"Promise" Art Installation at Hartwood Elementary School

Gabriel Pons was commissioned by Hartwood Elementary School to create a 27 foot-long mural for their administrative office that embodies the “spirit” of the school. Above is a time lapse video showing the process from start to finish.

The mural reads:

“We are a community of dedicated and determined teachers who believe that students thrive in an environment that is inclusive, safe, purposeful, respectful, collaborative, engaging, and responsive.

Kids come first in our family and we strive for a stimulating learning experience that provides young minds with a creative spark and a nurturing environment where they can excel as children and be free to explore on their own or as a team all that our world has to offer. Curiosity, tenacity, empathy coupled with a supportive, hard-working and hands-on curriculum is key to cultivating success. We are invested in our future and believe that enduring relationships are built upon a foundation of trust, honesty, respect, patience, devotion, and charity.  Students are encouraged to grow together and learn from one another as an integrated community devoted to exploring science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, traveling the world and understanding our place in history because we are the future.”

PONSHOP extends are thanks to the faculty and staff of Hartwood Elementary for their sustained efforts in making Hartwood Elementary such a stimulating, incusive and engaging school.

PONSHOP Stencil Tutorial: Cutting a Stencil

httpv://youtu.be/3iJpReTqNok

As part of a collaboration with one of our summer intern, Isaac Whalen, we did a series of video tutorials to compliment the "Intro to Street Art" and "Skate to Create" workshops held at the studio.  Gabriel Pons of PONSHOP Studio and Gallery gives an instructional video on cutting a paper stencil intended for spray paint.  Part 1 incorporates tips to cutting a precise stencil that may be used later for creating other artworks.

PONSHOP Stencil Tutorial: Spraying a Stencil

httpv://youtu.be/fCcWgv_s8bM

Gabriel Pons of PONSHOP Studio and Gallery gives an instructional video on basic spray painting techniques with a paper stencil. Part 2 is a continuation of Stencil Workshop Part 1 and incorporates pro tips to using your cut stencil as a base of an art piece.

PONSHOP Stencil Tutorial: Stencil Design

httpv://youtu.be/Sl1co820aFk

Gabriel Pons of PONSHOP Studio and Gallery gives an instructional video on how to generate a stencil design from a hand-sketched illustration.  This tutorial focuses on creating a one-layer stencil using trace paper and card stock.

Urban Decay III: Part 2

httpv://youtu.be/YBHqcC3iFLY

Above is video of the opening night of Urban Decay 3 at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton Virginia.  The opening reception featured live painting demonstrations and live music by Lightspeed Rescue and Shade Parade.  Thanks to our summer intern Isaac for filming and editing.  Below is an album of the latest work of mine currently on exhibit at "Urban Decay 3" - the show runs through June 24.

PONSHOP Tutorials: Working With Wheat Paste

As response to the questions brought up in our "Intro to Street Art", "Mixing the Media" and "Adult Mixed Media" classes - we've put together this two-part tutorial on how to make and apply wheat paste when doing paper posters and collage:

httpv://youtu.be/lAJGeai0Z-g

Part 1:  Wheat Paste recipe and cooking

1 part flour to 4 parts water (This demonstration uses 1cup of white flour with 4 cups of water)

In a small pot, whisk together flour and water with wire wisk.

Bring mixture to a slow boil (med-high heat for 5-8 minutes) until mixture has a gluey gravy-like consistency.

Remove from heat - you can add 1/4 cup of sugar or white glue to make the mixture even more tenacious (sticky)

Wheat Paste can be refrigerated to stay "fresh" longer.  Consistency may change (it will get thinner), however, the paste still works.  Be mindful that wheat paste will spoil in time especially if kept at or above room temperature.

httpv://youtu.be/CYBpB0iMbLU

Part 2: Applying Wheat Paste with paper posters

Use a wide brush to apply the paste to the intended surface or substrate.  Apply a thin layer the approximate area of the poster.

Apply a thin layer of wheat paste to the back of the paper poster.

Press center of the poster against the wall and begin brushing the poster from the center out to the edges with your brush.

When the paste is still wet (and the paper is still malleable) you can peel and reposition if  the paper has trapped too much air)

Finally brush a thin layer over the entire poster and especially the edges.

Virginia is for Lovers

httpv://youtu.be/1QaEnQjtMZ4

Instead of doing a last minute crawl through the shopping mall to find some cliche gift for Scarlett, I decided to go the creative route and make, to this date, the largest Valentine I could within a half hour.  Special thanks to our intern (aka Stew) for the video editing.

"Illumination" Video Sequence

httpv://youtu.be/G7VEy9G81Z0

Here's the follow up to the photos posted last month while I was working on this commissioned painting for Hartwood Presbyterian Church.  The piece, titled "Illumination" now hangs in the Fellowship Hall of the church.  Thanks Hartwood Presbyterian Church for the opportunity and thanks to my assistant, Jeff Gulick for helping me install the three panels.  Special Thanks to our Spring 2012 intern, Chris Stuart, for editing the video footage.