May 26 2012 Kids Workshop @ Life In Deep Ellum

Story by: Charlsie Grace
Photos by: Nicole Rodriguez

Did you catch the latest ArtLoveMagic kids workshop last Saturday, May 26th, 2012? We had 10 visual artists and 3 performing artists working right alongside the kids. Each professional artist had their own station and the studio style event (as opposed to classroom style) allowed kids the freedom to come and go to whatever station caught their eye. Things flowed very well with the kids (and some fun adults too) moving from station to station, almost always trying out every last activity. It was really magical to see some of the best talent in the current Dallas art and music scene in the same room teaching, inspiring, and investing in the future generation of Dallas artists.

When you first walked into the venue you could hear the beautiful, beating sounds of percussion coming from the Mokah Lounge, where Kelly Nygren was stationed. This area had one of the coolest vibes and was by far the most comfy with all the pillows on the floor. The kids spent quite a bit of time in this area because they were free to be as loud as they wanted–banging on drums and an assortment of kitchenware items, playing tambourines and egg shakers.

 The watercolors were a big hit! Kate Colin, whose portfolio was on display within the Life In Deep Ellum Gallery, and Ashley Jones are both wonderful watercolor artists and they did a great job engaging with the kids at their stations. You could tell that kids of all ages were having a fantastic time creating their watercolor projects.

Young artists were challenged and inspired in their drawing skills by Jason Kinney’s pencil art station. Jason is a professional artist with an incredible gift for creating amazing photographic-like portraits by using nothing but a pencil… with no formal training. He worked closely with the kids, helping them individually by showing them the exact pencil techniques he uses to create a drawing.

Teenage boys seemed especially interested in Eddie Medina’s comic book style. Eddie is great at comic book illustrations and the kids loved getting his help drawing their own favorite characters, like dragons and “The Hulk.”

Harmony Witte started her station off by drawing a dragon and after some collaborative painting, the kids turned it into this amazingly bright and colorful art piece. Each kid brought his or her own ideas, interpretation, and special artistic touch to the piece.

Riley Holloway worked with the kids, teaching them how to illustrate the human body. His realistic form and unique approach had the youth engaged and wanting to learn more.

The kids were initially nervous to go on stage for the performing station, but once a couple people went up there first, everyone wanted to try it out. Issac Davies did a great job at showing the kids how to freestyle rap and MC, and the legendary DJ EZ Eddie D taught them some DJing techniques.

I really loved Ixchel Aguilar’s idea for her face painting station… set out the paint and let the kids do it themselves! It was very entertaining to see how different each person took on the challenge. Some kids painted blobs on their faces and some got really elaborate and painted, not just their face, but also their arms and legs.

One of the coolest activities of the day was Cori Berg’s marble art. Each person put a piece of paper, a marble, and their choices of paint in a Pringles can. Then they shook it all around and each resulting painting was unique and different from all the others. This was a big hit with the younger kids!

Jerod Davies and Bari Candy were troopers for working out in the Texas heat all afternoon. They both created two very interactive and fun stations. Jerod set up a huge board with tons of paint and brushes. The kids each collaborated on the over-sized piece, “Just-Us League” style. Bari taught the kids how to create with spray paint in her outdoor station.

Thank you so much to every single adult, child, artist, and volunteer who spent your day with us! A very special thanks to the Just-Us League, Jeanne Blanton (in memory of Don), Life in Deep Ellum, and Zini’s Pizzeria. Without your support and donations this event could not have happened, so THANK YOU! If you’d like to donate to or volunteer for future workshops, please contact Jennifer Gibbs at jenn@artlovemagic.com.

Now that the event is over and we’re beginning to plan the next one, we need your feedback. Were you at the May 26th kids workshop? What did you/your kids think of the event? What do you want to see at future events?

Just.Us.League Gala – photos by Thomas Garza & William Neal

A few weeks ago we posted pictures from the Just.Us.League/ArtLoveMagic gala by photographer Quoc Cong Qc. This event (which benefited our Creative Kids Workshop program) was held at the Anatole Hilton in a neon lit, jaw dropping atrium. So we were thrilled to find that two other local photographers were in the crowd who caught the night beautifully as well. From the art, to the room, to the flash mob dancers (yes, really), it’s all here.

The following color photos are from the lens of Thomas Garza, the black and whites are from William Neal.

Many thanks to both of these photographers for their beautiful work.

You can learn more about Thomas Garza at http://www.facebook.com/ThomasGarzaPhotography

You can learn more about William Neal at http://www.facebook.com/wjnphoto

Special thanks to The Just.Us.League, Abstract Method Marketing, and the Hilton Anatole for this event.

Davies Brothers – Mavs Championship Mural

post and photos by Michael Lagocki

I was lucky to be able to watch the creation of a new Deep Ellum mural honoring the Mavericks Championship. The piece was done by the Davies Brothers (Jashua, Jerod and Isaac) who are regular collaborators of ArtLoveMagic and among the city’s best muralists. Here are some of the photos I snapped while they were painting.

To get a look at the final piece with your own eyes, swing by the corner of Taylor and Malcolm X in Deep Ellum (right across from the Mokah Lounge). You’ll be glad you did.

ArtLoveMagic Kid’s Workshop – November 2011

story by Michael Lagocki
photos by Nicole Rodriguez and Michael Leyzer

On November 19th, 2011 we produced another one of our series of Kid’s Workshops. The intent with these is to get kids bumping elbows with real local artists and getting the chance to create alongside of them.

I’m thrilled to say, the event was a huge success. We were nervous, to be honest. On previous workshops we bussed kids in from local schools, but this time the event was completely open. We had no many idea how many kids were going to show up. Fortunately, we had a packed house. Kids and parents from many surrounding area came by the dozens.

We had 8 visual artists and two performing artists work with the children. Everyone understood that what were we trying to do was nothing like a classroom. We wanted to get away from formalized teaching and rely on a more “studio” approach. What the kids would experience was very much like what the artists experience in their daily lives as professionals.

Including a DJ this time around was a real plus. DJ Sean P let the kids scratch records on his turntables, while local MC IZK taught them how to use a microphone and create simple freestyle rhymes.

Outside, painter Jerod Alexander Davies taught his “Just.Us.League.” style of collaborative painting, including using spray paint for graffiti effects. The same week Jerod shared these skills with us and the kids, he had a new mural open at the Dallas Museum of Art. This is exactly the kind of experience we wanted to achieve with the idea of kids collaborating with real local artists.

Every station had a different artform, led by a different local artist. The kids were welcome to roam free and stay wherever they wanted for as long as they wanted. Surprisingly, the crowds were pretty evenly spread about. It seemed most kids experienced the majority of the stations, but each had a different favorite.

This workshop was possible because of generosity. Donor Jeanne Blanton funded the workshop (in memory of Don). ArtLoveMagic and the Deep Ellum Foundation produced the day. We had a volunteer crew that was beyond amazing, with multiple volunteers actually setting up impromptu art stations themselves and teaching once we realized we had more kids than we expected.

TREES very generously donated their building and several staff members to host us. I kept thinking, how amazing is it that these kids are getting to perform on a stage, with the real equipment, in one of the most well known music venues in Deep Ellum. If these kids do go on to be in a band in ten or fifteen years, they may very well come back and play this stage again.

I know in my life, it was often a short encounter with someone who was willing to share their knowledge that led to me learning faster and gaining confidence in my art. I believe we created many of those moments for the kids at the workshop. Each artist involved was a stand out, not just for their talent, but for their giving personalities.

You know you’re doing something right when someone in the crowd brings you a cake to say thanks. (((thank you, Iris!))).

This was a great workshop, and we feel great about all those who taught, helped, and attended. Keep watching artlovemagic.com or our facebook page to learn about other upcoming workshops and live art events from our crew.

Comicpalooza – a live art benefit

ArtLoveMagic has some good roots in comics. Founders Michael Lagocki and David Rodriguez have both been fans and active participants in the Dallas comics scene for many years prior to artlove. So it’s with no small amount of enthusiasm that we approach this new event on January 22nd that will raise money for veterans of the comics industry facing serious needs.

 

Samax Amen - creating live

Comicpalooza, a very cool Houston based show, reached out to artlovemagic because of our ties to the local art community and asked us to be involved. They are coordinating a multi-city live art event to raise funds for the Hero Initiative, an organization that protects veteran comic book creators in medical or financial crisis. This is a wide spread problem among golden and silver age comic creators who worked before fair contracts and royalties came to comics.

 

James O'Barr - creating live

The early response from artists has been fantastic. Already involved are an impressive collection of artist who will create comic themed work live:

David Rodriguez - creating live

Live artists include
James O’Barr (the Crow)
Samax Amen (ghettomanga.com & magazine)
Khalid Robertson (Champion of Children)
David Rodriguez (renowned Dallas painter)
Jerod Alexander (graffiti artist)
Isaac Davies (graffiti artist)
Bob Luedke (Eye Witness)
Michael Lagocki (ghostwerks, artlovemagic)
Trayce Cochran (street artist)
Lawrence Alexander (painter)
Cal Slayton (Shades of Blue)
Christopher Garcia (Marvel/WildStorm/CrossGen colorist)
Joe Skilz (graffiti artist)

All artists will be creating work that will be auctioned off night of the show for the Hero Initiative. (Auction starts at 11pm). Doors will be open as early as 8. We’ll be rolling full steam by 9. Music will be handled by an awesome host of Dallas DJs including Hologram Dagger, and DJ Dean Dillenger.

18 and up.
Only 3 bucks to get in.

Bob Luedke will be there creating live.

Come be a part of a special night that benefits the people who created the characters that shaped our lives. Incredible music, mind blowing live art, and rare comic collectibles for sale to benefit the charity.

Saturday, January 22 at 9:00pm

at Arnetic (Deep Ellum)

2826 Elm Street

Dallas, TX

Want the face book page?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178387758858842

You can also help us spread the word, by sharing this page or using this flyer image:

Have access to photocopies? Here’s a two-sided print version/ with our big UNDERGROUND show. Click the image. Print out on both sides of the same paper and cut in half. It makes 2 sheets with each event on one side.

If you want to help with this event, here’s the best things you can do:

1- Got a rare comic collectible you want to contribute to our buy it now table? Email mike@artlovemagic.com

2- Help us spread the word and bring a crowd!

3- We’re still looking for one or two more sponsors at the $100 level to help pay for art supplies. Contact mike@artlovemagic.com if you or your business is interested.

Kids Music Workshop

This morning, ArtLoveMagic hosted its first ever kids music workshop.  While we’ve done this with visual art before, this was the first time we were able to do it for music.

The workshops are in partnership with the Deep Ellum Foundation and special thanks goes to Jeanne Blanton who made a donation to specifically underwrite them.

Deborah Driscoll–ArtLoveMagic’s music director–arranged the day.  The kids were in groups of 5 and they rotated through 20 minute classes. The directive was simple.  Do something that inspires and make sure it is hands on.

Kelly Nygren taught percussion.  Not only did she have multiple instruments for each of the students to try, but she also taught us that we all have rhythm in our pulse, heartbeat and breathing.  She showed us that anything could be an instrument, and she made waterbottles filled with rice that the kids could take with them as shakers.

As it was, the shakers turned out handy in Tony Cherry’s songwriting class.  Not only did the groups learn to write songs through word associations, descriptions, and daily life stories, but in a couple of classes they pulled out the shakers and sang along.

In guitar class, we learned about the difference in electric and acoustic, the different parts of the guitar and about chords.  We also learned to “play loud and play proud.”

Melody Cherry taught us how to breathe in order to use our bodies as instruments.  After some warm up and practice at holding notes, the kids were able to get onstage with the microphone and perform.

In Ms. Delphi’s piano class, there were three keyboards and we learned that “Jack and Jill” (the two black keys close together) were near C, D, E and the “Three Little Pigs” (three black keys together) were next to F, G, A, B.

Isaac Davies taught about how Hip Hop started from sampling records and how those samples are linked together to make new music.  The kids were albe to play with the sampler and Isaac even taught a bit about freestyling and showed off his skills.

After the classes, the students had pizza, then when that group left, the others arrived and teachers and volunteers set up to do it all again.

Many thanks to Life in Deep Ellum for providing the venue, all the teachers and volunteers who walked kids from class to class, set up chairs and made sure even the most timid weren’t left out.

For ArtLoveMagic, days like this are about passion.  As public schools are cutting art and music programs, we are becoming stronger and stronger advocates for the power of the arts.  We all remember our own introduction to paints, instruments, color and song.  We are brighter more beautiful people because of it and it was very, very fun to share that.

–Cathy Hutchison

note- we’d also like to extend thanks to Jeanne Blanton, The DEF, and Mayor Pro Tem Caraway’s staff for supporting this event.

More pics from the Deep Ellum Arts Festival

Local photographer Vanessa Bates has been shooting some great images of our events lately. She came out to arts fest this week and took a few more gorgeous ones. Enjoy!

Audiences at our events are always encouraged to talk with the artists, ask them how and why they create what they do. This was the first time Casey Lott showed with us. Hopefully there will be many more.

Poindexter's set was ridiculous. He had a blast and the crowd really loved his sense of humor and social wit. Check out his vibe at http://www.oldschoolpoindexter.com

Jasna Boudard first showed with us at January's Underground show. Her model photography is so beautiful we asked her if she'd gather a few models and shoot live on site at Arts Fest.

Isaac may just be too talented. We love working with Isaac Davies who has become a key producer in artlovemagic in 2010.

David Rodriguez paints an image reminiscent of his Deep Ellum Art Park Statue at Commerce and Good Latimer.

All photos by Vaness Bates. Thanks!

–( now when are YOU going to do a show, Vanessa?)–

Live from the Deep Ellum Arts Festival: Day 3

words and photos by Michael Lagocki

Game over, man.

Actually, as I type the festival still has another few hours, but mercifully, I got to leave before the end. Other people have it covered. If you read the last few days of this blog you probably understand why this has meaning for me.

Kevin Steele was one of many live painters on Sunday.

The Davies brothers, Isaac, Jashua, and Jerod created their own subsection of ArtLoveMagic Alley where they showed and painted with friends all weekend.

The ArtLoveMagic Alley was an absolute success. We loved doing it and the artists had a great time. Day three had weather challenges. It never quite got to buckets of rain, but several times it drizzled, and the skies threatened to open up. There were more than a few instances where our artists had to quickly cover their work or get it under a tent (rain & live art don’t always mix).

I broke out the paints and markers and created this piece live during the first shift.

Today was a chill vibe and I created a piece myself. I even hung a full gallery display, something I rarely get a chance to do. It felt good. And I like the piece I painted. Many others live created as well, including the poets and musicians who created on the stage. Our stage was pure Dallas songwriting, with performers from our local streets as young as 19 years old holding down full sets.

Erin Gayden gets a little help from a friend when rain threatened to soak her set.

It's good to have friends. All day artists were helped through complex setups by volunteers. The spirit of helping others was evident all over.

So thank you Deep Ellum, thank you Arts Fest and thank you anyone who attended… and especially everyone who lent their hands to lifting, helping, promoting, selling, supporting. Our awesome producers… Deborah Driscoll, Josh Dryk, Isaac Davies, Jay Bookworm, Mario Cauley, and myself all busted our butts day after day to make this thing happen. Our volunteer crew was unbelievable as well. You know who you are and how much we needed you.

You’d enjoy volunteering at our shows if you never have. It’s hard work, but it’s FOR something- supporting artists, musicians, poets, building unique experiences, doing something that inspires people. Most of those folks behind our tables and in production roles are artists and performers themselves. Next time they’ll get on the mic, on the art stages. All they’ll be supported by the same people who helped them this weekend.

We split the day into two shifts of artists. Trayce Cochran painted on the second shift that closed out the festival.

Until next time… art. love. magic.

-ML