LAUREL BURCH (Dec. 31, Sept. 13, 2007)

Transcription

1 LAUREL BURCH (Dec. 31, Sept. 13, 2007) At the age of 14, Laurel Burch left her tumultuous home life in Southern California with nothing more than a paper bag of clothing and the rare bone disease Osteopetrosis, that she was born with. Cooking, cleaning, and babysitting for her room and board, she embarked on a search for some stable ground to support her fragile body. With no job, no money, and no dreams, Laurel Burch reached the Golden Gate of San Francisco. She began making jewelry out of old coins, bones and beads. When she wore it, people asked her where she purchased it. She started selling, trading and giving the earrings and necklaces she made. Laurel was a self-taught painter. She saw herself as a folk artist, telling stories. Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic. In our fast-paced, changing world, she said, we need symbols that are a reminder of the ongoing world of the spirit. On some level, her work was always about bringing different cultures together, and about our connection with the earth and all living things, ideas that have only increased in relevance today. Laurel was always incredibly prolific. Even during her long periods of convalescence, when she was forced to paint from a bed or wheelchair, she seldom put her brushes down. Laurel said, I refuse to have anything in my life that I can t turn around into something magical and beautiful. I just refuse. Her art will forever convey a sense of joy, passion and lightness. Laurel performed hundreds of speaking engagements around the country. For obvious reasons, the subject of healing was always close to her heart. Being physically vulnerable is, in a lot of ways, a tremendous advantage in terms of human wisdom. My bone disease was my gift, she said. Laurel always lent her talents to a long list of charitable causes, designing book covers, posters, and murals around the issues that were of special concern to her.! Laurel died at the age of 61, from complications of her bone disease. (Laurelburch.com about Laurel page Sept. 14, 2011)

2 Questions about the art and artist s style: Have students view Mythical Cat with Fish. Ask students what colors they see. How do the colors affect the feeling of the painting? Why do you think Laurel Burch named this painting Mythical Cat? How do the colors in the painting contribute to its title? What shapes can you see? Is the cat s face symmetrical? (the same on each side if you drew an imaginary line down the middle) What types of lines can you find in this picture? (curvy/straight, horizontal/vertical, thick/thin, long/short) Are there any patterns decorating the cat? How about the fish? What do you think the artist wanted to say in this painting? BRAINSTORM SOME WAYS YOU CAN USE DIFFERENT LINES, PATTERNS AND SHAPES IN YOUR ARTWORK TODAY. DECIDE IF YOU WANT YOUR CAT S FACE TO BE SYMMETRICAL OR ASYMMETRICAL. WHAT COLORS WILL YOU CHOOSE TO DECORATE YOUR CAT? HAVE FUN CREATING A CAT THAT WOULD BE SURPRISING TO SEE ON THE STREET!

3 Masterpiece: Felines ARTIST: Laurel Burch ( ) Lesson: Folk art 3 dimensional cat Objective: To create a 3 dimensional cat using silhouettes inspired by folk artist Laurel Burch. Vocabulary: pattern, line, 3 dimensional, folk art, silhouette Project Materials: *two cat silhouettes per student *liquid water color paint cup (two colors in each cup) *black sharpie *newspaper to protect desks *scissors *glue *sequins Process: 1. Give each student two cat silhouettes. With crayons or Sharpies, have them draw their cat design on both sides of each silhouette. Encourage students to use different lines, patterns and shapes in their work. 2. Have students cut the narrow slit on each cat. Once cut, test sliding the cats together to make sure the slits are working. 3. Give each student a liquid watercolor paint cup. Have students paint both sides of each cat with the two colors in the paint cup. 4. After the paint is dry, students may embellish with colored glue & color sequins. 5. When the silhouettes are dry, slide them back together and enjoy seeing your cat from all directions! 6. Fold cats flat and hang outside classroom in teacher s designated Art Masterpiece spot. (CATS WILL BE DISPLAYED 3 DIMENSIONALLY AT THE ARTWALK)

4 PROJECT SAMPLE: Artist: Laurel Burch Masterpiece: Felines Lesson: 3D silhouette cat

5 ART MASTERPIECE: Laurel Burch ( ) Laurel Burch was a self-taught folk artist, designer and businesswoman. As a 20-year-old single mother with osteoperosis, she found metal in junkyards to hammer into jewelry to support her two children. She began making paintings and was commissioned by restaurants, businesses and private collectors. Burch s art is whimsical and vibrant. Her style combined colors, shapes and lines to create a feeling of joy and happiness in her artwork. I refuse to have anything in my life that I can t turn around into something magical and beautiful. I just refuse. Today, in Art Masterpiece, your child created a 3 dimensional cat in the style of Laurel Burch. ART MASTERPIECE: Laurel Burch ( ) Laurel Burch was a self-taught folk artist, designer and businesswoman. As a 20-year-old single mother with osteoperosis, she found metal in junkyards to hammer into jewelry to support her two children. She began making paintings and was commissioned by restaurants, businesses and private collectors. Burch s art is whimsical and vibrant. Her style combined colors, shapes and lines to create a feeling of joy and happiness in her artwork. I refuse to have anything in my life that I can t turn around into something magical and beautiful. I just refuse. Today, in Art Masterpiece, your child created a 3 dimensional cat in the style of Laurel Burch. ART MASTERPIECE: Laurel Burch ( ) Laurel Burch was a self-taught folk artist, designer and businesswoman. As a 20-year-old single mother with osteoperosis, she found metal in junkyards to hammer into jewelry to support her two children. She began making paintings and was commissioned by restaurants, businesses and private collectors. Burch s art is whimsical and vibrant. Her style combined colors, shapes and lines to create a feeling of joy and happiness in her artwork. I refuse to have anything in my life that I can t turn around into something magical and beautiful. I just refuse. Today, in Art Masterpiece, your child created a 3 dimensional cat in the style of Laurel Burch.

6