how wonderful is this?!! |
I'm am immersing my self in an arts-based research project for my MA in Arts Education at Boston University. The purpose of this art-based project is to pick an art form that I have no or little knowledge about & learn by doing. Follow me on my journey through the discoveries & some-times set backs of an artist-teacher!
About Me
- Screen-Printing, the Art-Based Research Adventure
- I'm am immersing my self in an arts-based research project for my MA in Arts Education at Boston University. The purpose of this art-based project is to pick an art form that I have no or little knowledge about & learn by doing. I am a middle school art teacher in Berkshire County, MA. You can visit my art room blog here: http://mvrmsart.blogspot.com/ I have my absolute dream job! What is better than creating art with talented, funny and creative students all day long! After finishing my thesis and my MA degree, my goal is to implement screen-printing into an art elective class, "Fine Crafts" this upcoming Spring. Follow me on my journey through the discoveries & some-times set backs of an artist-teacher!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Feeling a bit better about this
The thing is I love the way screen-printing looks. That's what I wanted to do this in the first place. I love the flat and bold colors, the geometric shapes and designs, everything. So I do want to get this. Today I stopped into the Dolphin Studio at Alchemy Initiative to pick up my strike through print I bought on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDolphinStudio?ref=pr_shop_more When I assisted in the studio a month ago, I feel in love with the strike through prints as they have so much whimsy to them. I chatted with Crispina for a bit and now have a renewed sense of calm and inspiration. I will be interviewing Primm on Tuesday, who is Crispina and Sofie's mother and later this week I will be interviewing John Ahlen who is a master screen-printer who taught the Ffrench family about the art of screen-printing. One way or another, I will figure this out, even if it is with the help of everyone else!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Can I rename this blog the Screen-Printing Disaster? Part 2
So Clinton thinks it's me. Something that I am doing wrong is causing failure. Sure, go ahead & try...He even tries some different things, like not taping the back of the screen.
Failure follows.
Failure follows.
Can I rename this blog the Screen-Printing Disaster?
I cannot tell you how frustrated I am with this? How in the world am I suppose to teach students his when I can't even do it myself. God, they teach this in schools, and summer camps, why can't an educated 33 year old art teacher with soon to be 4 college degrees get this right! At this point, I don't even care. I'll just write about how I cannot teach it in my thesis. That it is unteachable, difficult, and a waste of money and time.
Acetate Templates |
Taping them down |
With the aid of the lightbox |
Applying the ink |
Flooding the Screen |
Bad Print, and Multiple Bad Prints after this one. Ink is leaking under the acetate stencil. I hate this. |
Friday, October 28, 2011
Working with Stencils
Deciding which color inks will go with which stencils |
Taping up the screen |
Hmm...not really working the way I want it too... |
Maybe if I trim the stencil and... |
Use a light box... |
YES! I actually figured something out! |
Putting the ink on |
Flooding the Screen |
Details bleed :( |
Try again |
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
New Stencils
So, I had to simplify and make new stencils. They are smaller (in size with the somewhat successful backgrounds I printed last week), and simpler as I need to take things step shy step. So here are a few photos of the new stencils. Hopefully I will be printing with the first stencil tomorrow night.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Research Proposal
Research
Proposal:
Art Based
Research: Screen Printing as the Artist-Teacher
Katie
Malone-Smith
Boston
University
Introduction
This arts-based
research involves teaching myself the art of screen-printing and documenting
the process of learning by doing. This approach “provides a special way of
coming to understand something and how it represents what we know about the
world” (Sullivan, p.61).
Research Goals
& Questions
How might my becoming more knowledgeable about
screen-printing enable me to teach it to my students? This question is central
to my research as an artist as well as a teacher. Learning about screen-printing
could be beneficial to my curriculum in teaching art. I will imerse myself to
in quest to learn screen-printing so it may help me in my pursuit to become a
knowledgeable artist-teacher. This will allow me to find a connection between a
screen printer’s art and relevancy to art education. These research goals and
questions are vital to the research of the project as they will help me “point
(me) to the information and understandings that will help (me) to accomplish
(my) practical goals” (Maxwell, 2005, p.69).
Personal Interest
I have always had an interest in
screen-printing as the bold colors and graphic lines and shapes that are often
evident of screen-printing have intrigued me since I was very young. Missing
the chance to try screen-printing at an arts summer camp, made me long for the
change to try the art form. I was on scholarship at an art camp and signed up
for screen-printing. As I was at camp on scholarship, I missed half of the
summer session, and was not allowed to create a large-scale screen-printing
project. I ended up making a small cardboard pin, and felt resentful and
jealous towards the kids who were creating large-scale projects, as it seemed
that they did not have the passion and longing to try the art that I had. An
additional experience at a MTA conference pushed my interest even further. Last
summer I was able to take a short workshop on paper stenciling in
screen-printing. I am looking forward to learning a new art form and finding
out if I can apply it to my teaching.
Reasons for Research
I teach
400 middle school students in an artsy touristy community. This year will be my
3rd at the middle school, and my 6th year teaching. I
think it is important that the art that I am teaching connects to the lives of
my students. Screen-printing, although an ancient technique, is still used
today. The history of
screen-printing dates back centuries, yet is still a part of modern culture.
Screen-printing holds a true connection to fine art and graphic design. The history of screen-printing along with the modern
uses of the art form today are important teaching lessons, which makes relevant
connections to my student population.
This explains the “crucial role visual arts can play in cultural
critique, historical inquiry and educational development” (Sullivan 2005, p.
75). Conducting my research in
screen-printing affords me the opportunity to learn a new art form that I can
teach to my students.
Proposed Research
In
my arts-based research, I will be teaching myself the process of screen-printing.
In addition, I will be conducting interviews with screen-printer artists and
teachers, studying the history and current applications of screen-printing, and
assisting in a screen-printing studio for a day. “The possibility of gaining
new understanding involves accessing, designing, and investigating issues of
personal and public interest” (Sullivan, 2005, p.74). There is a certain amount
of uncertainty going into this research project. The premise of trying a new
art form and then writing about it has its hesitations along with excitements.
I imagine this is common whenever one is attempting something new and
unfamiliar. McNiff & Whitehead describe this as an essential risk, where,
“you appreciate that nothing is certain. You go on the journey nevertheless”
(209, p.25).
Conceptual Framework
Existing Research
A review of texts
and literature is imperative for the armature of my research. Much of this
research is based on screen-printing history. Screen-printing, stenciling and
print making in general dates back very far into history. For example, “there
is evidence that prehistoric humans may have used a form of stenciling to
create cave drawings” (Sommerfeld, Kissel & De Miranda, 2000, p.59). Screen-printing,
as we know it today has been used in “Japanese woodblock prints since the early
18th century” (Desmet & Anderson, 2002, p. 106). In the last few
centuries, artists such as Warhol and Toulouse-Lautrec have made connects
between screen-printing art and the times they lived in.
Screen-printing,
otherwise known as serigraphy, is the term used to describe the fine arts
aspect of this medium. This term is usually in reference to “ the employment
of the silk screen process as a fine art”(Landon,
1964, p.18) as well as being referred by some as “the one truly American
contribution in the fine arts field” (p.18). I am eager to research the fine art aspect of
screen-printing, serigraphy.
Texts
about the process of screen-printing have also been essential as I am to learn
this art form with little prior and formal learning. A general understanding of
the basic procedures is vital to the research. As an artist-teacher and student
who is dyslexic and has dyscalculia, I have a difficult time following written
procedural directions. Most of the texts I have found are in this format, so I
will also be reviewing screen-printing tutorial video clips online to learn the
procedure, along with illustrative procedures from texts. In
this way, my learning disabilities can help me see clearly the problems and
struggles of other students who may have anxieties about learning something
new. As a result of this, I can incorporate aspects of differentiated
instruction in the lesson plans for my students. The topics I will be
researching and practicing with are, preparing my frame, making stencils, and
printing with more than one color. Desmet & Anderson’s book, Handmade Prints, contain procedural
direction, as well as illustrations of the procedure, which I will be able to
follow.
Methods of Data Collection
Conducting an
arts-based research, I will be using a variety of methods to collect my data. My
research is a qualitative study; therefore, I can use anything I may encounter
while conducting my research. I am “the research instrument in a qualitative
study” (Maxwell, 2005, p.70), so it is important to be engaged in collecting
data from whatever I may see and hear and read and then keeping the data
organized, so I may analyze it later. Taking memos while I screen-print along
with photographing and filming the process are essential ways I need to collect
data. I
am very comfortable with digital documentation as I often find myself
photographing and filming, and blogging to share with students, colleagues,
clients and friends. I foresee this as becoming my primary way of collecting
data. Reflective notes at the end can help me connect my emotions to the
process. Interview questions for the
screen-printing artists and teachers will be emailed early to ensure adequate
time for response.
Methods of Analysis
Analyzing the data
includes studying my photographs so I can document how I worked on the process
of screen-printing, as well as watching the videos I have filmed. Photographs
need to be edited in post-production, uploaded to flickr.com and blogged on my
site, daily, so I may stay on top of organizing my data. My notes and memos
need to be categorized with the daily photos and videos, so I can look back on
them all see all of the data from a particular day. Interview answers may be
put into a chart so I can map out the similarities and correlations between the
subjects.
Validity
To preserve validity, all of the interview
questions will be exactly the same to each subject. This way, continuity of
stability will be ensured across the board. As far as preserving validity within my
practice of screen-printing, this is difficult to judge. “There is no one set
of criteria for judging the artistic quality of a work of arts-based research”
(Rolling, 2010, p. 105). “For some, the beauty of a work of art is in the
aesthetics of its forms and the mastery of its techniques; for others, it is in
the authenticity and expressiveness of voice; and for still others, in the
incisiveness of its social critique” (p.105). For myself, the true test will
reveal itself after the study and research is over when I will be teaching
screen-printing to my students as part of an arts elective class in the spring
of 2012. Rolling, agrees that validity may need to span a lengthier time to
prove creditability. “As a criterion for
trustworthiness, iterative validity in arts-based research might invoke the
self-similarity of variations on a concept over time” (p. 110).
Conclusion
Conducting an arts-based research in screen-printing may
help me as an artist as well as a teacher. The focus of this study will be the
process of screen-printing and how I can relate it to my teaching. The two
shouldn’t remain separate as my work as an artist influences my teaching, and
vice versa. This study could also give me reflection and insight into how my
students may feel when they are approaching a new art form for the first time. In
addition, researching the history along with incorporating interviews of artist
and teachers may further my understanding of the study.
Bibliography
Desmet, A., & Anderson, J.
(2002). Handmade prints. (2nd ed.). Worscester, MA: Davis
Publications.
Landon, E. (1964). Serigraphy. Art
Education, 17(4), 18-20.
Maxwell, J. (2005). Qualitative research design: an interactive approach. (2nd ed.)
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
McNiff, W. & Whitehead, J. (2009). Doing and writing action research. (1st
ed.)
Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Rolling, J. H. (2010). A paradigm
of arts-based research and implications for education.
Studies in Art
Education, 51(2), 102-114.
Sommerfeld, R., Kissel, K.,
Hagerman, R., & De Miranda, M. (2000). Silk screening
across the
curriculum. Tech Directions, 59(May/June).
Sullivan,
G. (2005). Art practice as research,
inquiry in the visual arts.
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Getting somewhere!
Ok, so I got lots of helpful hints from my friends Leah & Crispina.
So both ladies seemed to think my BRAND NEW Screen was too loose. I tried an old screen I found in my art room.They were right! It seems like it was the screen.
Lily, who is Crispina's niece and Pat's daughter is one of my students. She is in 6th grade. She asked me how my "screen printing adventure " is going. I told her lousy. She asked me if I had a good screen, and told me "it's all about the screen, you have to have a good screen. What kind of screen do you have, Mrs. Malone-Smith?". Smart girl teaching her art teacher. Teachers can always learn so much from their students in more ways than one.
So I made like 20 prints tonight. They are not perfect, but so so so much better than anything else.
Question for all of you, Do the prints have to be perfect? They are, however, handmade....
So both ladies seemed to think my BRAND NEW Screen was too loose. I tried an old screen I found in my art room.They were right! It seems like it was the screen.
Lily, who is Crispina's niece and Pat's daughter is one of my students. She is in 6th grade. She asked me how my "screen printing adventure " is going. I told her lousy. She asked me if I had a good screen, and told me "it's all about the screen, you have to have a good screen. What kind of screen do you have, Mrs. Malone-Smith?". Smart girl teaching her art teacher. Teachers can always learn so much from their students in more ways than one.
Using the old screen found in my art room, I made the screen printing area a 4x6 rather than a
8x10. Also, because I used the small area, I got to use the REAL Squeegee (which is too small for a 8x10 screen) rather than the plastic one that came with the Speedball Starter Kit because the real squeegee is a good size for smaller application.So I made like 20 prints tonight. They are not perfect, but so so so much better than anything else.
Question for all of you, Do the prints have to be perfect? They are, however, handmade....
Newly Taped up 4x6 area on old screen |
Supportive & helpful husband Clinton |
Getting ready to print. Like my sweatshirt? |
Flooding the Screen |
Better.... |
Wish I had a drying rack |
Print are decent |
Running out of room here |
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Third time is NOT a charm
This isn't working. I finally figured out how to do the flood sweep of ink, and I experimented with adding chip board to the backing board. I tried one piece, then two than back to one. With once piece of board I now have clear edges for the most part. But there is still waaaaaay too much ink on the print, and the print is rippled and bubbly. At this point I'm getting really frustrated! How in the world am I going to teach this when I have gone through 50 pages of paper and an ENTIRE container of ink.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Thursday, October 6, 2011
No luck still
Lets try this agin. Re-taped and ready to go. |
Nope. Same problem :( |
Clinton tries with more ink. |
Better, but not good. |
Maybe different paper? |
Maybe with a different squeegee? |
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Busy & Stumped
So, I've just been working on the writing assignments in class since my yellow background failure last Thursday. I've been so busy! School (work) is busy. I teach 6 classes a day. Then we have a hour long commute home every day. Not to mention, all the regular stuff in life: figure skating, cats, friends, families, managing the bills, cooking food, cleaning the house, appointments, daily emails and phone calls. Plus working of Clint's business, constantly: http://clintonfsmith.blogspot.com/ and doing the graphic design for my dad's business: http://thesodapopsite.blogspot.com/. I feel like we could really use an extra personal in the house here, like an assistant or housekeeper. But that's not going to happen. I don't mean to complain, as I love my life and job, I just wish there were more hours in the day, and our commute really wastes 2 hour a day, which I really really could use. I cannot take it when people say they are bored. The constant "I'm bored" posts on Facebook drive me nuts! I don't think I've been bored since I was like 12! You are bored, I'll give you something to do!
Anyone else having a hard time playing catch up this week?
HELP!
Can anyone help me with my messy border problem? I feel like I cannot go on, until I know what I am doing wrong. I have looked online and in books, and have found nothing. Please? Anyone?
Here is the failure of my first screen one again:
Anyone else having a hard time playing catch up this week?
HELP!
Can anyone help me with my messy border problem? I feel like I cannot go on, until I know what I am doing wrong. I have looked online and in books, and have found nothing. Please? Anyone?
Here is the failure of my first screen one again:
HELP! |
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