with a closeness shared by friends. The title, "Lean on Me", came as easily from the composition... I couldn't seem to get Bill Wither's song, "Lean on Me" out of my head. Like this unlikely couple... we all need someone to lean on... let the person you lean on know how much you appreciate them this Holiday Season. May the light of Christmas light your path and warm your heart... Merry Christmas!

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

20 2150 12/10/155

Two Apples

"Two Apples"... 5x7" Oil on Panel, alla prima, 9-2007
SOLD... Thanks Lee!

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This small still life painting titled... "Two Apples"... depicts the simplistic beauty in everyday objects. I love painting from life... painting landscapes en plein air or setting up small still lifes like this and painting in the studio. Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market. These small paintings from life really hon the artists skills and helps create a strong work ethic.

30 3800 14/18/188