An Altered Wonderland

Blending Bandito

2011-08-21T09:08:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time since I fooled around with a new product. I recently purchased some golden open acrylic paints and fell in love with the blending ability of these paints!

I happen to love oil paints for that reason but hate the smell and the long drying time. With acrylics I get a shorter drying time but not the manipulation I want.

Until I found golden open! It has all the manipulation of oil paints without the smell but has a longer drying time then most acrylics! It is amazing!

I really recommend you try them out!

I am...

2011-08-12T10:16:00.000-04:00

Every wednesday, Donna Downey over at Simply Me does an inspiration wednesday post. I spend a lot of time looking over her work and just absolutely love it!

Back in july of 2010 she created this journal page and i was in love. I loved the simplisity of it as well as the color combo. I just had to create one of my own.

This journal page really fits in with the theme I have been exploring lately in my art journal.

This is who I am.... This is who I will always be and no one can take that away from me.

Hi Ho, Hi, Ho Its off to work I go

2011-08-10T10:14:00.001-04:00

In less then two weeks it will be the offical start to a new school year.

All summer long I have looked foward to this time. I was excited for what I have planned. I am still excited that I am getting to use all of my classroom this year.

I just wish I had more time. But then again my students are probably wishing the same thing.

I have so many wonderful art projects planned for this first semester classes that I just cant wait to teach them as well as see the work the students will come up with. I plan to get more art projects done this time around. Last year I was only able to get 6-7 projects done with each grade level. This time around I am hoping to get 10 projects.

I dont know if this is ambitous of me but I know the students want more and it isnt fair that they cant get more cause the class is only half a year.

We will just have to see.

Inspiration

2011-08-02T09:28:00.002-04:00

This week I was writing a design unit for my 8th grade classes based on the design movement known as Art Nouveau. Artist like Gustav Klimt, Mucha and Louis Comfort Tiffany come to mind when thinking about this style in both painting and design.

I always characterized this style with the simpliest forms and shapes. The use of geometric shapes in Klimts paintings and the use of flowers and peacock feathers in Tiffany's lamps and vases. It is such a graceful style of art.

So I decided to create my own Art Nouveau inspired piece. But what colors to use? This is always the hardest part for me.

Art Nouveau Poppies
Watercolor, Ink, stamps, prisma color pencils
Art Journal c. 2011

Well... I came across another blog that I fell in love with! The Play Date Cafe does a color challenge that really spoke to me as an artist with no clue when it comes to choosing color.

The color challenge this week was for petal pink, coral and antique gold. When I heard that I automatically thought flowers.

What inspires you?

An Experiment

2011-07-29T09:50:00.001-04:00

This was an experiment in paper.

No it is not a collage, not I didn't really glue much paper to this. However, the journal page is separate from my book and done on regular card stock.

This was my first time using card stock as a substrate and I am not sure how I like it. The corners kept rolling up and wouldn't stay flat like water color paper does, yet it has a really good toothy texture that I happen to like.

All in all it wasn't a bad experiment.

Fooling Around

2011-07-28T12:00:00.000-04:00

Amazing Find!!!!

2011-07-27T08:32:00.000-04:00

So on the artsee bloggers website (click my button on the left) there is a post that explains about pixlr -- a free online photo editing website.

I went to the site and was completely amazed! Above is a picture I took yesterday at Michaels Arts and Crafts store in their floral section.

Below is the same photo after editing it with Pixlr's retro vintage effects known as the pixlr-o-matic. I am sooo in love!

You dont need to really know what you are doing; just do there and play around. That is what I did and look what I created!

(Educational Wednesday will return next week)

I Am.....

2011-07-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

My collage art professor always made us pick a theme when creating a series of artworks. It could be any theme you were interested in but you needed to create several pieces using that theme. I was never able to stick to a theme or come up with one I felt was "good enough".

Without really thinking about it, I have come up with a theme for my art journal -- or at least several pages in my art journal.

"I Am..." seems to be the theme I chose. Who I am is really important to me. Being myself regardless of what others around me are doing, helps me be true to who I see myself as.

I have realized regardless of weight gain, hair color, eye color or skin color, I am who I am.

I Am Me!

Fooling Around with Watercolors Part 2 or is it 3?

2011-07-23T09:44:00.000-04:00

Art Journal Page
watercolor, stamp and waterbased pencil
July 2011

I found this quote on line somewhere but i dont know who originally said it.

I have spend a lot of time lately just fooling around in my art journal. this time it is with watercolors and a really cute stamp that I purchased years ago.

She has got to be just the cutest little angle ever! I love the colors that I chose here as well. Going a bit outside my comfort zone with no browns or any color like brown.

That has kinda been my theme lately. Stepping outside my comfort zone with colors and techniques and really just going for it.

We will just have to see what comes of it.

In the Studio.... Sneak Peak

2011-07-22T09:57:00.000-04:00

It feels sooo good to have a camera again! Thanks Dad for the birthday present! I love my new little Nikon coolpix.

Here are some sneak peaks as to what I have been up to lately -- mostly before my old camera grew legs and walked away (that is the only explaination I have for the missing camera -- apparently it didnt like me anymore)

These are just some journal pages. More to come soon.

In My Artist's Mind...

2011-07-19T14:34:00.000-04:00

Although my cruise was meant to be a time for relaxation and complete alone time with the hubby, I , for some reason, couldn't turn my mind off.

Looking out over the Atlantic I kept thinking how big it all is. "It" and "all" seem so --- empty. However, as i looked over our balcony to the ocean and sky in front of me, empty was not a word I could fathom.

Having the "world" at our fingertips, we as a people, can forget the complete vastness of mother earth.

Here I go...

2011-07-07T10:37:00.000-04:00

I will be taking a small break from the blogging world. This saturday my husband and I are going on our long awaited honeymoon!!! Yes, a year after getting married we are going on our honeymoon but hey it is still cool.

We will be taking a cruise and even though I wont have my camera with me (since it is defintaly gone) I will have a borrowed camera or at least a disposable camera.

I will see you all in about two weeks!

Going Old School

2011-07-01T09:53:00.001-04:00

I completed this drawing back in 2007 or 2008 I am not really sure when.

I love it though.

Nothing new to post -- webcam camera not doing so well. Will post new images soon as I can get a new camera. For now -- we are going old school.

Education Wednesday

2011-06-29T09:39:00.001-04:00

The end of the school year is always a bit depressing.

Mostly cause I hate having to take down everything in my classroom only to have to do it again in August. lol. Guess that is what happens when they use the room during summer school (no, there are no art classes in summer school)

Apparently I am a lot messier then I believe during the school year. While cleaning my room I kept finding things I thought was lost... papers I was looking for, paintbrushes, sponges, etc. I really need to stay organized better.

And my desk really needs to be neater then this. Although these pictures were taken during the last week of school when everything was being pulled apart, this is really what my desk looked like all year.

I call it creative chaos... others call it messy. I really need a maid at school and at home. Hopefully next year will be better. I am already coming up with ideas that would be helpful... hopefully.

2011-06-27T09:23:00.000-04:00

Art Journal Page June 2011
acrylic, oil pastels, black pen, stencils, tissue paper, masking tape

Well here is a journal page I have been working on for a while. I started it about 2 months ago but because of my poor time management skills I was unable to finish it before yesterday.

I had so much fun finishing it though. I didnt care what the end product was going to look like -- i just played. I havent had the time to do that in so long --- it felt great!

To do list for today:

clean off balcony of all grabage and unwanted stuff
step up esal
begin work on an oil painting (first one in two years)

We will just have to see what happens

Ready or not --- Here I come!

2011-06-25T10:21:00.000-04:00

Charcoal and acrylic paint c. 2011

Summer is offically here! I am done with the school year but not the school work. After reflecting on various elements of my classroom and teaching experience this past year, there are a few changes I want to make to my habits and curriculum.

But in the mean time I will be spending my summer painting and enjoying time with my hubby and the puppy. I am also going on my long awaited honeymoon in three weeks time. I am soooo excited I keep doing a little happy dance around the apartment! :)

One small horrible side note --- my digital camera has gone missing! I dont remember where I had placed it last. If I had brought it to the classroom to take pictures then it was stolen cause it has been gone for almost a month now. So for right now pictures of new paintings may not be as forthcoming as I would like.

I am still experimenting with the camera function on my webcam so maybe it will work. Lets hope!

Have a great summer!

Fooling Around with Watercolors Part 3

2011-06-11T11:21:00.001-04:00

Drawing Lab #8 Imaginary Creatures
c.2011 Tracy Paul

Earlier this year I purchased "Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists". Can I just tell you that I love love love this book.

Unfortunaly I havent had the time to really complete all the drawings but here is one that took little time to create. This is my Imaginary Creature. What it is.... I do not know... but it is kinda cute :)

Fooling Around with Watercolors Part 2

2011-06-09T11:18:00.002-04:00

Night Sky Watercolor Painting
5x7 c. 2011 Tracy Paul

Education Wenesday

2011-06-08T06:51:00.001-04:00

I try to teach a very multicultural curriculum in my art room. Although I may not be completely versed in all types and forms of art history I tend to do a serious amount of research before teaching the topics to my students.

Here in Maryland, 7th grade students cover both Ancient and Modern China in Social Studies. I love the idea of matching what they are learning in their core classes to art that I had to jump on this chance.

Here I covered the history behind Chinese Calligraphy and we discussed the popularity of the Calligraphy Characters as tattoos. I gave the students a list of commonly used Chinese Characters and they had to choose three that represented parts of themselves like honesty, trustworthy, courage, etc.

The only hard part was to use the calligraphy brushes in the traditional manner. Trust me when I tell you that creating Chinese Calligraphy isnt as easy as one would think. This art form takes years and years of practice to get it right. After one afternoon of trying to do it told me that I dont have the patience to study Chinese Calligraphy.

But the students loved it!!! All my other grades wanted to do the project and didnt understand why they couldnt. My answer to them was that each grade does different projects just like in the core classes they learn different topics and study different things each year. Well, that didnt go over very well. But my 6th graders are really excited to do this project next year.

Fooling Around with Watercolors Part 1

2011-06-07T11:16:00.000-04:00

Reclining Figure Watercolor Painting
5x7 c. 2011 Tracy Paul

Education Wednesday

2011-06-01T21:11:00.001-04:00

In trying to figure out how to incorperate my job as an art teacher into my personal art blog, I decided that every Wednesday is going to be "Education Wednesday" from now on!!!

YEAH!!!! (I know --- it is really exciting).

I thought as my first Education Wednesday post I would focus on something that is really upsetting to me about the American Education System and it is extremely important that everyone knows about this.

It is call "Last In, First Out". This is the system of education layoffs for teachers throughout the States. Instead of explaining it to you, I am going to show you.

Sacred Sunday: Spirituality of Planning

2011-05-15T11:21:00.000-04:00

About 10 years ago... maybe even longer I read an article on the sacredness of the mundane. This article focused on the idea that doing something as mundane as balancing your checkbook can become a sacred and spiritual act.

After reading that article this idea that the mundane can be sacred and spiritual really stuck with me. To this day I tend to look at the mundane things as something sacred rather then a chore.

Recently I have applied this thought process to the planning of my new art projects.

The finding of materials (although my husband would never consider shopping a sacred act -- retial therapy is always a good way to start)

To just beginning and deciding on an idea. The hour or so that it took me to complete this drawing really helped me to think about what I want my art to be about. This planning time and creative play has become a time for me to become brave and fearless in my art.

This planning time also helps me to experiment with ideas for already existing paintings.

The mundane will always be looked at differently by myself and I hope by you too.

Am I Brave Enough

2011-05-01T09:37:00.000-04:00

Alice by Tracy Paul c.2008-09
mixed media 18x24

I started this blog back in 2007 as a place to showcase my artwork and to, hopefully, be inspired. Since then the reason for this blog has changed. It has transformed.

I called this blog "An Altered Wonderland" because at the time I was obsessed with the idea of Alice in Wonderland and the meanings behind the literary work. After thinking about it I realized that the story is really one of transformation. Alice tranforms from this very young child to an adult. In the recent Tim Burton movie Alice transforms from what everyone wants her to be to who she actually is -- a dreamer, an adventurer, etc.

I love this theme and I realized that it wasnt just a theme for a literary work or movie but for my reality as well. In the past 4 years since I started this blog, I have transformed. I have completed a masters degree, I have become a teacher, I have become a wife and all the while my art is changing directions.

I thought long and hard on this recently. Part of who I am needs to come out in these blog posts. Parts of me I tend to leave off.

I wanted this blog to be about art, specficlly my art. But does it have to be. Cant I show other parts of who I am as well as my art? Cant I showcase my ideas of education, art education and what it means to me to be a teacher?

I can.

I guess the real question is --- Am I brave enough to show more of my soul to the world?

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T10:38:00.000-04:00

Happy Bunny Day!

.....

Now hide the eggs!

Amazing Give Away -- Free Classes for LIFE!

2011-04-22T09:05:00.000-04:00

From Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen:

In honor of serving over 2000 online workshops, Chris and I are offering up the opportunity for one lucky (really lucky) person to win every class we have ever hosted online PLUS every class we write online in the future! This contest has a huge value, so please make sure you read and understand the rules to qualify:
■Any person who purchases any of our online workshops between April 8th and May 8th (Pacific Time)is automatically entered into the sweepstakes. In fact, you will get one entry for each class you purchase during that time!

■Post this video and some hype on your BLOG and then leave me a comment to let me know where your blog is. I will choose 10 lucky bloggers at random and grant them entry into the sweepstakes. (Limit one blog entry per person and the entry MUST include my sweepstapes Youtube video.) I'm sorry, Twitter and Facebook entries are not valid for this contest.

On May 13, 2011, I will collect all the entries and randomly draw one winner. That winner will be contacted by either paypal email address or the email address you leave in a comment if you are a blogger posting my video. The winner will also be announced here on my blog on 5/13/11.
Chris Cozen and I appreciate you so much. We take the business of creating and teaching online workshops very seriously. It is our business and our passion.
Thank you so much for all of your support! If you have been thinking about taking a workshop with us, now is the time! You can win very workshop we have ever made and will ever make!

The difference of a few words

2011-04-17T12:18:00.001-04:00

Brave Girls Note

2011-04-16T16:02:00.000-04:00

2011-04-09T09:12:00.000-04:00

Abstract Landscape 1 by Tracy Paul c. 2011
9x12 watercolor paper, acrylic paint and oil pastels

Dear Reader,

This week has been almost surreal.

Between teaching, professional development meeting and all the other stuff of my hetic life I actually found time to paint. Now these paintings are differnt they anything else I have ever done --- the main difference is the size as well as the process. I didnt think. Not even once. I just created.

It felt sooo good. To just paint and not worry about what it will look like. to just enjoy the process of painting and getting my hand dirty... it was heaven!

Abstract Landscape 2 by Tracy Paul c. 2011
9x12 watercolor paper, acrylic paint and oil pastels

My soul feels lighter already. My heart feels lighter.

My out look on life, teaching and my body has changed. Well, I changed it. I refused to fall into the same traps I have been for the past year or so.

It happened at the Professional Development meeting I went to earlier this week. I looked in the mirror of the bathroom and was completely disgusted with myself. No makeup, hair not done, not caring about what I wear. When did I let it get to this point.

But I am changing.... I am healing.

I am still not wearing makeup (it just takes to long to put on) but one day that will change but for right now I am me again.

walking on sunshine

2011-04-03T10:43:00.003-04:00

walking on sunshine
Originally uploaded by enjoythelittlethings

Dear Reader....

Life is hard. And it only gets hard as we get older. Something I have only come to realize in the past year or so. But instead of meeting the challenge of getting older and life getting more complicated I have become... well there is no polite way to say it... lazy.

And not just lazy... but complacent as well.

Complacent with my art, my job as a teacher and myself.

I was never one to worry about my body image. Up until recently I have been the same height, weight and dress size since I was a senior in High School (i know i suck) but that has all changed in the past year. I noticed the weight being added when I was in the final fittings of my wedding dress. I wasnt going to worry about it though. I kept telling myself that I was nervous and just seeing things. I was wrong.

My art. That is mostly what I post here in my little coner of the internet. It has been a source of great pride and great heartache. I love to create but for some reason I have come up with several reasons not to create. They were never good reasons. Just me being scared and worried that I am not good enough.

I am also a teacher. I didnt get into teaching to change the lives of the youth of america. Rather I got into it for the money (which there really isnt any) and the amazing vacations. Over the past year and half my views have changed. I love teaching. Seeing the light on a students face and the excitement in their voices really helped change my view on the profession. Teaching middle school really helped me to realize this is what I was ment to do. 8th grade was a tough road but I made it and I love teaching 6th and 7th grade. They are innocent and yet eager to grow up at the same time. It makes my heart smile.

What I have realized is that I need to restore myself. Not only my body but my mind, my art and most importantly my soul.

It is going to be a long road and a lot of hard work but I feel this is what I am supposed to do. The gods are talking to me and telling me to get off my big butt and change, telling me to no longer be scared but rather to be BRAVE.

So, faithful readers, I ask that you come along with me while I change my life and restore all the parts that make up who I am.

Always yours,

Tracy

Thoughts...

2011-04-01T08:47:00.001-04:00

When I am not working on a lesson plan or a powerpoint presentation I have been working on this painting.

But I dont know yet if it is a painting on its own or just the background for something else. I have been staring at it for over a week and still cant seem to make up my mind.

I want to experiment a bit with the idea of using it as a background but I dont want to do something to it and completely hate it then wish I never touched it.... which happens to me more then you would think.

2011-03-28T09:15:00.002-04:00

I am a reader. Always have been, always will be. I have read almost every type of genre you can think of.... murder/mystery, sci fi, contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, fiction, non fiction, textbooks, etc. Being such an avid reader I can actually feel .... you know the feelings the author wants to you be aware of. My husband finds it funny when I am crying when reading a book. But to me that is the best part.... the part of losing oneself in a good book.

I just finished a contemporary romance by Nora Roberts (well not really contemorary since it was first published in 1994) about an artist. The main character is a female glass sculpture artist. The way Roberts expresses the desire to create, the process of getting losted in the creation... It really hit home with me.

There are times when I feel that I have lost my creative drive. It has been so long since I have "seen" a finished work in my minds eye. It has been even longer since I have been able to produce a finished work that I have been completely happy with.

Reading those sections of the book made me feel. Made me think of what I could be creating and doing if only I really tried. But should art be something that comes naturally like a gift from the powers that be or should it be something that you have to work at?

And where does that leave me?

In the Studio

2011-03-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

Working like crazy. Living like crazy. End of the month, end of the third quarter. life is hetic. life is life.

Looks like We have done it All

2011-03-14T08:55:00.001-04:00

Creative Chaos

2011-03-12T08:26:00.001-05:00

So my husband thinks I am crazy for doing this.

He thinks I am crazy for wanting to know what colors of paint I have at all times.

See due to limited amount of space all my tubes of paint are in a solid color plastic bin and at times it is hard to know exactly what colors i currently have available to me.

So I made this handy dandy little chart that has all the colors i currently have. As it turns out I happen to have multiple tubes of the same color paint. Guess I never looked at what I had before I purchased more.

But I think it goes without saying that I am not wasting time or being crazy by doing this.

I am just trying to get out of my creative chaos by being a bit more organized.

A Random Thought Bubble

2011-03-07T10:13:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to share... Have a blessed day!

Gaga for Gaga.....

2011-03-06T09:52:00.001-05:00

I happend to be a huge Lady Gaga fan. She is really weird but her lyrics really can speak to a nation.

I happen to love this song but it is really hard to listen to the lyrics when you are watching Lady Gaga... I found this cover on youtube and just needed to share it.

Hope you enjoy!

You should Know about......

2011-03-04T09:51:00.000-05:00

Newest Miss Representation Trailer (2011 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection) from on Vimeo.

This trailer really spoke to me when I watched it this morning.... I am always one to show that you need to be a strong, intellegent woman and not just the blonde bimbo you see on TV.

Working with children you see all the misconceptions that the world has about the female population and what the media is really doing to the future women of our nation. It wasnt that long ago that women were not allowed to go to school, to read, write or even think for herself. It wasnt that long ago that women could not vote for our leaders.

Today the women of our nation are practically giving all the rights that soo many work hard to achive back by filling in the roles that we are told we must be a part of because we are the "weaker sex".

March is Womens History Month. I always make it a point to share famous female artists with my students since these women are always over looked. Yesterday we looked at Mexican artists Frida Kahlo. Out of all the female artists she is the one almost everyone knows (that and having a movie made of her life helped :] ).

Life...

2011-02-24T06:58:00.001-05:00

Art Journal Page Feb 2011

One thing that i have a tendency to forget is that art as well as life is an experiment. I lost my drive in my art because i keep forgetting to experiment with the colors and materials.

Being an art teacher doesnt leave me time to encourage much experiment in the works of my students or mine. I am always focused on the concept or technique but never the exploration of art.

I think it is about time I remember

My Passion

2011-02-21T09:42:00.000-05:00

I have a passion for history... anicent and art history

I have a passion for my art and teaching art to the next generation of artists

I have a passion for all that is beautiful and inspiring

I have a passion for all that my life entials yet I leave out a huge chunck of my life when I blog. I dont talk about teaching as much as it is part of my life. I dont talk or post about all the beauty in my life because I have failed to notice it in the past few months.

I read a blog post this morning over at Brave Girls Club by Melody called A love letter to all the artists I know.... and dont know.

It was such an inspiring and healing post that I recommend anyone who is struggling with their art, their life and finding a balance should read it. It was an eye opener to know and feel a connection with someone who is feeling and going through what you are.

I hope that it helps you as much as it did me.

And just cause she is sooo cute.

On my easel

2011-02-13T19:16:00.000-05:00

Not exactly sure where it is going..... not even sure if I like it. but this is the first time in a while that I have had a minute to paint something.

We will just have to see where it is going.

In the Studio.... Pictures

2011-02-05T16:02:00.000-05:00

Very busy these past few weeks... in the studio and out.

well mostly out of the studio... but i do love it. even with the proposed budget cuts in the school system I am happy and I love my job. I dont think I would want to change it for anything... well other then to be a full time artist.

What do you value?

2011-01-26T06:39:00.000-05:00

Value by Tracy Paul c.2011

When I was creating this piece the question of what do I value came into my head. Creating this piece gave me time to mediate on the question.

At first I thought about all the stuff that I have. But it just didnt feel right. When you value something it shouldnt be something with a monetary value. But rather something with a priceless value.... sorta like those credit card commericals -- CD: $4, Radio: $26 and Dance with someone you love: priceless.

Cheesy I know but it really helps to explain the thoughts going through my head.

So... What do I value?

cuddling on the couch with my husband.
belly rub time with my dog
seeing a smile on the face of a student when they are proud of their work
and so much more

And now the question is .... What do YOU value?

Time of Change

2011-01-23T07:24:00.000-05:00

Detail of new abstract painting c.2011

Each week sundays begin a new week. This new week brings a lot of changes for me. The first semester of school is done and with that closure I let go of my 8th grade classes (for in middle school art is only half a year). This new week brings to me 6th and 7th grade classes. I am so excited at the prospect of getting to know a new group of students and about the art we will create together.

The past few weeks I have been working hard to get ready for them. Sometimes so hard that I didnt spend as much time as I wanted to creating for me. However yesterday I was able to spend some time working on an abstract painting for a friend. She is having her house warming party next saturday and I want to give it to her as a gift. Hopefully I will have it finished in time.

In the Studio

2011-01-16T16:09:00.001-05:00

Wow, things have been hetic these past weeks. I have finished yet another painting and in the process of several others.

of course i couldnt have completed any of it without my studio helper... well not much of a helper but at least a good person to talk to.

definatly a good person to talk to.... she wont tell anyone and rarely talks back.

A New Year ... A New Hope

2011-01-03T18:53:00.000-05:00

Sitting at a fellow teachers house this new years eve, waiting for the ball to drop, I was asked a question -- 'what is your new years resolution?' I thought for a minute or two about what i could make up and then fail to complete, then the truth came out -- 'I dont make any. I always fail to keep them'.

Honest enough. Then over the past few days i thought over the answer to the question. maybe i dont need a new year resolution but rather a goal or several. I looked back to last year (2010) january post and realized (remembered would be a better term) that I created 10 goals last year.

I many not have met all of my goals but when i looked back @ 2010 i see a year filled with creativity, love, family and hope.

So here is to another year of love, family, creativity and hope!

happy new year 2011

2010-12-31T08:51:00.002-05:00

happy new year 2011
Originally uploaded by kundanrai

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and safe New Year!

Feeling Good....

2010-12-29T15:28:00.000-05:00

Bubbles by Tracy Paul c2010

for the first time in a long while about almost everything!!! Life and art came together today and had a impact on the way i look and value my own art.

I have forever been calling myself an artist. but what kind of creative artist can I be if i refuse to experiment with my art. like i tell my students... if you arent getting messy they you are not having fun!

well today i had loads of fun and i cant believe what i have done! I, for the first time, added the use of oil pastels to my acrylic painting! and viola... i love it!!!! (you cant see me right now but i am so totally doing a happy dance ^_^)

today was just a great day all in all. i mailed out the thank you cards from the wedding (i know about time is it), i am in the middle of baking bannna bread and i created an amazing piece of art that i am just in love with!!!!!

hell, i am so friggin happy that i even used part of the above close up as my blog header!!!

times, they are a changin'!!!!!

Coming Out of Hiding

2010-12-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

It has been almost a month since I seriously posted. December is always the busiest month for me. between working and traveling life has been really really busy.

however i have had a bit of time to begin work on a painting.

it isnt finished, but i feel that it is coming along nicely.

Hope everyone had a good holiday!

don't you forget

2010-12-18T08:10:00.002-05:00

don't you forget
Originally uploaded by workisnotajob

AEDM #28:

2010-11-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a travel day. Driving from New York back home to Maryland is always bitter sweet. The excitement of going home yet the saddness of leaving family and friends behind always gets to me.

During our travels I was able to get a little sketching done.

I have jumped off the deep end and experiemented with whimsy.

According to an online dictonary:

Whimsy: –noun, plural -sies.

1. capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression

2. an odd or fanciful notion.

3. anything odd or fanciful; a product of playful or capricious fancy

I dont know if these little sketches of mine are whimsical or not but they are cute just the same.

AEDM #26

2010-11-26T07:31:00.000-05:00

I know.. what happened to 24, and 25? well I came down with my first cold of the school year. I say first because I am completely expecting to get sick again before june.

However, during that time I was able to begin a painting.

I dont know what I am going to do with it. right now it is just an experiment of color.

We will just have to see where it leads and hope for the best.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone since i missed saying it yesterday.

AEDM #23: color theory

2010-11-23T06:32:00.000-05:00

Working with my students on color theory.

Above is the color wheel example I created for them. I love crayons!

AEDM #21: I am Enough

2010-11-21T10:31:00.000-05:00

Art Journal Page, by Tracy Paul c 2010

AEDM # 17: Thrive

2010-11-17T06:38:00.000-05:00

Thrive, art journal page, by Tracy Paul c 2010

With all that goes on in my daily life I find it hard to be creative at any time. The past two days has been nothing but work and grading, and household duties. I dont mind though.

When my mind is boggled down with daily doings, my creativity has to take a back seat or it wont be able to thrive later.

I created this journal page to help me remember to always let my creativity thrive sepreate from the mundane.

AEDM # 14: In Progress....

2010-11-14T09:55:00.000-05:00

8x10 mixed media piece by Tracy Paul, c 2010

Been working so much lately that I have had barely any time to really work.

Amazingly I was able to begin this piece of art.

This idea of experimenting with color has really worked for me. Now, understand that I am not a pink person as I have said before, but these pinks and blues are really working for me.

Cant wait to see how it comes out in the end.

AEDM #13

2010-11-13T07:46:00.000-05:00

Fearless Art Journal pages, By Tracy Paul c 2010

This page I completed a while ago but was fearful of posting it. There are parts of it that I love and others the I want to hate.

But the words on the page reminded me to be fearless and just go for it. So I did.

AEDM 12

2010-11-12T06:09:00.000-05:00

Now that Halloween is over all I see everywhere is people gearing up for black friday or christmas. Thankfully at work we dont decorate! I dont think I can take seeing Christmas decorations this early every day.

Then for some reason I choose these colors for an art journal background! I must have been crazy. Then again, maybe I am just longing for the days when the holidays were filled with excitement and wonder instead of the stress of traveling. Oh for the wonder of childhood.

AEDM #11

2010-11-11T06:14:00.002-05:00

Photo taken by Tracy Paul c 2010

If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live.~ Lin Yutang

AEDM 10: A Little Bird Told Me

2010-11-10T05:55:00.001-05:00

Art Journal Page, by Tracy Paul c 2010

The following letter is from a Brave Girls Club email that I just had to share.

AEDM #9: Art Journal Backgrounds

2010-11-09T06:36:00.000-05:00

Art Journal background, by Tracy Paul c 2010

Been fooling around lately with the idea of color.

Beginning color theory with the students this week and I realized that most of my art is focused on a very small and limited color palette. Its not that I dont own other paint colors or that I dont like other colors. I got into a comfortzone and stuck with it for a long time.

This month I am trying to break out of it. So, I went with a pair of complementary colors (yellow and purple) added a bit of white and titan buff and here we are.

AEDM 8: Joy is a Gift

2010-11-08T06:09:00.000-05:00

Art Journal Page, arcylic paint and pitt pen, by Tracy Paul c 2010

One joy scatters a hundred griefs.

~ Chinese proverb

Art Every Day Month

2010-11-07T07:16:00.001-05:00

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Don't allow the little things to overwhelm you.

Turn your unhappiness into a mystery and enjoy trying to solve it.

AED # 2 & 3

2010-11-06T08:30:00.000-04:00

Zentangle #1 by Tracy Paul, c 2010

Hello... My name is Tracy and I am a doodler.

I have always been a doodler; in class, at meetings, whenever I am bored.

I was introduced to zentangles through a cloth paper scissors article. (the exact issue ecapes my mind right now, if I remember I will post it later).

This particular zentangle took me about three days of drawing during comericals of my favorite shows. It was greate to just relax and let my pencil wander aways from the stress of the day.

Zentangle #2 by Tracy Paul, c 2010

This second zentangle is a work in progress.

This idea of creating something every day is really helping to keep me in the creative mood for myslef and no one else.

I am off to spend the day being creative!

Art Every Day Month Challenge #1

2010-11-02T13:56:00.002-04:00

I found love!

My heart is beating fast, my breath is short.

My palms are sweaty and shaking.

My head is filled with dreams, daydreams and wonderful ideas!

No, I am not talking about my husband... although he is great! ^_^

I found an art challenge that I hope and wish will help me with my creativity slump. Art Every Day Month is a challenge where we particpents are asked to create one piece of art or work on a piece of art once a day and blog about it. I really suggest going to the website on my sidebar and checking it out.

8x10, Mixed media, by Tracy Paul c.2010

I finished this painting this morning. I am totally in love with how it came out. And the fact that I got an amazing photo of it makes me even happier. ^_^

The only problem I am having with this is the title. As an art history major it was always easier to remember a painting by at least knowing its title (until you get to modern and contemporary art where everything is "untitled").

I am asking for help. I need a name for this painting. Any ideas?

Looking in the mirror

2010-10-30T09:28:00.002-04:00

49/365 Domo Self Esteem
Originally uploaded by Chris Gritti

I was never one to walk around with my head held high. I was never one to believe in myself.

Then things changed. As I got older and wiser, I started seeing myself in new ways. I started looking at myself differently. I dont know if it was because of my art, my sorority sisters, age or my faith. But I changed.

Lately I have been reverting to my old self. The me that is worried about how I look, worried about what others think of me and my art. It is like being in middle school all over again. Then again I am teaching in a middle school and see my students go through the same transition I did.

Maybe I am channeling their emotions and self esteem issues. Maybe I am seeing a bit of me in each one of them.

I just need to remember that I am me and that is the best I can be. I need to remember that I am a winner and that I value myself.

Think, Think. Think

2010-10-25T18:09:00.001-04:00

I looked back at most of my art and realized that I tend to use the same colors all the time. I dont know if that is a good thing or not. I really hope that one of these days I reach a point in my art where my color choices change.

Then again I dont want to over think anything. I tend to spend more time thinking then working. This was always a problem of mine in school but i eventually grew out of it. Lately the only habit is coming back and coming back hard.

Hoping to spend more time painting and less time thinking.

Busy Busy Little Bee

2010-10-23T09:45:00.001-04:00

The past week or so have been so busy for me. Between the normal work, I also have art club, the school fashion show and planning for school spirit week.

Which leaves me no time to create for me. But I intend to spend today working in a new art journal and taking a bunch of pictures of my unfinished work. Maybe if I look at the picture of them I can come up with some ideas to finish them.

Off to begin.....

Have a joyful and creative day!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

2010-10-16T17:56:00.001-04:00

Procrastentate long enough that someone else makes the lemonade.

That has been my motto since... as long as I can remember.

I happen to be one of those really lazy people that wait so long to do something that someone else comes along to complete the task instead. My whole life has been like that. My mother, my sister and now my husband have fallen prey to my laziness.

Today I cleaned my studio/computer room/guest room (sometimes I think that is one slash to many) and I realized that I have about 10 started yet unfinished pieces of art.

Why have I always put off finishing everything? I love creating art and it is a joy that I let slide everyday. My life is a maze of grading, classroom management and demonstrations. Yes, unlike most teachers I do have time to create. But how creative can one be when you are not creating for yourself but rather for someone else?

Today I am making a promise... (promises are really sacred to me... always have been)... a promise to spend more time being creative for me and only me -- even if it is only 15 minutes a day.

This way I can have 10 finished paintings instead of 10 half done collecting dust.

Summer Memories

2010-09-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

With yesterday being the first offical day of fall I felt it was time to look back at my summer and see where I have been and all the wonderful times I had.

This summer was the first time in a year that I was able to create and enjoy myself. We (the hubby and I) wend to the MOCO Fair in the beginning of August. I love this country fair! Being a New Yorker I have never been to a country fair with farm animals and all. I mean there was even prizes for the biggest pumpkin! It is like a whole other world from what I grew up in. But I have fallen in love with the simple life down here.

The simple life is something I never thought I would be a part of. The life I planned out was a uptown manhatten one but things happen. Life changes and I want the simple life now. Maybe I will be able to find it.

Love on Fairy Wings

2010-09-14T12:09:00.002-04:00

Love on Fairy Wings close up
Originally uploaded by AlteredWonderland

Being so completely MIA lately has in some ways been more benificial to me then actually spending time here at my lovely blog. although for a little while I did play with the idea of shutting down An Altered Wonderland for good! .... I know scary isnt it. :)

But I have slept on the idea for many a night before I realized that this isnt the first time I have been seriously MIA and probably wont be the last. (this is what happens when you have to have a real job instead of being the starving artists).

I have spent some time though going over what I want my art to be. I come to this question, or riddle as I sometimes feel it is, at least twice a year. How do I want to be remembered in the future by my family, friends, students, and the art world if all there was left of me is my artwork?

I was always taught that art -- at least in college and grad school -- had to have some sort of meaning or concept behind it. It needed to provoke ideas and converstation with its audenice. But is that always so? Cant art be created just for art's sake?

This week I began a project with my 8th grade students covering the concept of Nonobjective art. (art in which there is no recognizable subject matter). Back in the 1950's abstract artists such as Jackson Pollack, Helen Frankenthaler and many others created beautiful and extrememly different works of art with no subject matter. Just line, shape, color, texture, space and value. Their work is now exteremely famous and hanging in musuems around the world.

So why cant I do the same? Why it is that college professors see art as something that must tell a story, idea or opinion? Do they feel that the concept of Nonobjective art has been over done?

I wish I knew the answers to these questions. Then maybe coming up with a concept or theme for my own work wouldnt be so frustrating and difficult.

Teaching Inspiration

2010-08-29T10:26:00.000-04:00

I have been MIA lately for several reasons. Between family visits, the beginning of the school year and my computer crapping out on me life has been a bit hetic.

Week one of the school year is down and I cant wait to see the amazing work my students will create this year.

Working with my students has been such a creative inspiration to me. The joy on their faces when they finally get it! It is such an amazing feeling. And that is what makes being an art teacher so great!

Inpiration Journal

2010-08-11T12:53:00.000-04:00

I purchased this recylce sketchbook from walmart like two years ago and although I used it once in a while it wasnt until lately that I have been using it almost every day and for every art project.

My inspiration journal.

I have used the sketchbook to draw objects when my ideas are stuck, to save all images of artwork or colors that i love. I dont always write that artists name or website down but i love the work.

This journal has helped me so many times when thinking out a new piece of art. Collecting images, poems, song lyrics and just sketching out ideas is such a helpful part of my planning process. It is a process that I have forgotten until now.

Alisa Burke over in her blog has something similar that I am thinking of adding to this journal or beginning a new one --- A color journal.

It is such an amazing idea and helping tool.

Shadow heart

2010-08-10T09:54:00.002-04:00

Shadow heart
Originally uploaded by Christine Parks says "Nice to meet you."

These are my shadows inscribed within....
Written to rhyme again and again...
To read them is to remember, reflect and grow strong...
To see all the lessons that may have went wrong...
These shadows written from my heart to my hand...
And then to these pages since my like mind began...
I shall continure these pages, so truth I shall known...
To love and to learn and always to grow.

Inspiration 5: Kindness

2010-08-08T10:10:00.002-04:00

kindness
Originally uploaded by littlelakey

The idea of kindness as inspiration has always facinated me. The concept of being kind to another acts as inspiration for all who see.
With the school year rushing up on me I think back to the past year of my teaching. The kindness of my fellow educators both in my subject area and out; the suprising kindness of my students -- those select few who let me into their lives and opened their hearts and minds to me. I just hope that I can continue to send and recieve such kindness in the future.

This school year I change locations and age groups but my desire for educating is the same and hopefully I can bring with my the inspiration of kindness.

all i need is my one star in the sky

2010-08-06T19:52:00.002-04:00

all i need is my one star in the sky, to wish for you everyday.
Originally uploaded by `esther

Believe

2010-08-04T09:51:00.003-04:00

Believe
Originally uploaded by vjlugas

To Imagine is to Inspire

2010-08-02T17:41:00.002-04:00

Photo by me... taken at CW Post Campus of Long Island University.

31 Days of Inspiration

2010-08-01T19:59:00.001-04:00

The Challenge: To look for and blog about 31 different things that are inspirational to me and hopefully to someone else. I will be posting a poem, artwork, video or even a song that inspires me every day for a month.

Last time I tried this, it didnt work out so well. Hopefully the second time around I will be able to change that.

Below is my first piece of inspiration. I took this picture earlier this week when I went to the American Indian Museum in DC. I love driving into DC and just looking around at all the beautiful architecture. The capital building happens to be my favorite. Guess that is because it was the first building I saw on the high way first time we went into DC.

Grundge Journal Page

2010-07-30T15:36:00.000-04:00

For the past year or two I have been working in the same art journal but I havent gotten that far into it. This spread is my fourth in the whole book. Kinda lame that I love to create journal pages yet I cant seem to actually spend time creating them. I really need to work better on my time management this year.

I love the colors of this page. Titan buff, Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, Turquois (Phthalo) and Currant Adirondack Alcohol Ink as well as a white sharpie postar paint marker. I am totally falling in love with that marker. I even went out and got more in black. ^_^

I journaled before I began to paint. I feel that was the most important part. I am not hiding my thoughts or feelings from the world but rather holding them safe and sacred. Yet the words written on the pages say it all....

I need to be fearless!

Always Be Happy Part 2

2010-07-28T14:47:00.001-04:00

This is my take on the always be happy design i showed you last post. yes both paintings are mine yet the first looks exactly like Roben Marie Smiths and that is becase I followed hers step by step. this second one is completely of my own design just using the same ideas and techniques.

This idea of always be happy is something that is new to me. I have always been the glass half empty type of person. the smallest thing happens and I automatically go to the worse case senario.

Having Always be Happy as my new mantra has reallly changed my out look on life. Everything seems to be brighter and lighter. Life is better somehow.

It is a wonder what some good thinking can do.

Always Be Happy

2010-07-26T09:53:00.000-04:00

layout, idea, and technique from Roben-Marie Smith in the book Exhibition 36

Confucius Say.....

2010-07-20T12:17:00.000-04:00

Love Life!

Life is too short to be sitting around doing nothing... but that is what I have been doing. Well not doing nothing but close to it.

Summer vacation (for the first time in a long time) is a time for me to do something that I love.

I love art!

I love art soo much that is all I have been doing for days. this is one of the more recent ones. I love color but I dont really use it the way an artists should. I am beginning to branch out and this painting really took me for a loop.

no brown, no yellow, very little green... mostly blues, reds, and purples... very strange color combo for me. But I am loving it!

What are you loving right now?

2010-07-15T09:47:00.000-04:00

This use of blue and orange is something I am beginning to really like. This is also the first painting I have worked on recently that is on a canvas. It is small 8x10 (the smallest I have ever worked) but I am loving it.

We got the proofs back from the wedding... 500 or so! And for our album we have to choose only 60... 60! out of 500! I dont know if I will be able to do it! It is a good think I will have the hubby there to help :)

Pink

2010-07-12T09:41:00.000-04:00

Pink

It is such a girly color. Every little girl wears pink, loves pink... Except me.

I never loved or even liked the color pink the way that most little girls do.... hell, I only have 2 articles of clothing that are pink.

So why in the name of all that is holey would I make a pink painting?

I have no idea!

But I do love the Areosmith song "Pink"... although the music video is really werid.

Who Knew

2010-07-10T08:59:00.000-04:00

I know it doesn't look like it but if you examine this piece very closely you will see colors that I rarely use... orange, and light blue. Who knew they would look so good with the browns that I tend to use!

I feel so open and euphoric stepping out of my comfort zone to create this piece.

Who Knew?!?!

Authenticity

2010-07-06T09:13:00.000-04:00

Authenticity: In philosophy of art, it describes the perception of art as faithful to the artists self, rather then confroming to external values such as historical tradition or commerical worth.

The idea of Authenticity is one that I never thought of before. In reading recent issues of Artful Blogging and Art Journaling by Somerset Studio, Authenticity and the idea of living an Authentic Life has come up quite alot.

The need and understanding for Authenticity in my life and in my art is hitting me full force. There is the force -- be it spiritual or physical -- that is pushing me to live my Authentic Life!

First I need to remember two vital pieces of information:

Always Be Happy!

Always Be Me!

(P.S. This is the first time in a long time that I stepped out of my comfort zone when it comes to color... hope you enjoy!)

Happy July 4th!

2010-07-04T19:11:00.001-04:00

BTW: I am totally in love with Toby Keith!!!

New Season, New Art

2010-06-28T09:59:00.001-04:00

Well... My idea of spending the summer drawing and working on my drawing skills went out the window this past week. lol.

Dont get me wrong... I love to draw and I am going to be using those skills but in addition to my painting skills.

Above is the beginning of another Pin Up Girl... in watercolor.

Below is an old canvas that I re-gessoed. I dont know what I am going to do yet but I will figure it out sooner or later. :)

Going Old School...

2010-06-25T22:57:00.001-04:00

Lately I have had this obsession with the American Pin Up Girl image. You know.. the old 1920-1950 racey calender girls... Vargas girls! I just love them!

We are traveling this weekend and I packed some art supplies as well as some drawings I did. I wish I could have posted the drawings here but I was unable to scan them into the compture and the pictures I took were horrible! Pencil drawings on white paper do not photograph well -- or at least I dont photograph them well.

Armed with a few pencils, my travel watercolors, a few paint brushes and a watercolor paper pad we drove from home on our adventure (not really an adventure, just state hopping to visit the parents and in-laws). While bored out of my mind today, I decided to do some painting.

I really was not looking to create something so realistic, it really isnt like me to paint a realistic looking image but, hey, it happened. I am just no good at faces so the pin up girl doesnt have an identity. She could be anyone and everyone. I really like that.

Well.. What do you think? I would really love to hear what you think of this.

P.S. below are some close ups of the painting. Enjoy!

Introducing.....

2010-06-23T09:55:00.000-04:00

MYA!

Mya is our 3 year old Siberian Huskey. Isnt she just adorable. We found her through an ad on Craigs list.

She is just the cutest thing ever! We got her in feb but I kept forgetting to post images of her here.

She has such personality! She loves attention and loves belly rubs!

(thats her with the hubby) One of her favorite things to do is hang out with her dad. Her other favs are chasing squirrels and bunny rabbits. My husband thinks she just wants to play with them... i think she wants to eat them. you never know. lol.

The End of an Era

2010-06-20T10:25:00.001-04:00

The end of the school year was last week. Surpisingly I was really sad... still am. They are transfering me from the high school to a middle school. It makes me happy that I still have a job and chance to get tenure ... just really loved the school I was in, loved the students no matter how much they drove me crazy.

Now I have almost two months of planning for middle school and other then that I have absolutely nothing to do. lol I have a feeling cabin fever is going to be setting in real soon. Maybe my art and the dreams I have for it will help get me through.

In the mean time here are some pictures I have taken in the past month. .. not a lot but I like them.

Decisions, Decisions

2010-05-29T14:15:00.000-04:00

Well, decisions need to be made.

Inspiration is needed... badly!

I always love going to the local bookstore. Be it Barnes and Noble or a smaller chain, I love the experience of walking into a book store and just breathing in all of the books. It is amazing!

Over the past few years I have a collection of mixed media books, Acrylic paint books and your basic drawing and traditional painting books.

Lately I have been looking at these books more and more. Inspiration is so important to me and lately nothing has been inspiring me. Between work and planning my wedding, inspiration has flown out the door.

Now it is time for me to get back into the swing of things.

For this summer I am going to be completing the project in these books. I was going to pick one book and then move to another but I dont think that will work very well. It is going to be a better artistic journey for me if I just let things flow by the materials I feel like using.

First up: PENCIL DRAWING!!!

Stay Tune!

Wedding

2010-05-24T20:52:00.000-04:00

With the wedding come and gone, the creative side of me wants out --- NOW!

I have several ideas I am playing with.. just need to decide.

Till then enjoy some wedding photos curtesty of my new sister-in-law, Tricia from Ladybug Imagery

Fearless... I think?

2010-05-11T19:01:00.000-04:00

The need to create, the want to create has been so great that it is all I can think about. I want to be creative for me for the first time in several months.

I just have this fear. Fear that no one would like it. Fear that my art isnt good enough. Fear that I am not good enough.

I need to be and want to be fearless! I need to let my hair down and enjoy life to its fullest.

I created this little drawing during lunch today and I feel that my little character is just enjoying having her hair fly in the wind... Fearlessly.

12 days and counting

2010-05-09T10:07:00.003-04:00

The BIG day is fast approaching with 12 days left. It is amazing how fast the past two years have flown by. It seems like only yesterday that R proposed to me.

With all the planning and stressing over every little detail I have finally found time to be creative for my wedding. (YEAH!)

Above are the two creative parts of my wedding. Last night I spent about an hour creating the Dinner Menu card that you see in the background. Then I spent another hour creating the insert for our musical cd favor. The cd happens to be my favorite thing .. other then my dress and shoes, of course. We have 12 songs that mean the most to us... Our wedding song, father daughter dance song, mother son dance song, our parents wedding songs and a few others that mean a lot to us. I feel that the cd really explains who we are to each other.

Now if I could only get my vows written... but that is a story for another day.

Finding the Balance in Life

2010-05-04T16:04:00.002-04:00

Lately finding a balance between my desire to teach, my home life and my desire to be creative has been hard. Teaching, especially art, is rewarding and can be creative -- yet I am being creative for my students, not for myself. Finding time to be creative for me is the issue I face. Even finding time to blog is an issue.

With the wedding less then three weeks away, I find a need to be a bit more creative and artful for me. And with all the stress of the wedding and the job I believe my sanity will suffer without it.

But can one be creative and artful with all the demands of a full time career?

50 days and counting....

2010-04-01T08:43:00.003-04:00

till my wedding day. We are back in new york this weekend for both the holidays and to hopefully finalize all the wedding stuff. Beleive me when I tell you I cant wait for it to be over! If I have to look at another centerpiece or cake anytime in the next year it will be too soon.

now it isnt all bad. I love seeing all my ideas come together and form a whole but all the stress and the money... is it really worth it. ... Who knows.

2010-03-27T17:18:00.002-04:00

As of yesterday, 3/4 of the school year has come and gone. It is a momentous occasion for me, the first year teacher. Well it should anyway. With this year almost at its end, all I can think of is next year and what it will bring. Everyone has told me that my second year of teaching is going to be harder then the first. Part of me doesnt believe that. How can anything be harder then what I have been experiencing this year!

Well one thing is for certian... my outlook on the teenagers of today and the quality of life they live has changed. Now just so that you, my hopefully faithful readers, understand, I am not that much older then my students. 8 to 10 years older then most of them. I was in high school not that long ago but the differences I see are staggering. The technology, the constant attactment to the cell phones and the ipods! When I was graduating high school cell phones were just becoming more widely used by the student population. We knew not to take it out, not to answer a phone call in the middle of class -- whether it was math or art. These kids dont or wont understand that relying on the technology isnt a good thing for them.

But then again what do I know... according to them I am just a old know it all teacher who just wants to ruin their life. lol. At least with that response I know that I am doing my job.

The Value of Life

2010-03-07T07:17:00.002-05:00

My art classes are now onto value and creating shading with pencils mostly (as if you couldnt tell from my pencil obsession last post). For the project (my example) posted above they are using regular pencils to create a drawing of an object from the internet or magazine. After we studied Picasso and Cubism, they are going to shatter their images and create an almost cubistic work using value.

Now I cannot take full credit for this lesson plan since I found several versions of it on the internet and in books. But what I have found is the joy I am experiencing in seeing the work of some of my students. Some of the work is amazing and I am very proud of them. Of course not every student is an artist however their work is equally as enjoyable.

This is the one thing I have come to value in my life as a teacher --- the joy in seeing a students work come together into a finished piece and knowing that I helped. The joy in seeing the light bulb click on over a students head when they "get it".

I never thought I would find this much joy and excitement in teaching but I have. And no matter the other issues one deals with in the classroom, there is no one that could take that joy and value of life away from me.

I remembered... Do You?

2010-02-28T11:23:00.003-05:00

Over the past 8 years I forgot how much I loved drawing with pencils. The feel of the wood and the weight of it in my hand.

Do you remember when you were in elementry school and mom purchased a brand new pack of yellow number 2 pencils with the reddish pink erasers? The sound when you sharpened a brand new pencil for the first time?

I miss drawing with pencils and taking them with me everywhere. When I was in high school I used to walk around with several pencils in my hair at all times.... Just in case I might need one.

This quarter in my art classes we are focusing on adding lights and darks to contour line drawings. Reviewing for myself and teaching it to them has reawakened my love for pencils and pencil drawing.

What do you remember?