Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop: Close Ups

There was some wonderful individual pieces I wanted to share with you! Please feel free to message me or leave a comment if you have any questions.   

Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop: The Work

 Here are the group shops of the teachers' work I took on the last day of the workshop! I'll throw in a few close ups too!  They were an amazing group and I had so much fun (I think they did too!).  Maybe next year you could join our crew?  

Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop: Signs/Banners

 After all we went through over the past year and a half...I made sure to give teachers time to create & have fun making things that made them happy.  We created signs/banners for our classrooms that could represent something we want our students to know/remember, artist quotes, or just something we want to be able to see when we walk into our classroom.  I found a canvas type material that we used, and painted with acrylic paints. I was blown away by the amazing artistry of the the teachers! So talented in every way.

Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop: Paper Squishies

Have you ever heard of Paper Squishies?

They are a fun way for kids to create their own squishy. All you need is paper, crayons/markers/colored pencil, clear packing tape, and something to stuff it with (lots of options..plastic bags is a great one!!).  It is best to keep them a round/circle type shape (just trust me!!).  You can theme them any way you like, and can bring in a number of art concepts to amp this project up!

You will see some of the other ones teachers made in the group shots (where I took pics of all their work they created during the week). 

 

Art with Mr. E Summer Workshop: Mural Walk

(I'm just now getting to posting my summer workshop pictures!?!?!)

On the second day of the workshop, we meet up with Wilson County Tourism in downtown Lebanon, TN.  Wilson County Tourism spearheaded PAINT WILCO...which is responsible for for many of the murals throughout Wilson County.  We walked around the square to see several murals.  I was so interested in what they were sharing...I totally forgot to snap pictures of all the murals?!  ha ha They shared with us many things about the process and were open to all our questions! 

What's going on in your community, and how can you bring that to your students...or your students to the art? 

 

Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop: Amazing Educators

 I can't believe this was the 6th Annual Art With Mr. E Summer Workshop.  I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with these amazing educators (many have attended all or almost all of the workshops!).  They have become like family over the years, and I truly look forward to spending time with them!  We are always blessed with new faces each summer that bring amazing ideas and energy! If you are interested in coming next summer...we'd love to have you join are art family!  

START OF A NEW SCHOL YEAR: The Struggle is Real!!

As if the past year and a half hasn't been crazy enough....we have new custodians who are still figuring things out (This is not a slam on them...there is a learning curve when you start something new!). Add to it that they built a kiln room inside my classroom this summer which delayed waxing & putting everything back?!?!?!  We go back starting Tues for 4 days of inservice.  I hope we have a chunk of time in our schedule to work on our rooms!! ha ha  I'm still figuring things out with my kiln room taking up space & having to get rid of two metal cabinets that I use to use to block off my kiln.  

HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING?!?! 

Who has started, is starting soon, has a month left?!?  

Ever need to share/vent...I'm hear for ya!! 

 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Deadline

How do deadline's impact you?  For some, deadlines can create paralyzing fear that causes artist block, nervous mistakes, and a constant second guessing of choices made.  For others, deadlines provide an adrenaline packed creative frenzy fueled by a defined timeline.  I have the luxury of my art being a creative outlet, and not how I provide for my family.  So I rarely have deadlines.  However, I should probably set more for myself. I believe this would motivate me to create & be more purposeful so that I keep actively engaged in art making. An artist who has no deadline can flounder directionless.  Being aware of time can motive you to do more with the time you are given so you can accomplish your personal goals.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. 

Night is coming, when no one can work. 

John 9:4

Though some live like there are no deadlines, they are truly a part of all of our lives.  I'm not just talking about THE deadline.  Death is not the only end we experience.  We have a limited amount of time to impact/influence the lives of others.  We may move.  They may move.  Relationships shift. Jobs change. Schooling comes to an end. A chance encounter slips through our fingers.  I fear I've allowed too much time to pass by without realizing these deadlines.  God blesses us with the opportunities to share his love through our actions, reactions,  words, and deeds.  However, we often think we have all the time in the world to do so.  It usually doesn't occur to us until the "deadline" has passed and we have failed to share the most important thing our life.  Missed opportunities should not bring condemnation, but should motivate us to utilize the time we have been given to share his love. Don't allow deadlines to pass you by.

 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Significant

I was always amazed how my grandmother could repurpose so many things that others would have just throw away.  She would use coffee cans to plant flowers, glass jars to "root" new plants from clippings, and old fabric was reimagined till it would be nothing but threads.  An old dress would be turned into an apron when it no longer served its original purpose. Sometimes the fabric from old dresses, shirts, and the like would be turned into beautiful quilt pieces that she lovingly put together.   When the fabric was not good enough for quilt squares...old aprons, shirts, jeans, and even panty hose would find new life in rag rugs(which she used all over her house and gave them away to others as well). Most would throw away such items when they no longer served their original purpose. These humble materials were not insignificant to her. She saw the potential they possessed. In my grandmother's hands they had new life with purpose, beauty, and a story to share.  In the right hands, things that seem insignificant to most... can be turned into something significant. 

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.

Mark 6: 41-43

There are times in our lives that we feel we have little to give. We may not have much money, time, skill/talent, knowledge, training, or other such things.  We may feel we've been through too much or done too many wrongs to be worth anything.  We feel insignificant.  Unable to truly contribute.  These are lies.  In the scripture above, we see the boy gave his small seemingly insignificant lunch to Jesus, and it fed the multitude.  It was not based on the talent and training of the boy.  It was not based on the amazing meal he was offering.  It was simply making what he did have available.  God has a way of bringing new life, purpose, beauty, and a story to share to those who are willing.  Come as you are.  He knows the potential you possess even if you do not! 

Kiln Room Progress...

So when I found I could use my new kiln room as a green screen....they had only put the primer coat on the walls.  Now the actual top coat of paint is on, and I'm so excited that they used an eggshell finish. It is still a matte "ish" finish and will be excellent for green screen fun!  They also replace some tiles (and put up some of the old ones)....can ya spot the difference.  

Eww! Haha 😂 

New Kiln Room & MORE!!!!

Having a bit of fun & learning along the way!! 

I know that there are a couple issues, but I'm learning!! 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: The Best

As an educator, I believe it is important to give back to the community that has given me so much over the years. That is why I have this blog, social media accounts, take on practicum students, student teachers, and lead professional development.  If others wouldn't have shared their experiences, knowledge, and passion with me along the way...I truly believe I'd not be where I'm at presently. It is my heart as an educator.  It is a joy for me.  Plus, I want others to be the best they can be!  I believe we are better together.  I believe when other art educators succeed it is a victory for all of us.  ALSO...there is a strong chance that my children will one day be in the art room of someone who has crossed paths with me. If I can encourage my children's future art teacher in some way to help them be the best they can be...you better believe I'm going to do it!  

 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1: 9-14

I love this section of scripture from Colossians.  You see right away the deep desire Paul has for the believers in Colossea to mature in their faith.  He prays specifically for them to bear fruit, grown in God, strengthened in power, have great endurance and patience, and to give joyfully.  He doesn't just say, "Bless them Lord!"  He gets specific.  We have the ability (like Paul) to make a difference in others' lives.  When the Lord has truly impacted our life, it is only natural that we would want to help impact the lives of others.  He has blessed us with gifts, talents, and skills that can be used to challenge and encourage other believers that he has placed in our path.  We should desire to help others be the best they can be for the glory of God.  Now this doesn't mean that they should be more like you, the pastor, or some other person.  We need to help and encourage others to be the best they can be.  God has wired all of us with a purpose and a plan ...unique and wonderful.  As the Lord has you can be the best you...as you encourage others to be the best them!  

TEACHER SALE AT SMART!!

 *NO TEACHERS WE BE ON SALE

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This is always a great event with so much to inspire teachers & students alike!!