GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

Today Brad and Tara came to class ready to work. They spoke to my students telling them what we needed to accomplish. To be honest we got off to a rather slow start. But once they understood the assignment - brainstorming visual pictures that could represent or symbolize the words from the previous day - the ideas kept coming and coming. One led to another and another until they were asked to begin to sketch out certain ideas on paper. After hearing lots of their ideas Tara began to sketch a design on paper. This was discussed by the students. But we always had to listen to Brad because he knew whether all of our ideas were possible in brick! So Brad sketched out his idea for all to see. The students were really getting involved as they looked at his sketch and as he explained just how this could be done in this particular medium. Before the end of the class we had put down on paper a wonderful idea that both Brad and Tara were very excited about as well; however, Brad warned us that this design was not to be "carved into stone". It may have to be reworked several times before a final one is to be accepted. Tomorrow we begin to work in clay!

Larry Hewett