wow

Wow, I can't believe it has been two months since I last posted, my apologies.  I have been enjoying my summer vacations, but I have been hard at work.  I have work in five galleries and so I take full advantage of my summer vacations to work hard at creating some new inventory.  I have a few more weeks to enjoy my vacations.  How about you, are you enjoying your summer?
As for the pictures, these are from a project I did last spring with my Art 2 kids.  They had to pick an artist or movement and create a book based on what they chose.  This is one of my favorite assignments.
See you soon.

Summer Vacations

Summer vacations began last week, but it seems that I am busier than ever.  My second oldest graduated high school on Fri. and we threw a party to celebrate.  It took a good two days to recover from the celebration.  On Mon. I took my newly graduated son to the university to get some paper work done, we spent the whole day running around. 
Today I gave a teacher workshop and attended another.  After the workshops I had to run to our central office in order to be recognized by our Super and Board of Directors for the acheivement of my student that won the Congressional Art Award (prior post).  We will be leaving to Wash. DC next week.  I'm a little nervous because I have never been to Washington DC and I will have to drive around a bit. 
As for the pictures that you are looking at,  I do this project every year at the end of the year. They are paper puppets and are created by Art 1 kids.  Everything you see is made out of paper, there are NO pen or pencil marks on the puppets. 
This is a great end of the year project and the kids enjoy making these puppets.  They get better and better every year.  I did this project when I was a middle school teacher and I remember it being a great hit with my middle school kids.
Have a safe and relaxing summer.

Several of my students finished their clay projects sooner than others.  I asked those students to create some clay busts.  I didn't give them any restrictions, I mostly wanted them to continue working while my other students completed their projects. 

The majority of them created super heroes, with the exception of two.  I decided to post these pictures, although they are in different stages of completion.

I just finished teaching my art 1 kids figure drawing.  I usually teach two different methods, but with only 2 weeks left, I decided to only teach one.  I believe the kids did a great job.  I especially like the creative ones. 

They are now working on paper puppets, hopefully this project will take the rest of the school year to complete.  My adv. kids are still working on clay (we are cutting it pretty short)  and my art 2 kids are making books. 

I can't believe how quickly this school year has flown.  I just hope my summer doesn't go by so fast.  I am already preparing canvases for the summer and designing some new jewelry pieces to work on.  I am hoping to sell my jewelry at various art festivals during the summer.  Oh man, I'm already planning for summer, I can't wait!

just a peek

It has been a while since I last posted, I do apologize.  I have been hard at work, trying to play the "catch up" game.  Notice I said "trying". 
I thought I'd give you a peek at what my art 2 kids have been working on.  They should be done by this week and I will post new pics.  My adv are working on clay and my art 1 are learning to draw the body.  I have lots to share and promise to do so as soon as the kids finish this round of projects.

Congressional Award

I am thrilled out of my mind at the moment.  My student has been awarded the Congressional Art Award this past weekend!  His work will hang in the Nation's Capitol Gallery for a year.  We have been invited to Washington D.C. for a week in the summer where we will be taking part in several ceremonies and tours.  From what I've been told, we will receive a tour of the Capitol by our own Congressman, Mr. S. Reyes.
If I'm over the moon, you could just imagine how my student feels. 
I'm so glad he won, he is such a dedicated student and such a nice kid. 
He drew a portrait of his sister using a ball point pen.  It looks like a photograph.  If you are ever in the Nation's Capitol, stop by and take a look.

It has been a while since I last posted.  Directing our regional VASE event was a huge undertaking, there were over 300 art students competing to advance to state.  Now that regional is over, I just have the state event to worry about. 
My advanced kids are working on prints.  I love printing, carving the linoleum is so relaxing and therapeutic.  I think my kids are doing a great job.  I will post more images once we are completely done with the project.
Oh yeah, two more days for spring break!