Painting Night At Church

Friday night we had our first every "Painting Night" at church.  It was a fund raiser for the moms group at our church.  Many people had been to those "Paint-a-Canvas" type place that spoon feeds them EVERYTHING! (some even draw the picture on the canvas for the person..and hands them the exact colors they are to use)  They were a bit shell shocked when I told them I wanted them to be creative & do something that was totally them!  I had 5 examples drawn out up front...and had my iPad with a Pinterest page full of ideas that I was more than happy to share.  Yet somehow...they still were afraid.  However, after about 15/20 min....they all relaxed & started enjoying themselves.  We ended up having a BLAST...and raised $500 for Java Moms!!!!  They all asked me..."WHEN ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN?!?!!?"  

I might have an art ministry at the church starting to bloom!!! 

MICHAEL's AMAZED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

These are two of my PTO parents who saw my Facebook post & came!!!  

More VBS Sets

We needed something else for the entrance of our church.  I thought we're going to put up the LifeWay backdrop with the coaster front for pictures(remember the crazy picture of my wife and kids! ha ha).  However, there is a column there that would be in the way of group shots.....sooooo I decided to use one of our extra 4ft x 8ft canvas panels to create this!  Yes, Colossal Coaster World people...I know....it is Facing Fear...Trusting God.  SORRY!!!  I added a bit more after this picture was taken, but you get the idea!  

Spring Break Project

So during our spring break(2 weeks long this year)...I've been working on this painting.
My friend Janet ( http://msmalonesartroom.blogspot.com/ ) just bought a home, and asked me to create a work of art for her.  The photograph doesn't capture all the color & brush work, but it is bright, bold, and basically just a fun piece (oh..and very large 30in x 40in ) I've not done much personal art work...so it was fun to have this project!!  

Painting at the Grove

My teachers have really come to love our painting nights at school!  I've been happy to witness some nervous new painters become confident experienced painters!!  We were creating Christmas inspired pieces(well...most).  Very thankful for my friend Michael O'Neil of M&M Painting for donating the wood boards we used to paint on(Michael also created the boards we used for the bottle cap mural last year...great friend...and supporter of the arts!!!).

Teacher Art Night: With A Purpose

Last week at our Brushes & Beverages night with the classroom teachers it was suggested that we get together again before our annual Fall Festival (this week!!!)to paint another picture for the silent auction.  They were thinking the kids might want to buy paintings done by their teacher.  Extremely short notice...and lack of funds....I sent an e-mail to the teachers Tues. that Wed. I'd be in my classroom till 5 & that I'd host another painting time for the purpose of auctioning them off at the silent auction.  However, I'd need $2 a person to be able to buy canvases for the teachers.  9 teachers came!!!!!!!  I think that is pretty awesome.  Once again...we had a great time, and some beautiful pictures were made!!  I'll let you know how the silent auction goes next week. 

BRUSHES & BEVERAGES: TGE TEACHER ART NIGHT

There were 20 teachers/staff in the art room by 3:30 today...ready for our first ever Brushes & Beverages!   My principal had asked me if I'd be willing to organize this event for our faculty.  I was not realizing it was going to be in the midst of a very crazy week for me, but I AM SO GLAD WE DID IT!!!  What a wonderful thing to come together & create....leaving the worries of our job/life behind (if only for a couple hours).  At the area painting places...the instructor usually has a very scripted teaching style & the art work tends to look exactly the same.  I am not that type of teacher.  THANK GOODNESS!!  Take a look at the paintings & check out how different & wonderful they are.  Amazing how the personalities came out on many of them.  My instruction was to create a sunflower(ish). Stencils were provided for the fearful. Before every arrived, I plated basic flower colors for everyone, but had other colors.  I presented options but left it open for people to create their own original work  My role was to help, encourage, and answer questions.