We will "chalk it up" as a successful year!!

Since Tuesday is our last day of Vanguard for this year, we are going to celebrate by having a Chalk Art contest and pizza party.  We will be meeting at Wadman Park (1050 E 2675 N, North Ogden).


Please come prepared with the following:


1. Watch this ted talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/phil_hansen_embrace_the_shake




1.  Watch some videos on how to create optical illusions with chalk or other kinds of chalk art. 
http://gizmodo.com/5921556/this-is-how-artists-draw-all-that-amazing-3d-street-chalk-art


http://www.drawingonearth.org/resources/tips/


http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Wet-Chalk-Drawings




2.  Bring some of your practice drawings with you. Also, it might be helpful to bring knee pads, a straight edge, compass, an old towel and clothing that can get chalky.






3.  Bring $4 to cover the cost of lunch and the chalk ( If you bring your own chalk then just bring $3).




Since I will be buying pizza please email me to RSVP (rwtingey@yahoo.com).  I will need a head count.   Thanks!  I can't wait.  This will be a lot of fun.

Unleash Your Creativity!!!

Right Brain, Left Brain...If I Only Had a Brain....

Albert Einstein said: “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

Just as "weaknesses become strengths" is one of the reasons why we need humility it is also one of the ways in which we can develop humility.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27).

Weaknesses sure aren't fun, but the Lord allows us to suffer, and humble us, that we may become strong.

In his early manhood, Benjamin Franklin was very disciplined in his efforts to acquire and maintain the virtues. Looking back on his efforts to gain humility, he says,

“In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself” (Autobiography).

So….a humble person is one who is attentive to and willing to “own” her limitations, weaknesses, and mistakes.

The brain was discussed last month in this class, but now we will continue with the creativity aspect, Unlease Your Creativity!

This is where I’d like to introduce you to the idea that we are all different. (whoa..I know..shocking, right?--**said with deep sarcasm.)

Did you know that the left side of your brain carries a logical, mathematical and linguistic side to it and the right side of your brain is artistic, creative and intuitive? So, as young children, we are pretty right brained and as we grow older the left side of your brain becomes more complex and dominate. It is helpful to understand which side of the brain you can relate most to. I (Sis. Hanks) thought I was very right brained. Through the online tests, they say I am pretty even on both sides. But, I most certainly have the right brained tendency to not think well in words but in pictures and feelings. The right brain is there also to solve problems by thinking out of the box. I think we live in a time where that is very important. However, the left side is super important to get things done and to express ourselves with our words.

I’d like to introduce you to mindmaps (I may have introduced it previously):

Leonardo da Vinci is a famous artist and studies reveal that he was ambidextrous. Some say that da Vinci utilized mind maps to complete his works of art. Because of this, a lot of artists as well as writers are now considering the use of mind maps in completing their works.

In the links below, we will collaborate and make a group mindmap, join me!

Required:

1- Go to your email, find the email from “GroupMap” and participate in our group mindmap about the life of William Shakespeare. Contribute in areas you know, but please expand on any of these ideas or make your own. Also, if you want to make your own group mindmap with a topic, we’d all love to participate.

2- Go to one of these 2 sites and pick 1 activity for us to do during Vanguard, you lead it.

Left brain exercises: http://www.learningrx.com/left-brain-exercises-faq.htm

Right brain exercises:http://www.gocreate.com/workouts/index.shtml

Left Brain: http://www.totthoughts.com/activities-logical-mathematical-intelligence/

Inspirements- 1 or more...:

1. Take the Right Brain/Left Brain test: http://braintest.sommer-sommer.com/en/index.html

2.   Make your own group mindmap with a topic, we’d all love to participate. Invite us to join you!!  Here is a website for some ideas you could use for topics: http://www.marcandangel.com/2009/07/13/50-questions-that-will-free-your-mind/

3. Research a famous person, tell us if you think they are left brain dominant or right brain dominant, or if they are able to really use both well.

4. Do one or more of these activities and share with us what you did. Did it make a difference?

Left brain exercises: http://www.learningrx.com/left-brain-exercises-faq.htm

Right brain exercises:http://www.gocreate.com/workouts/index.shtml

Left Brain: http://www.totthoughts.com/activities-logical-mathematical-intelligence/

Music and the Brain

 "Give me control over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws" .  Napoleon




EVERYONE DO THESE TWO


#1.  Read this wonderful article that explains how music affects the brain.
http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html


#2.  When you study this week try this experiment:  listen to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnn3TVBDtcA ( Handel's Water Music) while you study or read and see if it helps you to accomplish more or understand more of what you are studying. 






CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THESE


#1.  Study the life of a famous composer and share what you have learned about their secular and spiritual learning.


#2.  Share a piece of classical music that you enjoy and why.  You could perform it on an instrument or play it on a device of listening (there are a few pieces mentioned in the article above).





























Class will be at the Tingey home at 10 am

The Arts, the Spirit of the Lord, Van Gogh and YOU

The Sower, 1888

Read:

“It is a mistake," said Boyd K. Packer, "to assume that one can follow the ways of the world and then somehow, in a moment of intruded inspiration, compose a great anthem of the Restoration, or in a moment of singular inspiration paint the great painting. When it is done, it will be done by one who has yearned and tried and longed fervently to do it, not by one who has condescended to do it. It will take quite as much preparation and work as any masterpiece, and a different kind of inspiration.

There is a test you might apply if you are among the gifted. Ask yourself this question: When I am free to do what I really want to do, what will it be?”

You know and know of many hard working individuals in history who have made a huge impact on our lives through their hard work, like Abraham Lincoln, Gladys Alyward, George Washington and even Vincent Van Gogh. 

The Good Samaritan, 1890

Van Gogh painted 1,000 paintings in 10 years! He put all of his effort into all of his endeavours. Not any of them gained recognition while he was alive. When he wanted to be a minister, he failed to "fit in," and was dismissed from his position for living a much too pious life. After he was dismissed, he wanted to continue to serve the Lord, so he put his genius to work. He worked extremely hard and poured out his love of the Lord through his paintings. Above, to the right and below are some of his religious paintings that are rarely shown. The ones you may be familiar with are a continuation of his ode to the humble and the beautiful things of this earth and sky. 

I hope what you take away from this weeks inspirements is that we have talents (no matter what they are) that can and should serve the Lord. We are expected to grow our talents, find what the Lord needs of us with our talents and glorify God with them.  (see the Parable of Talents.)

Required:

1. Read pdf or listen to (both the same talk):

a. To Listen:    The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord, by Boyd K. Packer (BYU Speech)

                    To Listen on computer:  Go to http://www.naturalreaders.com/onlinetts.php

        OR        then, copy the link below and copy and paste it.

b. To Read:    The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord, by Boyd K. Packer (BYU Speech) http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=380

**This talk really gave meaning to me many years ago! I have read it almost every year at least the past 8 years, it reminds me (among other things) that WE create our culture, people who create uplifting art/literature/etc... are imperative to the culture I dream of having.**

2.  With an interest/talent/genius that you currently have, how could YOU serve the Lord with it? Share with us your ideas.

3. Watch YouTube Video: Van Gogh in his own words.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hXMuK5NQEA 

Keep going down past pictures...inspirements below....

The Raising of Lazarus, 1890

Van Gogh, Pieta 1889

The Sheaf Binder, 1889

Choose to do 1 or more of the following:

1. Some express themselves with song, painting, wood working, writing, photography, speaking,  etc…, create an expression of your love and/or gratitude of the beautiful world around you or blessings you have received? 

2. Choose your favorite Van Gogh painting, why do you like it? Share with us your favorite painting of his and why? (Deeper than just the colors please, although the colors are really fun!))

3. Since 1976 MANY new songs have been written, paintings have been painted, poetry has been written, etc… Share with us a song, painting, speech, poem, etc... that has inspired and uplifted you, that has been created within the past 40 years.

4. Research and share you findings about a leader that has worked very hard to share their love of our Lord and/or Gospel through their own genius.

Outside optional: There is a Dr. Who episode with Van Gogh, it oddly enough involves an alien. However, it is kinda fun: Free with Amazon Prime membership: http://www.amazon.com/Vincent-and-the-Doctor/dp/B003U21TBO

or for $1.99 at the BBC store https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85-_1u3nIHo

We will have Vanguard at the Hanks home on Tuesday, Jan. 27th. See you then!

If life is a play.....what will YOUR verse be?

Remember last month how we were inspired to keep different kinds of Journals?  Well, pull those journals out for this weeks lens and get ready to be inspired!!!  A journal is a great place to write poetry. What do you think when you hear the word POETRY? Does it make you nervous, excited, sad?  Watch this clip to get your creative juices flowing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS1esgRV4Rc



Required
  Study the life of Eliza R Snow.  She is sometimes referred to as Zion's Poetess. Learn about her and teach us what you discover.  How did she emulate the principle of being STEADFAST? 


Here are some links to get you started


https://www.lds.org/liahona/1987/09/eliza-r-snow?lang=eng




Free ebook  "The Life and Labors of Eliza R Snow"  http://books.google.com/books?id=wXFNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=eliza+r+snow+poem+for+thomas+jefferson&source=bl&ots=8Z_Meh1Bsf&sig=XMTdsxZEljEoLpHGn1dQ93yBSQI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uPZcVLe7GM78yQTJw4D4Cg&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=eliza%20r%20snow%20poem%20for%20thomas%20jefferson&f=false









Do you have a favorite poem that she wrote and why?  Did you know that she was asked to write a poem at the death of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams as they died on the same day in 1826? 


Did you know that Eliza R Snow wrote several hymns in our hymn book?  Come prepared to share a favorite hymn or you may even perform it on the piano or an instrument of choice.




Choose to do 1 or more of the following
 #1  Research the different types of poetry. 
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/glossary-terms?category=forms-and-types


#2  You may like to try your hand at some poetry and share with the class. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYB3u9714IQ
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/12-Ways-to-Write-a-Poem


  Five easy steps to writing a slam poem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f8VcV8v2LE







#3  There are many poets and poetess.  Pick a person to research and share some of their poems. 


Here are some to choose from

               William Shakespeare

                Emily Dickenson

                Walt Whitman

                Robert Frost

               Edgar Allen Poe

              W.B. Yeats

              William Wordsworth

              Langston Hughes

             Elizabeth Barrett Browning

              Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 Gutenburg.org has free poetry in the public domain http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Poetry_(Bookshelf)#Children.27s








#4  Write a Haiku   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qP-kx19zgw






#5   Is there any poetry in scripture?  Tell us about some. 


Wow!  If you really wanted to go the EXTRA mile you could read this article and try to explain it to me.  https://www.lds.org/ensign/1990/06/understanding-old-testament-poetry?lang=eng


The sky is the limit here!!  Please feel free to research some of your own unique ideas about poetry.  The more YOU research the more we all learn!!  That is what this is all about.  SO.... come ready to teach and inspire us!!

Materials needed!

Hello Vanguard!!

In order for Imaginative Arts to be a success tomorrow, I am going to need some help with some materials. I have some materials that we can make-do with, but we can have so much more fun if we get more of the following. (Bring some of what you have on hand.) 

*Starred ones are the ones that I need most importantly. But we'd like to get enough of all these things.

*watercolor paper

*brushes

fine permanent markers, copic, micron pens, sketch pens

colored pencils

printer paper

brown paper grocery bags?

cereal boxes

*cardboard boxes 

Thank you so much!

Vanguard with be at Sister Hanks’ home at 2469 Van Buren Ave, Ogden.

If you are coming from the temple go south on Washington then east onto 24th Street. I am one block west of Harrison on Van Buren Ave. Our home is a blue victorian.

Keeping a Journal Can Change Your Life

Keeping A Journal Can Change Your Life

For Everyone: 

Spencer W. Kimball admonished us, “So we ask you again to do the things that we have suggested, brothers and sisters, such as keeping up your homes and writing in your journals. Every person should keep a journal and every person can keep a journal. It should be an enlightening one and should bring great blessings and happiness to the families. If there is anyone here who isn’t doing so, will you repent today and change—change your life?”

Keeping a Journal YOUR Way

There are many ways to keep a journal. Here are some ways:

Traditional way with pen/pencil and paper in a bound book.

Written on your computer.

On an app on your tablet.

Creating a blog.

Writing Letters and emails.

Scrapbooking.

Gratitude journal, like Pres. Eyrings.

Digital recording.

Video recordings:

You can keep locally on your computer or put onto YouTube on a private channel. Some of you may have computers, laptops, iPods or phones that record videos.

Study Journal :

Elder Richard G. Scott said, "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. This practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light." (" Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge ," Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86.) 

An embellished journal. 

What’s that? 

An embellished journal is a journal where you keep your thoughts, collect your favorite moments (or worst moments) and you add doodles or masterpieces to your pages alongside your drawing.

Are you a nature journal kinda person, are you a study journal kinda person? Are you a video recording journaling kinda person?

During Vanguard on Imaginative Arts Tuesday, we will be experimenting with watercolors, pens and pencils. We will be playing around with ways to make our journals our very own. There are some tutorials below to give you a head start.  During this week, if you find a great tutorial website, we would all benefit from it if you share it by putting in a comment below. Thanks!!

Challenge:  For at least the next 2 weeks, keep a journal. It can be YOUR way. Journals are personal and will bless you, your family and future generations. (note: I will not ask you to share them. However, I will be asking about your experience.)

_______________________________________________________________________________

Do 1 or more INSPIREMENTS:

**Warning: you may not be able to stop yourself from doing all of them!!**

1.  Make a list of Journal or art prompts to include in a journal to share with the class. Share what kind of journal person YOU are.

2.  Check out these famous peoples’ journals. Choose 1 to share with the class and then tell us why you liked this persons journal.  

**note: feel free to investigate a person not listed that you’d like to learn about or an ancestor you’d like to share about their journal.

Here is link to journals: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/09/13/the-pocket-notebooks-of-20-famous-men/

Beethoven

Ben Franklin

Lewis and Clark

Pablo Picasso

Thomas Edison

Leonardo DaVinci

Thomas Jefferson

George Lucas

John James Audoubon

Wilford Woodruff - he would illuminate and doodle in his journal. His journal is well known as one of the most helpful and accurate records in the early days of the church. Here are some of his 

3. Check out mind map art. What?? I know! It is a crazy cool way to set goals or clear your brain or brainstorm or even journal. Here is the link: mindmapart.com

Inspirement: make an art mind map and share with us.

4. Try illustrating your scripture study. See this website for an example. http://oneofakindgiftideas.blogspot.com/2012/05/artistic-scripture-journaling-koi.html Share your experience.

5. Watch at least 1 video or all of these tutorials, then play around with some of these techniques, share your results. 

Check out these pinterest boards:
Art Journal examples: http://www.pinterest.com/Muffinsmonstret/art-journals/
And these videos:
How to draw mammals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcd-E2AqA5I
How to sketch birds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jV7TVUJdHw

How to paint a realistic shell in watercolor by Anna Mason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-9AeKhJUyE

Detailed watercolor tutorials: http://watercolourswithwow.com/free-resources/painting-technique/

6. Find out what a smash book is. Create one and share it with us. Here a link for a quick reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmaWY7Wk0qA#t=45

Carl Bloch - Painter of Christ's Life

“Carl Heinrich Bloch”

An artist and a family man. Carl Bloch is beloved by Christ loving people everywhere. Particularly, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His name has lived on particularly because of his paintings of Christ’s life. As you do your required readings, you will get to know the artist, his life and his career of art. We however, will concentrate on the Christ paintings. 

Please note that his paintings have a very tender feeling as he portrays Christ. As though Bloch felt it himself. Look at how sad the mourners truly are and how tenderly they wrap Christ up. (See painting on the right.) This painting was painted right after Bloch's wonderful wife passed away. He felt these very same emotions at that time in his life. It is amazing how Bloch was able to capture their emotions and gestures…with paint!

As you see Christ serving, teaching and suffering, consider justice as a rule and mercy that our Savior provides.

You probably have some of Carl Bloch’s paintings in your home. Do you have the Gospel Art Kit? Then they are pictures: 200 , 217, 222, 224, 225, 229, 231

Be sure to note the last BONUS activity (hint: field trip) at the bottom of this post. **

Do all 5 of the following:

Read this article:  The Life of Christ: Painted by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–90) - Ensign Jan. 1991 - ensign

This will introduce you to the Life of Carl Bloch and it will also introduce you to some of the paintings.

2.  This link in the danish language below is to view the castle from above where Carl Bloch’s Christ paintings are:

Det Nationalhistoriske Museum

3. See the panorama of Christ paintings IN the actual Kings Oratory (Kings Prayer Room) at this link: http://www.panoramas.dk/2010/carl-bloch.html

4. This is the Sacred Gifts Intro Film to watch. It is 7 1/2 minutes.

5. Read this scripture (Alma 42: 1 - 25) https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/42?lang=eng Consider the Natural Law of justice and how Christ has met the demands of justice for all mankind. 

Do at least 1 of these assignments below

 to present to class:

 1.   Hans Christian Anderson (do you recognize his name?!) and Carl Bloch were good friends. They wrote each other often. During Carl Bloch’s last years, he was grief stricken after his wife died. In a final ode, from a famous author to a famous artist, Han Christian Anderson said “Write on your canvas; write your seal on immortality. Then you will become noble here on earth.”

Assignment: So, at this point in your life, WHAT would you like to write on your canvas, so to speak? How could you go about that? 

2. Read this scripture (Alma 42: 1 - 25) (you already read it in the required reading), put it in your own words and relate it to Natural Law.  (there is a hint in the introduction of this post)

Assignment: You can put it in your own words in poetry, essay, paragraph, word art, collage, drawing, image, etc…

3. The artist Carl Bloch worked in many mediums. He painted with oils, charcoal, he etched and he engraved. He mostly did scenes of people or a story with people in it. He did many religious scenes from the stories in the New Testament. He also painted families and portraits. 

Assignment: Think of a story, could be a Hans Christian Anderson story even. Decide on a medium (pencil, paint, carve, colored pencil, etc…), arrange the characters, the scenery and the accessories to make sense and to please the eye. Be sure to have some dark areas and some  light areas. See Bloch’s paintings to be able to see the contrast of the dark and light.

4. Carl Bloch was commissioned to paint 23 paintings for the kings oratory (prayer room) at the Friederiksborg Castle. Take a look at some of those paintings if you haven’t already. The king wanted and asked for those paintings of Christ’s life to surround him. 

Assignment: Really give some thought to what YOU choose to surround yourself with. Write or draw some ways you can improve your surroundings. (examples: Paintings, posters, binders, cell phone content, magazines you may own…) Act on it; feel the difference!  Report what you have done to enhance your environment.

5. Assignment: Read this article and tell us what you gained from it.

Carl Bloch: Reaching toward Heaven - Ensign Apr. 2011 - ensign

6.  Would you like to see more of Carl Bloch’s paintings and etchings? You can, there are over 122 paintings and etchings right here in Salt Lake City and Park City Gallery!!

If you have time, go visit! Let us know what impressions you had or what had or had not impressed you.

Here are the addresses and phone numbers:

Web address: www.hopegallery.com

Salt Lake City Gallery

151 South Main Street

Salt Lake city, UT 84111

801-532-1336

Free

Park City Gallery

268 Main Street

Park City, UT 84060

435-645-7180

Free

Bonus:

1. For those of you with an iPad 2 or newer: 

You can download the following app; this is the app they used on the iPads at the BYU museum when they had Bloch's works on display.

Sacred Gifts: Brigham Young University Museum of Art (this takes you to the itunes store)

**2. After Vanguard on Tuesday, Sept. 30th, for those families who would like to go to the Salt Lake City Hope Gallery, we will be leaving directly from Vanguard. We will pick up some food along the way or you of course can bring a lunch and we will meet you there. There is no charge because it is an actual gallery. Parents please hold your little ones’ hands. They will be closing the doors for us and giving us a personal tour.**


Also, we will be meeting at The Tingey's home.  Their address is 953 E 2675 N, North Ogden