Do schools Kill art?

I found this video in a 30 day challenge I am doing  with a community of artist.  I I really got excited to hear this gentleman speak about this.  I learn hands on by manipulating and feeling things. I like to move around and doodle while people are talking. Some think that I am not listening. School could have taught me a lot but even at the blind school I graduated with out the ability to balance a single check book.   I really believe art needs to be reinstated. I also believe teachers have the creativity to teach students who have the gift as an artist.  Speak to them  as an artist and they will flourish.  Pass this video on to your children's teachers.

Golden Butterfly Collage

I had fun making this one. I think at the time I was very stressed and I  needed to convert my energy into something that I enjoy doing.  In this piece I got to tear paper to pieces without a care in the world.  I love collages because you don't have to be so mathematical about how things go.  It is a messy process. But i love how it comes out in the end.

I made this piece out of white linen, shredded paper, and heaver paper that had a picture on it. One had a butterfly which i placed in the middle.  The rest was shredded up decorative paper.  After shredding all of the paper, we mixed glue and water together. I applied it onto the cloth then applied it again onto the pieces  then we applied some tissue on top of that.   The hard part was waiting.   I believe I added some paint too .  After allowing it to dry I sprayed some gold paint and then used  butterfly stencils to make the butterfly 

Cellabration

This is entitled "Celebration" This was one project where I already knew who would receive this painting.  However the occasion for giving this painting was unknown to me. I knew right away that I was suppose to give it to  my pastor's family.  We as a community wanted to show them with our appreciation.  What a better occasion to present it to them on the night of  10 year aniversery of One New Man Ministry.   They are instrumental in the community to to my life and the lives of those in the community.

A Hawaiian Memorial

This is dedicated to Jan White who was a great friend of mine.  She helped and encouraged me in so many ways. One of our project was to take a picture and make a quit square.  The square was out of paper.  Unfortunately I got too excited when saw her picture with the guy and I immediately saw a Hawaiian seen where she was placed in the sky in the middle of the sunset.   So I created this scene on canvas and for me this was a great way to have some closure to a good relationship.   She had passion to serve others and a zeal for life and the colors represent that. Hawaii is also the land of paradise. I thought you know now she is in true paradise where she can rest.  I am proud to have know this wonderful artist.

Although this one is not  available, I would be happy to do a memorial painting for your loved ones.

Arrows

Arrow is created with stretched canvas and acrylic paint.  However, I used masking tape to define the lines for each color. I found for me as a visually impaired artist this was the best way to create straight lines as long as the tape was pressed down and covered the entire width of the card board.  This was a technique that the volunteers from Vision Loss connection showed me and I plan on using it again. I love shapes and straight lines.

Be Still

I love the forest it is in that place I find myself just wanting to enjoy the smell and sound of God's creation. It is in this place I can be still and know he loves me and there is no doubt he is almighty God. This is my first project where I tried painting trees and birds, however not in detail. I wanted it to be more impressions.  This was also my first try at using paint.

"Vessel of Love"

"Vessel of Love" (C) March, 7, 2012, by Esmeralda Hernandez. Mixed media includes: water color pencils, pencil, & water color paint.

Personal background
This is the first time using water color paints for any art work that I have done publicly.  I  understand my world as shapes, light and dark colors, contrasting colors and with my senses.  The only time I see shades is in the sun.  I do not think of  light hitting an object and where a shadow should appear.  In fact, one day in my art class I was noticing some pictures up close on the studio wall.  One of the staff told me about shading  and how it is the way artist show the direction of the light,  The direction of the light determines where the shade hits the object.  He gave me a little help on how to show direction in my work.  I still don't understand it completely.

About the Drawing.  
This drawing came to me while worshiping  on Friday night at  One New Man Ministry during worship. I simply saw a clear vase in white background with hearts floating  from the bottom to the top of the place where I could not see anymore. The hearts are floating in every direction as indicated by the movement of the hearts.  That night I just was fascinated by the movements of the hearts from the vase  they just kept coming and coming.  I sense that they were ongoing similar to  the fragrance of a flower from in a vase.

Two days later, I also sense that we are living vessels.  The only thing that should be in us is the love of the father.  I know for personally I fill it with so many other things like food, and noise and music. These are good because God created them all, however, he desires to place his love in the deepest places of our life where there may be some wounds and shame.  He desires us to remain open to his love.  That is the only way in which we can then freely give love to others.  This journey is not easy because it requires opening up some  in order to receive healing.  His hands were nailed because he loved us.  his touch is love.  He created us as vessels to mold and to shape.  We become like him one day at a time. We are his vessel of love.