Student projects!

This year is going by way too quickly!!!

The bf and I are making big plans for next year that involve a possible job search for me! Exciting--yes, overwhelming--just a bit! I have lived in the same place for almost three years and have been so lucky to be at a great school with wonderful co-workers. I have very high standards for co-workers and administration now. That being said, it will be nice not to have to drive somewhere every Fri/Sun evening!

And I do feel pretty well prepared for interviews and such. I could literally teach art anywhere to anyone. I have taught students from all over the world who may or may not speak any English. I have taught from a cart, in a tiny trailer room with no sinks, in a small room with one sink and no storage, and have been told to switch rooms with a few days notice. Right now I am righteously spoiled by an enormous brand new art room with an equally large storage room AND kiln room!!! Except for Tuesdays when I am still on a cart and teach 5 kindergarten classes....

I could probably teach a successful art lesson out of the trunk of my car on a highway median during rush hour if they asked me too! As I update my portfolio with lesson plans and images, I am surprised at how many great projects my students have made. Here are just a few samplings from several different grade levels:

Such creative little brains they have! It always amazes me what they come up with or how they interpret my directions... Never a dull moment here!

New painting projects coming soon!

Just sold!

And the Christmas season prompts another sale!

You Can Almost Hear The Ocean

photo print

8 X 10

YES! Check out my Etsy shop where more beautiful artwork is available for purchase!!!

MMM Wings in the Crockpot :)

First here are some pictures of "Three Satin Dresses" and some fellow teachers' works on display at the FCPS Artist Teacher Exhibition! What talented art teachers we have!!! It was so funny how they put the masculine stapled-wood "sculpture" in between my painting and my friend's paintings.. Nice contrast I guess! My least favorite part of the exhibition was the hanging and then take-down at 8am on a Sunday... who scheduled that time slot? PW decided that if /WHEN I enter any more shows, I better check out the set-up/take-down times first :P.
I am very excited to have my painting home safe and sound.
















Yesterday was a fabulous relaxing Sunday! I am not sure what we do on Sundays during the football off season....There is nothing I like more than having people over for a casual dinner party and watching the games. My old roommate came over with her pug, Ellie (snort snort snort) and her new BF (PW had another MAN to hang out with!) . She brought chips and guacamole and a veggie tray+ dip and cookies AND wine! sheesh!

To complete the buffet, I made wings in the crockpot--YUM. It is my latest crockpot endeavor. I have followed recipes in the past courtesy of two fabulous crockpot cookbooks, but created my own simple concoction this time.... First I browned the wings in the broiler--about 5-10 min on each side... Then I put them in the crockpot and dumped a mixture of buffalo wing sauce, bbq sauce, and garlic (of course!). I also but jalapenos in the bottom to add some spice. Onions would have been yummy too but I was lazy... .

They were done in 2 hrs and made the house smell SO GOOD! If you want them crispy, I guess you could put them BACK in the oven to broil for a little time on each side.... I wish I had leftovers!

Ok time to grade stacks and stacks of projects from last week!

Teaching, Painting, and High Hopes!

Where did September go? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was posting only my second post about the beginning of summer and the excitement of the summer months ahead?!

So begins another school year and after the semi-lazy days of summer, I welcome the chaos of a daily routine, lesson plans, interesting child behaviors, and attempting to fit some creativity and painting somewhere between 4:30 and when I fall asleep at night.

This time of year always forces me to reflect on various topics...Maybe it is the lovely fall colors and the cool clear air that provide so much artistic inspiration....Or the way some of my students act that make me, heaven forbid, want to thank my parents for raising me the way I did...Or the beginning of another school year reinforcing the fact that I am indeed a successful, independent young adult already in my 3rd year of teaching (where did the first two years go?) paying my own bills....AND in an awesome and promising relationship, I'll call him PW!....AND even squeezing in enough time to sell artwork here and there......please excuse my lack of sentence structure!

Coming soon..... Some portraits and landscapes already being completed on commission for Christmas presents!!! And of course the daily antics of my creative and crazy young students. And maybe some book or movie recommendations and yummy recipes!

And now I am ready for the weekend, heading out to meet coworkers for an after-school "staff meeting" at an alternate location that serves yummy beverages and appetizers!

Have a good weekend!