Art At Home: Spring Drawing With A Twist

Here is a fun drawing you can do at home...with an outdoors twist!!! 

E-Kids Weaving

As most of you know...I have three children (6, 8, & 11). My kids are pretty "artsy", and love to try the projects I've been creating videos for.  My older two are TOTALLY into the circle weaving.  My 11 yr old already has plans for her "next" circle weaving and the colors she wants to use! ha ha 

 If you aren't sure about circle weaving...check out this post ( https://www.artwithmre.com/2020/03/art-with-mre-starting-circle-weaving.html ).

 I think 2nd grade and up can find success with circle weaving.  

What are you making?

During this time of "social distancing" and "safer at home".....there is a bit more time & opportunity to create.  I've had an idea for a fabric piece, and finally started working on it.  I've posted on social media...and have gotten the question, "HOW DO YOU MAKE THOSE?"  I'll try to make a video this week showing how to create the yo-yo's.
This is "in progress", and will have more yo-yo's.  I also plan on adding beads to many of them (I've never beaded before!?!?!)

I'll post the progress & when it's completed.

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Facing Trials

(For those of you who are new here...I do a faith based post on Sunday. 

The rest of the week is art, art ed, and occasionally a proud dad post! 

As artists, we are opening ourselves up to criticism, unwanted opinions, and attacks. That is part of putting your work out in the open for others to see.  Though constructive criticism is an important part of growing as artists...how do we handle the not-so-constructive criticism?  It goes beyond just developing a "thick skin".  Thick skin can still be damaged beyond repair. If we do not have a clear understanding of ourselves as artists, innovators, or visual story tellers we will face trials that will shake us to our core. Knowing who we are and being confident in our vision will allow us to anchor deep.  Though the waves will come against us...we will not be moved.  We will receive positive and negative reactions to our work throughout our lives, but we do not have to blown about.  Knowing who you are will allow you to anchor deep.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. 

 It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.

Hebrews 6:19 

It is fair to say that we are all facing trials at this point in time. We have all been impacted by what is going on in our world & may be for the foreseeable future. The level at which we've been impacted is not the same.  Though this pandemic has equalized us in many ways, I can not claim to completely understand what others are experiencing.  I do know that those who have a personal relationship with God....have an anchor in this storm.  However, it is alright to wrestle with what is going on.  It is fine if you find yourself  struggling emotionally.  Just because we know God doesn't mean that we are spared from facing the same storms everyone else is experiencing. When we look at Hebrews 6:19 we see that we have a hope that is a strong and trustworthy anchor.  It doesn't say we have a problem free life.  It doesn't say that we are going to be free of trials.  If that were the case.....would we need an anchor?    Our anchor is in knowing the one who knows us...and loves us...and has a purpose & a plan for us! If we are anchored in this truth....we can face any storm, any trial, and any struggle. 

Cat In A Box Challenge

I saw this idea on Facebook last week, and thought it would be fun to do with my cat! It seemed simple enough, and I had fun coming up with an idea for my box. Never did I imagine how hard it would be to get my cat to stick her head through the whole in the box!?!?!  My wife finally came to the rescue with a spoon full of ice cream (the cat is obsessed with ice cream).   We laughed so much trying to accomplish this picture!?! Haha 

Art With Mr.E: Incised Plate Printing

Simple, accessible, and fun!!  You can do an incised plate print at home with just a few supplies! Check out my video!!  I'd love to see what you make..so post your work on my social media!!!  

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Plans

Plans are a good thing, right?  We are constantly making plans in our lives.  As artists, we plan out our ideas for our creative pursuits through talking with trusted peers, sketching, or even writing.  Planning ahead can help us work out issues before they happen.  This saves us time, money(wasted supplies equals money), and frustration.  However, making changes or going in a new direction can be scary even when we plan.  Sometimes we would rather just keep on doing what we've always done because it is safe and comfortable. The risk of failure, looking foolish, not being able to actualize your ideas, or exposing ourselves as a hack can paralyze us from working on and implementing our plans.  The risk is worth it.  Even when plans do not unfold as we had hoped, we can learn so much from the experience....and yes....even the failures.  If we make plans and follow through with them in hopes to grow...we will always find success.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13

There are times we make plans based on others.  We make plans based on our own wants/desires.  We make plans based on partial information.  We make plans based on complete information.  We make so many plans.  Some of those plans are great.  Some of those plans.....well....not so much.
How often do we make plans based on what the Lord has for us?  There was a time that I thought following God's plan for my life would have me some far away land (and part of my story has been in far away lands). There are times that I thought if I followed God's plan I'd have to give everything I had to the poor, and then I too would be poor too.  These misconceptions of God's plan for my life happened because I was not living out Jeremiah 29:11-13.  Whatever God's plans for our lives are...they are good...they give us a future....they give us hope!  When we live out God's plan for our lives....we will grow.  It might not always be easy, but it will grow us and glorify the Lord.  You might be wondering how you can know God's plan for your life?!?  We also read in these scriptures..."when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.".  God desires us to come to him, talk to him, and listen to him.  He is not silent.  When we seek him in earnest...we will find him & hear from him.  Do your plans line up with the God's?  

Artist Trading Cards 2020

I usually create a display outside my classroom of all the artist trading cards we receive. However, with the schools being closed, I thought I’d share my cards here and on social media. Please let me know if you see your students work! Thank you Nic Hahn for doing this amazing event for so many years. It has connected art teachers and young artists from across the world. 

Cumberland University 3-D Foundation Plaster Project

This semester I've been an adjunct instructor at Cumberland University in Lebanon,TN (half hour east of Nashville).  It has been an interesting transition to teaching a 3-D class online!! Right as we were moving to online...I met with my class one last time to take pictures of their soft sculpture class & to pass out their plaster blocks to carve(subtraction method). They were due this past week, and I had some I wanted to share with you!

Art With Mr.E: Make a Cardboard Tube Creature With Me

Supplies: Cardboard Tube, Construction paper, Scissors, Glue...and you might also what to use crayons, markers, or other supplies you might have at home.

Be the Art

  

Picasso, Self Portrait 1901

MAKE SOMETHING

HEY EVERYONE!! What are you making right now?? I know many art teachers are out there working on content to share with their students. However, you must take some time for yourself too (Practice What You Preach!). It doesn't have to be huge and grandiose!?!?! It can be something small, manageable, and in a sketchbook. Just take time to make. It is good for you!!!!!

I started last night with the sketch...and think I’m pretty much finished(but ya never know!?). It isn’t big...just 6 in x 9 in. I’ve not created anything in this style for awhile...this is how I worked in grad school(but much larger). The “style” pulls from quilts & stained glass. I thought you might like to see the progression. Every artist works differently.

Color Blending Demonstration

Here is a demo to show you how to improve your coloring skills! 

Try it in your drawings or in a coloring book. 

Art Supplies: Crayons & Paper

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: What's Happening?

(If you are new to my blog, I do a faith based post on Sundays. 

 If this is not your thing...Monday-Sat you can find art, art ed, & other eclectic information!)

Do you know what a "Happening" is?  They are art events that have some aspects planned, but with room for improvisation & audience participation.  They also usually involve multiple art forms.  For some, Happenings sound like an amazing experience.  However, I'm a bit of a control freak, and would struggle to give up control and embrace the moment which could yield unprecedented artistic expression & creativity.  There are so many factors that go into a Happening..location, other artists, audience participation, and the strength of the original idea.  One or more of these factors could throw the whole plan off it's original track.  That is what makes a Happening exciting.....they may not turn out how you planned, but could be even better than you imagined.

Not being "flexible" can keep me from experiencing the blessings of faith as well.  I have an idea of what God wants to do...and how I think He wants accomplish it.  However, when it doesn't work out how I thought it should...I'm ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus.  He was carried on a bed.  They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people.  They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood.  Then they let the bed with the sick man down before Jesus.  When Jesus saw their faith,  He said to the man, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."   

 Luke 5:18-20

The full story can be found at Luke 5:17-26.  The men who carried the man on the bed were on a mission.  They knew if they could just get to Jesus...that He would be able to help.  Their plan was derailed a bit by the crowd that surrounded the Lord...which made it "impossible" to reach Him.  I wonder what went through their minds when they were so close..yet unable to reach Jesus.  I know I would have been the first one to say..."WELL, WE TRIED GUYS!  GUESS WE NEED TO TURN BACK & GO HOME.  OUR PLAN JUST WON'T WORK.  IT WAS A GOOD TRY THOUGH."  Somehow they were able to see past the conventional way of reaching the Lord, and put their faith into action.  They knew their mission...and they were going to see it through till the end...even if it didn't look like what they originally thought it would.  I really would have loved to have seen/heard the reaction of the men who carried the man, the man on the bed, the people who surrounded Jesus, and Jesus...as they lowered him down through the hole in the roof! ha ha  

They embraced the moment.......even though things didn't happen like they thought they would.  We are in a position right now to embrace the moment.  It is a moment like we never imagined.  Things are not ideal.  We are faced with challenges like we've never seen before. At times we feel helpless, isolated, and insecure. We are struggling.  However, it is an opportunity to trust God.  We can see his faithfulness if we look to him in the midst of our struggle. In doing so...we might find ourselves growing deeper in our relationship with God.   If things always happen as we plan/expect do we ever develop the faith needed to live the life God has planned for us?!  What's happening in your life?  Do you see the opportunity of the roof....or are you too focused on the crowd that you feel is preventing you from reaching your goal?  

Art With Mr.E: Cartoon(ish) Eyes

Just a quick video to encourage students to be creating!

This is a how to on creating cartoon(ish) faces while showing mood/emotion! 

Enjoy!!

Tulip Grove Elementary Video To Our Students

Can We Talk About Wayne Thiebaud??

I'm so inspired by Wayne Thiebaud!!! 

 I usually see people using his early work. It is lovely & so accessible for young artists as inspiration.  However, that is not the work to which I'm referring.  I love his landscapes. They have such amazing color and atmospheric perspective.  I feel like I'm flying over his world as I view the paintings. If you are not familiar with the "newer" work of Thiebaud...hop on-line and do a search!
You will have a "new/old" artist to add to your landscape units!

Did you know I interviewed Wayne Thiebaud? YEP YEP!! Here is the link to that post from 2014.

https://www.artwithmre.com/2014/05/mr-e-asks-3-wayne-thiebaud.html

Call to Art: Day One

Today the Online Unconference, Call to Art, began! 

I hope you registered.  The sessions were wonderful, and I know I’ll take so much of what was shared into my classroom! I cannot wait for the next set to be shared tomorrow morning! 

Call to Art: An UN-Conference for Art Educators

I’m not foolin’....my session is going to be April 1st! 

If you haven’t signed up...it’s not too late....but it is close! The online conference starts tomorrow.  Great speakers. Relevant content. Attend in your pj’s! 

LINK

CALL TO ART: Online Unconference

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Woven Together

I love teaching weaving.  There is an almost magical quality about it. The art room becomes quiet. Students are amazed just how quickly an hour passes. I have many ask to come in before class, during lunch & recess, and after class so they can continue.  Some students that struggle in other areas of art (drawing, painting..etc) find great success with weaving. However, it is important to continually monitor student progress even when everything seems to be going so well. It is easy for students to become distracted, lax, or careless when they think they've "got it". I must be diligent in monitoring my students' work.  As I walk around the room, I try to encourage the good that I see, redirect any issues they might be having, and challenge them to be "present" in their creating.  As I do this, students begin modeling the same behavior to those around them.  I hear words of encouragement. I hear offers to help those struggling. I see students reminding their neighbors to focus on their work.  It is a beautiful thing when a class that is weaving seems to be woven together in their own special way.

How are you doing? 

YOU....YOU WHO ARE READING THIS RIGHT NOW...

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

  I pray you are healthy...physically...mentally...and spiritually.

COVID-19 has changed our world.  We find ourselves in the midst of "social distancing" & "shelter in place".  This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection. As believers, we know that we are called to be One Body.  It doesn't feel right to be away from those we consider our family. 

We are woven together through a shared belief. We are woven together through a shared heart.

As we find ourselves unable to gather together in our churches, Bible studies,and Sunday school classes....we must be purposeful & creative in how we can spur one another on, meet together, and encourage one another in other ways.  We live in an amazing time where we have cell phones, emails, websites, YouTube, social media, Zoom, Face Time, Marco Polo...and a host of other technology. Hopefully you have been able to watch your church service online (if they have that available), listen to Christian music(online or on the radio) and podcasts.  However...those are more consumer based.  How about reaching out to others? 

Take a moment and pray about those in your faith community 

that might need you to reach out to them.

5 People to Call

5 People to Text

5 People to E-Mail

5 People to Contact on Social Media

How can you use each of these opportunities to encourage the person you are contacting? You might just want to let them know that you were thinking about them.  Do you have a scripture you feel God has been putting on your heart that you might share with them?  Do you want to ask them if they have any prayer requests?  Maybe you could ask them to share how they came to faith?  

  Some people might not realize how disconnected they feel because they have gone into "survival mode".   Reaching out could have a ripple effect in your community.  It might encourage the person you contacted.....to reach out to others! 

We are woven together in faith. We are connected & need one another.

BE THE THE CONNECTION

BE THE ENCOURAGER

BE THE BODY!

Art With Mr.E: Circle Weaving Part 2

Here is Part 2 of our circle weaving videos!  This video will have tips & trouble shooting ideas as you progress in your circle weaving.  I hope that you find this helpful.  If you are having trouble...please leave a comment & I will try to respond. 

 HAPPY WEAVING

Art With Mr.E: Starting a Circle Weaving Part 1

Come weave with me! Here is the being steps for how to do a circle weaving. The video will take you through the process, but I will also have written directions and pictures to help you out as much as possible. Once you get it...you won’t want to stop! Please feel free to comment or contact me if you have any questions.

SUPPLIES:  paper plate or cardboard cut in a circle, 

pencil, scissors, yarn, and tape

VOCABULARY: loom- the structure you weave on (the plate/cardboard in this case),  warp- the string you weave through, weft- the string you weave with

On the back of your circle, make 11 marks evenly spaced around the rim, and label them 1-11. Try your best to have them an equal distance apart. 

Next you will “warp” your “loom”. You will want to have just a small tail of yarn hanging on the back at the 1 spot.  The majority of your yarn for the warp will be on the front of the circle. Follow the formula below to finish warping your loom. 

Here is the "formula" for warping your loom!

1 to 6 (across the loom)

6 to 7(hello neighbor)

7 to 2(across the loom)

2 to 3(hello neighbor)

3 to 8(across the loom)

8 to 9(hello neighbor)

9 to 4(across the loom)

4 to 5(hello neighbor)

5 to 10(across the loom)

10 to 11(hello neighbor)

11 to 5

(the number 5 will have to strings sharing the space) 

After you have warped your loom, tape down the ends on the back so they do not come out of their spots.

Feed your “weft“ string underneath the warp strings from the 3ish to the 9ish place. You want to capture all the warp strings in the middle with the smallest knot possible. Cut off the small “extra” piece of string from your knot....but be careful to not cut the knot or any warp strings. 

NOW TO START THE ACTUAL WEAVING

Begin by going around the circle (I go counter clock wise..not sure why?).  OVER UNDER OVER UNDER. I will go over/under about half of the stings and then pull my yarn all the way through.  If you do not do this...it can get tangled up, and cause some problems for you.

At the end of each string tie the new one to the old one. You can trim the "bunny ears" off at the end.   Tying knots & double(triple..or more) jumping is the biggest problem young artists have once they get started.  They just have to make sure to go over or under each of the warp strings...they can not go over over..or under under.  

To finish the weavings, artists can create a pattern in pencil on the rest of the plate(the background...not the back) & then use the same color of markers (as their yarn) to color their pattern.  

I WILL MAKE A PART 2 TO CIRCLE WEAVING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE "GETTING IT"! 

The finished product can look something like this! 

#artedportraits challenge

Have you seen the art teachers posting portraits of famous works of art? The art teachers in VA started it....and I was excited to join in the fun!! 

”Mr.E Holding On To Toilet Paper For Dear Life” by Mr.E & ”Nobleman With His Hand On His Chest” by El Greco

Art With Mr.E: Tissue Paper Color Transfer

OH MY GOODNESS?!?! My video quality is getting worse instead of better?!?!  I've tried some different things the past two videos....and they obviously are not good things! ha ha WHAT IS THAT THING IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER?!?! I didn't know it was obstructing the view till after I did the whole video and went to play it back.  It is what it is friends...hopefully you can still get something from it even though that thing is in the way! ha ha  

This is a tissue paper color transfer.  You will need paper, pencil, sharpie, bleeding tissue paper , brush, and water(a spray bottle works GREAT!). Later you will need crayons, markers, or colored pencils. 

If you don't have bleeding tissue paper....you will need to use a watered down glue, mod podge, or liquid starch to attach the regular tissue paper down(as flat & smooth as possible).  

Art With Mr.E: Water Color Techniques for Painted Paper Collages

Here are some fun techniques to add texture to your painted paper! 

Sunday School With Mr.E

For those of you new to Art With Mr.E ....I usually do a faith based post connecting art and faith each Sunday. If that is not your thing...skip my Sunday posts! The rest of the week is art & art education.

Hey friends...doing something different this week because it has been a different kind of week. Thought you might be missing Sunday School since most of our churches are not open for services. I know my voice is low/soft, but it was 2am & i didnt want to wake my family being loud! Haha So gather near & crank the volume!!!

Art With Mr.E: Make a Collagraph With Me

This project will give you a couple cool works of art! Have fun creating a collagraph with me! 

You will need.... cardboard(like cereal box), scissors, glue, crayons, 

acrylic paint, brush, water, and paper. 

Do a Wax Resist With Me

For this lesson you will need pencil, paper, crayons, watercolor, water, and a brush! 

Come on and create with me!! 

Art Prompts For Art at Home

Pick-a-Prompt gives a bit more guidance as to what the young artist will be creating. They are set up in thematic columns. As students create they can cross off the prompt. That will give them a goal to complete the list.

Word-spiration is more open. The word acts like a muse & can be interpreted in numerous ways. 

I hope these can be of use for you! 

Draw A Fish With Me

DRAW WITH ME!! If you are at home and needing some lessons for the kids(or you)...stay tuned for more videos!! This one goes along with the books I've been reading. Hope you enjoy. 

Story Time With Mr. E: The Pout Pout Fish

As school systems across the United States are closing because of COVID-19, we are faced with developing different ways to reach our students.  I read to my kindergarten students every time they come to art.  I wanted them to be able to still have story time with Mr. E.  So I'm going to start recording videos of some of my favorite books to share with my students (and whoever else would like to watch/listen!).  I had to start with one of my "new" favorite books. 

THE POUT POUT FISH by Deborah Diesen & illustrated by Dan Hanna

Story Time with Mr.E: The Pout Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean

This is my newest Pout Pout Fish book!! 

I hope you enjoy! 

 by Deborah Diesen & illustrated by Dan Hanna

Story Time With Mr. E: Fish is Fish

This book is beautiful visually, but also has a beautiful message.

Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Up Close

 I have countless books at home and in my classroom containing amazing works of art from around the world and throughout time.  As much as I enjoy looking through the pages of these books, it does not compare to seeing the work in person.  Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite artists.  His work masterfully employs color, texture, and composition to evoke such strong emotional responses. Though I gained a love and appreciation or his work through looking at books, it was not till I saw his work face to face that I truly understood its impact.  Seeing his work up close allowed me to observe the very marks he made.  I tried to take in as much as I could in those fleeting moments.  I truly was overwhelmed by the experience.  It was like being on "holy ground".  As I left the museum, I knew I wanted to learn even more about Van Gogh and discover images of his work that I had never seen before.  Getting to see his work up close made my appreciation for his work even greater. 

Do we know what it means to earnestly seek God?  Maybe we've grown up going to church, knowing the "stories", and passively participating in things of faith.  There may have been a time where you might have said you were passionate about your relationship with God.  You may have had a "mountain top" experience that fanned the flames of your faith for a period of time.  However, now there is just a flicker or smoldering ember remaining.  How do we get to the point where we are earnestly seeking God....thirsting for Him...longing for Him?  We must get up close to God.  We can't set passively by and expect things to change.  Being in prayer, reading our Bible, spending time with other people of faith allows us to get up close (and personal) with God.  We will begin to see the masterful plan He has for our life and for the lives of those around us.  We must be able to draw close, to study, and to experience first hand the things of faith so that our lives are impacted by it. It is one thing to know it "second hand".....but when you have an up close experience....it will cause you to seek Him all the more!