Fourth trip to St. Francis

My fourth Wednesday went really well. Lisa came back and painted with me again. It's really nice when people come paint more than once because I feel like they really appreciate the opportunity or experience. Rachel also painted with us and a young man named Dustin. I like that our canvases are small because some people who come early can start a second one or people who come half way through still have time to get started. 

I also think having the radio has been really beneficial to this project because it gives everyone something to talk about when conversations fall flat. We talked about Michael Jackson, different genres of music we prefer, concerts etc. Aside from music we talked about our families, and where they are, or where everyone was from. 

I always tell people to paint anything they want and that if they want to keep it or donate to my project they can and I've been happily surprised that most people let me keep them . It's also really nice when people ask me for advice on there paintings.

Third visit to St. Francis

My 3rd week at St. Francis was the best so far. I painted with Lisa again and she finished her painting for her fiance and started a second one. I really got to know her  more and about her personal life because it was just us together painting for the most part. It was really sweet when I saw her Friday for a few moments after we were done with our proposals and she high fived me and was excited to tell me about scoring a cashier position at Walmart.
I did find out about a new rule that technically could interfere with my proposal. The lady in the office told me when I checked in if I'd like to be a little warmer I could set up my painting session inside the dining area, instead of the picnic table, and Wednesday at 8 am it was a bit nippy, so I did. And a woman came in who said she was too tired to paint because she couldn't sleep on the street, and was trying to get a bed. She told me that they were going to talk to her and try to help her but that she couldn't be on the property unless she was a resident at 8 am. (I think its okay 9-4pm or something like that). Anyway I wrote in my proposal that anyone who wanted to, could paint with me, whether it was staff, volunteers, residents, or passersby. So I told her she could sit with us and I was sure it would be fine. She was so nervous though that she went and asked staff to make sure and they came back and told me the rules about homeless people who aren't residents and not to invite them inside.
Will, the guitar player, also did a painting with us and it was really interesting and abstract. I would like to get to know him more but I don't want to just ask questions outright and am hoping he'll open up naturally.

Second Visit to St Francis

Today I came to St Francis with my project permission sheet filled out and got it signed by the administration.
The Project I'm taking on was inspired by my first visit when I sat around the picnic table in the courtyard and talked with residents and passerby I really felt that I could help by creating some time for them to relax and create and listen to music. I brought my radio from home, and a relaxing CD (Railroad Earth: Last of the Outlaws), several 5x7 inch canvas boards, acrylic paint (primary colors+b/w), some brushes, party cups for water, and sarongs to protect there tables.
I invited any staff, resident, volunteer, or passerby to join me and paint. I informed them that they could make anything, they could keep it, or donate it to St. Francis and that at the end of my time I would create a larger piece out of all our little pieces. And I told anyone who didn't finish I would save there piece and they could meet me back next Wednesday to finish.
Since it was a frosty 37 degrees this morning the staff encouraged us to paint inside instead of outdoors in the courtyard, but I hope next week the weather is a little warmer and we can paint outside.

Two painters decided to make a gift for a loved one this coming Valentines Day.

And everyone else who painted(including me!) was willing to donate there painting to my project for St. Francis. Many didn't finish in the two hour time but seemed excited to meet me back next Wednesday and I made sure to tell them what time.

We talked about many different things, including the food at St Francis, artists that were related to us, our jobs, music, and loved ones we were hoping to see this coming Valentines Day.

February 3/First visit to St Francis

My first morning at St Francis went really well. I spent most of my time conversing with people who were hanging in the courtyard area and at the picnic table. I sketched some of the people I talked with and Sylvester, a black and white cat that also calls St Francis home.

I mostly talked with men, but I did sit with one lady for a while and she seemed very reserved but complimented my hair. We mostly talked about prison, college, child support, baby mamas, drugs, Christianity and hope.