Process > Product Art

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of art classes? 

You may envision a black clad, beret-wearing art teacher holding court with a palette of paints in hand or maybe a classroom full of elementary students furiously trying to mimic some “master’s” art. 

Thankfully, at Bret Harte this is not the case. 

Our VAPA program embraces the theory of Process Over Product wherein the making and doing are valued rather than the end product. 

This belief is reinforced through four conceptual units - Innovation, Collaboration, Ideation, and Expression. 

Our open-ended, exploratory approach to art provides students with multiple opportunities to practice high-order and critical thinking skills they can integrate across all content areas and allows them to share their unique and individualistic visions in a safe, intellectually low-stakes environment.

Experimentation and risk-taking are encouraged which nurtures a growth mindset and fosters scientific thinking as students make new discoveries. Social and emotional learning blossoms as students build their self-esteem and take ownership of their work. Engagement and perseverance peak helping to produce 21st century, life-long learners.

Trust the process. 

Check us out @harte_smart_studio

RIP RAK

One of the first memories I have of my dad is me crying and him sitting me on his lap in a blue rocking chair at his house on Via Largo and reading me The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. 

I remember seeing the picture of the author with his big, bushy beard on the back of the book and wondering, Is that Roger?

For those who don’t know or don’t remember the book, it’s a charmingly illustrated tale of unconditional love wherein the titular tree gives everything to a boy she loves - apples, branches, even her trunk.  

I distinctly recall how the story soothed me and stopped my sobbing.  

All these years later, it’s still one of my favorite books. But back then I had no idea how apropos it would end up being.

My dad was the Giving Tree to me and many others. 

So if you’ll indulge me, and with all due respect to Shel Silverstein, I’ve taken the liberty of rewriting it to honor that formative memory and the kind-hearted unselfishness of my dad.

Once there was a Dad

and he loved a little boy.

and every day the boy would come home from school

and wait for his dad’s motorcycle to come back from work.

He would play with his dad’s beard and swing from his arms

and eat all the food in his refrigerator.

And they would play the hand slapping game. 

And when the boy was tired he would fall asleep in his new bedroom in his new house with his new family on Amberwood.

And the boy loved his new dad…

very much.

And the Dad was happy.

But time went by.

And the boy grew older and moved out.

And the Dad wouldn’t see him as much.

Then one day the boy came to the Dad

and the Dad said, “Come, Boy, come and play with my beard and swing from my arms, and eat all the food in my refrigerator, and be happy.”

“I am too big to play with your beard,” said the boy.  “I want to go to college and study music.  I want some money.  Can you give me some money to go to USC?”

“I’m sorry,” said the Dad, “but USC is very expensive.  I have debts and bills to pay.  But I will remortgage the house for your tuition.  Then you will have money for USC and you will be happy.”

And so the boy decided to go to Cal State Long Beach instead, which was much more affordable.

And the Dad was happy.

But the boy stayed at college for a long time… (6 years, or 7 with a gap year)

and the Dad was sad.

And then one day the boy came back 

and the Dad smiled with joy

and he said, “Come, Boy, 

play the hand slapping game and eat all the food in my refrigerator 

and be happy.”

“I am too busy to play the hand slapping game,” said the boy.

“I want a house to keep me warm,” he said.

“I want a wife and maybe children, and so I need a house.  Can you give me a house?”

“I have a rental property,” said the Dad.

“It supplies extra income for my retirement, but I will sell it and use the money to help you buy a house.

Then you will be happy.”

And so the boy accepted the money and used it for a downpayment on a beautiful Craftsman home in Long Beach.

And the Dad was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time.  

And when he came back, the Dad was happy, but he could hardly stand.

“Come, boy,” he whispered, “come and stay.”

“I can’t stay.  I need to take my wife out,” said the boy.

“I want a babysitter for my daughter.”

Can you babysit Matilda, so I can take my wife out?”

“Bring Matilda to the house,” said the Dad.

“Then you can take your wife out… and be happy.”

And so the boy brought his daughter to his dad’s house and took his wife out.

And the Dad was happy… really.

And after a long time the boy came back again.

“I am sorry, Boy,” said the Dad, “but I have nothing left to give you–

My beard is gone.”

“I grew my own,” said the boy.

“My arms are weak,” said the Dad.  “You cannot swing from them–”

“That’s ok,” said the boy.

“My body is tired,” said the Dad. “I cannot leave the house–”

“I just want to visit you,” said the boy.

“I’m sorry,” sighed the Dad.

“I wish I could give you something… but I have no energy.  I am just an old stump.  I am sorry…”

“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy,

“just some quiet companionship.”

“Well,” said the Dad, straightening himself up as much as he could, 

“well, an old Dad is good for quiet companionship. Come, Boy, sit down. 

Sit down and relax.

And the boy did.

And the Dad was happy.   

The End.

New Traditionalist

This global crisis is an excellent opportunity to rethink and retool our whole approach to many of our institutions, education included.  Our old ways of thinking/working/teaching/learning have all led us here - a global pandemic with almost half a million dead souls around the world. 

But how did this happen to OUR country, given our prosperity and the economic and technological advantages we enjoy?  Where's our American Exceptionalism?  Where are our smart people?  Where are our leaders?  

AWOL.  

So then what better time for change? The in-the-box, norm-referenced, standardized way of thinking has failed us and brought about this crisis.  It's time to reimagine our whole approach to living and teaching in the 21st century. Buh bye text book and testing companies controlling the politicians that manipulate the educational purse strings!  Buh bye the one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and learning from last century.  It's time for something different.  

We need a new vision for this country. And instead of it coming from billionaire bozos like Bezos, who have only profited from this pandemic, let it begin with us in education.

Alex Stojsic's PA (Pretty Awesome)

I think the first time I met Alex, we were in the middle of the desert, dancing our asses off at my first rave.  I was introduced to him and Venus through my friend James Henry who some of you may know from Tower Records.  I remember thinking, Now I know two long-hairs who like EDM! 

I soon learned that both Alex and Venus shared my passion for music, and over the years I’ve had the pleasure of their company not only at raves and concerts, but in my home for barbeques and parties. I always loved when Alex would make his delicious homemade Cevapcici, and I’ll never forget when James and he made it in my kitchen. I walked in and saw that they had molded Meatwad out of the ground meat mixture!

Alex is also one of the reasons my Laborless Day Party became an annual event.  I wanted to have bands play in my backyard for the party, but I didn’t have a PA system.  Alex kindly offered to lend me his.  Thus a yearly tradition was born.

And that PA has been an absolute godsend ever since.  Over the last decade plus, more than a half dozen bands have benefitted from it.  Whether it’s practicing in my garage or playing live somewhere that has no sound system, it’s been perfect - portable but powerful.  That’s not to mention all the cash it’s saved my bandmates and me which would’ve otherwise been spent on renting rehearsal space.  And as a drummer, being able to have band practice without loading my drums in and out is the absolute ideal.

In short, that PA has improved my life immensely. 

And that’s all because of Alex’s generosity.  He didn’t want money for it, and anytime I offered to give it back, he’d decline.  He told me he was just happy that someone was using it.

Thank you, Alex, for the gift that keeps on giving.  Long may it continue to rock in your name, reminding me of your kind and magnanimous spirit. 

Rest in Power

XMAS 2020

9:09 pm, 25th of December, 2020 ~ Post Festivities Reflections

I’d say that’s about as good as it can get during a global pandemic.

Exhausting in the best possible way - 

Family fun, food, festive drinks,

A delicious dinner of ham and homemade Cantilone,

Napping with the NBA on TV- 

Lakers giving us fans want we really want for Christmas.

Not a bad way to end a now going-on 14-hour celebration.

7am was certainly not an unreasonable time to begin.

Actually, it was foreseeable, as Mel totally called it,

But any lethargy felt was quickly dispelled by Tilly

Tearing into her stocking and Santa booty.

The race track and walkie talkies - immediate favorites -

Will definitely make the trek to the Babbas later,

But not before one of the race cars gets tangled in Tilly's hair.

Last year’s big present and recent Toy du Jour, the scooter,

Won’t even make it out of the trunk of the car today.

No helmet necessary for any Zooming we’ll be doing later

When the full, 4-family clan gathers online

To exchange holiday cheer and battle for Kahoot glory.

First time in over a decade we’re “together” on Christmas day,

Grandpa notes, a significant silver lining.

By the time Tilly opens the Babbas’ gifts, she's overloaded.

Despite her massive spoils, she still wants a toy garbage truck.

“Tilly may not know it yet, but the best gift is the hugs,”

Brian comments on a FB picture of her embracing the Babbas.

I couldn’t agree more. 

Amidst the epic devastation this year has wrought,

We’re so incredibly lucky for these lovely moments together.


Merry Everything, Everybody!!

Happy Juneteenth

Privilege is learning about racism through books, movies, and music instead of experiencing it your whole life.

My Response to a Conservative Friend Who Said Black Wall Street and The Tulsa Race Massacre Don't Matter Because They Happened a Long Time Ago

Maybe you and I were too busy throwing tidbits in class to remember, but when were we taught about Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre?

Despite your feelings about my motive, that’s the reason I posted this - BWS was something I’d heard about from artists like Prince and Miles Davis but never knew too much about, so I thought others might find it as fascinating (and infuriatingly sad) as I did.

I guess you didn’t feel the same way.

Actually, as an educator and life-long learner, I’m surprised every day by the knowledge I acquire when I open my mind and heart to listen to others whose experiences differ from mine, especially people of color who have suffered for centuries (and continue to suffer) a brutal, racist legacy in a country ironically founded on the principle that “all men (sic) are created equal.”

But since it’s graduation season, and I’m tired from the years of leading you to the water while you stubbornly refuse to drink, I’ll leave you with one last attempt to appeal to your better angels before I block you from your obsessive, Pavlovian instinct to comment on everything I post.

You purport to only deal in “facts and logic,” so here’s a fact we’ve discussed before: racism is not the same as bigotry or prejudice.

Despite your feelings about it, racism is not a two-way street. It flows in one direction - from the dominant culture to marginalized cultures. Your attempts to call my (or MLK’s) words “racist” reek of ignorance. Maybe if we lived in Wakanda you could say that, otherwise, to put it kindly, you’re just being purposely obtuse.

Also, again for you (and others that have found this hard to grasp): the BLM movement (and Kapernick’s peaceful protests that you also thought were “disrespectful”) are about police brutality against POC.

That’s the simple fact. Your feelings about what they should focus on are irrelevant.

Trying to “throw more tidbits around the classroom” and change the subject from police brutality to abortion or inner city violence is not only illogical, it’s a convenient, if not unempathetic way to rationalize the horrible treatment - indeed unjustifyible deaths - of POC by the police in this country.

Besides, for two decades I’ve taught the hard working, kind, loving families in marginalized communities. What have you done besides use them as a deflective talking point?

So as you graduate today, I leave you with one final quote that I hope will inspire you to listen to, reflect on, and learn from POC: “Ignorance is not saying, ‘I don’t know.’ Ignorance is saying, ‘I don’t want to know.’”

Good luck, old friend. I truly wish you the best.

Sonnet 76 In Which W.S. Writes About Cannabis

Why is my verse so barren of new pride,
So far from variation or quick change?
Why with the time do I not glance aside
To new-found methods, and to compounds strange?
Why write I still all one, ever the same,
And keep invention in a noted weed,
That every word doth almost tell my name,
Showing their birth, and where they did proceed?
O! know sweet love I always write of you,
And you and love are still my argument;
So all my best is dressing old words new,
Spending again what is already spent:
For as the sun is daily new and old,
So is my love still telling what is told.

Happy 4/20!!

Panther Heart Live

I can't believe this was almost 8 years ago...
but the Legend of the Dire Wolf began a few years before that.

The Chosen One?

               

Could American Evangelicals Spot the Antichrist?  

Here Are the Biblical Predictions

SPOILER ALERT: Contrary to what you may have heard, THIS Evangelical says the Bible does NOT prophesy an Antichrist born of a broken home becoming President (and, due to his AA roots, literally embodying our American ideal that ALL men are created equal), nor do the Scriptures foresee an Antichrist as a faithful father of two (birthed by his ONLY betrothed), and the Good Book CERTAINLY does not predict an Antichrist having the AUDACITY to defile and disgrace the highest office in the land by... (wait for it)...

WEARING A TAN SUIT ONCE!

Triumphant Thingz Tour

After 25 sleepless hours on a plane, train, and automobile, I’m finally home safe after The Thingz Tour de France. I’d say it was a success. Three different people said I reminded them of Bun E. Carlos on drums!! 🏆🥁😎

I Gotta Fever...

Cowbell almost didn’t make it pasture security at CDG. A nice lady had me manure out of line as she steered me toward the secondary stable. I wasn’t Hereford long, so I didn’t have a cow. I leather open my bag, and she dung through it, revealing the burdensome bell. She looked udderly perplexed, and though I was tempted to milk it, I was Jersey wouldn’t find it funny. For a second I thought she had a beef with me taking it on board since she’d obviously heifer seen one before, but thankfully she gave me no bull and let me moooove along. Praise the bovine! 😅😂😜