Artist~Teacher... tishalou

Wow! finished my first full week of school since the second week in January! I started the Creative Every Day posts because I was doing a lot of blog surfing while home during the snow days. Now that school is back in swing you can see my posts have become fewer. I was also doing a little reflecting on the Home theme. I didn't create a specific Home themed art but I have realized how "at home" I am in the classroom and how much I missed being with and creating with my students over the extended snow days. My students are finishing up with the projects they began so long ago and starting the next round - it is exciting for me to prepare and present these new lessons. It is going to be another busy week - and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Here are a few more of my students illuminated letters!

I have been researching and planning a lesson on illuminated manuscript lettering since last year. This year I finally dove in and taught it to my 5th graders. First I showed them this presentation by Amy Bruce an art teacher in Fairfax County. I really liked how it went over the history and the many roles artists had as trades people in the Middle Ages. I have a reproduction of the Book of Kells which I showed them some examples of celtic knot work and how creatures were entertwined into the letters.

I brought the set designs for the upcoming 2nd grade Suessical performance at my school home with me this weekend. We had so many snow days I did not get a chance to work on them. I wish I had had them over the snow days - they would be done by now! I am working on all the flat color areas and will then go back in with black. I did the first one with brush and black paint but I may need to switch to marker for speed...

I am in the process of implementing an idea that has been floating around in my head for awhile. I think I saw it in an art education magazine. So I have cut out an Armani ad from Harper's Bazaar mag and have collected a lot of textures with a red theme. (still have valentine's on the brain) I will be working on implementing it for the next few days. I actually get to go back to work tomorrow - schools are opening 2 hours late - which  means I will have 30 minute speed classes! Hope I can remember a few names! It has been too long! I am not good without a schedule, I look forward to getting back into one - of course they are calling for more snow next week. I will post a few pictures of the snow aftermath.

Since my Godmother passed away in November I have been inspired to revisit the wonderful craft she taught me so many years ago! I made several Xmas gifts and am still crocheting along. Here are a few of my latest creations.
The red & black scarf in my son's baseball team colors - tournaments start early (if the snow ever melts). And a Young Guns Sock Monkey with just earned the team $65 at the silent auction!! The other sock monkey was for my niece Bella and the giraffe for my niece Qwynn.

ok gonna be startin something! wish I had this inspiration earlier in the snowstorm - will probably have to go back to work tomorrow. I have begun this blog to post my Creative Everyday creations. I have always needed an assignment to get motivated so here goes. Missed a month and a half but better late than never, right?
Most of my creativity comes in the form of how and what I am going to teach my students. I teach PreK through 5th grade. I am hoping this challenge will help me create more personal work.