Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am very pleased to present square number 82, a collage work created by Lysandru, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

 Collage, drawing on paper, 2017.

The main themes of this work are peace, love and helping hands.  We often see these images in some capacity every week, if not daily, through a variety of sources, and we immediately recognize what they stand for; but what do they mean to us on a personal level? How do we actively demonstrate these ideas in a meaningful way?  How do we set forth these examples to others?

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am happy to present square number 81, an beautiful work created by Allison, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Hope, pen and marker on paper, 2017 

This lovely graphic work is indicative of the summer season and the beautiful flora and vegetative growth around our city.  I visit my Girl Scout troop's garden plot almost every morning and am always pleasantly surprised by the progress of the seedlings and plants that the girls have sown.  To see a seed germinate and become a flower or a delicious edible is like witnessing a small miracle of nature.  It gives me hope and perspective for the day ahead.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am proud to present square number 80, an strong work created by Peri, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Look to Hope, paint on canvas, 2017.

With so many events that have happened in such a short time - politically, nationally, internationally, socially, economically, emotionally - it's a wonder most of us have not crawled into a hole, just bracing for the impact of the next happening, the next decree or the next crazy action.

But, like the image above, we peek through our fingers, tentatively, and "Look to Hope" (as the above image is titled.)  

What difference will you make, what action will you take to help your family, friend, neighbor, stranger on the street?

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am proud to present square number 79, an thoughtful work created by Avley, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

 Pencil and paint on paper, 2017.

The realistic portrait and reassuring hand on the older man's shoulder done in pencil along with the abstract colorful paint wash makes a beautiful and moving combination in this work.  I interpret the drips of blue as the man's state of mind - he is not meeting our gaze and is looking downward and out of the picture plane.  The warm wash of the unseen figure behind him seems to suggest hope, support, love.

I find this piece especially poignant as my Girl Scout troop will be visiting a local Senior Center this Saturday to create cards that will go to home bound Meals on Wheels recipients.  If you are in LA and would like to join us, please contact me: sophia.allison@gmail.com

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Valerie Graham Butler workshop

I am happy to present square number 78, a piece created by another participate in the workshop hosted by Los Angeles friend and artist Valerie Graham Butler:

 Mixed Media on paper, 2017.

A striking graphic work with a powerful word: UNITY.  I will keep repeating this message - we need to come together, push change in our own way, small gestures that help each other, help our environment, help our communities.  It's really about common sense, compassion and empathy.  It's not so hard. Start within your family, then your neighbors, then your community.  The grand gestures actually start from small actions.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.