November 30, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 30

#turkeyaday17 is in the books!
Thank you to all who participated, commented, or viewed!
This is meant to be just a fun way to create daily...no pressure...no real rules(other than to make a turkey).  Sometimes we need a bit of silliness in our life. 
Hope you will join in next year!!!

OH...DON'T FORGET #aheartaday18 COMING IN FEBRUARY!


November 28, 2017

#turekyaday17: Day 28

So I took my bird from Day 26....that was so ugly it was cute and finished added too it a bit more! ha ha  This is another time that I'm cracking myself up.  Well, this little bird is ready for winter.


November 27, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 27

I've always enjoyed vine charcoal, but haven't had the guts to use it with my students!  I can only imagine the hands, faces, arms, clothing....AHHH!! ha ha  Someday I will!  


November 26, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 26

This so ugly he's cute turkey was created in China Marker.  I'm not sure what it is about China Marker, but I love the way it feels when I draw with it.  Anyone else have a supply like that??


Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Safety

Art can be dangerous!  There are many products, tools, and procedures that require great attention to safety.  At the elementary level we are constantly reinforcing scissor safety & not putting small fingers into pencil sharpeners.  At the middle school & high school level, teachers are introducing hot glue guns, paints & products that could cause issues if ingested or contact with the eyes/skin, linoleum block printing, and other cutting tools that may be new to students to could pose a risk if handled improperly.  "Don't touch that, don't eat that, don't stick that there...etc"  ha ha  Honestly though, life is full of "things" that can be dangerous if we do not protect ourselves & consider safety first.  Knowing the danger, having a plan in place for protection, and always handling things with great care will minimize possible risk.  Safety requires a plan!


Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of the evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13

(The Armor of God scripture is found in Ephesians 6:10-18)

Every day we are faced with multiple situations that have "risk".....to our personal, mental, relational, professional, and spiritual life.  These risks take many forms, but there are ways we can prepare ourselves.  God's Word speaks of our need to be prepared.  The passage in Ephesians that discusses the Armor of God lays out what exactly we need to do to be ready for battle against those things that come our way.  

Helmet of Salvation
Breastplate of Righteousness
Belt of Truth
Shield of Faith
Sward of the Spirit
Feet Fitted with Peace

Many of us learned these in Sunday School as children.  However, we do not put into practice putting on the Armor of God daily.  When we do not have a plan for safety, we place ourselves at risk of being hurt/injured.  We open ourselves up to become less effective for the Kingdom of God!  Maybe we think we are "ok"...or not at risk, but that is exactly when "things" happen.  We can not be so confident/comfortable that we neglect what God has given us for our safety & His glory!  Where in your life do you need to put in place a "safety plan".  What piece of armor do you seem to be lacking in your day to day?  How can "safety" make you a more effective believer?  

November 25, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 25

Art materials come in all forms!! Kind of like seeing shapes/objects in the clouds.

November 24, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 24

My two favorite apps are Pic Collage & RePix.  I took a Sharpie drawing I did of turkeys in the grass...and dropped it into RePix.  I used the "Dotter" tool to create this look.  


November 23, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 23

Who doesn't love a good turkey hat!!  Unfortunately, this turkey has a bit too much stuffing in his big melon ...so my turkey hat is a bit of a brain squeezer!! ha ha 


Happy Thanksgiving

Thankful to all who stumble upon, check in, follow, and communicate with me here & on all my Art With Mr. E social media!!!  You all are a blessing & why I continue to do what I do!!!


November 21, 2017

#turkeyaday17 : Catching Up....AGAIN!

I am really struggling to stay on top of this!?! 
That being said....I really love several from this group. 
I did a few based off of projects my students are doing this week.












November 19, 2017

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: VISION

Having vision is an important aspect of art.  It goes far beyond the skills needed to create.  There are many in this world who have the technical skills to accomplish art making.  However, technical skills without vision will not innovate, push boundaries, or make statements that create conversation and/or change.  Vision guides the artists skill to make choices of the heart that sometimes contradict the training/logic of a given medium.   I've also seen some artists move to an unexplored medium in order to convey their message.  It is that inner passion that moves a person from being someone who can technically create in an aesthetic manner to an ARTIST.  This vision also allows the individual to continue on in the face of adversity, questioning, and disapproval.  They see something that their critics can not, and it keeps them from giving up....and motivates them press onward.


Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet 
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27

Vision keeps us from being distracted.  Sometimes we can justify things as "good distractions", but other times the distractions just take us from our path and purpose.  I've seen many believers who  know the right things to say & do, and have skills that could be used to encourage the body of Christ & make Him known.  However, they don't have a vision for their place in God's plan.  They are distracted.  They are caught up in their life, things of the world, or even "churchie" things that seem good.  Through God's Word, prayer, and discipleship...we can gain a true vision for God's plans for our life. We will unleash the passion God has placed in our hearts, and it will meet a need in a unique and beautiful way.  He has designed us to do so.  What is keeping you from seeing the vision or living out the vision God has for you?  How can you live out this life with a passion that will keep you focused and moving forward?  Are you just going through the motions because you know how to....or are you living with passion and purpose?

November 16, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Got Behind?!?!

I had intentions of posting every day for #turkeyaday17.
Things happen?!?! I was creating every day, but just couldn't get myself to post.
Oh well...I give myself grace & am doing my best to catch up!  
Here are a handful of turkeys for your viewing pleasure.






HALF WAY THROUGH THE MONTH!!!!  I WONDER WHAT TURKEYS WILL COME TO BE AS WE FINISH OFF THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGE!!!


#k12ArtChat: Celebrate Gratitude


Tonight is the #K12ArtChat: Celebrate Gratitude....hosted by ME!!!
Never participated in a Twitter Chat before....never to late to start!! They are a fast pace information heavy time to connect with like minded people from ALL OVER focused on a specific topic.  The questions for tonight's chat are below so you can be thinking ahead!!! I recommend using TweetDeck.  Google it if you aren't sure...super user friendly!!! 

SEE YOU TONIGHT!!!!!!!





November 13, 2017

TAEA Middle TN Art Teacher of the Year

This year I was unable to attend my state conference because I had the joy & previledge of being the super session dude at Wisconsin Art Education Association State Conference (SO. MUCH. FUN.).
I received the Middle TN Art Teacher of the Year Award, but was not there to receive it. 
 IT CAME IN THE SCHOOL MAIL TODAY!!! 

THANK YOU TAEA FAMILY FOR THINKING OF ME AS WORTHY TO RECEIVE SUCH AN AWARD!!  YOU ALL HAVE ENCOURAGED & BLESSED MY HEART SO MUCH!!!





November 12, 2017

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Talking to the Creator

Have you ever looked at a work of art and wished you had access to the artist so you could ask them all your questions?  Don't get me wrong, I love being able to interpret art from the visual clues provided, the context that I have knowledge, and my own "gut" reaction, but there are times when questions remain that can only be answered by talking to the creator.  Such a conversation not only yields the answers to questions you have, but provides amazing insights to the passions, interests, and processes of the artist that their work can not fully speak.  It allows you to have a deeper relationship with the creation & creator.


This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it-the Lord is his name: call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. 
Jeremiah 33:2-3

There are times in our faith journey that we feel like things are one sided, and that there is not a true relationship there with our Creator.  We set in church and feel disconnected. We pray and feel like our words go into the void. We spend time with other believers and feel no true connection.  We read God's Word and the words are just.....words.  There are many reasons we go through these "seasons" in our life.  Some are brief & some seem to drag on forever.  We might have some things we need to give over to God.  We might have some things we need to let go.  It is possible we might not have a clue to why we are in the season at all.  No matter...we need to talk to the Creator! We wants to hear from us.  We see in Jeremiah that He wants us to "CALL TO ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOU".  How amazing that our Creator wants us to call to Him!  And even more....that He will ANSWER!  When we look at life...our life...and just aren't sure where we are at, why we are where we are, or how things got to this point......take your questions to the Creator.  He deeply desires to hear from His children.  He wants to respond to your questions(if we are willing to ask, listen, and search His Word).  The answers may not always be what we expected, but He will meet you where you are & respond to your heart's cry.  Not sure how...or where to start?  Just start a conversation with Him!  He knows your heart....and you will not surprise Him with your questions, thoughts, and issues. 
Just talk to Him.  

November 11, 2017

#turkeyaday17 (playing catch up)

It is so easy to get behind posting?!?!?! 
Here are a few days worth of turkeys for you!!

My Mixed Media turkey started out as an incised plate print using acrylic paint.  I wasn't really thrilled with it as a print so I decided to push it a bit further.  I did a watercolor wash overtop of the print.  Then I used gold Sharpie and wrote "gobble" over and over in the background.  I highlighted some of the colors using oil pastels, and colored pencil to create shadows.

We are doing circle weaving with 3rd grade & soft sculptures in 4th grade...so yarn, plastic needles, and SmartFab are ALL OVER my room! ha ha  I made this little stitched turkey during bus duty.  

When my incised plate print didn't turn out as I wanted it to...I decided to do a transfer print using Portfolio Oil Pastels.  He made me laugh! ha ha




November 06, 2017

#turkeyaday17 : Day 6


I have several people joining in on Twitter!!! So if you want to see what others are making for #turkeyaday17, jump on over to Twitter and search the hashtag #turkeyaday17 !!! 

This lovely lady is collage!!  

November 05, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 5


They aren't always funny lookin'! ha ha  
Here is Day 5's turkey created in Oil Pastel! 


Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: PLANS

Have you ever happened upon an artist when they are at the beginning or middle of a work?  Sometimes you can't see their vision.  Sometimes you can't even tell what it is they're creating.  Your hope is that the artist knows what they are doing, and that they have a plan for finishing things.  However, if you are an artist...you know there are times that the plan is loose at best.  You hope inspiration, natural instinct, training, and (sometimes) a deadline will be enough to bring a piece to completion. This does work at times.  Though a plan will usually yield better, timely, and more focused work.  Can you imagine if an architect didn't have a clear vision?


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

At times life throws so many things at us, we are distracted from our plan/purpose.  IT HAPPENS!  There is no shame in this. However, we can not forget that plan/purpose!  We plan for a reason.  Plans keep us focused.  Plans remind us our priorities.  Plans will allow us to see beyond our present situation, and will give us a goal to keep going forward!  Keeping your plans "in check" with Him & His Word will also allow you to be the most effective with your time, relationships, gifts, and resources.   If you feel you don't have a plan for your life....GOD DOES!  If you feel your purpose is unclear, and you don't know why you are "here"...GOD DOES!  He desires you to know Him & make Him known!  As you get to know Him...you will see you are loved, valued, empowered, purposeful, and a part of His plan!  This knowledge can help you get through any situation that attempts to rob you of your purpose & plan.  

November 04, 2017

#turkeyaday17: Day 4

So I had some fun participation on Facebook & Twitter!!!
Never too late...join in today!


November 03, 2017

#turkeyaday17 : Day 3

Today I used crayons(Crayola of coarse!) to create my
Tyranno-Turkey-Rex!  I crack myself up!! ha ha 
Who else is going to join in the fun?!?!?!  Don't forget to tag your posts on social media with #turkeyaday17 !!!!


Line Design: 4th Grade

I've not done this project for a couple years.  It really is the post/project that blew up my blog...and still much traffic comes to Art With Mr. E because of it.  I'll include the links to the explanation for it if you are interested!  I have the basic directions, do's & don'ts, and examples of different media.

Line Design Explaination: Deluxe Edition 
http://www.artwithmre.com/2011/12/line-design-explained-deluxe-edition.html












November 02, 2017

#turkeyaday17 : DAY 2

I've only had one person join the fun so far, but I'm continuing on...because it makes me laugh!! Here is my watercolor turkey for today!!  The info is below my turkey if you'd like to participate!! 




November 01, 2017

#turkeyaday17

                 It's that time of year again!! It's time for the second annual Turkey-A-Day Challenge!!! 
I love turkeys(not as much as turtles...but close).  They are fun/silly/interesting creatures.  Last year I started creating a turkey a day for the month of November. I invited others to join me! I had so much fun creating & seeing others create as well.  I themed them last year on famous art works. But a theme is not necessary.  And if you can't join in every day.....do it when you can.  Post it to social media & hashtag it #turkeyaday17 ! Can't wait to see what we make!!