Art has become the vehicle that allows us to express that which cannot be put to words. And it is surprisingly effective at doing precisely that. Beautiful art appeals to our emotions and connects with us on a deep level. Creative artists stimulate us, create intense feelings, nurture our curiosity, and boost our creativity with their magnificent artworks. At the best, inspiring pieces of art encourage us to strive for greatness.

The arts refers to the theory, human application and physical expression of creativity found in human cultures and societies through skills and imagination in order to produce objects, environments and experiences.

What type of artist are you?

PERFORMING ARTS

• Theater
• Dance
• Music

TECHNICAL ARTS

• Architecture
• Motion Picture
• Photography

Chip Foose started mimicing his dad when he was a little boy – he would watch him sketch a car design and then copy what his father had drawn. By the time he was a teenager his father, a custom car designer and fabricator, had Chip do all of the sketches. Chip went on to become the youngest inductee in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame and has won four Ridler Awards for his custom automotive creations.  He has been designing, creating, fabricating, building, presenting, connecting and selling for 30 years! You can see his designs on his show Overhaulin’ and on YouTube as he redesigns common cars into spectacular feats.

Think over these discussion questions and how you would answer them in a group discussion:

1. Why does Chip use overlays to sketch?
2. If he draws in quarter scale and moves something an inch, how far is he moving it in full scale?
3. When did Chip start drawing?
4. Why did he put the paper of photocopied cars under his hand when drawing?
5. What did Chip learn as an intern?
6. When was foamcore created?
7. How did he make the front of the BMW similar above and below the bumper?

Find your favorite ART quote and place it somewhere that you will see it every day. Your computer, your mirror, make a graphic you can print and hang on your wall, be creative and turn it into a piece of art!

“Imagination does not become great until human beings, given the courage and the strength, use it to create.”

Maria Montessori

“No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.”

Ansel Adams

“Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.”

Harvey Fierstein

“To be creative means to be in love with life.”

Osho

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

Pablo Picasso

This is the month to let your artistic side shine. Yes, even mathematicians, scientists and tech geeks have an artistic side! Follow along with these art tutorials and create something spectacular!

DRAW A GEOMETRIC EYE

Tools needed:

• Geometry Compass
• Paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Markers

REFLECTION ART

Tools needed:

• Paper
• Markers
• Mirrors
• Printer (if you want to print template)

FIZZY ART

Tools needed:

• Paper or canvas
• Paint or food coloring
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Paint brushes

MAKE A RHOMBICUBOCTAHEDRON

First, you have to learn how to pronounce that word!

Tools needed:

• Poster board
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Math compass 

We are all about “watching TV” when it means you are learning! Here are our top picks for the month of great TED talks that focus on our subject of STEM + ART. Watch these and tell us what you think about them at our next member meeting (the first Saturday of each month). We are so excited about the possibility of visiting the AlloSphere at UC Santa Barbara. The idea of turning scientific data into art is fascinating!