The Flint Museum of Art

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Flint Institute of Art. Over the years I've made plans to visit, and then would change those plans because of the many other things on my plate. I was driving by in the area and thought, "Yep, now works." I was not disappointed!

I wandered around for over an hour, just letting myself feel the art. Since it was during the week there were few people around. I mostly had the place to myself. The quiet made it easier to really absorb what I was looking at. I forget how rich my world was pre-pandemic, at least in terms of in-person art experiences. I used to go several times a month to either the DIA or some other museum nearby.

It is a wonderful experience to see different people interpret the world, and to have that readily available. While I tend to prefer 19th-century paintings, there are so many mediums that can be used to express them. The FIA features ancient art, as well as modern, including photography, glasswork, paintings, carvings, textile art, and even beadwork. 

When I'm viewing pieces at a museum, I look for different things. There's the usual stuff, like jewelry and items that I like to reproduce in my shop. Then I move past that, into inspiration. Sometimes a color combination, often a pattern, or even a technique I'd like to research in the future. I may even use it in my classroom for a visual learning activity.

I've realized too that this year has been incredibly difficult. Between getting COVID and coping with the trauma of a pandemic...I needed something that brought me some joy, that reminded me that this world can still offer beauty. 

Here are a few of the pictures I took while at the FIA, and you can enjoy! I didn't get pictures of every plaque/artist, but if you're particularly interested, I can find out that info pretty quickly and will send it.     

I love that coral jewelry and doll!

The dog, the rug, just all of it.

I've definitely been in the mood for spring...

I know this wasn't meant to be spooky, but church 

with old graveyard at night?

There's something about this dress that caught my eye.

Very life-like!

Again, something in this struck me.

The colors, the expression on the face.

It's hard to see this one up close, but the pattern

was this pretty green with red, blue, and gold accents.

This guy was really, really big and made from glass.

I'm a sucker for ancient greek looking statues...

The colors, patterns, all of it!

This one just brought me back to my old

Catholic School days...

This makes me want to do photography of everyday objects 

in my life as a sort of journal of the pandemic.

Ancient objects always feel like they're hiding secrets.

I'm always astounded by how these objects have survived 

for so long...

This artist had a lot of abstract art, 

and you could really feel each color with each piece of paper

I seriously thought this was a real person and freaked out. 

It is super lifelike and kinda creepy

This one reminded me of paper marbling!

It was the color combo for this one...

~Kristen

On My Bookshelf: February

As I return to school full time, face to face with students every day, I find myself a bit more pressed for time. There are still outbreaks in different buildings every week, but I imagine we'll stay in this mode of learning until we absolutely have to shut down due to staffing issues. This is what happened in October when I got COVID. Of course now I'm fully vaccinated, which is a huge plus, but I am the only staff member in my building. The numbers are going down in Michigan, and I'm hoping everything stays that way!

I've had less time to read, but I've made it a point to set aside nearly an hour every day. It's a nice escape, and with the February cold there's not much to do outside anyway! Also, I tried to focus some of my choices around Black History Month, since I'm always looking for more resources to make my classroom better. 

1. The Promise of Change

Written by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy

I wasn't expecting this book to be in poem form when I picked it up at the bookstore. But then again, it was a totally effective technique in telling the story. Jo Ann Allen Boyce does an excellent job of relaying the events of her youth; as a teen, she was in the group of 12 students that started desegregation in Clinton High School in Clinton, Tennessee. She and the others suffered through abuse that's hard to hear; they were physically assaulted, spat on, threatened, and had family members jailed. All of this happened because they simply walked into a building with white students. Desegregation was ugly, nasty business, and I often marvel at how many modern white people romanticize the events, as if it was a small crowd of racists chanting with signs. It was much deeper, more poisonous than that. I will definitely add this to my classroom library. Maybe even a read aloud in class if I can?

2. The Girl of Fire and Thorns

By Rae Carson

I'd heard a few things about this book in some of the YA reading groups I'm in, all suggestions to read. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fantastical world with a very Spanish flavor. What do I mean? There's a ton of Spanish words in there, and I absolutely love it. There's a certain home feeling to the book, possibly because it's easy to relate to the main character. I'm loving the elements of fantasy mixed with history mixed fairy tales. It makes for a relaxing read, and YA is one of my favorite genres to visit.

3.  Your Black Friend

by Ben Passmore

This graphic novel was recommended in a Tiktok I saw awhile ago. It finally came in the mail, and it was good! While the illustration style is not my usual go-to, it definitely complemented the subject area. It centered around all the things your black friend wishes they could say, could tell their white friends. The author did an excellent job of connecting the audience with the main character, but also describing the experiences of other black people. 

4. Abbott 1973

by Saladin Ahmed, Sami Kivela, Mattia Iacono, Taj Tenfold, Raul Allen, Jenny Frison

I was instantly drawn to the cover art on this comic, and the series came highly recommended by the person at the comic book store. AND the story is set in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1970's. I can say I was heartily disappointed by the fact that none of the artists or writers were black women, which would have been a much better way of doing this. While I appreciate how artists are including more diverse characters, I think it is essential to have input from those groups. Specifically, if you are going to tell the story of a black woman, you should have the input of black women. If they did that, it was not indicated anywhere. The writing and illustrations were well-done, and the storyline consistent. But disappointment in some ways.

5. Nubia Real One

by L.L. McKinney, Robyn Smith

I really try to avoid books related to the DC or Marvel universes, simply because there's a lot of other stories that need to go with it in order to fully understand. There have been so many versions of the same story that it gets a little old TBH. I did not feel that with this one at all!

First of all, I loved the graphic novel/comic feel. It felt like a little of both with the illustrations. The artist used color really well too! The storyline follows a young black woman who has extraordinary strength, much like Wonder Woman, and is trying to navigate the world with all of its pitfalls. I'll be adding this one to my classroom library too!

~Kristen

Projects on my Desk: Daemons of Khorne

Pandemic crafting has certainly taken me to new places. I've had the chance to continue working on my little army of daemons, this time one centered around everyone's favorite holiday, Valentine's Day! I entered these bloodthirsty creatures into a painting contest.

Now I do not profess to be a painter of any kind. Yet years of crafting and painting alongside projects has led to a particular set of skills, skills that put me at about an amateur level. Of course I have years of miniatures and dollhouses to help me put these together. And the dark sense of humor to enjoy creating little scenes of death and destruction...

I tried to make each a scene, almost like a vignette. The daemons have crashed a Valentine's Day celebration in various places: school, a restaurant, a date. Then, for the bigger pieces, I made it as if doves and cherubs were locked in a bloody battle to save humanity from the bloodthirsty bloodletters. A lot of the miniature pieces I made myself, specifically the tiny candy hearts that took FOREVER to mold. 

Then add a (liberal) splash of fake blood, and voila!

The battle is done!

In all honesty, I had a ton of fun putting these together. There's something satisfying about merging two of my hobbies together. And my fiance loves to see my creative side, even if it means my desk has fake blood all over it and my desk looks like a war zone. I've gotten glue all over my clothes but it was totally worth every second of it!

So please enjoy the fruits of my labor. I apologize that I don't have more photos to offer. I was in such a rush to paint that I didn't think about sharing. The photos I do have came from Golden Rhino Games, where I entered them for the contest. I have zero intention of winning, but 100% plan on making people slightly uncomfortable with the fake blood and insinuation of daemons on the loose. If they could be here in the flesh, I imagine they'd approve. So enjoy!

There's another painting contest planned for April, so we'll have to see how much I can get done by then. I'm not a particularly fast (or accurate or great) painter, but what I lack in actual skill I make up for with enthusiasm. And I'd like a full display case of these one day!

~Kristen

Punch Paper Love

I've always thought smaller holidays were really interesting. Valentine's Day is no exception to that, and I remember doing all sorts of fun things when I was in middle school; making cards, handing out candy, putting together a little card box, eating tons of candy, and etc. As I've gotten older that sentiment has turned into nice dinners and phone calls to family. It's odd celebrating love, but perhaps fitting that it is in the middle of a very cold February? 

I'm excited to see that Valentine's Day was totally a thing in the 19th century too. I've not only seen that in primary sources, but in some of my research and surviving originals. There were hearts and notes and all sorts of cute little things for people to give and receive. I've noticed that in my punch paper collection too; while all are definitely not valentines, the art of sentiment and love is hard to miss.

So please enjoy these pieces from my collection, and perhaps try your hand at one for yourself!

~Kristen

Living in the Text: Godey's 1860

Recently I was looking for a specific quote in Godey's Lady's Book. I know, living history problems, am I right!? I was struck by how many details I've missed or scrolled by because they were not necessarily what I needed at that moment. Upon further reflection, I decided to do a post about this dilemma.

Just like with my monthly reading, I'd like to do a monthly "Living in the text." What does that mean? Stuff that catches my eye, things that are interesting or different, snippets. Perhaps a question that I cannot answer now, but could link to another thing I've seen. I could almost see this as a sort of collage, especially if I wanted to print it all out and put it on a board. I would not call this an academic endeavor, more like me connecting with a primary resource. I've found that even a casual glance at something can have beautiful results.

So here are my little bites from Godey's Lady's Book, 1860. I hope something catches your eye or even inspires you to try a new project! At the very least, maybe you'll be entertained by my commentary.

Click HERE for the link to the text.

I'm in love with this floral wreath design with the bird in the center. 

Carrying a love note?

I don't crochet but it sort of reminds me of beadwork.

You mean all I have to do is just wrap some fabric around wire?

And that's the whole project?

*Smacks face on directions

I've seen molds like these at the antique store and think they're adorable!

Now will I make a jelly or pudding? Probably not.

But maybe to decorate my house?

A thaumatrope! I definitely have to try one of these.

19th century parenting advice...

and it's actually pretty good! Who knew that treating your kids well

would result in happier children?

I know this isn't EXACTLY the same, but it sort of reminds me

of that sheer dress Glenna has in her collection. And upon reading the description

it sounds even more similar!

This is a beadwork technique I've been itching to try. Also, flowers!

I LOVE when we get a sneak peek through the advertisement. By giving

a dollar amount and description, it helps us better understand how these

machines were viewed by people who advertised in 1860.

I have all the supplies to make this just sitting in my craft room.

I could literally go home today and just make one.

Is it lazy? Is it busy? Is it the fact that I can't see my desk 

because it is piled with tons of supplies and projects already?

You can decide, reader.

Hey there crocheting friends! Want to make me something? :)

3 cups of strong coffee AT EACH MEAL?

FOR THE CHILDREN?

I can barely drink one without shaking.

But I also wonder what a child with three cups of coffee looks like...

I wonder what this would look like on silk?

There it is! I've definitely used this shape to create little baskets.

They're fragile things, but I suppose perfect for cards.

When your flounce game is on point.

It never ceases to amaze me how this magazine tries to encompass every aspect

of 19th-century life. There's even an article in here entitled

"Draperies, Curtains, and Blinds." But it also reminds me of modern magazines,

so have things really changed at all?

I am so HERE for this design.

This reader wishes a receipt now too.

I'm thinking about reproducing this comb. I've done something similar,

and I think I have the supplies left over.

A doll pen wiper? A little creepy, mixed with practical. 

In all seriousness, I love the tiny little hat and ribbons flowing behind it.

I've seen a few bead work originals that look similar. 

It makes sense that they are made for the berries, especially when lined.

This reminds me of the teen magazines of today.

How to tell if he likes you? Yes or no?

But in a much more poetic way.

The Greek key pops up over and over again.

I saw this and just HAD to include it. This article discussed the

time differences between hand and machine sewing. What's really impressive

is how they estimated to the *minute, and this is me realizing that it took me

much longer than 10 hours and 23 minute to make a silk dress!

This would be a nice little spring project!

I actually own at least one of these in my collection. It's done with beads too, though I've seen a few complete on punch paper. As soon as one pops up again, I'll buy it!

This actually sounds pretty delicious, and not far from a modern recipe I've seen in the past.

I'm liking the motif and how it incorporates the initials. There are so many

designs for handkerchiefs that I enjoy but have zero intention

of ever making...

Fun fact: This is eerily similar to the watch-case published in January of 1860.

I suppose it's easier to just remake the design?

Or maybe this style was just really popular this year.

My friend Anna makes little pin cushion creatures.

They're lovely!

~Kristen