dragons and snow

Remember when I talked about getting carbon paper I needed for a project? Here is that project! This was the example that I made for my students. We all did dragons and put them in caves, notice the beautiful icicles? That is the part of the project that I needed the carbon paper for. The dragon was done in watercolor. I think he came out very nice. And why am I posting this in the middle of the day? Another snow day. I hate snow.

Happy Birthday, Mt. St. Trenton

This weekend was my youngest son's 4th birthday party. His absolute favorite things in the entire world are volcanoes, exploding volcanoes. I have a tradition at my house of making wonderful, personal birthday cakes. So I ended up making this for him. I did three round cakes, two chocolate and the top layer was red velvet cake. I then frosted the entire thing with light brown frosting. I crushed Oreo cookies and gramh crackers and tossed them on the outside. I also added chocolate covered pop rocks (yes, there is such a thing) and brown sugar crystals to the outside. To do the lava, I added red frosting to the top and then drizzled melted orange-colored candy wafers on the top. I then added strawberry pop rocks and cut out pieces of red fruit roll up to the side. I added candles and sparklers as a finishing touch. It went over very very very well. Only problem: what am I going to do with all this cake?

Oooooh! Pretty!

The finished inside of the cake. Yes, I do have a pink knife. Thank you!

Andrew Wyeth, RIP

The art world has suffered a great loss. Andrew Wyeth died today. He was 91 years old. Something to talk to my students about on Tuesday. :::Sigh:::: On a happier note, I went to the business office today, and they were able to "donate" a ton of old carbon paper for an art project I'm doing with my 7th graders. Score! Anything I can beg, borrow, or find is helpful on a budget. I will post the results sometime next week. I have lots of fun art to show off, belonging both to me and my students. The only thing holding me up is getting my brand new camera set up. I received a 14 megapixal camera for Christmas from Mommy and Daddy. In all honesty, it's kinda intimidating. I have to get over my fear of the silly camera, I have art to take pictures of!

I hate the cold

So, I went to start my car up this morning, no problem, even if it is -25 degrees outside. I run out to leave, and I remember that I left my book that I needed inside. So I shut my car off because I need my house key, run inside, get my stuff, and guess what happens? Yup, the car refuses to start. So I have to waste one of my personal days because I am stuck at home. I have so much to do with my students!!!! I only have two weeks left with them, and then I switch over to a new bunch. Oh well, it's Golden Girls and correcting papers for me today. I will leave you with some older acrylic paintings I've done.

Being creative and having emotions

So, I've been gone for awhile. Quite awhile, I am afraid. Since the end of November, I have had some pretty heavy emotional stuff going on around my life. Now, you might ask me, "Does that give you the excuse not to work?" An immature, ordinary creative person would say, "Of course! Take time to get your life in order!" But as a professional, I must continue working. Life will never be perfect and I will never have enough time to be totally devoted to my art. I have to make the time and take control of my creativity. So tonight, I have picked myself up by the boot strings (is that the proper expression?) and will be posting semi-regularly from now on. I have been feeling this lacking inside of me because I have been so neglectful of my creative spirit. So here, for the world to read, is a list of my upcoming art:




*Getting my card making business off the ground.




*Being the Director of Scenery for my school's product of Grease. (This is the project I am super excited about.)




*A painting titled, We Are in the Same Boat. Pictures of the start of this painting can be seen below.

I had an amazing time!!!

Conference was so much fun.. I learned so much about lessons, got ideas, and got to know a bunch of great art teachers. I even got to make some stuff in workshops. And, of course, the vendors! I have never been to a place like that before. I got so much free stuff. They were so nice, just handing art supplies out. I was in Heaven. Also, they were selling lots of books at discount prices. I bought several books; mostly on Mexican, African and Chinese art. These are places where my knowledge is lacking. Hey, I need to learn and improve! I had such a great experience. It is hard to put into words.

A sign:

My hotel room:

My region:

We got back late last night and then I went right into parent teacher conferences (more conferences!) today into tonight. I have to get up early tomorrow for conferences, but after that, I'm off from school until Monday. This week will be a great time to make some great art. I will post more of my pictures from NYSATA later. I might have time tomorrow. It's snowing so hard outside right now, I might pray for a snow day!!!!

I'm leaving, on a jet plane... or mini van.. or whatever.

I've packed my bags, switched my money to a small wallet instead of my huge one, and got out of bed at 5AM; everything I've needed to do before a trip I've done! I'm also taking a sketch book with me. I'm taking one that is almost full, so if it gets stolen, I know the person liked my art and didn't just need a sketch book. On that note, I've got to go get the pack and play (my Dad is probably on his way.). Everyone have a great weekend! I'll talk to you again Sunday night.
P.S. To all my artist out there, check out google today. Awesome.