I did not want to bring up a when-I-was-young observation, but I have to because as I mentioned in the last post, it’s all about recollecting.

In my day a chalkboard was all about function, not decoration, and it was all that there was.  Then when my classroom upgraded to white boards and erasable markers we thought it was the best thing ever.  But when my kids were younger and I visited their classrooms, I made the comparison and described the original boards with nostalgia and fond memories.  Even when I was in college, way before this trending décor, I used a chalkboard for projects in my photography class, just to have fun reversing the images.  
             ---  yes, back when we would develop and print our film and photos  --- 

So I had told them so much about it that I decided to make one for them outside.
Why outside? One, because I remembered how messy chalk powder is.  Two, because I wanted them to play outdoors like I did when I was their age.  And three, because on the passage to the patio there was a long wall that felt like wasted space and had the perfect surface for it. Now that I think about it, it was for a decorative purpose too.

I painted 3 boards so each one could have their own.  I wanted to motivate them to use it so I wrote the word “illustrate” on top of one.  Trying to be consistent, I looked for other words that started with the letter “i” and discovered a few more (such as these here).

Then the cutest thing happened.  They assigned themselves a board and explained the order.  My daughter, at age 7, told me that board labeled illustrate was hers because she was always drawing (she forgot to say masterpieces).

My 4 and 5 year old agreed.  The one labeled imagine was for the little comedian who was always telling stories and making up songs, and the one labeled invent was for the youngest, brightest, tinkerer in the family. They wondered why I even asked, as if I had done this intentionally.  

       That is how I became attached to those words. Together they inspire me.

I wish I had pictures of those chalkboards because each one had a unique, painted frame and detailed crown on top. Here's something similar from a side wall we had at the studio:

Students would work on some visualization-coordination exercises and would end up with such interesting abstract compositions that we could not dare erase.
Other times they would draw very detailed work that people actually thought they were signs for a store, like the time they drew some birds and people would stop by and ask if we had any parrots for sale.  True story.

If we are going to be outdoors we can keep going, chalkboard or not, that's what sidewalks, and stairs, and landings are for.

I'm so glad chalkboards are in.  They have always been fun and now adults have permission to play too.  It's time to make a new one. 

 

I do not have a big house, but it sure feels like it when it comes to maintaining it.  It keeps me so busy that I miss my deadlines, ergo this post at the end of the month.


When I was about 10 years old I wondered if my future grown-up home would be nice and tidy.  I was young but I had even younger sisters who were really messy.  I remember I would admire a corner of the bedroom where I had just finished rearranging some knick-knacks and I would feel so accomplished and proud that I could gaze at it forever.  Then I discovered a comic strip where this real cute mom character had just finished cleaning the linen closet, then walked around the house and everything was so overwhelmingly messy that she headed back to the closet.  For the final image she is shown seating down and contemplating, basically appreciating all the neatly arranged towels, and the family is in the background commenting on how she has been doing that for a very long time.  

I cannot believe how clearly I remember this particular newspaper print after all these years. What I could not remember was the name of the comic strip, but I am so happy to report that I found their website and Facebook page where they make comparisons of the decade changes, fun times, and their real family.  What a find.  A treasure of time, family, and art.  Just like my own funny family.   And just like for any work of art to be appreciated, it is important to take a few steps back and stare at it for as long as possible.

The busy days and rainy afternoons have created this interruption, but they have also  provided the inspiration.  When I look outside and notice all the soaked garden ornaments I admire the changes but also their surprising weather resilience. 

Some are more incredible than others.  There is a simple cardboard sign placed by the bicycle parking.   We made it from a cardboard box and a re-purposed cabinet frame.  It only has a thin coat of varnish, but it has survived extreme heat, humidity, and heavy showers for the past three years.  

I wish I had pictures of how we made this project out of found objects, but here is a review on the elephant.  I wish you become inspired to revisit the weathered bits and pieces around your surroundings.  Since I am stuck in wishing mode, and if you followed the link about my son, then you know, I have to get back to the gathering and continue to wish him a Happy Birthday, or Happy End of the Beginning.