tyler's big fingers painting on toms' shoes

by karen #1965 third grade teacher ever noticed how one thing leads to another...this is a post is a perfect example of that thought...you see...i was doing that april 4th post on dr. scholls shoes...and i thot...i remember toms' shoes Toms has guest artists that paint on their shoes...side story...you know about toms?...well, basically toms is a hip shoe company that has these canvas shoes...and they are decorated pretty cool...and you see, if you buy a pair of these cool shoes, then the shoe company sends a pair of new toms to a child in need...it is called "one for one"...good idea... they get cool artists to paint on them...like dave matthews painted on them last spring...my sister-in-law LOVES dave matthews!!!..they are pretty pricey...but like i said...cool...so back to what i was saying...or thinking...wait a minute...first take a look...here is the shoe that dave painted...

and i thot...hmmm...maybe i will add the toms shoes thing in...so i go to the toms website and well i come across this dude that has painted shoes for toms named tyler ramsey...check this 30 second video out...worth looking at...you gotta be curious...you tube...come on....click it...tyler ramsey video painting on toms shoes...so i thot....hmmm...now the reason i think hmmm a lot is because i am a curious person...always have been...so i google tyler ramsey and find that he is an artist that paints with his fingers...and i thot...way cool....tyler ramsey art...lookie lookie...

so you see....tyler ramsey paints with his fingers and he is 32 years old and has never owned a paintbrush...lives in LA, CA...he started painting cause his dad tried to do something sad...and anyway...as many artists, it was an outlet...he wants folks to appreciate abstract art...

so...i am thinking...i don't teach high school artists anymore...but if i did...here is what i would do...i would show the kids the tyler ramsey video on you tube...hey, i gave you the link...and i would talk a little about his history...i would get the kids to write down a very sad story about their childhood...or you could talk and they could think about the sad stuff...then, i would have them express it with their fingers by painting...with color...lines...i would be willing to bet, it would be really hard for kids to not use a paintbrush...i would be willing to bet...the art teacher would have a very messy artist when the project was complete...hey, at least you won't have to wash the brushes...did you see the paint on tyler ramsey's face?...he is hiding behind that paint...i tell you he is...

She's got eyes of the bluest skies

As if they thought of rain

I hate to look into those eyes

And see an ounce of pain

Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place

Where as a child I'd hide

And pray for the thunder

And the rain

To quietly pass me by

Sweet child o' mine

Sweet love of mine

(guns n' roses, 1993)

Sweet Child O'Mine video

Happy April 6, 2010!
&
Happy Birthday Mr. Left Brain!