“Have you seen people using the bigger hoops? Wondered if you could actually do it, too?”

Hoops against "Keyhole Mural" door.

The sizes can be matched to your comfort and style, basically. If you are more active and, for instance, do your hooping to fast music you are going to want one of the smaller size. On the other hand, if you are a meandering, movement-oriented hooper you can go to a larger size. Either way you will have so much fun and many smiles will pop up on your face while you reach new levels of tricks and practice your hooping skills or screw up significantly. Oh, and occasionally hit yourself in the head, drop the hoop, loose control of the hoop, etc. Be prepared, bruises and laughing are often a result of gaining skills in hooping. (but not always)

“Well, the larger ones make a big difference to hooping… successfully”

The tape has a variety of features. More of a grippy tape can help make the hoop really hold on to you better for learning. Bright colors, flames, skull & crossbones, and chrome can be options while supplies last. Both tapes are masterfully applied by Rin Carroll Jackson who revisits her past hockey-stick-taping skills for the fun and exciting combination of colors. The colors vary with each batch she tapes, but for the most part they look similar to the photos below.

The hoops are a great addition to the NW String Summit event as people use them while listening to the great music on stage while others dance around or do poi. We produce the hoops with various hardware store materials and decorative tape and offer them for sale at the event along with Sleeping Bee Batiks Clothing. We also offer them out of our Showrom at 3561 SE Division St.

If you are interested in a hoop for exercise, dance or fun please call 503-232-0745 for an appointment or talk to the Book Collective (503- 234-book) during business hours.

Call: 503-232-0745 and we would be glad to schedule at time for you to come in and test out the size you need and handle your purchase of the most fun exercise tool you will own. Hooping to music is a favorite.

Hoops range from $20 for the small hoops to $30 for the larger sizes. Focus on local and support a woman-owned business in SE Portland, Oregon. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.

New mini candles at the new Sleepling Bee Studio

SE AREA ARTWALK — OUR MISSION: The mission of the S.E. Area ARTWalk is to establish a community-focused event showcasing artists in  S.E. Portland, Oregon. To organize and promote a group of local artists to strengthen the art community, encourage cultural awareness, and provide the opportunity for human interaction within our neighborhoods.

Sleeping Bee studio is #39 on the map.

Visit the website:  www.seportlandartwalk.com

View the online map: here
Support the event with a donation: here
Come see the new arrangement over at 3561 SE Division.

Introducing the Sleeping Bee Showroom featuring:
batik, hula hoops, art, candles, greeting cards and new vinyl stickers with Rin’s art!

Pleased to introduce my host will be the NEW -

Come sit by the comfort of the fire...

Bartleby Bear’s Book Collective – an eclectic, comfortable place for the hood. Resource center, book store, place for community gatherings, meetings and events & more to come……..

Looking forward to seeing you during the SE Area ARTWalk……….

Rin

3 versions of our Peacock with Instruments.

The video is a great collection of views, comments and interviews with folks involved in event featuring “Contemporary-American-String-Ensemble-Music” describes Dave Johnston of the Yonder Mountain String Band. Over and over the video emphasizes the family aspect of the event which is something we love about it.

WANT TO SEE OUR DESIGNS DURING THE VIDEO? Times: 2:13 – 2 panels feature both of our shirt designs. 8:18 – shows Tim in our Peacock design…

Find out more about the studio www.rinzart.com or on facebook or place the following link in your browser http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sleeping-Bee-STUDIO/188694957480

We have had such an amazing experience participating in the music event at such a beautiful location with friendly, caring and dear people attending. Consider attending this summer. More at http://www.stringsummit.com/

Find our hoops there so you can hoop to the continual music.

Wishing you all the warmth and love of the season…

My “Rooted Drummer” (woman drumming on a conga) is going to be shown to illustrate the word “smacking” for the text in The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. I find that pretty fun as I love that book.

Welcome to Literacyhead!

www.literacyhead.com

Literacyhead is a weekly online magazine for connecting literacy and the visual arts. Educators can find lessons and resources for teaching reading and writing lessons. Are you a Literacyhead?

Joanne Oleksiak, Eduardo Fernandez and Rin Carroll Jackson featured in the Sellwood Bee Article by David Ashton. Joanne acted as Project Coordinator, Eduardo was the Lead Painter and Rin served as Site Coordinator

Project Coordinator – Joanne Oleksiak

Lead Painter – Eduardo Fernandez

Site Coordinator – Rin Carroll Jackson

New justice-themed mural graces Sellwood Middle School

By David F. Ashton

The Bee, Jun 8, 2010, Updated Jun 9, 2010

Brandie Graham, Laurin Radcliffe and Zola Walton say they enjoyed how much input they were allowed to express on mural project.

Because of the success last year of a semester-long project to create and produce a wall-sized mural in a hallway at Sellwood Middle School, the school’s Principal, Helen Nolen, was encouraged repeat the effort this year.

“What I found out about murals is that it’s a real community-building process,” explained Nolen, at the May 7th dedication ceremony. “150 eighth graders got to enjoy the experience of creating a new mural this spring.”

With funding in hand from the school’s PTA Arts & Culture Committee, Nolen again contacted Portland’s leading “mural facilitator”, Joanne Oleksiak — who successfully guided last year’s sixth grade Life Sciences mural project at the school, with top mural artist Larry Kangas.

“These students were very clear about the theme they wanted, right from the start,” Oleksiak told us. “Summed up a word: Justice.”

Like last year, the five-week-long process began by helping students learn more about murals by viewing graphic presentations by photographer and author Robin Dunitz, and veteran mural artist Larry Kangas.

“Then, we brainstormed with the kids, to determine how they would visually interpret their theme,” Oleksiak said. “They voted — and Jackie Robinson was chosen as the central figure, around which we built the mural.”

Because this year’s mural would feature famous people, Oleksiak said she brought in Eduardo Fernandez. “Eduardo is really good at portraits and faces; he was selected to paint a formal portrait of Oregon Governor Kulongoski this year.”

Oleksiak also brought in Rin Carroll Jackson — perhaps best known to readers of THE BEE for organizing the Southeast Art Walk — to serve as the project’s Site Coordinator.

Five classes of eighth graders contributed ideas about what the mural might include, and gave design suggestions. “They did brush cleanup, wall preparation, and they painted-in many of the features. They were involved every step of the way,” Oleksiak revealed.

“These kids had great ideas,” Fernandez commented, as he looked at the finished mural. “It’s Jackie Robinson, the Dodgers’ baseball player who broke the ‘color barrier’. Behind him, in the ballpark’s grandstand, are dignitaries of justice, in time-line fashion, from left to right, cheering him on.”

Nolen marveled, “Where can you see Batman and Wonder Woman, along with Martin Luther King Jr. — all in one artwork? I think they succeed at illustrating their theme.”

Several of the students who worked on the project also said they enjoyed both the process and the finished mural. “I liked how much input we got to give. It wasn’t just like the adults deciding, or telling us what to do,” commented student artist Zola Walton.

“Through all of their grades, these eighth graders have been our ‘justice class’ — always wanting things to be fair. This piece of art they’re leaving is a wonderful legacy. I hope they come back to see it again, when they grow up,” said Principal Nolen, who will be retiring this month. (THE BEE will have a further article on that next month.)

The new mural, located indoors at the entryway to the school’s main gym, where many events are held, was made possible by a generous gift of materials and supplies from the Sellwood Miller Paint store, Nolen said.

FROM MY Cafepress store…

Scarecrow Throw Pillow View Larger

Scarecrow is balanced between night and day. Rooted below and holding a hoop with gloved hands. Flowing hay hair escaping from its floppy hat.

Our booth at the 2010 NW String Summit at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, Oregon USA

Sleeping Bee Batiks

Wear a wonderful, handmade piece of artwork. Give a treasured gift for your daughter, son, nephew, niece or grandchild…Many of our customers mention  that the wearable art has become the recipients favorite piece of clothing!!!

Etsy: Our online store that allows you to view, buy & get items shipped. Here is the link… http://www.etsy.com/shop/rinzart8

Our “hands-on” creative process includes melting locally raised beeswax (by Glen Andreson NE PDX), using a tool to draw the wax on so it seeps into the material, multiple dye baths, procion dye processes and boiling out the wax in the final stage with collected Portland rainwater.

Here are a quick sampling of designs we created in our Spring production cycle. More?

We have a variety of designs that focus on interests we have, nature, healthy practices, and even some our sons have come up with. We integrate our home-learning into our business by involving our 2 boys to the extent they find it fun, joyful and interesting. Our “Dragon” design and our “Crossed Keys” design were conceptualized by our kids and they are proud to point them out on the rack and benefit from the sales of “their designs”.

Our logo that goes on each creation “Division-Infinity” is a combination of the infinity symbol and the dots from the Division symbol. We envision the infinite possibilities and the amazing neighborhood in which we live.
Consider supporting a woman-owned, family run business when you are contemplating staff attire, employee gifts, family reunions or company gifts.

We would love to hear your ideas and do custom orders. As always, our focus is on positive, community supportive, sustainable endeavors.

Contact us for more details at rinzart[at]spiritone.com

Design by Rin Carroll Jackson of Art Endeavors, LLC Portland, OR

In 2003 a competition to update the mural  at Rite Aid on SE 39th Ave and SE Division St. was initiated (thanks D/CBA)   It was decided that a community vote would be set in motion to select from 4 finalists who had submitted design images for the new mural. “Creating Community” by Rin Carroll Jackson was chosen to adorn the wall. The “community-chosen” design incorporated many of the steps the surrounding citizens were taking to enhance the ecology of the Richmond Neighborhood area. The 2 week process of gridding, sketching and painting the 11′ x 72′ wall included 40 volunteers to complete the project. Volunteers, ages 3 -78 from various parts of the city worked to create the colorful captivating mural. The image is a positive depiction of a central group encompassed by a sweeping “quilt-like” section that expands out to a path going Eastward full of open space and opportunity. A tree is just about to be planted and a young figure in the central group blows bubbles that waft across to the right.

Artist Jordan Vinograd Kim was a vital part of the project working along side Rin to do the more technical gradation and detail work. The names of those that participated in the project are listed on a “sign” painted on the far right of the mural. The wonderful outpouring of community creativity is common in this area with an amazing number of artists, many local businesses and restaurants too, making this a charm of SE Portland.

STRUCK BY GRAFFITI….2010

During the Spring of 2010 the “Creating Community Mural” (2 images viewable here & here) was tagged by 2 different spray paint markings. Rin was notified, and due to the efforts of the D/CBA (Division Clinton Business Association) to get a grant to cover the supplies and restoration, Rin was determined to get it back to original shape. The final feathering in of the clear coating that protects the mural was completed in September of 2010.

Latest news on the Mural:

Stay tuned for new details……