alone in the studio

The "New" Naked Space

This is the new space in the "Silk Mill"--literally a former textile factory, with much of the block-long building still unfinished and unoccupied.  It's just down the hall from my current studio space. I'm probably a bit nuts to be doing this when I only have a few short weeks here, but this space just opened up and it has better flow as well as afternoon sunlight. I teach and give workshops during the afternoons or evenings (when I'm not living in China), and I appreciate natural light. This room also has a small utility sink, as well as a tiny little office-type space. Eventually, I plan to move the studio to my house in the country, but that won't happen until the "China tour" is finished. 

I haven't figured out how I'll set up the space, so stay tuned.  This will be a work in process for quite some time.  Suggestions are welcome and encouraged! 

Stay tuned, also, for the "summer giveaways," as predicted in June. They're on the horizon, and they're going to be good! 

Children's Chinese Folk Art Tigers

Examples of Chinese Folk Art images drawn on the chalkboard.

Student Tiger

Engaged students and a teacher.

This student asked if she could make a rabbit, not a tiger. It's the Year of the Rabbit in China, and of course I told her, "Sure, why not?"  She smiled and proceeded to draw and paint this collection of fish.  Great initiative and imagination! 

Student samples--so much personality!

The "Blue Team" and one of their teachers display their finished projects.

Camp Arts and Crafts

The children attending the HCU day camp are eager and curious.  They're happy to be in summer camp-school, and I'm grateful to begin to get to know some of them.

I have lots of photos, but I'm hesitant about posting them.  Adult teachers and staff can give permission for their photos to be publicly displayed, but the children can't, at least not in the way U.S. school children's parents or guardians must give written permission for their pictures to be included in anything, even a student teacher's teaching portfolio.  I also have ethical questions about general privacy issues, and I'm wary of cultural trespass.  

In On Photography, Susan Sontag wrote, "All photography is an act of voyeurism." (This may not be entire verbatim, as I'm working from memory, however, the sentiment is accurate.) Many times I've been traveling or living as a temporary visitor in a country other than my own, and I've had the camera to my face, telephoto reaching out into someone else's face or world, with an image framed and, hopefully, focused, and I couldn't bring myself to hit the shoot button.  At the last minute,  it felt too invasive, too self-serving and yes, perhaps voyeuristic.

I'll talk to my colleagues about their norms and customs, and share my culture's policies with them, before I decide to/not to post any easily identifiable photos.  

Beijing Summer Camp

 Most of my fine colleagues at Human Capital Unleashed, a non-profit summer and after school program for migrant workers' children. These photos were taken on second day of staff and volunteer training.  

Summer camp begins tomorrow!