Room 101

I was quite pleased to see Ballet studios nice new signages on every doors namely Studio 1, Studio 2 on and on when I was walking to my art classroom. I was thinking where are the beautiful names like Blyton on and on which they used to name their ballet studios. My high spirit changed when I saw the door's signage named as Room 101 at our Picasso Studio!!! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed! They already took our Davinci Studio away for their ballet and now they renamed our Picasso Studio as Room 101! Gosh, are they DM fans or what! My students claimed that there are not even 100 of rooms here! Do they provide room services!? My mind told me, gosh, they better have better things to do!

Theon in army uniform!

We were alarmed to see 13yo Theon in army uniform when he walked into the art classroom!   He looked smart in that green camouflage uniform! He came to art class right after his school CCA! His art mates asked questions about his CCA and talked about their different CCA they chose. Theon shared how they killed a lived frog from a survival skill in the wild and they got freaked out. This kid is growing up in our eyes, definitely a man who is serving the country with loyalty!

I am sure when Theon came and visited me in real army uniform in few years time, I will be very old by that time.

Bouncy! bouncy! bouncy! BOUNCY!

When I was demonstrating how to paint the wavy water on the paper by using water colour, I told my little students to imagine there's a rabbit bouncing on the paper. When I was painting, I was saying bouncy! bouncy! bouncy! They eventually started to jump up and down! I was laughing at their naive reaction! The funnest part was when they were back to their seats and started their own painting on their paper, they went bouncy! bouncy! bouncy! Aren't they adorable or what!

Beautiful Wild Animals | Siao Siang Looi | 2011

A wonderfully done video & edit by Iyvone Khoo. I remembered how we did this for a sleepless night like we did before during the school days when we were rushing for art project! I was in charge of looking for music for this video. Music by Nigel Kennedy. We love it and adore it! Thank you very much!

Sophia wrote about Siao Siang, a good read and a better understanding about the artist. The Everyday Revolution is moving forward to help the austistic artists! A way to go!

6yo Zephine said

I have been calling Megan as Michelle and Michelle as Megan on every lesson! XD 

This 6yo Zephine can't stand me anymore! She handed me a serviette!

"Teacher Esther! Nah!!!!"

"I don't need this!" I told her.

"You must take and keep it and don't lose it! OK!" 

Wow, this young lady is so fierce you know.

Then I realized it is a note! She wrote "Megan is not Michelle!" 

I laughed loudly, I find her so CUTE! But she gave me a stern look! And reminded me again, "Don't lose this note! OK!" And she went back to her work!

A little reminder from Zephine!

 

My new hair style

"No more Rock Star Esther! Teacher Esther, now you look more like a boy!" 10yo Anna commented.
"Why, not nice?" I asked.
"What did your husband say about your hairstyle??" 10yo Carissa asked.
"He said I look very CUTE!" I smiled.
"HUH! Your husband must be blind!!!!!" they exclaimed.
"Yes, he is blind by my love!" I laughed.
The whole class went, "AIYOOO!" XD

Happy Mother's Day!

This video is specially for all the great Mommies in the world! I managed to take some video of them during the rush hours! HAPPY MOTHER's DAY! to my Mum and all the Mommies out there!

Nanananananana...

 

Sing along session! Joy time together!

When Sonia starts humming, nanananana... Aimee adds in and they sing along!

It belongs to ME!

21yo Looi Siao Siang finally received the WWF recycle bag from me on the Thursday evening art class! He grabbed the bag in no time, I snatched it back from him as he was still holding on the bag (with strength). I was looking at him and expecting him to say the magic words, until he said, "Say Thank You!", eventually the bag was back to him.

My students were so curious about the bag, they asked, "Teacher Esther, what is WWF?" I told them to ask Siao Siang, and he said, "World Wildlife Fund!"

11yo Ashely reqested to take a look at the bag, Siao Siang allowed her. "Oh, the bag is made of bamboo! What if this bag was given to the panda, will they eat it??" Good question Ashely! But, I was not interested to answer her question, either Siao Siang!
I was more interested to "make fun" of Siao Siang, I hinted to Ashely not to return the bag to him! 13yo Michelle agreed with my mischief idea, we told Ashely to tell Siao Siang to give her this bag! Ashely thought it was a bad idea, kept blaming on us! Then Siao Siang exclaimed, "It belongs to ME!"

Michelle and I were laughing away! And poor Ashely kept blaming on us and still don't understand our purpose ~ We were making Siao Siang to interact with us! And he did!

I supposed giving him this bag wasn't an bad idea at all, he learns to talk to his classmates even more! Yes, my students indeed treated Siao Siang as their friends! and I am glad they are his art classmates and most importantly ~ FRIENDS!

WWF bags for WWF fans!

12yo Sonia, fan of WWF!

I saw a WWF logo recycle bag at a facebook link from the Tangs page!

Bought 3 of them on last Friday when I was shopping for Sonia and Aimee's canvases.
How come 3 of them? Well, they are: for myself, Sonia Hanke and of course Looi Siao Siang!

I took out one of the bag and placed it on the table together with the new canvas before the girls arrived for the class.

Sonia was the first one who arrived. She looked delighted when she spotted the bag! I told her it was for her, it was her advance birthday present! She was so happy!

When the lesson was about half of the time with Aimee, Sonia questioned, "Wait a minute, Miss Esther, my birthday is next week!"

"It is an advance birthday present!" I repeated.

"Oh yea! I forgot!" Sonia was smiling sillily.

Happy 12th Birthday Sonia Hanke!

Painting mosaic

Getting the little artist to paint the squares wasn't an easy task at all. 7yo Benjamin couldn't sit still and got distracted easily on every little things, like he would get thirsty every times and drink a whole bottle of water! Or being too helpful whenever there're children asking for help! He is one "Super Hero" that cannot help himself, yet. :s This boy has kind soul. But he has lesson to follow. I have to "pull" him back to his seat most of the times!

6yo Shayna is a perfectionist. She could not paint a perfect square and alarmed me every minute that she did a horrible job! She stood up with her paint brush, insisted to paint on a new piece of paper. I encouraged her to continue painting until she get it right. This time, she stomped her feet, ran to me and demand for a new piece of paper. Benjamin stood up from his seat and looked on. I said no to her and asked her to continue her work. She got mad and used the back of the paint brush and "drew" on my arms and I went "Ouchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Shayna was terrified, she apologized immediately and went back to her seat and continued her work. She kept saying, "Sorry Teacher Esther..."

The class asked her, "Why you always say sorry to Teacher Esther on every lesson?"

I told her firmly, "No more sorry and focus on your work."

Shayna said ok and continued her painting.

It wasn't easy to keep a child discipline in their art work.

I totally forgot about the scratch when I was busy with one class after another.

But the last class suddenly gave me a little "reward"! 8yo Rachel and 5yo Momo ran to me and slapped a sticker on my arms! Aren't they sweet!

Lost work, founded memory, strong reminder!

Strong Reminder: Property of Theon Aw. Do not put on the Dustbin!

Founded Memory: 13yo Theon's sketch Cubism in Action Tsunami

Theow Aw was noticed that his charcoal artwork was lost after the "tragic" story that I told him! He was so devastated, kept asking why I put their artwork on the dustbin! I felt so bad about it, again. No choice, we need to move on, I requested him to redraft everything straight onto the canvas and focus on the painting.

He did well, he can remember what he'd drawn previously from the charcoal artwork. This young man even demanded me to take a picture of his draft before it get lost again! :s

One more thing, I have to thank Siao Siang's Mummy, Mrs. Looi. She is the one who provides all the canvases for the children without even asking for single cent! Thank you and hugs!

Happy Birthday Melody!

10yo Melody jiejie with her favourite little people!

It was Melody Lin's 10th birthday on 21st April Saturday! She didn't request to celebrate her birthday during her art class like Zhen Hong. A quiet and kindhearted girl chose to give out little goodies for the little people from her 7yo sister Marissa's art class!

Around 7.15pm, Melody's Mum hang her a bag of goodies at the doorstep and informed me about her birthday.

7yo Melody Tan overheard and interrupted, "Oh, you mean Melody Tan???"

We were laughing, Melody's Mum told her, "No dear, it's Melody Lin's birthday!"

Then she went, "Hahaha, oh i see!"

All the children were asked to go back to their seats and Melody gave away the goodies to her favourite little people!

There, I requested everybody to take a picture with the birthday girl!
The answer was "Nooooooooo!!" in no time!

"Ok everybody, give back the goodies to Melody Jie Jie if you said No!" I exclaimed.

Guess what, they said "Yesssssss!!" and hurried up group together and snapped a picture together!!!

Sometimes, I really don't know what to say about their reaction!

But I have taken beautiful pictures of my art students who are growing up TOGETHER! :)
 

11yo Zhen Hong said

"Teacher Esther, can I celebrate my birthday next week in the art classroom?? Because my birthdate fall on next Saturday!" Zhen Hong requested, he even told me that his family never celebrate birthday with a cake for him before! Believe him or not, I allowed him to do that. I saw a big smile putting on his chubby face!

On 14th April, before the lesson was even started, he came 30 minutes earlier just to prepare his own birthday party! 10yo Keer was there too, but she was there to do her make up lesson. She even witnessed what was happening! Haha!

"Teacher Esther, help me to set up the camera! Please!" This boy brought his DSLR, tripod, even came with a remote control! Saw him preparing his party with sincere, I gave him a helping hand in whatever he needs. I can tell he seriously wanted this so much in the art class!

Camera, flash, tripod and remote control- checked!
Packets of drinks- checked!
Paper plates and forks- checked!
1.5kg chocolate cake and candles- checked!
Lighter- Oh no! No lighter!

Zhen Hong dug out his wallet and hang me $2 and "begged" me to buy for him! With no complain, I just did it for him, ran to the nearest 7 eleven!

When the class started, his classmates who just came into the classroom, realized he was serious about celebrating his birthday in the art class! All of them couldn't wait to start the party! Until Chuan Woon, Ying Jie and Jun Hao arrived (They were late for class), the party begun!

Happy 11th Birthday Zhen Hong!

The truth is out!

I wrote this message to my students who lost their charcoal artwork on 22nd April :

Dear students,

I'd found the culprit! It must be "The Killer Cleaner"!!!! :(

My Sat level 6 students named the weekend cleaner as "The Killer Cleaner" (from Johnny English Movie) cos she always naps or lingers with her hp on the sofa in the pantry room :s

This morning, I questioned her whether she happened to throw any of my students' artwork on last Sat, she LIED to me that she didn't come on last Sat! Yes, she did come and I witnessed her R&R on the sofa in the pantry again. I realized something very fishy, when I was busy with the little people in the classroom, "The Killer Cleaner" sneaked into the classroom without my notice and wrapped up the first layer of rubbish bag! I think she has been doing that when I was teaching! :S

I supposed I'd left your drawings on top of the rubbish bin which I was intending to place them back into the bag, I could be distracted by the little people during the art class! Chaotic in the art class cos these little people need a lot of attention from me! "The Killer Cleaner" must have wrapped up your work by MISTAKE! Worse, I could have forgotten about your work when I was busy! BIG SIGH! This cleaner should knock the door and notice me! She has been RUDE! :S

Sorry students, my apology to all. Let us move on to the canvas and paint one of your cubism pieces from your charcoal sketches or from your memory. But one thing I wanted to share with all of you that SiaoSiang drew the same horse he did onto the canvas.:)

Have a nice weekend!

Best Regards,
T.Esther

Again, I have been thinking, at least she should ask me about the artwork before she thrashed everything even ON the bin!!! One more thing, the school head told me they are going to sack the cleaning company, I am glad to know that but if they'd done it earlier, this thing would not happen! BIG SIGH again!

6yo Javier said

6yo Javier loves KFC chicken popcorns meal! Usually, he will be late for art class and I allowed him to have his late lunch during the lesson. This time, he arrived earlier before his lesson starts. His grandpa deposited him in the classroom and rushed off somewhere. This little boy asked me politely if he can eat his fav meal in the classroom, I allowed him. I told him to behave and not to disturb my class and he agreed. He was eating his meal peacefully. 

When my earlier class ended, it was his lesson time. All his classmates came in and set up their table. There, I started to have a conversation with Javier.

"Javier, next time ask your Papa and Mama to bring you for lunch before coming to the art class, ok!"

"Teacher Esther, I don't have Papa!" He exclaimed.

I was stunned...

"What happened to your Papa??" I asked.

"I don't know, but I know I only have one Grandpa!" He replied and was munching away.

The class went quiet...

"Have you seen him before, do you have a photograph of him???" I asked for more details.

"No Teacher Esther, I don't know how he looks like...." This time Javier looked lost and a bit of teary...

I changed my subject quickily, and said, "Javier, I know you are Mummy's good boy!"

I went forward and gave him a good pat on his head and made a mess of his hair!!! And he went, "Hey!!!" He smiled again.

This cheery little Javier has a good heart. Grow up beautifully with good people around you!

My thought is, it is not easy for his Mother who is a single parent, working so hard to raise up her two children. Javier's Mummy - "JIA YOU!!!!"

My cheery little people!

Teacher Esther has gone mad!!!!!!

I know I had busy Thursday and weekends, I didn't get the chance to tidy up the art materials and my students' work in the classroom! But they are always in place where I stored them! Last Sunday, I got the time and chance to tidy up the stuff, then I realised I'd lost my Thursday students' charcoal artwork which was halfway, some 70% completed... They took almost 6 lessons to work out this artwork from composing to constructing to completing with my guiding!

My heart dropped all the way to the bottom...

I searched high and low for them! But they were not even found!

Did I misplace them? The other art teachers took them? The cleaners accidentally threw them away?? Or someone stole my students' masterpieces??? WHO???

I couldn't sleep last night, I was thinking about it the whole night, good things, bad things, EVERYTHING!!!! I was tossing left and right on the bed, I kept blaming it was the coffee I drank when I had buffet dinner with my husband and my in laws...

I needed to calm down but I can't..... I was sooooooooooooooo mad about what happened!

I asked myself, am I too serious with my students' artwork or my blood pressure has gone up!

BIG SIGH~

My Apprentices

Theon showed the children how to draw a dolphin! Issac wanted to join the fun too!

13yo Isaac Lee and Theon Aw usually came late for art class right after their dinner and school. For this case, I would extend their lesson time so they could join the younger group at the back of the seat to continue their artwork.

I supposed at the back of their seat, their vision of Teacher Esther teaching the younger group had flashed back their memories when they were their age.

When I was about to start the young group class, 13yo Theon interrupted,
"Teacher Esther, can I try drawing on the white board?"

Theon wanted to try teaching the little people!
Without hesitation, I decided to let him try.

"Come!" I handed him a whiteboard marker.

Then he changed his mind, he said he can't draw a dolphin. Actually, he can but he had no confident. Isaac encouraged him, and even showed him how to do it! Isaac wanted to draw on the board too! I stopped him because Theon's confident was low. I promised Isaac, he can do it on the other day.

Back to the white board, I showed both Theon & Isaac how to teach the young ones. The little people were very supportive too, they were smiling and looked on.

Finally, Theon decided to try, he came to the white board. Issac came along too, both of them showed the little people their drawings on the white board. Theon was drawing and Isaac was interacting with the students. They both did really well.

The little people were impressed by 2 gor gors. I must say they did a good job too, and they did the best drawing on the actual day!

There, Issac and Theon continued their work at the back.

8yo Hannah shared her happiness!

8yo Hannah Goh just email to my mailbox:

Hi Teacher Esther, my piano exam results came back. I got distinction. 133/150

Wow! I'm so happy for her! This young lady must be too happy to share her high score that she'd achieved in her exam. I replied her:

Wow! Awesome Hannah! I'm so happy for you!!!!! Well done!!!! :D

Now Teacher Esther has to work harder on my violin practice for coming September exam! 

Teacher Esther Jia you!!!

Shortlisted artwork submitted! :)

I'd just submitted Jamie & Chloe's artwork. Uncle Joeel was with me :) Hope they will win an title for their creation! All the best!