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Comments, References and Articles
David Matheson, fifth/sixth grade teacher
Randll Elementary School - Milpitas, CA
"The Painting Gourmet
has been coming to my classroom weekly for
six weeks. My students are highly engaged by
the presentations and the art activities. They
look forward to this each and every week. it
seems to stimulate many learning modalities
which are not often tapped into during the
most "normal" school days.
And the artwork that they have produced under
the direction of Darlene Carman is incredible!"
Mayor Henry Manayan,
City of Milpitas
"I have served the
arts in Silicon Valley for nearly 17 years.
Much of my service has included membership
on a number of Boards including the Arts
Council Silicon Valley, San Jose Museum of
Art, Villa Montalvo and the Margaret Wingrove
Dance Co. In my personal opinion of Darlene
Carman's art work, I have always been impressed
with her creativity and artistic merit. Her
paintings cover a wide spectrum of subjects
from natural landscapes including florals
and wildlife, to ocean scenes and a variety
of marine life.
Her realistic depiction of
natural subjects, use of light and wonderful
colors are particularly uplifting to look at.
Ms. Carman draws us into her paintings. One of
the most interesting aspects of Darlene's work
is her ability to paint creatively. The best
example of this is when she demonstrates the
use of ordinary vegetables as substitutes for
paint brushes on her work. It is a fascinating
thing to watch.
I believe Ms. Carman's work will enhance any
community. I particularly feel that Ms. Carman's
live demonstrations will really appeal to children
most of all, especially with the creative use
of ordinary vegetables to create endearing
works of art."
Sincerely,
Henry C. Manayan, Esq.
Mayor
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Justine Wendt,
Second grade teacher,
Oak Grove School District, San Jose, CA
"Besides being a wonderful artist, Darlene
Carman has the unique ability to transfer her
love of art to children without talking down
to them. The children found vegetable art different,
exciting, and fun."
Third Grader,
Oak Grove School District, San Jose, CA
"I love painting flowers and trees with
carrots and broccoli."
From the San Jose Mercury
"Darlene
Carman, who lives in San Jose but teaches art
in the Milpitas adult education program, is
exhibiting her painting, "Fletcher's Tribute
to C.R." at the library. "I am so
thrilled to be a part of this," she
said. "It gives me an opportunity to share my
work with the community."
Her painting is a portrayal of a dog in a cart, but
it goes beyond that. She met Fletcher while she was
hiking with friends in Golden Gate Park and photographed
him. Later, hiking at the Pinnacles, she found a path
for Fletcher and photographed it. While she was painting,
she saw Christopher Reeves on a television show, further
inspiring her.
The finished product included some tributes to Reeves,
including lavender for healing, she said.
Carman likes the idea of displaying her art in community
venues. During another hike with friends, she visited
the carousel at Oak Meadow Park in Los Gatos. She mentioned
she was an artist and "came home with two eight
foot panels." Both panels now adorn the carousel
there."
From The Sunnyvale Sun:
Leafy stalks of broccoli and celery fill the
basket. The wide-eyed youngsters select one of
each and listen intently as the instructor shows
them what to do next. Children's cooking class?
Not at all. It's time for this year's Hands on
the Arts children's festival. Those vegetables
aren't for cooking and eating: they're for painting
and creating. Sounds silly, but a skilled artist-teacher
achieves wondrous effects with them on canvas.
"When you see her work,
you think you're looking at under water photos
of dolphins and whales," said Kay Whitney,
city of Sunnyvale cultural-arts education coordinator
and visual-arts chair for the event. "She
teaches the children to create different effects
with color - to execute and conceive an artistic
composition, using vegetables as paint brushes.
The kids love it, and they do a great job."
From Ellen
Murray of the Los Altos Art and Wine Festival:
"Darlene
has a natural energetic personality that children
are drawn to." An important element
of Darlene's popularity is the rapport
she develops with children. She readily
captivates and holds their interest.
Sampling of community events
in which Darlene Carman has participated:
- Kaleidoscope - East Palo Alto, CA
- Youth Artist Fair and the Community Museum
- Milpitas, CA
- Los Altos Art and Wine Festival - Los Altos,
CA
- Hands on the Arts - Sunnyvale, CA
- Jewell Arts Program, Oak Grove School District,
San Jose, CA
- Gate Seminar - Los Gatos Union School District,
Los Gatos, CA.
- Foster & Adoptive Parent Resource Center
- County of Santa Clara
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