WHY DO I KEEP TRYING CRA-Z-ART?!?!?!

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again,

 and expecting different results."

Though attributed to Einstein, there is no proof he actually said this.

Once again I bought a Cra-Z-Art product hoping it might possibly be a better art supply than it had been in the past.  I really am a positive/glass half full guy, but I may need to give up on Cra-Z-Art.  

I recently purchased their scented crayons hoping that the addition of scent might change the formulation of the crayon enough that it would be a decent product.  I do have to admit they smell great.  However, the same issue persists.  Cra-Z-Art colors extremely patchy.  The colors build up upon themselves that create uneven color.  They are also difficult to blend.  I like to use crayons as a beginning blending medium, but Cra-Z-art cannot be used for such things.  I'm sad about it.  I want it to be a good product.  Their price point is so much better for my students.  I just can't recommend them though.  

Modifying A Poster From Dollar Tree

 I was looking for a new encouraging/motivational poster at Dollar Tree recently when I came across a dinosaur poster.  I love dinosaurs, but don't usually put up such things in my room. I loved it though, and thought I could modify it to be more "art" related.

 For a $1.25 and a little bit of work...totally worth it! 

2024-2025 School Year!

Welcome to a new school year!  Not a lot has changed in my room. 

 I always tweak little things here and there. 

I've been in this classroom for over 20 years, and feel very blessed to have this space.  

 

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have as you look through

 my pictures (or any post on my blog).  

I have a nice big reading area.  I start every kindergarten class with a story.  I love children's books, and feel it is important for children to have people read to them.  I believe it truly helps to ignite creativity. 

Mural in Mexico

This summer my family (all five of us) went to Mexico to work in an orphanage for a week.  My main "job" was to paint a mural. Having seen pictures of grounds/facilities, I knew it was mostly white & grey. I'm a huge believer in art being transformative visually & emotionally.   I had asked prior to going if that was something they would like.  They said yes, but wanted some sketches to select from.  One of which was done in the style of Mexican embroidery.  This is the one they wanted.  I was fine with it because the design was similar to Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs (my mom's side is from a Pennsylvania Dutch background).  I brought in few teenagers each day to help me with painting of the mural.  

Our first day I took about four hours to draw out the mural.  The wall is kind of stucco "ish", and wasn't the easiest to draw upon.  

On the second day, I had three high school students from the Texas team helping me paint.  We focused on the blues & greens.  It was a real "learning" day for me.  The surface was so bumpy, and had to figure out what way of painting worked best.  

On the third day three of the youth from our church helped me start adding in the other colors. I also started seeing some "holes" in the design that needed "MORE".  I added more leaves, butterflies, hearts, and flowers to fill out the design more.  I worked on that and doing some larger blended flowers.  My amazing crew filled in with solid color.  

On the last day, my daughter (blue shirt) & her best friend helped me out on the last day.  One of the wall texture "issues" was pitting in the paint. Little white "holes" that would appear after the paint started to dry.  So the girls helped me for about an hour, and then I spent the next 7 1/2 blending colors, adding details, adding highlights...and other assorted things.