DIY: 14 Faves of 2014

Well, Happy New Year's Eve-eve to all y'all! One of my fave things to do during this time o' year is to look back on the past and reflect on some of my happiest memories. I've been doing this the past coupla years and I really enjoy it (you can visit 2012 and 2013 here if you so desire). I hope you don't find it nearly as torturous as those Facebook "This is my life in a coupla rando posts and pics that some pimply teen working at FB picked for me. Thanks for being apart of it." thingies that keep clogging up your newsfeed. If so, my sincerest-ish apologies. 

For humoring my self-indulgent reflectin', I've got a giveaway for y'all! One of my fave things about 2014 was that I started the Artsy Book Club. We started out with a BANG! reading One Drawing a Day and really having fun with it. The prob? Drawing each and every day is taxing, y'all. However, I did love the bond we created. My next book club read was a double header (Teach Like a Pirate and Printmaking Unleashed) which I think was a big ole mistake. I was overwhelmed trying to read them both. So this time around, I'm throwing a book out there that I've been meaning to read for ages and I think we'll all benefit from and Ima gonna give one of you a copy! So, what's the book, you ask?

A true classic, amirite? AND one that I've never read. Here's how you can enter to win:

1. Leave me a message in the comments about what was your fave memory from 2014. 

2. Don't forget to include your email address! I'll let you know by Sunday, January 4th.

We'll begin officially book clubbing on Monday, January 12th. There are a million inexpensive copies of the book in the used section on Amazon (that'd be where this giveaway copy came from!). I do hope you'll join the Artsy Book Readin fun!

And now, on to 14 Faves of 2014 (in no particular order)...

1. My Artist-Inspired Dresses. The craziness continues. I started this artist/artwork-themed dress thing last year after creating The Great Wave dress. My most recent one was this Lichtenstein number (I've got a couple on my sewing room table right now just waiting to be created). 

This Starry Night Dress was actually started at this time last year over winter break. The light up part is my ab fave. 

Woof, this entirely needle felted The Scream dress had me seriously questioning my life's choices. It took me foreverness. I don't wanna even know how many hours were poured into that dress (although I do know that about 3 seasons of Project Runway were watched whilst needling away). I took a lil hiatus from needle felting after that number. 

But once I learned that there was a Kandinsky exhibit coming to The Frist Center for Visual Arts, I was back at the felting biz-natch. You can see the dress on the left and the one on the right by clickin' the linky-loo, Cindy-Lou Who

 2. Feature in Nashville Arts Magazine. From the interview to the photo session to seeing it all in print, that was easily one of the coolest things of 2014 for me. You can view the entire interview here incase your eyes cannot read flea-sized font. 

 And you can read all about that photo session and interview here. 

 3. The Artsy Sew Along. Originally just called the Apron Sew Along until we finished the aprons and people kept joining the fun (I love Denise's Frida/El Dia de los Muertos apron, don't you?)! I've got a new sew along project in store for us so if you join here, you'll be able to stay informed. If you are still wanting to get your apron stitching on, go here. There's all the links to the videos and tutorials you'd ever want (well, not really. But it's a start). 

 3. Going to NAEA in San Diego. Twas an absolute blast! It was basically Art Teachers Gone Wild which is always the best kind of party. I'm most def going this March (and leading two sessions, whuuuh?! Y'all best come and hold my hand, ermkay?). I loved meeting some of my fave bloggers and awesome art teachers. From left to right, that's Phyl, Patty, Rina and the lovely Donna. If you click on their names, you will be blown away by their awesomeness. 

And of course, Nic Hahn of Mini-Matisse! Like, seriously the nicest gal everrr.

4. Leading my first professional development at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. Y'all. I was so super nervous to be leading that workshop! I mean, I'll teach kiddos all day long but other art teachers?! Who am I to tell 'em what to do? My nerves were set at ease by that awesome group of art educators and it was such a fun experience that I can't wait to do it again. 

5. Speaking at Bowling Green State University. That was another spooky/thrilling experience that I absolutely loved! Although, I gotta tell ya, my fave part was meeting Laura Dean of Painted Paper. Her blog is insanely creative and always an inspiration. 

 6. Gallery of Gratitude. As art teachers, we hang artwork in the hall all the time to boost the kid's self esteem and to show off their hard work. However, it's not often that we create art work to booster the esteem of others and congratulate them on their hard work. But that's just what our Gallery of Gratitude did. And the impact it had on my coworkers was very touching. This was easily one of my fave art projects of 2014. 

7. 4th Grade Legacy Mural. This project was one that came to me two weeks before winter break. The idea: have my 4th grade kids create a legacy for the school and present it as a Christmas gift before winter break. Getting this completed caused multiple panic attacks but with the help of my buddies the custodians, the bookkeeper, my librarian buds and all my fab fourth graders, it was finished and revealed to our principals. 

 8. String Art Project. This project was both a student and blog reader favorite. If you've not given this a go, I really recommend you do. Each and every kid loved it and was successful. And now my 3rd graders are begging to create one as well. I've got an alternative in mind for them that I can't wait to start after break. 

9. Circle Loom Weaving with 2nd Grade. This one was another blog reader/kid fave. Do y'all weave in your art rooms? It's one of my favorite things. In fact, I'm declaring January Weaving Month by hosting a weaving lesson each week on this here blog. I'm also presenting all-things-weave-y at the AOE conference at the end of January! I'm so looking forward to that. Are y'all going? 

10. 2nd Place Art Education Blog of the Year. Speaking of the Art of Education, this was a super nice surprise this year (I know it says 2013 but it actually went down in 2014)! I was thrilled just to be nominated. Shoot, I'm just glad that there's five of you out there that read my ridiculousness! 

11. Tennessee Elementary Art Educator of the Year. Well, that was a super nice surprise! Especially the part where I'm surrounded by some outstanding art educating action like these lovely ladies. Guess who didn't get the "Professional Attire Required" memo (as if I have any clothing that falls into that category!). 

12. Hiking Mount Baldy. Like, wow, y'all. That was a tough hike the hubs and I did this summer. But outta all the hiking we've done, this one was one of my faves. The views were amazing. 

Like, right? Once we caught our breath the view was even more breath taking. 

13. Halloween Horror Nights at Hollywood's Universal Studios. The hubs and I have been going to HHN for years. It's like our fave thing in the world. Seriously, the hubs loves it so much, he starts planning our trip in May. I was able to get this frightening clip filmed while standing at the front of the entrance to the park. Just watching it still makes my hands sweat. And to think we pay money to get chased my these maniacs! 

14. A Ladies Trip to Charleston. Me, my moms and my moms-in-law traveled to Charleston this summer and completely did the town. I'd never been before and the whole place was such a fun and unique experience. Fave part: the dolphin sightings right after these photos were taken. So fun! 

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In the Art Room: Art Teacher Interview with Eric Gibbons, AKA Box Artist

Hey, y'all! As apart of my lil Art Teacher Interview series (of which you can read more interviews here, here and here), I have the pleasure of introducing you to Eric Gibbons, aka Box Artist! I'm so thrilled that Eric has allowed me to interview him as his work as an artist, gallery owner, educator and author are so inspiring. And I know for certain y'all will love what he has to say about his journey. So without further ado, take it away, Eric! 

Just who are you, anyway? And where do you teach? And how long you been doin' it? 

I have been teaching since 1991. First in Wildwood NJ, then Egypt of all places, and now in central New Jersey. I did some teaching in Japan, but that was teaching English conversation while still in college to help pay bills when I was living there on a student exchange. As you can surmise, I love to travel and have been to Korea, Paris, London, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

I have taught all levels from pre-k through the community college level but am currently teaching in a high school, and teach privately at my gallery in the summers. [Eric's gallery called Firehouse Gallery is seen above. More details can be found here.] My 21st art camp will be this summer. I like being my own boss. I hope to retire as early as I can to publish and teach privately through my sunset years.

And you're an artist AND a published author to boot? Okay, tell us your magical ways. Start with your journey as an artist. Go on, we're listening...

So art has always been in my family. As I sit and type I am looking at 2 watercolors by my great grandmother. She painted till she was 102. Her daughter, my grandmother was an accomplished artist as is her sister Anita Gish. Her work is in the National Portrait Gallery. She too is an art teacher. My mother studied art but went on to become a nurse and therapist, but she stays creative. My brother can draw very well and my sister works for a company that produces books for museums and galleries, so she has the art bug too. It was never discouraged so it was a natural transition for me. I can do many things well, and jump from one media to another with ease. Stained glass to oils. Ceramics to watercolors. Origami to pastels. That versatility definitely helps in the classroom for a broad approach.

My own work, closest to my heart are blind drawing like Matisse, and figure painting like Jacque Louis David, or Michelangelo. I am kinda' known for my figures and still lives in boxes, hence my pseudonym on social media.

I am passionate about my approach to art education. I push a multi-disciplinary approach connecting math, history, language, literature, science, and biology to art. Art teachers know, when we grid, measure, and draw—we use geometry. When we make sculptures—we use engineering. When we mix colors—we reveal information about physics. When we create illustrations for stories—we learn about literature. When we review the styles of art from da Vinci to Bansky—we teach history. When we write about art—we strengthen these skills. When we create works of art, we solve complex visual problems in creative ways.

So is your art form of choice illustration? If so, has it always been? 

I don't think of myself as an illustrator, but if the need arises I can be. For the newest project, "If Picasso Had a Christmas Tree," I put on my illustrator hat and created about 12 Christmas trees in the styles of Picasso, Mondrian, Rothko, Haring, etc... Some took a few minutes like the Cy Twombly piece, and others took weeks, like Picasso and Tamara de Lempicka paintings. It's fun to emulate and create. I am not much for copying, but I like emulation.

Can you talk a lil bit about getting published? How does one even set out on that journey?

So publishing is a surprise for me. I was a terrible speller growing up. Ridiculed for it actually. I had great ideas but no one could get past the spelling. Thank god for spell check or I'd be jobless. My spelling is still poor, but I rely on help from technology and friends, particularly English Teachers!

My first book was call "Christian Voodoo." It started at a collection of stories for my own amusement about old superstitions that persist today. Burying a St. Joseph statue up-side-down in the yard to sell a house. Putting a rosary on a bush outside your home to stop the rain for a wedding, and many others. Some friends wanted copies of my little collection, and it grew. I sold copies on Ebay long ago, and thought to approach a publisher. Schiffer Publishing took it on and though it never really sold great it does bring in a few bucks every year and still sells.

After doing a couple more through them and others, I decided to try it myself through Createspace.com, owned by Amazon. Once your book is done and saved as a PDF, you upload it, and it is for sale on Amazon. I made books and collections of my lesson plans, tests, and other professional stuff and they sell well. I did some other art related books and they too did ok. We're not talking enough to quit my job, but all these little projects do add up to about a mortgage payment every month.

 If you told the 12 year old me, nearly failing English, that I would have nearly 100 books to my credit... I'd have called you crazy, but I do, though many are not under my own name, some hardly sell at all, but enough do that it's worth it and fun.

The newest book, "If Picasso Had a Christmas Tree," is really taking off though. It's for sale in museum stores, and next year will be even bigger. (It was late for this year's holiday season.) That is exciting, and scary. With Createspace I don't have to keep any books here, it's all automatic, I just get a royalty. This new book though, because it did so well, I went the traditional route by ordering 3000 copies. Putting out a huge chunk of cash. But we have recouped our investment and are now earning money on the book. Next year, If I had to guess, we'll need to order about 10,000 copies, maybe more.

So you teach, you create, you keep up a super fab blog and your write books. Talk a little bit about what your ideal average day of teaching/creating might look like. 

The blog, www.ArtEdGuru.com is really a place for me to store my ideas, web links, and resources so I can access them from anywhere, especially school. BUT I realized it would be helpful for many others so I added the blog portion and opened it up to others. As something cool comes up, I add it to the appropriate pages, and I hope it helps other teachers. The video links page is AWESOME if class finishes too early and you need something to keep the kids occupied. I have done that a few time already this year.

So as for my day, I am up by 6am, out to school by 7am, teaching from 7:30 am to about3pm. (I work just 7 miles from my home) I use all my prep time and "free" periods to write lesson plans, grade, etc. My daily goal is to take nothing home, because home is more work. I really use every minute of my day. If I know I will be busy, I come early to work.

At home I have to answer email, take and write orders. Wednesdays I teach private classes. My partner ships and organizes the books. I have to find time to write, communicate with the 30 teachers in the book so we are all on the same page. I'm active on the Facebook art teacher's page with advice and opinions, and I only "plug" a book if it truly answers a question posed, but I have tons of free stuff and advice for my fellow teachers, and am happy to share that. It's really NOT about the money for me.

Sometimes I visit the college to talk with wanna-be art teachers, crush their dreams with reality, and those that continue on are either fools like me, or awesome like you!  ;-) I joke of course, but I do enlighten them that teaching art is not for everyone, it's very hard, and schools often do not appreciate what you do. I urge them to advocate for art education, because no one else will. I sincerely believe art is THE most important subject taught in school, and I have evidence to back that up!

For fun, I carve out time to go to 3D movies, visit a museum or gallery, go to a monthly potluck and share my famous cream puffs, or watch Antiques Roadshow.

Many folks give up their personal art when they begin teaching. What have you gained from continuing to pursue your art? Where do you think you'd be without this outlet?

I have come to understand that art is a necessity in my life. When I am not creative I get very depressed. It is my medicine. I am not joking on this point. I get in a very dark place when I am not allowing myself a creative outlet. Some people do it just for fun or to pass the time. That's fine, but I have come to realize I NEED art in my life as much as I need air, water, and cream puffs from time to time.

Creating art and writing books helps me escape my isolation. I could easily become a hermit or hobbit if I let myself. But books and art are ways that I connect with others and share what I have learned. It's my way of giving back to the world, and maintaining my sanity.  

To see my own art, please visit www.firehousegallery.com my books are atwww.firehousepublications.com

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DIY: A Pack-a Attack-a Alpaca (AKA, Tales from an Alpaca Addict)

It could easily be stated that there are many a thing wrong with me. I suffer from anti-cleaning disease. I have a super bad and unshakable case of I-despise-cooking-itis. Not to mention the car-that-looks-like-an-army-of-hobo-clowns-live-in-it disorder which I deal with on a daily basis.

However, despite all my countless flaws, I never thought I'd add Alpaca Addict to the list...and yet...

Each and every time I look longingly at the photos from my alpaca trip, I'm all...

For that reason, I went on a wee bit of an alpaca-crafting bender over Thanksgiving break. With the help of my moms-in-law who, by her artsy nature, is always (willingly) dragged into my crafting adventures, we sculpted and papier mached these bad boys.

I know, right? Like, so super cutes it burns your retinas. And we used a buncha scrap supplies that woulda otherwise ended up in the recycling bin. Or in the back of my car with the hobo clowns which is more likely the case.

So just how did these lil guys come to life? Lemme start by showing you what our kitchen table looked like after the tofu-kery and pumpkin pie were cleared away...

So just what did we use? Well, lemme start by saying that is not mashed potatoes in the middle of the table. To craft our Alpaca Ornaments, we used:

*  Clothes pins for the legs. The ones with the metal wire hinge thingie work the best.

*  Wallpaper paste. Not be confused with mashed potatoes. Like, ew.

*  Aluminum foil scraps. I saved all the foil scraps from the kids' projects this year thinking that we'd come up with something to create. 

*  Newspaper torn into strips. What with Black Friday ads, we had plenty of newspaper to use. 

To create the body, we simply stood two clothes pins on end and crumpled a piece of foil over them for the body. Another piece was then wadded up and added for the neck and head. From there, we commenced wrapping the alpacas with newspaper. The ears were created by folding a wad of newspaper up to create a triangle shape and then attached. Because of their small size, these guys really took no time at all. And they were pretty easy once we figured out how to sculpt the body. I'm thinking my third and fourth grade kids could totally handle the scandal. 

After drying overnight, we give the little dudes a base coat of white to hide the newspaper print. From there, I just started slapping colors on the little guys whilst merrily scrolling through my alpaca pics for inspiration.

Then came the hair stylin's. When I was paper mache-ing, I didn't have a clue how to go about creating the hair. However, on a trip to the craft store, I found these super awesome pom-pom-making contraptions that worked out perfectly.  

In my bottomless stash of stuff (which reminds me, I can also had crazy-crafty-hoarder to my list of illnesses), I also happened to have yarn the exact color of my lil alpaca friends. So I promptly set to creating pom-pom alpaca afros. 

Also in my stash were some ethnic ribbons for the "blankets" to drape over the backs. These were hot glued into place.

Sparkly ribbony stuff was added for the hanger and viola! All ready for the yet-to-be-dragged-outta-the-closet Christmas tree!

 At some point during all this alpaca-madness, I got the crazy notion to paint some stationary. Because, you know, why not?

 I'm thinking that if I can fight off the urge to keep them myself, I just might gift these sets for Christmas. 

 I went about making them factory style on the dining room table (you know, because the kitchen table was full of papier mache and alpacas. As it should be). I started by just dry brushing some stripes...

 And some more stripes before stenciling. I found this super groovy ethnicy stencil at Michael's and bought it even before I had a plan. And I'm so glad I did because I loves it so.

After the background dried a bit, I sketched in some alpaca silhouettes in paint. Half the time they ended up looking like giraffes, llamas, deer or some creature from the Black Lagoon but I was determined to just keep painting and make 'em work. 

Once dry, I thickly painted stripes, dots and patterns on the back of the alpaca to mimic a blanket. I also added a lil line around the alpacas so they wouldn't appear so flat. 

And there you have it! A Pack-a Attack-Alpacas! I so loved creating both the cards and the ornaments. 

So, I gotta know, did you craft over Thanksgiving break? I'd love to know what you created. If you'd be so kind, share what you made in the comments and, if you have a blog where you featured your creation, please be sure to add a link below. Thanks, y'all!

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