More Collograph Sun Prints: 3rd Grade

The kids really have been enjoying this....and each day I'm finding some fun prints to share with you.  I hope you enjoy them!  

Robot Blue Prints: 4th Grade

I had my 4th graders design a robot that would fulfill a need in their life.  It might make their bed, cook, do their homework, play....whatever!  We looked at blue prints and discussed the need to think things out completely before production begins.  They were asked to write a paragraph explaining the function & details of the robot, and why they made the choices they did.    They were required to draw a front, back, and side view of their creation.  It was challenging for some, but I really enjoyed helping them wrestle through the process.  

Collograph Sun Prints: 3rd Grade

I'm not a Print Making kind of guy!  I never took a print making class in college.  I hate messes. 

That being said...there are things we don't love to teach, but we teach them...because the kids need us to expose them to a wide array of art making....because it is in the curriculum...because we need to challenge ourselves to be better than we are & face our fears!!  

When I started teaching almost 20 yrs ago...I didn't even know what a collograph print was?!?!  Thank goodness for connections!!!  The art gang helped me through it...and taught me the ways of print making.  

Since we have been doing a space"ish" theme as of late...I decided to do a mini-unit on Stars/Suns.  We look at a variety of artistically done suns from around the world....and I encouraged my students to be unique in the designing of their suns.  I allowed my students to use yarn & a thick card stock paper(donated ..not sure what exactly it is).  They created them last week and printed them this week.  I did not seal them or anything...as was suggested by one of my friends. (she recommended that because the paper absorbs some of the ink) I think they were ok without it.  I set up an area in my room with 5 printing stations.  I got the class started on another sun project..and then called five students at a time to print.  This works best for me....you do what you need to do to make it work for you!  It was more controlled this way..and I could keep an eye on the students printing & the rest of the class.  I'm really happy with the results!  THE KIDS LOVED IT!!

NAEA WEBINAR TONIGHT!!!!!

I'm excited to be a part of the NAEA Webinar Series!!  If  you struggle to get to conferences...but love the information provided.....THIS IS FOR YOU!!! Sign up and watch/listen from the comfort of your own home!  

WHO IS PRESENTING AT THIS MONTH'S WEBINAR?

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:  MR. E (HEY...THAT'S ME!!!!!)  

MIDDLE SCHOOL:    NIKKI KALCEVIC -  http://buildanewbox.weebly.com/

HIGH SCHOOL: ERIC GIBBONS -  Boxartist (You may know him from If Picasso Went to the..)

It is free for NAEA members...but you need to sign up!!!  

Even if you can't be there tonight...sign up & that way you will have access to it later! 

https://virtual.arteducators.org/products/snapshot-best-practices-february-2016

My Venting System

YA KNOW...WE JUST MAKE IT WORK SOME HOW! Haha

I decided to spray paint my 1st grade pinch pot robot heads silver...it was a cheaper & faster option for what I needed out of this project!  I don't have a vent system of any kind....even for my kiln. So I improvised!  I have two small windows in my room that open to the courtyard between two wings of our school.  I placed my drying rack on a level surface & then placed a flat plastic container on top with the clay evenly spaced.  I hung out my window and spray painted them...quickly shutting the window.  Not the most sophisticated method..but it worked.

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: IMAGINATION

As artists, we run on imagination!  Our lives are filtered through the creative....not just by what we "do", but how we see, think, and respond to the world around us.  I'm rarely bored because my mind is always going at warp speed thinking of a million different things at once.  Filtering the deluge of information is more of the issue than not having enough creative ideas/thoughts.  Because of how my mind works, I have to be careful to keep my expectations in check.  I go down many paths in my mind before a situation is every played out in real life.  Anyone else have this problem?

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what 

God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9  

In 1 Corinthians 2:9, we are reminded that our God has something in store for the believer that is going to leave us on our knees before the throne!  His ways are beyond anything we can imagine.  I love the idea, yet find it challenging to wrap my mind around something that is more amazing than anything I've seen, heard or imagined.  My "world" is a pretty colorful, loud, and an exciting place to be.  The fact that God is bigger,more creative, and so much more intentional leaves me in awe & wonder of Him.  Though I'm a reflection of  the Master Artist...He alone is worthy of all praise.  He alone is worthy to be glorified.  He alone is worthy to be magnified.  

Dear Lord

Allow me to be amazed by you.

Allow me to see you as you truly are.  

Allow me to be in awe & wonder of your plans.

Help me to not not get in the way...

or allow the things of this world to get in the way.

In Christ's Name

AMEN

ET PHONE HOME: Tints & Shades

I think I'm having flashbacks to my childhood....E.T. reaching up and pointing to the night sky!!! ha ha   I decided to have my 4th grade use complementary colors with tints & shades to create these other worldly sky paintings w/ cityscape & robot.    The kids really enjoyed the project...painting is a crowd fav!!! Over all they did well, but I noticed many of my students struggled to apply the paint in smooth brush strokes.  I kept telling them if it sounded scratchy..they did not have enough paint on their brush.  It is a skill we need to continue to develop!  

Tempera Paint Robots: 1st Grade

As we continue to create work for our spring art show "Robots & Rocket Ships"...I'm encouraged that this will be a really fun show for people to come see!  The students were given 12x18 pieces of paper and asked to create a large robot.  They first week we drew it out & painted the gray.  The second week we were given black, white, red, yellow, and blue and asked to paint the details of their robots.  This week we used construction paper crayons to add details, highlights, and fill in missed spaces...as well as...cut out our robots(this was done after they finished their pinch pot robot heads).  I've got one more step that will take about 20 min or so before we call this project complete!! Stay tuned!

Pinch Pot Robot Heads: 1st Grade

So here are some of the first completed Pinch Pot Robot Heads created by my 1st graders.  I decided to spray paint their pots silver to speed up the process a bit.  We have several projects we need to finish, and if I can do complete 2 in one day....I'm going to do it!!  I allowed the students to use pipe cleaners (they created holes where they wanted them to go when we made the pinch pots).  I secured them in with hot glue.  The students used acrylic paint with Q-tips to paint the details on their robot heads.  I'm excited to see how the other classes do on finishing up this project!!  

How do you do pinch pots in your room??  

 

Happy Valentine's Day From My Wife

This has to be my favorite gift my wife has ever given me!!

(of coarse my children ...but I'm talking about a "material" item..not a human being)

She was secretly creating these hearts for the #aheartadaychallenge.  She does not consider herself an artist...but does consider herself very creative!  I'm totally taken by these...and feel so blessed my sweet wife would take the time to make them for me!  LOVE!!! 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: What Does Love Look Like?

Over the years many artists have tried to tackle the concept of love.  The examples are as varied as the artists & materials.   There are examples of love between God & man, human love, love for nature, the love of money, love of material possessions, the love of country, the use of the word "love", and they symbolic us of the heart.  Paint, paper, stone, metal, pencils, plastic, and so many other supplies have tried to capture the spirit of love with varying amounts of success.  Love, in its many forms, is what moves us...for good or for not, and why it is such a huge reoccurring theme within art.  But what is true love?  What does love look like?

Teacher example from a Jim Dine lesson.

This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but the actions and in truth. 

1 John 3:16-18

We can say "I love you".  We can sing songs of love.  We can give cards, flowers, or other gifts.  However, true love goes far beyond those momentary expressions.  True love changes you from the inside out.  When we come to understand what Christ has done for us....we come to understand what love truly is.  We no longer seek to serve ourselves & pursue the passions of the world.  Our heart begins to reflect our Father.  I do say begins...because as most things...it is a process.  As we grow in God...our heart grows closer to His.  We begin to love as He loves.  We begin to react with that heart.  We are called not only to love God...but reflect & act upon that love.  This love expresses itself in our words, attitudes, and actions.  If you find your words unkind, your attitudes poor, and your actions self serving.....check your heart!  It might be that you need to take some time asking the Lord to reveal what is causing this disconnect between knowing His love..yet not seeing it lived out in your life.  When we earnestly seek Him...He is faithful to meet us where we are(even if it isn't a "pretty"place to be).  Ask Him to help your heart, head, and actions to line up with the truth of His love.  

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank you for your love.

Thank you for showing me how to love.

Help me Lord to love like you love.  Help me to show your love to those around me.  Allow me to be a true picture of your love to the world.

In Christ's Name, AMEN

#AHEARTADAYCHALLENGE CONTINUES

The challenge continues!  I hope you've seen the fun we've been having with the #aheartadaychallenge!!  If not, check out my Facebook page & Twitter!  We are going to be going all month long...so you still have time to join in the fun!  

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: PASSION

Have you ever met an artist that just doesn't seem to care about anything?  They seem to have no vision, direction, or passion,  I'm thinking that you probably have not.  We are known for being very passionate people.  Now what we are passionate about may not always make sense to others, but you have to respect the fact that artists are passionate!  We all have times in our artistic journey where we just "aren't feeling it".  That is a normal part of every person's life. Writers have "blocks", artists have "blocks", and I'm sure even accountants have "blocks".   Normally those times pass quickly & we get back to passionately creating what is on our hearts & minds.  No matter if we are in an up or down swing, most artists will be able to share their passion with others....well....because their passionate!

I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish that you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

Revelation 3: 15-16

I had read this passage many times, but the meaning took on a new life as I was listening to a sermon in Laodicea (Modern Day Turkey).  You see this passage is being directed to the church of Laodicea, and they knew exactly what the Lord meant!  Not far away are medicinal springs in Pamukkala.  They were volcanic springs full of minerals (the mountain side looks like it is covered in ice...beautiful!).  If you were to get the water in your mouth  (it would be lukewarm...and taste TERRIBLE)...you would surely spit it out.  That is how vial passionless people are to the Lord.  Neither hot...nor cold. My guess is that the people of Laodicea did not take this warning to heart, because all that is left of a once rich & powerful city....is rubble.

 We need to know what we believe, live what we believe, and share what we believe with passion.  If God has done what you say He has done (when you ask Him into your life as your Lord & Savior)....how can you not be passionate?  Where are you at on the temp-o-meter? Are you on fire for the Lord...passionately pursuing His will for your life?  Are you cold...feeling distant and disconnected from your faith?  God is there waiting for you...He has never left.  He wants you to be passionate about Him.  He is passionate for you!!

Dear Lord,
Thank you for being passionate about me...and making a way for me to have a personal relationship with You!  Lord I pray that I would be a person of passion for You, Your Word, & Your people.  Help me to be on fire for you...not growing lukewarm or cold in my faith.  May my passion be a light to the world of a life reclaimed for the Kingdom!!
In Christ
AMEN

A Heart A Day Challenge : Feb 2nd

SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!

I've had teachers I've never chatted with before, home school families I know, and friends from my old church all join in the fun!  I love the amazing variety & fun people are bringing to their hearts!! KEEP THEM COMING!  

If you haven't joined in...you can share a heart at any time....

as many or as few as you like!!  

Don't forget #aheartadaychallenge on Twitter! 

Post it on www.facebook.com/ArtWithMrE

You can also e-mail me your heart at tededinger@gmail.com 

A-Heart-A-Day-Challenge: Feb 1st

So yesterday I issued a sketchbook challenge.  I posted it on my blog & on Twitter about mid-day...and on Facebook once I got home(can't access Facebook at school).  I really wasn't sure how well it would be received...or if anyone would even participate.  I was so excited that people seemed to like the idea...and I had 9 people share their "hearts"!  THANK YOU!!!!!!  I'm hoping it will grow as the month goes on.  I love the diversity..and I'm sure will find some art projects to do with my students out of all the amazing ideas!  

If you didn't join in yesterday....start today!!!!  If you don't think you can do it everyday...do it when you can!  Just look for the posts on the ART TEACHERS Facebook page or my Facebook page www.facebook.com/ArtWithMrE ...you can share your picture there.  You can also share it on Twitter with #aheartadaychallenge  & tag me in it @ArtWithMrE.  

Just because I think this picture is ridiculous!!! ha ha

Here is my Feb. 1st!  

A Heart-A-Day Sketchbook Challenge

HEY FRIENDS!! 

I know that some of you may already be participating in other art challenges online & through social media.  I'm not trying to take away from what anyone else is doing.  So please...join in if you want  & if you can...but don't overwhelm yourself with all the fun extras out there provided through our amazing Art Education community!!  CREATE RESPONSIBLY!! ha ha ha

A HEART-A-DAY
SKETCHBOOK CHALLENGE

During the month of February...create a heart in your sketchbook each day!  I was once told in an art show..."Your use of hearts is cliche!"  Well, I think hearts are an amazing symbol of love & hope, and that they are not a cliche symbol!  

Have fun with it!!  Use a variety of media, styles, and applications to make it more interesting! I won't be posting daily challenges...I want you to create as you feel led!!   Then...if you would be so kind...post it on my ArtWithMrE Facebook page OR #HeartADayChallenge on twitter!(tag me in the post if you would so I see it!!) 

If no one else participates...that is ok.  I'm just in need of pencil/brush to paper creating right now!!!!  So really...it is kind of all about me & I'm just inviting you along! ha ha  :)  (and I think it would be extra cool to flood twitter with hearts!!)

Modular Art Cube Wall : February

This morning I flipped the Modular Art Cube Wall to display the Purple, Blue, and Red side for February.  I'll be interested to see if the teachers & students notice the difference?  It is amazing how things become so common place they are no longer noticed. I'm hoping that is not the case!!  

If you are new to Art With Mr. E....click on "Modular Art Cube Wall" in the word cloud to the right..and it will pull up the past posts about the construction & painting of this piece!  

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Freely Give

There is a wonderful movement happening in major cities across the United States called FREE ART FRIDAYS.  The idea is simple, artists "hide" artwork in a public area in their city & leave clues on social media of where to find it.  The recipient then posts their find back on social media (hopefully).  There is no financial gain from this experience.  It is possible there won't even be the satisfaction of having someone post & show their appreciation for the artwork found.  It is simply another outlet for artists to share their gifts and talents. There is a joy & excitement in giving a part of what you have been given, with no reciprocation. 

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:  'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Acts 20:35  

We all have gifts, talents, training, and skills that provide a living, meet needs, or gives great joy. Some of us are blessed to have all of that rolled into one.  However, we can look around our neighborhoods & communities and see that there are those not about to make a living, needs that are going unmet, and people that seem so far removed from joy.  We can be so caught up in our own world that we do not see those struggling around us.  We may be jaded from past negative experiences, and feel that people need to take care of their own issues.  We may be overwhelmed by the enormity & level of need/distress that we feel unable to make a difference.  God has not called us to solve all the problems in the world.  He has called us to be available to do His will..and to use the gifts/talents/training/skills He has given us for His glory & honor.  

All that we have is a gift from God.  He has modeled for us how to give.....because He came & gave His life on the cross for our sins.  We can't out give God!  As Him what He would have you do.  Can you cut back on eating out so that you can give to a food pantry?  Can you give up going to the movies on the weekend so you can volunteer at the homeless shelter.  Can you take family time and put it to good use helping out the refugees in your community.  How can you use your gifts & talents to help your community?  Pray about it.  Step out in faith...and JUST DO IT!!  

!IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE!

PRAYER

Dear Lord, help me to see the need around me.

Help me to take my eyes off of myself...so I might see with Your eyes & Your heart.

Allow me to use the gifts & talents You have given me to glorify You.

Allow me to invite others along as we step out in faith!

May our giving be an overflow of the reality of what You have given us!

AMEN

OCD or ESSENTIAL?!?

This "bath" is long over due!!  Yes, I'm giving my watercolor cases a bath.  It is true, I'm a bit OCD....but this is more than wanting them to look nice.  Washing your cases serves a couple purposes.  We want students to respect our supplies...because when they do...they last longer!  When you have cases that are "dirty"....and paint is in the lid, around them lip of the paints, on the back hinges of the paint sets....students will begin thinking this is "ACCEPTABLE".  They will treat it as you have allowed it to be treated.  You need to hold your students to a higher level!  They WILL rise to your expectations if they are clear, consistent, and practiced.  

The other benefit of the bath....the cases will last longer.  A build of watercolor on the hinges will cause them to get stuck, pop off, or even break.  Semi-most watercolors like my PRANG(which if you are not using...you really should...they are sooooo much better than other brands serving the elementary age)......are kind of "sticky"  That yields great color, but causes a lot of build up if allowed to accumulate.  A little work will ensure that they last a long time!!  

BLAST OFF: Kindergarten Mixed Media

I'm happy with how these kindergarten mixed media pieces are turning out.  I am going to give them part of one more class to finish them up...adding stars or planets on the black...and any details they may want to add on their rockets(construction paper crayons).  When you are doing mixed media for kindergarten..you need to remember to break things down...keeping them simple with one or two steps per class time.  If you try to do too much...you'll end up with a hot mess!  

On the first class time...I had my students start with line drawing.  I then had them trace using construction paper crayons(I just liked those colors for this project...regular crayons would be fine too).  Last, I had them do a watercolor wash on top.    During the second class time...students added the black paper for space...and created the rocket shops in collage(limited to 2 colors).  They ended it by adding glitter glue to the fire/smoke coming out of the bottom of the rocket ship.  

Breaking Down Mixed Media

This is the first step for my third grade Mixed Media piece.  Thinking through what you want to accomplish within a nine weeks(or whatever your break down is) could yield an interesting mixed media work.  They can be new elements your introducing or skills you are revisiting.  So many times mixed media projects at the elementary level are lacking because some are afraid of the time commitment or how to challenge students to create meaningful & magnificent works.  If you break down the elements you can assess each aspect as well as the whole.  Stay tuned as my kiddos take these to the next level!! 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Time & Tiny Little Dots

To excel in art, one must be patient. 

 Skill takes time to develop. 

Work can not be rushed. 

One artist that exemplified patience was Georges Seurat.  His style of pointillism (applying small dots of color) took an incredible amount of time.  The scale & style of his most famous work ,Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, required the artist two years of his life to complete. So many of us have a hard time waiting 3 minutes for a bag of microwave popcorn to pop!  Seurat had a vision.  Seurat had determination.  Seurat had a plan.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Many Christians are lacking some of the basic life "skills" God has called us to have.  We lack compassion, our kindness depends on our mood, humility is a bad word, gentleness is for the weak, and patience....who's got time for that?!?    Yet these skills are important enough to be mentioned in scripture as something we're suppose to cover ourselves in.  I could probably do a whole series on this verse, and each of the attributes mentioned.  However, I want to focus on patience.  Patience is truly something the world is lacking.  We want everything NOW!  We don't have time for patience.  We don't have patience in our own skill development...so we make ourselves sound better than we are, we don't have patience to climb the ladder of success...we want to bounce on up to the top, we don't have patience for others in our life to grow & mature...we want them where we need them to be now.  This is not the life God has called us to live. Patience should permeate ever aspect of our life: our relationship with God, His people, our job, family, friendships, daily interactions...EVERYTHING.  They say you shouldn't pray for patience because God will give you something to be patient about.  I feel patience is more of something you develop in the every day, and then when you are faced with something that TRULY requires patience...you are ready.  We need to be patient with ourselves.  Sometimes we want to be somewhere we just aren't.  We have to be ok with where we are, but trust God with where He wants to take us.  Like Seurat, we need to have a vision, determination, and a plan.  If those things are in place...patience will be a tool in our development and not a trial.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, Help me to grow in patience.  Allow me to see the need to develop this area of my life as I grow deeper in my relationship with You.  May patience be a witness to others of your impact in my life. 

In Christ's Name

AMEN

What An Art Teacher Does On A Snow Day...

Snow days in the south are not like snow days in the north!!  There is little snow...and talk of BLACK ICE!!! (as if they are the only ones that get ice?!?)  Anyways..I came into school because I had received my supply order, but there were many things wrong.  Frozen glue, missing items, damaged items.....not good!  So I came in today to call the company and let them know the situation.  I'm so impressed with how they handled things!!  They listened, expressed their concern, and got to work replacing the items!!!  Big shout out to SCHOOL SPECIALTY (Parent Company of SAX Art Supplies).  You all are a joy to work with, and I truly appreciate how you stand behind your products and service!! 

Kindergarten Self Portraits

                           

Kindergarten always amazes me with their ever growing skills!! Here are a couple of the mid-year portraits.  I review proportion, "parts", and placement.  I encourage details & personal touches so their portraits don't all start looking the same (as you may have seen in the past).  

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: A Clean Sheet

Sometimes an eraser is not enough!  Have you ever been working on a drawing, and seemed unable to get things right?  You end up spend more time erasing than actually drawing.  Finally you start over on a new sheet of paper, and "magically" you are able to do what seemed impossible just moments before.  Erasing usually gets rid of what's on the surface of your paper, but often the hurdles we encounter go beyond the surface.  We develop a mental block in our drawing because of the mistakes we were making...and so often that snowballs into feelings of frustration and defeat artistically.  Somehow a fresh start on a clean sheet gives us the freedom to create like we were unable to before..more so than just erasing.  

So often we don't live as the "new creations" God has made us to be.  We allow our past to keep us from living out the life God has given us to live.  We allow the mistakes we've made to keep us from moving forward in what God has given us to do.  We allow those who knew us before to speak untruth into our lives about who we are.  The devil uses these things to defeat us before we've had a chance to fight.  However, this is what scripture says is true.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  old things have passed away & look, new things have come. 

 2 Corinthians 5:17

Turn the page....get a new sheet....mentally, emotionally, and spiritually!  God has made us new IN HIM!  The mistakes of the past are just that...THE PAST.  We can get hung up on our past mistakes and allow that to rob us of the joy we have in Christ.  We need to see ourselves as He sees us.  We need to accept this as truth to the very core of our being.  God did not just "erase" our past...he made us NEW CREATIONS....no mark or blemish.  Through Christ...we are spotless...a clean sheet!  How does this truth impact your life?  What are you doing with this gift?  What lies are you believing that are keeping you from embracing 2 Corinthians 5:17?

PRAYER

Dear Lord, Thank You for the fresh start!  

Thank You for the forgiveness sins.

I praise You for making me a NEW creation in You!

Please help me to let my past be my past, and not listen to the lies that try to keep me from living the new life You have for me. 

In Your Name

Amen