Quick Sketch

Do you ever feel like you have to squeeze in some creativity time? No matter how long you work or what the end result looks like, you just need to spread some color onto some paper. Well, that's where I'm at tonight. For Christmas, my parents bought me some crayons. Not just any crayons, Neocolor11 watersoluble wax pastels. They are like a combination between crayons and oil pastels, that when mixed with water turn into watercolors. They are SWEET!! But I don't have any experience with them. So, I thought I would doodle with them for few. Here's my 15 minute sketch.

 

In the Classroom...

Today, the first graders finished up their Super Hero Family Portraits. After, drawing their chosen environment students were to paint in their background with watercolors. The kids imaginations soar during this project developing costumes, super powers, and background stories to go with their families. One of my favorites stories included the grandparents as villains, who were also giant aliens. As a teacher, this is a great way to build relationships with your students. I ask every student to tell me about their picture. And for students who are normally quiet and reserved, they usually perk up and want to tell you all about their project.

Angel Wings>>> Finished

 

 

Sunday Drive

 

 

Dreaming of Summer

It's freezing here in the Midwest. I am so thankful for a warm cozy home, hot tea, and daydreams of summer. This painting was created under the hot summer sun. If I get close enough to the fire I can imagine the sun on my bare skin while painting on my deck.

In the Classroom

The second graders are weaving!!! I personally love to weave. Teaching weaving is a difficult task, but so rewarding when the light bulb finally turns on.

On Day 1 of the project, I do an introduction of all the different types of weavings, weaving materials, and terms. The students then paint one piece of paper with the warm colors, and the second with the cool colors. The watercolors dry very quickly. So, when the pages are dry we trace around all the different colors and values of color with sharpie.

On Day 2, I demonstrate weaving students together. The kids love it!!! We then create our loom out of one of the papers. And the second piece of paper we cut into strips for the weft. Next, we weave them together. And lastly, glue the weaving down on a square white paper. If there are strips left students gut them up and glue around the weaving.

Next, time we will create a frame for the weavings out of brown paper, construction paper crayons, and metallic markers.



 



Heartwork

"In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you."
                                                                                              - Buddha