I had a wonderful Yoga class tonight and was able to visualize my next painting. I saw a spiraling tree -- colors coming from the ground were Red - then Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet (chakras) and spirals and swirls all around. Then in front of it - another trasnparent painting of me in a meditation - in front of the tree.
I can never believe the inspiration I get from going to a yoga class.
I am working at playing right now (did that make sense?) I have finally started painting and am getting into my groove and just realized I think I have 3 weeks left of chillin' and the whole school marathon starts again. Well, I am ready - excited to see the kids and all of my friends at Sunset Ridge. If things go well, I'll be able to teach 1st - 8th graders this year! Cannot WAIT!
I will post the masterpiece when it is born... Now I have to get to bed -- my big beautiful poodle is laying on the floor waiting for me to snuggle up with him.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Shared Lesson Plans - April 2011
An art teacher professional development was held on Friday, April 8th, 2011 at Sunset Ridge. It was a small crowd - only three of us were able to attend: Dede Daus, Mary Soule and me...Ms. G. "Staff development" is always a tough situation in our district because not every art teacher gets to come to our meetings. This has been a challenging issue since most of the time, the "development" hasn't pertained to us art teachers. For the past 6 years I have worked in our school district we have had various opportunities to gather and every meeting has allowed me to learn many things as well as share issues that pertain specifically to art teachers. My Principle has been so supportive of these opportunities and it makes life a lot easier! In order to make our meeting more beneficial to all art teachers, I have decided to blog about what we discussed. Please feel free to share your input! Part One: Lessons shared by Dede Daus
Blue Dog art
project
project Dede brought a step by step drawing tutorial sheet along and explained some teaching strategies for describing each step. She has better results when having the students draw the nose by saying that it is "like a parenthesis". The bridge of the nose is "reverse parenthesis". Make the nose like a rectangle with rounded sides. Ears to at 10:00 and 2:00. The body is one head length long and the legs an additional head length. The last tip - to draw the leg, draw a bubble letter "L".
She has the students make their "Blue Dogs" in their choice of environment and says that she has amazing results! You can recommend the dog be colored in cool colors only and warm for the background if you are integrating a color concept into the lesson.
1st - 3rd Grade art books -
Dede used cardstock and pipecleaners to create mini bound books for grades 1-3. She said they are mini masterpieces and that each child is VERY enthusiastic to take them home. Some of the things that are in the books include:
Color Bursts (see image on right)- Fantastic and easy idea for teaching color theory. There can be "color bursts" created in warm, cool, primary, secondary, analagous, complementary, monochromatic color schemes.Summert
ime Fun! - Glue resist with construction paper crayons. Dede had the students draw a border with pencil then sketch a "Summertime" design including items like a flower, surf board, sailboat, sun...you get the idea...
Once the drawing is complete, outline with glue. Once that's dry, the students color with construction paper crayons. She said that special emphasis should be paid to creating a fun border.
More posts to come.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
What did I do in 2010 artistically?
It's coming to the end of 2010 and what have I accomplished artistically? Well....hmmm..... dammit, it seems like I have been repeating the same comments to myself for 20 years - seriously. I look back on journals and I haven't evolved much. This year...what did I do?
...........................................................
OK -- I'm very proud of the cute little reindeer picture I put together which I ended up putting on holiday cards which I haven't mailed out....
Goal 1: Mail 5 cards - your work doesn't exist of someone doesn't see it.
............................................................
Cup o' cocoa is a really cute lesson -- I'm proud of that and I will work on posting the lesson online.
Goal 2: Write and publish lesson plan
...........................................................
I have gotten SSR to be rated #1 in AZ and up to #6 in the flippin' NATION on artsonia -- that's WAY cool!!!
Goal 3: find more helpers for artsonia
I have also realized that I don't like the "art studio" and have created a good space for myself int he loft -- Go Me!
Next time I log into this blog to create a posting, I will be so proud of myself! :)
...........................................................
OK -- I'm very proud of the cute little reindeer picture I put together which I ended up putting on holiday cards which I haven't mailed out....
Goal 1: Mail 5 cards - your work doesn't exist of someone doesn't see it.
............................................................
Cup o' cocoa is a really cute lesson -- I'm proud of that and I will work on posting the lesson online.
Goal 2: Write and publish lesson plan
...........................................................
I have gotten SSR to be rated #1 in AZ and up to #6 in the flippin' NATION on artsonia -- that's WAY cool!!!
Goal 3: find more helpers for artsonia
I have also realized that I don't like the "art studio" and have created a good space for myself int he loft -- Go Me!
Next time I log into this blog to create a posting, I will be so proud of myself! :)
San Francisco Anaphylaxis Adventure
I hadn't been to San Francisco for almost 20 years. I didn't realize I had become such a stranger to a town that I feel so close. I have been "near"....San Jose, officially in 2008 but I don't count that trip - it was rather uneventful.
My sweet husband decided it would be a great Holiday gift to go to the deYoung museum and see the VanGogh, Gaugin, Cezanne exhibit. He handled the details, I just came along for the ride. It was an overall very great experience to see the artwork, go back to the city and eat a Ghiradelli hot fudge sundae.
Walter and I always seem to have a great time traveling together. This trip was no exception - except for the breif visit to the ER on Wednesday, I think it went well. I worry so much abuot my hubs. He's been struggling for the past year and a half with PMR and I think that's why he ended up in the ER. We knew something was wrong the day after we arrived. We woke up Monday morning and Wally had hives all over his body. We had gotten in to San Fran, checked into our hotel, and gone out to eat at this great restraunt. Walter had Cioppino at a restraunt called "Cioppino's". It was excellent -- really....until the next morning. I ran to our local Walgreens after texting the two nurses I know to ask for assistance on what to get Walter. I decided that the Benedryl was the answer - got him a little hydrocortisol cream and he was ready to go.
Monday was a good day - we got on our cable car, ended up walking from Chinatown to Union Square. We went shopping...actually.... "I" went shopping. The Macy's had a great women's department and OMG sales!!! We then ventured up Market street to the Ferry Building. I wish we could have spent more time at the Ferry Building -- that's next trip. Then we walked to Fisherman's Wharf...where, by that time we were wet and starving and willing to grab anything. We came upon the Crab House -- and Walter, being Walter, refused to believe that he couldn't have crab so we ahead and ingested 3 lbs of crab - he even did a demo for me on how to eat it out of the shell since I'm unfamiliar to this ritual (I've been a landlocked indivual my whole live...)
Next morning, hives again....more benedryl, cream...we're on our way to the art museum. I guess he was a bit more itchy that day but he put on a good show for me. He seemed fine and that night, we opted out of the seafood feast and went for a regular turkey club at the Buene Vista.
Wednesday morning - 6 a.m. Walter woke me up and said "Camille, I'm worse". I looked at him and he looked sorta like Homer Simpson (at least his lips did - not the top of his head)... OMG -- OK -- think. Make-up -- really??? just put your damn clothes on and go. We ended up in the car, turned on GPS and found the nearest hospital. He was pretty frantic by the time we got there. They treated him quickly - it was not busy at all. He got an IV, more steroids, benedryl and pepsid and after a few hours, we were checked out of there and on our way to Walgreens (again) to get his meds. We spent the day in bed. I think I slept more than he did. We did get up and go out that evening to dinner - this time it was steak only - I don't even dare order seafood and get it near him at this point....
We finally came to our last day of our vacation. I felt a little relieved to be going home. I know Walter was tired and wanted some comfort and security. We decided since the sun was beaming that day, we'd head out to Golden Gate Park and see the Legion on Honor. We stopped at the Conservatory first, saw the choo choo train setup (very cute), then went to see the exhibit at the Legion of Honor. It was a sunny, beautiful day! I wish we had been able to experience San Fran with that weather the entire trip.
So - aside from the anaphylaxis adventures, I would say it was a great trip. I feel like I belong in San Francisco. Next trip - no seafood.
My sweet husband decided it would be a great Holiday gift to go to the deYoung museum and see the VanGogh, Gaugin, Cezanne exhibit. He handled the details, I just came along for the ride. It was an overall very great experience to see the artwork, go back to the city and eat a Ghiradelli hot fudge sundae.
Walter and I always seem to have a great time traveling together. This trip was no exception - except for the breif visit to the ER on Wednesday, I think it went well. I worry so much abuot my hubs. He's been struggling for the past year and a half with PMR and I think that's why he ended up in the ER. We knew something was wrong the day after we arrived. We woke up Monday morning and Wally had hives all over his body. We had gotten in to San Fran, checked into our hotel, and gone out to eat at this great restraunt. Walter had Cioppino at a restraunt called "Cioppino's". It was excellent -- really....until the next morning. I ran to our local Walgreens after texting the two nurses I know to ask for assistance on what to get Walter. I decided that the Benedryl was the answer - got him a little hydrocortisol cream and he was ready to go.
Monday was a good day - we got on our cable car, ended up walking from Chinatown to Union Square. We went shopping...actually.... "I" went shopping. The Macy's had a great women's department and OMG sales!!! We then ventured up Market street to the Ferry Building. I wish we could have spent more time at the Ferry Building -- that's next trip. Then we walked to Fisherman's Wharf...where, by that time we were wet and starving and willing to grab anything. We came upon the Crab House -- and Walter, being Walter, refused to believe that he couldn't have crab so we ahead and ingested 3 lbs of crab - he even did a demo for me on how to eat it out of the shell since I'm unfamiliar to this ritual (I've been a landlocked indivual my whole live...)
Next morning, hives again....more benedryl, cream...we're on our way to the art museum. I guess he was a bit more itchy that day but he put on a good show for me. He seemed fine and that night, we opted out of the seafood feast and went for a regular turkey club at the Buene Vista.
Wednesday morning - 6 a.m. Walter woke me up and said "Camille, I'm worse". I looked at him and he looked sorta like Homer Simpson (at least his lips did - not the top of his head)... OMG -- OK -- think. Make-up -- really??? just put your damn clothes on and go. We ended up in the car, turned on GPS and found the nearest hospital. He was pretty frantic by the time we got there. They treated him quickly - it was not busy at all. He got an IV, more steroids, benedryl and pepsid and after a few hours, we were checked out of there and on our way to Walgreens (again) to get his meds. We spent the day in bed. I think I slept more than he did. We did get up and go out that evening to dinner - this time it was steak only - I don't even dare order seafood and get it near him at this point....
We finally came to our last day of our vacation. I felt a little relieved to be going home. I know Walter was tired and wanted some comfort and security. We decided since the sun was beaming that day, we'd head out to Golden Gate Park and see the Legion on Honor. We stopped at the Conservatory first, saw the choo choo train setup (very cute), then went to see the exhibit at the Legion of Honor. It was a sunny, beautiful day! I wish we had been able to experience San Fran with that weather the entire trip.
So - aside from the anaphylaxis adventures, I would say it was a great trip. I feel like I belong in San Francisco. Next trip - no seafood.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Scrapbooking as a Personal Discovery
Why?
OK – I have a creative thing. I love to create and yet I do it so infrequently. My main reason I don’t create – I think – is that I don’t have a deadline. I don’t “Have” to. I procrastinate a lot. I also like to collect ideas and tend to get overwhelmed. I was lucky to find an online creative community in January and it was just what I needed. I felt a little like a rip off artists. Not an artist at all – just a copy cat. I followed the projects that milliande created and followed her directions just to get myself going. I have heard that sometimes writers will take someone else’s writing and use them to just get a jumpstart so I though I’d try that. I’ve take pictures from other artists and copied them just to get painting. When I’m finished I am always amazed at how good I am at painting. I am a good artist – or am i? Am I goo d if I copy someone else’s art? Maybe I’m good at technique but not a good artists… but I am getting off track.
So – I followed these prompts like a trooper. It was the most discipline I’d had in a long time – then she had to stop. Hey, the woman has a life ya know. Once I had that happen I realized that I could do this. I could create my own prompts. Inspiration is out there I just have to go and get it.
The first steps I am going to go through is to dig up what I already have. I have a ton of materials, lots of books and a lot of ideas of my own just waiting to happen. I am going to write like I am now…then I am going to put together a few plans. I think I will sketch out a few layouts for what I can do. I may create a painting or a scrapbook page. I am finding that the scrapbook idea is scaring me.I get a little ADHD with the scrapbook because I start looking at pictures and then get overhwhelemed with how may I have. I want to do too much. If I could just select one I suppose that would be good – OK – I will select ONE picture and make a page around that.
To DO:Select ONE picture
Meditate on it. Maybe find a way to write up a script for a creative meditation on it…..put together a podcast???
Create a page around it…..
If it’s good maybe you can make a youtube video.
OK – that’s a start…it’s easy – it’s just one thing… I can do this…
OK – I have a creative thing. I love to create and yet I do it so infrequently. My main reason I don’t create – I think – is that I don’t have a deadline. I don’t “Have” to. I procrastinate a lot. I also like to collect ideas and tend to get overwhelmed. I was lucky to find an online creative community in January and it was just what I needed. I felt a little like a rip off artists. Not an artist at all – just a copy cat. I followed the projects that milliande created and followed her directions just to get myself going. I have heard that sometimes writers will take someone else’s writing and use them to just get a jumpstart so I though I’d try that. I’ve take pictures from other artists and copied them just to get painting. When I’m finished I am always amazed at how good I am at painting. I am a good artist – or am i? Am I goo d if I copy someone else’s art? Maybe I’m good at technique but not a good artists… but I am getting off track.
So – I followed these prompts like a trooper. It was the most discipline I’d had in a long time – then she had to stop. Hey, the woman has a life ya know. Once I had that happen I realized that I could do this. I could create my own prompts. Inspiration is out there I just have to go and get it.
The first steps I am going to go through is to dig up what I already have. I have a ton of materials, lots of books and a lot of ideas of my own just waiting to happen. I am going to write like I am now…then I am going to put together a few plans. I think I will sketch out a few layouts for what I can do. I may create a painting or a scrapbook page. I am finding that the scrapbook idea is scaring me.I get a little ADHD with the scrapbook because I start looking at pictures and then get overhwhelemed with how may I have. I want to do too much. If I could just select one I suppose that would be good – OK – I will select ONE picture and make a page around that.
To DO:Select ONE picture
Meditate on it. Maybe find a way to write up a script for a creative meditation on it…..put together a podcast???
Create a page around it…..
If it’s good maybe you can make a youtube video.
OK – that’s a start…it’s easy – it’s just one thing… I can do this…
Writing
I am going to commit myself to writing. I was listening to a podcast on journaling last night and decided that it is going to be the thing that helps me get out of this block. Just my short blog I did yesterday helped me flow into an idea.
I am thinking of starting out with some prompts that I already had worked on - then from there I am going to take some journals I've already started and start working on them. The only way I can get this project rolling is to just do it!
I think I am going to create audio meditations as well - and videos of me creating some pages...this works together. I can't wait....so I better get started. SO -- today I start with my first page - what is important to me..... what sustains me.
I am thinking of starting out with some prompts that I already had worked on - then from there I am going to take some journals I've already started and start working on them. The only way I can get this project rolling is to just do it!
I think I am going to create audio meditations as well - and videos of me creating some pages...this works together. I can't wait....so I better get started. SO -- today I start with my first page - what is important to me..... what sustains me.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Addicted to House
I am watching House - thanks to DirectTV I get to fly by commercials. I find myself just wandering through days wasting time. I procrastinate. I don't know why. I don't know what to do. I don't know where to begin all of the brilliant projects that are just awaiting me. So I watch House.
I have pain in my left shoulder. I feel dull, like nothing will be great or inspiring again then sometimes something flies by me like a hummingbird in my garden. SO... I sit and ponder thoughts of what is importannt to me.
I have started thinking about doing a scrapbook. I thought that a new book called "Scrapbooking as personal discovery" could be cool. Each page would be an inspired page - or based on a meditation. Whenever I would leave a session with my friend Cliff I would be so inspired to create. I want to find a way to access that flow. That's what I want to capture. That's what I want...to write that book - to create that book - to create those inspiring pages...
I have pain in my left shoulder. I feel dull, like nothing will be great or inspiring again then sometimes something flies by me like a hummingbird in my garden. SO... I sit and ponder thoughts of what is importannt to me.
I have started thinking about doing a scrapbook. I thought that a new book called "Scrapbooking as personal discovery" could be cool. Each page would be an inspired page - or based on a meditation. Whenever I would leave a session with my friend Cliff I would be so inspired to create. I want to find a way to access that flow. That's what I want to capture. That's what I want...to write that book - to create that book - to create those inspiring pages...
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