Maya Angelou

Words cannot express the importance of Maya Angelou. The first time I read one of her poems, I was touched by her strength. So much so, that years later I decided to name my own daughter Maya. Though I don't have the gift of words, I want to share this short film featuring Maya Angelou in her memory. May we all touch lives (or at least one) the way that she did.

Cole Haan "Maya Angelou (Director's Cut)" from Ben Hughes on Vimeo.

By Cole Haan/Ben Hughes

I am...

I am so very excited for all of you! Everyone that spoke at today's Graduation Ceremony did such a wonderful job. So much so that I dare not compete with their words of wisdom. That being said, I found this sweet little video, "I am...". Yes, today is the day you decide who you are. Every day is that day.

“We are the choices we make.”
― Patrick Ness

"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it."
- Kevyn Aucoin

"I am a..." from Andy Martin on Vimeo.

Bird Sounds Visualised

Ever since I learned about Wassily Kandinsky, I have been fascinated with the connection of senses. What does music look like visually? How is color linked to frequency and vibration? It's all so intriguing.
This little video captures bird sounds using a digital audio recorder. The information is fed into a computer and the vibrations activate particle effects.
By Andy Thomas.

Bird Sounds Visualised from Andy Thomas on Vimeo.

Congratulations Seniors!

It has been such a pleasure to work with you all. While I will miss your smiling faces, I am happy to see you advance in life. Best wishes to all of you!
Warmest,
Ms. Rapp

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

Photo by Maya Rapp (age 10!)

Quote o' the Year

Oh my, where has the time gone? I used to put a quote o' the week on the blog. I suppose this quote will be my "quote o' the year" simply because it has probably been that long since I had one on here! Someone shared this quote with me, and it really resonates with me. When you are feeling down, or like it's not going to get better, just think of this quote:

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Can artists change the world?

As I was updating the printmaking lesson, I came across this great video featuring the artist William Kentridge. When I was in college I had the opportunity to view Kentridge's work. To this day I am still in awe of Kentridge. His artwork is amazing, but more importantly, his message is powerful. His work explores social injustice in South Africa. Please do read the accompanying article about Kentridge from the MoMA here.

Resilience Poetry

I really enjoyed making these poems for the ones that I love. I find that every person I know has, at some time, endured something difficult. Not only have they “endured”, they’ve risen above and found strength. These poems are my tribute to them.

MY SISTER IS FIRE
A trembling in the hands
A body rebelling against itself
Cannot hide the fire within
Warrior woman
Fighting pain with every breath
Her existence is determination
Her essence is strength
With a bright light
She endures all
With a bright light
She climbs
My sister is not the earth
Though she is solid and strong
My sister is not the sky
Though her soul shines brightly
My sister is not the wind
Though her truth speaks to all
My sister is fire
An endless flame that warms the heart
A note to the spirit that life resides here
A light in the darkness
Strength in the face of difficulty
My sister is fire


HAIKU POEMS

CLIMB
Climb the mountain high
All has not abandoned you
The peak has beauty

Open
Just a little one
She overcomes the past
Future is open

ALL
We all have the strength
To endure life’s big lessons
Courage in our bones

GROWTH
Growth’s simple beauty
Bursting through layers of soil
Meeting the sun’s rays

JACKIE ROBINSON
Cruel and angry
Words and actions of many
Cannot stop his swing

HOW TO WRITE A HAIKU POEM:
A Haiku poem consists of 17 syllables. There are five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line, and five in the third and last line.