Syrendell
  • Courses
  • Services
    • Consulting
    • Lessons
    • Workshops
    • Retreats
  • Shop
  • Shareables
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • About Us

blog

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~Gandhi

Chalk Art: Drawing from Nature, History, and Science

11/7/2016

 
Picture

​When I was in grade school, my teachers taught us language arts, math, and history from blackboards. Lots of writing and chalk dust. Rarely was there any drawing, or use of any color other than white. But I actually look fondly back at those times - it was part of my childhood. 

When I became a teacher and I had my own blackboards to use, I remember being deeply and humbly moved, knowing I was in the company of those wonderful souls who were my mentors and role models. However, having trained as a Waldorf teacher, I regarded the chalk as more than a form of communicating verb tenses and long division, it was a medium for creating art.

These large scale drawings were created during my time as a teacher, finding inspiration from the curriculum with my students. I drew from nature, history, and science - beauty and art were present everywhere.  Most of my drawings were over four feet by six feet, created from between three hours (like the Cupcake drawing) and twelve hours (as with the Last Supper drawing). Thank you for visiting!

​Rick Tan
get my 2017 calendar of chalk drawings

Creating from the Heart: The Homeschool Cottage of Davis WLR

11/3/2016

 
There is a quaint little cottage tucked away under the trees at the end of a gravel path. Every Tuesday morning, it beats with the rhythm of the hearts and souls of homeschooling families of Davis Wholistic Learning Resources.  

Founder Sandi Russi's team of Rick and Jennifer Tan of Syrendell and Robyn Wolfe of Waldorfish host children from five years to thirteen years in handwork, woodwork, art, movement, and drama. With teaching backgrounds in public school, homeschool, and Waldorf, and as professional artists and musicians, the trio offer a mixed bag of goodies. In short, they teach from the heart.

In their 10-week Fall session ending November 15, the teachers and children engage in a vast number of hands-on, hearts-on activities! On those Tuesday mornings, where the Tans affectionately call the Homeschool Cottage, children are inside and outside, learning, doing, moving, being. In short, they are creating from the heart. Creating capacities and skills. Creating friendships and values. Creating joy.

Our Winter-Spring session will resume on January 24. Until then, the Homeschool Cottage at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis will rest, awaiting the sounds of hammers tapping, brushes swishing, and children's voices in song and in play.

Picture
Picture
    Picture
    older posts from syrendell
    older posts from the waldorf way

    Archives

    January 2024
    June 2023
    February 2021
    July 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Courses
  • Services
    • Consulting
    • Lessons
    • Workshops
    • Retreats
  • Shop
  • Shareables
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • About Us