"At each stage of learning we must give up something, even if it is a way of life that we have always known."
~ Ginevee~Australian Aboriginal
Jude Harzer Artist/Art Educator
My art is a reflection of my effort to recognize and embrace the beauty in the world around me, even when it seems most difficult to find. Contact me at judiharz@aol.com or visit my website at http://www.judeharzerfineart.com
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Oh The Tempation!
In this adorable video by Steve V., it amazed me the restraint that most of these children demonstrated. Real temptation(for something greater than a marshmallow:))presents itself to us as adults on a regular basis. Our response to it demands that we make choices. It challenges our patience and the promise of delayed gratification and the hope of something more. And of course, there are times, when we all blissfully surrender to that which attracts us, like the little girl who unapologetically and immediately consumed her sweet treat with pure enjoyment. Hmmm...there was no regret on her part. Of course as adults, our temptations are often more serious in nature and our reactions, have greater impact on our lives. But still,there are lessons to be learned here...patience,hope and self-forgiveness. You gotta' love kids! Some things are simply and sweetly irresistable!
Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Please Don't Lick The Art
I read an article which made me smile and reminded me why I love teaching at the Kindergarten level.
Did you ever read a label and wonder why it includes seemingly ridiculous warning information? For example, there are actual warnings that direct consumers to " NOT use a microwave for drying pets" or cautions users of irons to "NEVER iron clothes while on body." Sadly, I have tried to dry and salvage a wet vintage magazine in a microwave which melted all of the adhesive binding creating a mess and I have also ironed clothes while wearing them and burned my neck and stomach at various times.Unfortunately, I fully comprehend the need for such admonitions. I really did think that these actions seemed reasonable to attempt at the time. Yikes! Trust me, I have successfully and safely reared two nearly grown children and taught nearly 7,000 students without harm:)
When I introduce an art lesson and new materials, I must explain to my young artists the DO'S and DON'T's of using various media as I am very familiar with the behaviour of my "target audience." DON'T put crayons in your mouth,nose or ears.DON'T cut your hair, clothes or your neighbor's artwork with the scissors. DON'T paint the walls, furniture or floors at home unless a grown up gives you permission!DO dress for mess in the art studio and DO wipe your hands on a smock, NOT on your friend's new white tee as they are standing in line in front of you. This happened...TRUE STORY with supposedly washable kid-friendly paint. The parent that called informed me otherwise:( This is typical and necessary instruction when teaching a little one, knowing that they naturally want to experiment and explore.
Well during these first few days, I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful,and evidently smart little girl.She was enthusiastic about being in the art studio, but her attention seemed easily diverted by her new surroundings and friends.We used modeling clay to encourage fine motor development and play. My instructions did include the direction:" DO NOT throw or eat the clay." Very simple! But alas, there are the irrepressibly curious like my lovely little friend who proceeded to lick clay, lick her arm and collect spit in her name tag. When I instructed her to refrain from such behaviour she simply smiled, stopped and gave me a hug. She was just checking things out, using her sense of taste:) When I read the article about the child who licked a master painting in a museum gallery, I thought of my Kindergarten artists who excitedly enjoy and explore with every fiber of their being, even by using their tongues! Awesome! Kudos to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for their understanding and sense of humor in response to the situation!
‘Please Don’t Lick the Art’: Words to Live ByBy Dave Itzkoff
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Appreciating this portrait by the French painter Nicolas de Largillière is apparently a matter of taste.The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a new piece of merchandise to offer at its gift shop — not to mention an endearing anecdote that inspired it — following a young art fan’s recent visit to the museum, The Star Tribune reported. On a recent survey of the museum’s Gallery 308, Tim Piowtrowski, a guard there, noticed a little girl who was admiring a 17th-century portrait of the French aristocrat Catherine Coustard, the Marquise of Castelnau, with her son, Léonor, by the French painter Nicolas de Largillière. The young aficionado, whose age was not given, was so taken by the deep blue velvet dress worn by the Marquise in the painting that Mr. Piowtrowski had to admonish her: “Please don’t lick the art,” he said. That phrase now adorns a T-shirt on sale at the museum for $22.50. The painting was unharmed, according to The Star Tribune.
Please Don't Lick The Art
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/please-dont-lick-the-art-words-to-live-by/
Did you ever read a label and wonder why it includes seemingly ridiculous warning information? For example, there are actual warnings that direct consumers to " NOT use a microwave for drying pets" or cautions users of irons to "NEVER iron clothes while on body." Sadly, I have tried to dry and salvage a wet vintage magazine in a microwave which melted all of the adhesive binding creating a mess and I have also ironed clothes while wearing them and burned my neck and stomach at various times.Unfortunately, I fully comprehend the need for such admonitions. I really did think that these actions seemed reasonable to attempt at the time. Yikes! Trust me, I have successfully and safely reared two nearly grown children and taught nearly 7,000 students without harm:)
When I introduce an art lesson and new materials, I must explain to my young artists the DO'S and DON'T's of using various media as I am very familiar with the behaviour of my "target audience." DON'T put crayons in your mouth,nose or ears.DON'T cut your hair, clothes or your neighbor's artwork with the scissors. DON'T paint the walls, furniture or floors at home unless a grown up gives you permission!DO dress for mess in the art studio and DO wipe your hands on a smock, NOT on your friend's new white tee as they are standing in line in front of you. This happened...TRUE STORY with supposedly washable kid-friendly paint. The parent that called informed me otherwise:( This is typical and necessary instruction when teaching a little one, knowing that they naturally want to experiment and explore.
Well during these first few days, I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful,and evidently smart little girl.She was enthusiastic about being in the art studio, but her attention seemed easily diverted by her new surroundings and friends.We used modeling clay to encourage fine motor development and play. My instructions did include the direction:" DO NOT throw or eat the clay." Very simple! But alas, there are the irrepressibly curious like my lovely little friend who proceeded to lick clay, lick her arm and collect spit in her name tag. When I instructed her to refrain from such behaviour she simply smiled, stopped and gave me a hug. She was just checking things out, using her sense of taste:) When I read the article about the child who licked a master painting in a museum gallery, I thought of my Kindergarten artists who excitedly enjoy and explore with every fiber of their being, even by using their tongues! Awesome! Kudos to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for their understanding and sense of humor in response to the situation!
‘Please Don’t Lick the Art’: Words to Live ByBy Dave Itzkoff
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Appreciating this portrait by the French painter Nicolas de Largillière is apparently a matter of taste.The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a new piece of merchandise to offer at its gift shop — not to mention an endearing anecdote that inspired it — following a young art fan’s recent visit to the museum, The Star Tribune reported. On a recent survey of the museum’s Gallery 308, Tim Piowtrowski, a guard there, noticed a little girl who was admiring a 17th-century portrait of the French aristocrat Catherine Coustard, the Marquise of Castelnau, with her son, Léonor, by the French painter Nicolas de Largillière. The young aficionado, whose age was not given, was so taken by the deep blue velvet dress worn by the Marquise in the painting that Mr. Piowtrowski had to admonish her: “Please don’t lick the art,” he said. That phrase now adorns a T-shirt on sale at the museum for $22.50. The painting was unharmed, according to The Star Tribune.
Please Don't Lick The Art
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/please-dont-lick-the-art-words-to-live-by/
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Joy of Drawing
"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."~A.K. Chalmers
Yesterday,after transporting my son to party, I waited in Seaside for him and decided to draw. I don't typically draw, although I believe it is my "first love" and comes more naturally to me than painting. I used to say that if someone gave me a no. 2 pencil and a sheet of paper, I would be content. I think that still holds true but I have directed my efforts for the past three years toward the "challenges" of painting. Every time I begin a new canvas, it often feels as though I have never before held a brush.
When I was at an art event this summer, I saw this beautiful little girl.I planned on creating works of art inspired by the images I took of her. Yesterday however, I thought she would be the perfect subject for a pastel drawing. Here is the start of the composition.I liked the immediacy of the medium.This was created on handmade ,organic paper that was glued to heavyweight watercolor stock.
Yesterday,after transporting my son to party, I waited in Seaside for him and decided to draw. I don't typically draw, although I believe it is my "first love" and comes more naturally to me than painting. I used to say that if someone gave me a no. 2 pencil and a sheet of paper, I would be content. I think that still holds true but I have directed my efforts for the past three years toward the "challenges" of painting. Every time I begin a new canvas, it often feels as though I have never before held a brush.
When I was at an art event this summer, I saw this beautiful little girl.I planned on creating works of art inspired by the images I took of her. Yesterday however, I thought she would be the perfect subject for a pastel drawing. Here is the start of the composition.I liked the immediacy of the medium.This was created on handmade ,organic paper that was glued to heavyweight watercolor stock.
Labor of Love
"The true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure." ~Francoise de Motteville
Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to summer here at the Jersey shore. It also means back to "work" for myself and all educators. Labor Day is actually an annual holiday observed worldwide, although at different times, in celebration of the economic and social achievements of all workers.I considered the meaning of the word "Labor", defined primarily as the "expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory" .It made me realize how very little what I do seems like work or labor at all.I am very fortunate to love what I do:teaching young children and creating art.The closer I come to embracing art as my way of life, the more I realize, I may never labor another day in the traditional sense of the word.There are times when I secretly am awed that I actually get paid for this. And so I have spent some time this Labor Day weekend,"working" at what I love most: painting!This genuinely is my labor of love.
Enjoy your holiday!
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Hello_Again/21867148
“To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” ~Pearl S. Buck
Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to summer here at the Jersey shore. It also means back to "work" for myself and all educators. Labor Day is actually an annual holiday observed worldwide, although at different times, in celebration of the economic and social achievements of all workers.I considered the meaning of the word "Labor", defined primarily as the "expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory" .It made me realize how very little what I do seems like work or labor at all.I am very fortunate to love what I do:teaching young children and creating art.The closer I come to embracing art as my way of life, the more I realize, I may never labor another day in the traditional sense of the word.There are times when I secretly am awed that I actually get paid for this. And so I have spent some time this Labor Day weekend,"working" at what I love most: painting!This genuinely is my labor of love.
Enjoy your holiday!
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Hello_Again/21867148
“To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” ~Pearl S. Buck
Friday, September 4, 2009
Opening Reception for "The Spirit of Charity" Art Exhibition
My work will be on display at the College of St. Elizabeth in Madison, NJ. Please join me for the:
Opening Reception for "The Spirit of Charity" Art Exhibition
on Tuesday, September 8 2009 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM
The "Spirit of Charity" reveals contemporary paintings, photographs, sculptures, DVD presentations and installations that celebrate the broad notion of charity. More than 20 works by national artists, especially those from the New Jersey and New York area, will focus on themes and ideas surrounding compassion, generosity and altruism. Co-curator, Patricia Pongracz, Ph.D. notes the show includes a variety of ways in which charity is expressed through images of Saint Francis, Buddhist monks, a soldier's family during World War II, organ donors, volunteer urban gardeners, and visual meditations on society's response to beggars and the homeless.
Artists in the exhibition include: Janice Anderson (Cliffwood, NJ); Leigh Celentano (New York City); Doug DePice (Secaucus, NJ); Jim Fuess (Berkeley Heights, NJ); Sister Anne Haarer (Convent Station, NJ); Jude Harzer (Brick, NJ); So Yoon Lym (Wayne, NJ); Claire Marcus (Bethlehem, PA); Athena Robles (Washington, DC) and Anna Stein (Brooklyn, NY); Susannah Slocum (New York City); and Peter Tilgner (Tenafly, NJ).
Campus location: Annunciation Center
Cost: free
The Gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 7 pm; Friday, Saturday and Monday, from 1 to 5 pm; or by appointment; and closed Sunday. For more information, contact Lynne McEniry at 973-290-4188.
Opening Reception for "The Spirit of Charity" Art Exhibition
on Tuesday, September 8 2009 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM
The "Spirit of Charity" reveals contemporary paintings, photographs, sculptures, DVD presentations and installations that celebrate the broad notion of charity. More than 20 works by national artists, especially those from the New Jersey and New York area, will focus on themes and ideas surrounding compassion, generosity and altruism. Co-curator, Patricia Pongracz, Ph.D. notes the show includes a variety of ways in which charity is expressed through images of Saint Francis, Buddhist monks, a soldier's family during World War II, organ donors, volunteer urban gardeners, and visual meditations on society's response to beggars and the homeless.
Artists in the exhibition include: Janice Anderson (Cliffwood, NJ); Leigh Celentano (New York City); Doug DePice (Secaucus, NJ); Jim Fuess (Berkeley Heights, NJ); Sister Anne Haarer (Convent Station, NJ); Jude Harzer (Brick, NJ); So Yoon Lym (Wayne, NJ); Claire Marcus (Bethlehem, PA); Athena Robles (Washington, DC) and Anna Stein (Brooklyn, NY); Susannah Slocum (New York City); and Peter Tilgner (Tenafly, NJ).
Campus location: Annunciation Center
Cost: free
The Gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 7 pm; Friday, Saturday and Monday, from 1 to 5 pm; or by appointment; and closed Sunday. For more information, contact Lynne McEniry at 973-290-4188.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Paint What You Love
On this beautiful day in Ocean County, NJ, where temperatures reached a perfect 75 degrees, I marked my return to school for another year of teaching Art at the Primary Learning Center.I also managed to paint. I have so much in progress and now an overwhelming amount of other teaching related responsibilities to complete as well. Somehow, the busier I am, the better able I am to manage my art career.
With several upcoming exhibits approaching, it is time to paint,complete and move forward with new ideas. Here is further progress on some current work.
As I near completion, I'll post the resulting images and elaborate further on the process and motivation for these paintings.Really it is quite simple... I paint what I love.I am inspired by love and I love the technical aspect of the painting process. I'll be sure to keep you posted:)
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