Bensonhurst Senior Center Blog 4 06/09/22 Portrait Book

 Bensonhurst Senior Center

Blog 4 06/09/22

Portrait Book

A birthday is always a great reason to have cake, but it’s especially important when it’s So Sim’s. As our oldest student and one of our most prolific, we were so happy to take a break in class to sing happy birthday to her and wish her well. Bensonhurst provided a delicious cake, which we all shared after, So Sim made a wish then blew out the candles. Typical of So Sim’s generosity, she had presents for all of us - scrumptious cake, and delicately crocheted colorful bells. Spica and I also received charming, crocheted face masks, a must wear at our next event! Thank you So Sim for all the joy you bring to us, our students and everyone at Bensonhurst Senior Center!!

Julisa had already laid out all the supplies and told us about So Sim’s surprise, so no sooner had we arrived than we began helping students trim their completed pieces to the correct size. As students were quickly engaged, we thought we may as well continue so skipped the regular warm up theater game. 

The skill of layering, texturizing and color coordinating their artwork was demonstrated by Spica and we modeled our examples. Students had already selected images near the end of class last session, so they revisited them, adding, or deleting as their vision developed. We also showed them ways of incorporating the words, in both Chinese and English, which they had previously selected to describe their character. We also encouraged them to incorporate different organic shapes into their design by tearing the images, rather than always cutting them out. 

Once they began experimenting with layering images, there was no stopping them. The finished backgrounds onto which they added the cut-out portrait spoke volumes about them. Colors and shapes exploded from the page, whimsical images emerged from heads, the element of surprise was evoked by the juxtaposition of disparate objects, and everyone's work was unique and splendid. Placed side by side across the blackboard to dry, students, teachers and staff remarked on how amazing these portraits looked. GREAT JOB!


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