Evening at the Oceanside Museum of Art

Last Thursday evening,  we went to the Oceanside Museum of Art's "Artist at Work" program.  The featured artist was Ernest Silva, but it turns out that he put us to work.  We had heard him speak about his art a couple weeks ago, and were pulled in by his art that he describes as poetry. 

This is Mr. Silva in front of one of his paintings.

Trees, logs, and axes are images in many of  his works.

He has also done a number of works with deer on rafts, often with concentric circles on a deer or other figure.  Mr. Silva grew up in Rhode Island, and has had a long career as an art professor.

Our task was to do our own version of Mr. Silva's icons, and place them anywhere on two walls covered with paper to create a mural.  We were provided all the materials, including stencil outlines for the deer and rafts. 

 Gail places her deer on my raft.

 Mr. Silva appears to be checking out our work!

 We loved the pink "mummy deer" to the left of our deer and raft.

 Mr. Silva handed me a thick marker and said, "Heavy lines."  I added a stump and axe.

I think Gail's deer came out amazing!  The eyes and patterning, the look of ocean and land on the body, and the heavy red lines.  She also added those lovely circles!

We look forward to these evening art activities that also feature happy people, drinks, and food.  The Oceanside Museum of Art rocks!