Meet Michael Rakowitz

 Dear GROW friends,

In my last letter, or blog post, we had fun with an upside-down drawing activity. Did you save your drawings to show me later?

If you haven't seen my last letter or done this activity yet, don't read any further! Scroll down until you see "Older Post" in blue letters and click there. I promise it will be more fun if you finish the drawing activity before you read this letter!

Now, that you've finished the activity, watch my video below. Make sure you have a piece of paper and something to write with before you start the video.

I almost forgot - I did the upside-down drawing activity. It took me a really long time! Here's how it looks upside down:

And right side up!

The one arm is a little long and the head is a little small, but I don't think it's *too* bad. It was challenging and fun!

Michael Rakowitz, the invisible enemy should not exist (Room F, section 1, Northwest Palace of Nimrud), 2019, Courtesy of Jane Lombard Gallery 

Take care and stay warm!

Ms. Melissa

Upside-down Drawing

Dear GROW Friends,

Happy New Year! (Yes, I know New Year's Day happened a while ago.)  😏

I always get excited about a new year and look forward to what might happen. I have some predictions about what will happen this year, and a few hopes too.

Predictions:

• I'll read lots of good books
• I'll see some really cool art
• I'll take lots of walks in my neighborhood with my kids and our dog

Hopes:

• I'll practice and get better at some things I learned last year, such as watercolor painting and knitting
• It will snow one more time (fingers crossed!)
• I'll see you soon, either in person or over Zoom!!!

What are your predictions and hopes for this year?

Do you enjoy drawing? I do! Sometimes, I like to doodle and cover my paper with shapes; with lines that are squiggly and zig zaggy and straight and just crazy; and with anything that pops into my head. Other times, I like to look at something and draw it, like a leaf or flower I collected outside.

Here's a really fun drawing activity. Check out this video by my friend Suzuko:

Would you like to try upside-down drawing? Remember the list of materials you need at the beginning of the video:

1. Pencil
2. Paper
3. Cool picture to draw

You can use any paper you like - notebook paper, construction paper, or your GROW sketchbook. Get a pencil, or a crayon, or a marker. Draw a rectangle like Suzuko did in the beginning of the video.

Below is a cool picture to draw. I already flipped it upside down for you. When you're finished, will you save your picture to show me later?

Have fun!

Ms. Melissa

P.S. Learn more about this work of art in the next blog post!

Happy Holidays!

Dear GROW Friends,

We are one day away from winter break. Who's excited about taking a break from school until January 5? I am! 🙋

Actually, I feel several emotions - have you ever felt that way? I'm excited about winter break, because I get to sleep later. I have more free time to read, go for walks, and do other fun things. But, I do miss seeing my friends at the Nasher. I am lucky because I really like my job, the people I work with, and the place where I work. 

In case you also miss the Nasher, here is a video about a few sculptures by an artist named Phyllida Barlow. 

After you watch the video, think about Phyllida Barlow's small sculptures made of everyday materials. What can you find in your house that would make a great sculpture material? Look for items like empty cereal or other boxes, grocery bags, empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, and aluminum foil. Also, the recycle bin is a great place to look for sculpture materials! Make sure you check with a parent or grown-up before you start making your sculpture.

Have a wonderful holiday break, stay warm, and I can't wait to see you in 2021.

Hugs,

Ms. Melissa

Fall Leaves

Dear GROW Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We spent the week playing in the front yard (we have a huge leaf pile!), walking our dog Jojo, and going on a few adventures.

leaf pile!

Jojo

We saw lots of cool animals and fed a giraffe at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center!

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love watching the leaves turn different colors as they fall from the trees. 

What leaf colors have you noticed lately? I've seen reds, oranges, yellows, browns, and greens. My favorites are red leaves of any shade - red that is bright like the sunset, red that is so dark it is almost maroon, and everything in between. 

I also love the beautiful yellow leaves on the ground in the picture with my dog, Jojo. The leaves are from a gingko tree in my neighbor's front yard. I collected a few of them to bring home and keep on my desk. Looking at their pretty yellow shapes throughout the day makes me happy!

Where can you find leaves? In your front or backyard, in a park or playground, maybe near your school? 

Check out this fun nature drawing activity below. You'll need the following materials:

• parchment or other plain paper
• crayons - old crayons without their wrapper work best
• tape
• Sharpie or other marker (optional)
• a hard surface - table, folder, etc.

At the end of the activity, you can return the leaves to nature. If you'd like to keep your leaves as a souvenir, make your own Nature Keeper using the video below. You can include your nature drawing too!

Hugs, 

Ms. Melissa

A Letter To GROW Students

Dear GROW friends,

Hello! How are you? How does it feel to be a 3rd or 4th or 5th grader?

I sure have missed seeing you at the Nasher. I have a feeling some of you look a little different. Maybe your hair is longer? Or is it shorter? I bet a bunch of you are taller, too! My hair has grown a lot longer since our last tour. I'm not any taller, though. 😊

Are you going to school in person or attending virtually from home? I have worked from home since March, but I have had a few chances to visit the Nasher and see my co-worker friends as well as my sculpture friends. 😄  My two children have gone to school both in person and virtually. Right now, they're at home in virtual school.

If you'd like to share anything with me, please write in the comments below!

Since we're not able to meet at the Nasher, I've made a few videos for you to watch. The first one is a short introduction on what we might see and do during our videos.

The second video takes a long look at one of our newest sculptures. I think it might also be one of my favorites. 💗 You can watch the whole video all at once, or you can watch a little bit one day, a little bit another day - however you like.

Please check back here every once in a while. I'll share more letters, pictures, and videos. If you don't comment here, you can always share a message or photo with Ms. Lawson, and she'll pass it on to me.

I miss you, GROW friends! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week.

Hugs,

Ms.Melissa