Beach Bash and Splash Mural!

Friday was my second year doing the Beach Bash and Splash and I never expected that this year would be as exciting as it was last year. This year was different because we had Sam here to help us with the murals which made things much easier and more creative. Sam is an awesome art teacher, so when it came time to make the murals he gave me a confidence boost (he could tell I was nervous) and I felt much better and was ready to work. This year I also had the opportunity help kids color and cut their drawings to place on the mural.

Sam Teaching Us How to Paint Fish!

 For the mural we first had to paint a green/blue color on the paper to give it a deep ocean feel. After we had finished painting the murals we had to tape the outside of the paper and paint it with different colors so it would give it a more warm feeling. After the kids showed up we helped them make their drawings and cut them up. After they cut their drawings we used mod podge to put the pictures on the mural. At first it seemed like glue, but once on the canvas it dried up and gave it a shiny appearance. We had so many kids making drawings that we couldn't fit them all in, which was unfortunate. At the end of the day the mural came out amazing and I had a really good time with Sam. 

Me Working on the Mural

Jazeel Mendes- Chao

Boston Seafood Festival!

Despite Sunday's wash out weather, there was a lot happening on the Boston Fish Pier.  The Seafood Festival was well under way and a little rain certainly didn't deter the crowds from the great food and many activities going on.  Our main event of the day was fish printing.  Although we received some strange looks at first, as we spread the ink over the fish, once a few example pieces were done people were over joyed to join in.

Soon our table was crowded with kids and families wanting to make beautiful pieces art.  Some tough decisions had to be made throughout the day, like whether to use blue or green or if the fish would look better in stripes or dots; but in no time our tent was lined in flounder prints of every color. The coolest part of the process was seeing the anticipation on the kids faces as the rice paper was lifted off of the fish and the design was revealed.  I'm really looking forward to seeing how each of the individual prints come together in our Save the Harbor mural!


Peace, Love & Fish Prints!

Lindsay Phenix

Beach Murals at the Beach Bash and Splash!!

 During the Annual Beach Bash and Splash, a select group of artists and I had the opportunity to create some awesome murals! Esmeralda, Jazeel, Edward, Ruth, Roza and I started by painting the backgrounds an ocean blue hue. We then taped off the borders and created a multi-colored tile frame around it!

When the kids started arriving they drew fish and aquatic motifs on a separate sheet of paper, afterward they modge-podged them to the canvases! The result was priceless. The kids animals included first and foremost, sharks, octopuses, angel fish, bass and angelfish! When the modge-podge dried it revealed a crystal clear glaze against a bright blue background. Everyone was enthusiastic and the final mural will be displayed within the office very shortly.

The other mural we created was a more advanced rendition of a Striped Bass and Bluefish chasing baitfish. We used the flounder prints from the Seafood festival to outline the image in the middle... More postings when its complete!

My first festival- the Boston Seafood Festival!

This Sunday was the first festival I have ever been to. The Seafood Festival 2014 was awsome, besides the weather of course. I was suprised because that same day, even though it was raining so hard and thunderstorming many people still stayed and attended the event. They all look like they were having a blast and so was I. There were people dressed as pirates, lobsters, crabs, and even a mermaid! There was great food, and the lines were crazy long.

The first kids to showed up, and try fish painting.

I remebered many people were attracted to our table because it was something different and intresting. We were doing fish painting and many people had never heard of it or knew what it was, including me. I remebered many random people walking by and asking, "is that a real fish?!" and were shocked that it really was. But after Sam taught all of us how to do it, it was really fun to do. I not only had fun that day, but also learned something new.

I'm sure I will be learning many more new things this summer with Save the Harbor.

Catch you later,
Nhu

The Seafood Festival

I usually spend my Sundays with my family but this past Sunday I was working at the Fish Pier doing fish prints with kids and representing Save The Harbor. The day started of well, it was a warm sunny sunday then things took a turn and it started raining and it wasn't a pleasant place to be. The people who were at the Fish Pier we're awesome enough to not leave and they waited the rain out. When it was pouring we had an opportunity to learn how to use paper and paint to make fish prints. In the beginning I felt like it was going to be complicated but Sam helped me out and after I gained some confidence I felt like a pro.

Sam showing us how to do fish prints

After I learned how to make the fish prints, I had the opportunity to help many little children and a few adults learn how to do it. All the kids that made their fish prints, depending on the color and the fish they chose,  came out beautiful. My favorite fish that we worked with was a Fluke, the Fluke was really flat and it made it really easy to print. The Fluke was one of the most popular fishes that the kids chose because we were using the colors Pink and Purple and the kids loved it because they were really colorful. I never expected to have as much fun as I did working on a sunday.

Me helping a girl pain a fluke

Jazeel-Chao

Boston Seafood Festival Prevails Through Storm

Despite the unfortunate weather the Boston Seafood festival on the Historic Fish Pier was more than a success. I helped run  a tent where we offered the art of fish printing. Sure, kids could have just colored or painted sea themed pictures, but fish printing is a rare art form not many get to experience!


We were fortunate enough to get a donation from a local fish monger which included large whiting,  summer and winter flounder, all beautiful fresh specimens! The printing started immediately. I set up color stations of ink which would compliment each other, and kids would pick what schema they wanted. Purples, pinks and reds seemed to be the most popular!! After the kids inked the fish with what ever design they chose, we would help them lay the rice paper and imprint the fish! Some kids got attached to their artwork which was funny to see, so we let them carry their piece away with them.

When we were not fish printing, we were taking a look around the festival and trying the seafood cuisine! We even ran into Johnny Depp which was pretty cool to see! :)


Now that I have so many fish prints, I have the means to construct a mural! It will begin this week!


Sam

Fish Printing 101

In order to fish print, one must first have a fresh specimen, some cardboard, pins, rice paper and ink.
The printer must first lay out the fish on the cardboard, using pinks to hold its fins in place. (requiring the artist to pin the fish to the cardboard.) Next a color scheme must be established for the fish. This requires mixing inks to find the best color and consistency.  Once the artist is ready to ink the fish, they must pat it dry with paper towers to get rid of the fish's mucus membrane. Sometimes rubbing salt helps create a dry surface to work with.

The Fish is now inked, with what ever color the artist chooses. Excess ink is patted off, to deter blotting. Rice paper is than laid over the fish and pressed firmly to the flesh. The artist then rubs the paper with his hand to create the rubbing affect fish printing achieves. When the artist has thoroughly applied pressure to capture detail, they must slowly lif the paper off the fish in order to reveal the image. Be careful to avoid pooling liquid ink, or fragile areas where the paper may tear apart.

Once the paper has been removed from the fish it should be placed on the ground, anchored by weight, to dry off. Allow 20-30 minutes for the drying period as tacky ink will smudge and run.
Stop by the Seafood Festival this Sunday if you have any interest in viewing the process and  personally trying it!

Sam