Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now, and perhaps without even knowing it, you will live along some distant day into the answers. - Rainer Maria Rilke

Monday, February 14, 2011

Week 4, Day 2: It's a Little Sketchy!


After posting the photos of the buses and taxis from Haiti, I had to find out more.  So I googled, and finally found out that they are called Tap-taps.
Although tap-taps are privately owned, they are the public transportation of Haiti.  The name tap-tap comes from the sound the passengers make when tapping on the metal to indicate that they want to get off.  Tap-taps are elaborately decorated by their owner with bright colors and other artistic elements, which stands in contrast with some of the bleak city blocks in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. Christian phrases and secular slogans usually in French, although increasingly seen in Haitian Creole and English, are often imprinted.
 Most tap-taps operate over fixed routes, departing only when full. One can usually ride a tap-tap for approximately five gourdes, but the charge will depend on the distance you ride or your overall destination for longer trips. As a tap-tap passes, simply shout 'alé' to join the ride, but when ready to get off, say 'mesi chofè' and pay as you leave.
Tap-taps are also notorious venues for local gossip and politically charged, but light-hearted kompa music.    -from wikipedia

I'm so totally fascinated!

My daughter told me today she had her Art By Me stuff (her words).  For those who aren't familiar with Art by Me, it's a school fundraiser where the kids submit a drawing — usually to a theme the art teacher determines — then they get magnets made for you and if you like it you can pay for it, or have any other item imprinted with the image at an outrageous cost (but I still get it!).  I have collected tiles of the kids art work through the years.  Anyway, K told me she hates what she did, then takes it out and shows me.  I love it!  What do you think?  And it goes so well with this week's inspiration!!

K's Art By Me Pattern

Now for my sketches. In addition to the images Jess gave me,  google d"tap tap Haiti" and went to view images, and got even more inspiration from there!  This week I tried something different...I didn't use my eraser.  It was challenging because I can be a perfectionist, but I managed just fine!  (little pat on the back)

Sketching on Monday
Sketching more on Monday

There is so much this week that I can focus on that I'm having a hard time narrowing down.  Is there something here or on the photos that you want to see further developed?  Let me know.  I may just use your suggestion.

Don't forget to go check out Haiti Medical Mission!

Oh, and Happy Valentines Day!






3 comments:

D said...

I love the words that are almost hidden within the tap-taps. One of them has "One Love" and a name under it where we would put a license plate on the front of a car. There is so much going on, yet I've heard that when you see them, certain things will pop out at you. Like those pictures where you can see different things, but our eyes focus down on something. Very cool!

JoLene said...

K's project looks like she has the same inspiration. One suggestion: it might be interesting to post how much time you spent on the "projects" each day (for example, for me to sketch, it could be an all day affair), but I remember you were always pretty quick. Anyway, I can't wait to see what this brings. The tap-taps have a very 60's vibe.

AndreaS said...

Jolene, CB, thanks so much for your support!! I like the idea of including how long it takes to do the "projects". Some of the projects have been an all day affair, others come easily...and some days not at all. Sometimes it also depends on what else I have going on. We've had a lot of sick days around our house lately!

This week, it took about an hour, give or take, while watching TV and pulling up photos on the web. I'm not sure where all of this is leading, but I'm loving the process. I thought it would be a hard thing to keep up everyday, but most days I'm working on it and thinking ahead. I've had to make sacrifices and give up some free time, but it's well worth it!
Ciao Bella!