#pumpkinaday22: Day 31

 I hope you enjoyed this year's pumpkins.  It was a bit different from the past, but change is a good thing. I like to continually challenge myself.  Join me next month for #turkeyaday22!!! It's a little twisted! ha ha  You'll see!

AGAIN & AGAIN WITH THE NONSENSE!

Have you all been following this?  Since my other post about Van Gogh's Sunflowers being vandalized, it has happened several more times.  Monet's Haystacks, Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earing, and one of Toulouse-Lautrec's works.  

From what I've read, all of the works are fine (Thank goodness for protective glass!). 

Maybe the criminals were targeting work they new was protected...maybe not?!?  I just feel there is a better way to promote the cause of saving our planet than these ridiculous stunts. 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 29 & Day 30

It's all in the eyes!

 

#turkeyaday22: Day 27 & Day 28

I love the bottom pumpkin!  

The colors are just so energetic.

 

#turkeyaday22: Day 25 & Day 26

On Day 25, I was feeling Smurfy. 

This is my favorite pumpkin!  

Some of it might be that yellow green is probably my favorite color. ha ha

 

#turkeyaday22: Day 23 & Day 24

I wanted to play with texture & contrast.  I feel these are mildly successful. 

 

#turkeyaday22: Day 21 & Day 22

I was trying to do the upper one inspired by chocolate covered cherries.  Though it doesn't really resemble that a whole lot...I do like how he turned out.  The other one I just enjoyed playing with greens! (my fav color!)

 

#pumpkinaday: Day 20

My sister messaged me and said she wanted my hippy pumpkin, but I didn't really think it was a hippy?!?  So I went all in on this one! ha ha I'll be mailing it to her soon! 

 

LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION!!!

Hey all my TN peeps (and those who might want to attend our state conference)...today is the last day for early bird registration!!  There is a discount if you sign up early...but after today it goes to full price.  I hope you can come to this years conference in Memphis!  I'm so excited to see everyone again.  Lots of great speakers...classes...and a great time for all! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!  Let them know Mr. E sent ya! 

https://www.tnarteducation.org/fallconference2022

 

#pumpkinaday: Day 19

Last year I had made a watermelon turkey during #turkeyaday, and I loved that turkey!! I decided to make a watermelon pumpkin! 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 18

I love doing underwater pictures with my students.  I had to make a pumpkin to reflect the many lessons I've taught! 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 17

If Elsa had a pumpkin! ha ha

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 16

I really like this pumpkin.  I think it is the blue eyes contrasting with the yellow.  Paint markers do have limitations, but I feel I'm getting better at using them.

 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: MAKE TIME

As artists, we are often known for what we do/create/make. It is not just what we do, but it also is a major component of who we are.  If we are not making, if we are not creating, if we are not sketching, planning, or researching...then we are neglecting a major part of ourselves.  I will be the first to admit, as an art educator...I often neglect this aspect of my life.  I justify it because I teach art all day long.  The only thing about that...there is a difference.  Challenging, nurturing, organizing, and instructing is not the same as taking time out of my day to create my own art.  Art is like a language for the artist.  We process, interpret, and share our dreams, ideas, views of the world (both physically & socially), and beliefs as we create.  If we do not take time/make time for own personal art making, we deny ourselves of living the life we were created to live.   We must take time/make time to be who we are!

After he dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone..  Matthew 14:23

As believers, we must take time/make time to be with God.  Some people believe they can just go to church on Sunday & that is enough.  God has called us into a personal relationship, and relationships take time & effort to cultivate.  An hour or so a week will not allow us the time to truly know our God & grow in our faith as he intended us to do.  We must take time/make time in our too busy lives to spend with God.  Many believers have "quiet times" in the morning before their day gets busy.  That quiet time might consist of a bible study/devotional & time in prayer.  However, if this is sounding too formal/formulaic for you...you are in luck!  God made us all different...and what works for someone else may not be what is best for you.  The point of it all is to spend time with God.  Maybe you are a night owl.  AWESOME!  Spend time with God before you go to bed!  Maybe your only alone time is driving to & from work(all you parents out there!!!).  There are audio devotionals, books, and bibles that you can listen to as you drive.  You could also turn the radio off, and spend your drive time talking to God or quietly listening for his response!  Maybe your free time is during your lunch break.  You can have a devotional book that has one or two pages of bible based inspiration to read & think about as you eat!   In this day of technology...there are also apps for that! ha ha  You can find many apps that will help you as you purposely take time/make time to grow in God!  If Jesus took time by himself to pray...don't you think you should be doing the same? I know I need that in my life!! 

Here is a quote from my favorite author...

If a man wants to be used of God, 

he cannot spend all his time with people. - A.W. Tozer 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 15

I find gold paint hard to work with?!? 

Or maybe it is working other colors into gold?  

Anyone else..or is it just me? 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 14

Ok...this guy took a kind of creepy turn?!?!  Or is it just me???

I think he looks like Shrek meets, Larry the Cucumber, meets a muppet?!?! 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 13

I was going for pink camo, but it kind of looks like clouds to me?!?

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 12

I like this pumpkin.  He has a soft glow about him.  

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 11

This pumpkin makes me laugh!  I really like how it is just kind of silly and abandons a lot of the "pumpkin" norms.  My sister has already claimed it! ha ha 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 10

The lighting in our house is very challenging at times in regards to picture taking.  This pumpkin is a pretty purple, but it looks super dark here.  Oh well...still sweet! ha ha 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 9

I must admit...this is my least favorite.  I did go back in later and change some things, but this picture is the "before".  I'll try to add the "after" later! 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 8

This pumpkin is much brighter in person.  

The pumpkin is a deep purple, but here it is almost black. 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 7

I really love this pumpkin.  I'm not sure what it is?  It's mouth almost looks hypnotic...like it is calling you to come closer! ha ha 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 6

I do think this is my favorite pumpkin so far!  I was a bit inspired from Hocus Pocus I think. I just love how the orange and blue looks so good together! 

 

Uvalde 21 Murals Project: Extended Cut

This is so amazing...powerful...heartbreaking....all the feelings!!

I had not known about this mural project. 

Please watch & remember those who lost their lives in Uvalde.

#pumpkinaday22: Day 5

I think he looks like an alternate universe version of Bob the Tomato from Veggie Tales! ha ha

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 4

Sometimes I find it hard to get a lot of contrast when using Posca markers. 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 3

Here is Day 3's pumpkin!  If you are catching up on what "this" is....I am doing a pumpkin a day for the month of October.  Each year I do things a bit differently. Normally I draw them in a sketch book. This year I found these wood pumpkins at Dollar Tree.  I painted them all a different base color & then am using Posca paint pens to finish them.  Stay tuned for more pumpkins as the month goes on.  

OH....and if you want to join...just post on social media with these hashtags! 

#pumpkinaday22, #artchallenge, 

#octoberartchallenge,

#pumpkinaday 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 2

It is not too late to join #pumpkinaday!  

You can use ink, paint, pen, pencil...whatever you want! 

 

#pumpkinaday22: Day 1

 

#pumpkinaday22

 

October Art Challenge: #dollartreeterrors

I posted about this earlier because I wanted everyone to have enough time to get their materials and make a plan!  Now that we are getting closer to the end of September, I wanted to give you all a reminder about #dollartreeterrors.  I'm a huge fan of Dollar Tree, and love all the crafting materials (traditional & otherwise).  I may be doing the #pumpkinaday challenge as well, but knew for sure that a nontraditional art supply crafting opportunity would be super fun! 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Just go to Dollar Tree and pick up a stuffed animal or doll (or whatever you wish really), and transform it into something spooky!  You can add things to it, paint it, combined two different things.  The only limitation is your imagination!

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I'M DONE?

Post your finished project (progress pictures with the finished project would be great!) to your social media.  Give it the hashtags: #dollartreeterrors #dollartree #artchallenge #octoberartchallenge #artwithmre

Paint Stick & Pastel Pumpkins

 We have been painting & talking about color, color mixing, blending..etc.  I thought it would be fun to try to transfer the ideas into an oil pastel pumpkin.  We used paint sticks for the background & oil pastels for the pumpkin.  I told them they had to use the background color in the pumpkin as well. 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Continue

 As artists we take our life experiences, art experiences, training, and imagination everywhere we go.  Anything & Everything can be inspiration for our art.  Sketch books, napkins, digital collections fill up with promising concepts for future work! Making art becomes a basic need for existing.  However, there can be seasons of our life where we are not creating.  It happens: job, family, LIFE!  I've heard it said that it is like riding a bike...you just get back on & go.  I don't really feel that is true.  It is very easy to slip into bad habits, struggling to concentrate, and to becoming easily frustrated when we're out of the artistic habit of creating. I picture the artist like a pond.  It has all the makings for life & vibrancy, but with no input or output...it becomes stagnant!  It will take time to get yourself back into the swing of things.  With discipline and hard work you can once again see the fruits of your labor.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

Our walk with God is the same way.  Life can sometimes get in the way.  We find ourselves not reading our Bible, not spending time in prayer, lacking fellowship with believers, and forget about any kind of discipleship/mentoring going on.  When this happens, we come stagnant....disconnected....out of touch with The Giver of Life!   Our life no longer reflects one passionately seeking after God.  We stop seeing some of the exciting God things that use to be apart of our daily walk with Him.  He has never left.  He is still there in your life.  You just aren't seeing fruit.  Yes, we can confess our sin(which really it is...putting other things before God), and ask for the Lord to help us keep Him first in all things. Getting back into the Word, praying, and spending time with brothers and sisters in Christ(we're all hypocrites and slackers....they will welcome you back! Haha).  You will begin to see God's hand at work in your life, you will know He is with you(and never left you in the first place)...and the fruit will grow once more!  

Receiving Christ is where it STARTS....but we must be ROOTED in Him....and continue on!  Continuing on is not stagnant...it is active & moving!  Just like our faith (and art) should be!  

TGE Scarecrow at Cheekwood: Lady Rosinfair

Every year Cheekwood Gardens has their Cheekwood Harvest festival and invites area schools & organizations to create scarecrows to go along their garden pathway.  This year the theme was botanicals grown at the gardens.  I selected the Rosinweed.  Imagine a very tall yellow daisy type flower (I had not heard of it before?!?).  Last year was my first year to participate...and I learned a lot through my mistakes.  It will be up till the first of Nov.  Scroll down to read the amazing story my 2nd graders came up with. 

Lady Rosinfair  (inspired by the Rosinweed)

Lady Rosinfair came to life when a magical princess longed for a friend cast a spell on her favorite flower. They danced together as the breezes blew, shared secrets in the sunlight, and played together in the rain.  (based on ideas from second graders at TGE) 

 

Dollar Tree Glass Pen & Ink Set Review

I was so excited to try these out, and they did not disappoint! Check out how the Glass Pen & Ink set from Dollar Tree performed! 

Dollar Tree Metallic Marker Review

If you like metallic markers....check this review out.  

They are all from Dollar Tree, but not all things at Dollar Tree 

are created equally! 

It's that season again....

Practicum Student Season!!!!

(Yes, Pumpkin Latte Season too!?!?)

I'm very fortunate to live in a city that has a lot of universities!!!  I've had 13 student teachers, and countless practicum students.  I LOVE IT.  I truly enjoy working with the next generation of art educators, and sharing my love(and experience) for the profession with them.

I'm very excited about these two students from MTSU!! They are excited to learn & try new things....and they jumped right in and worked along side students.  I'll post there displays/posters/b-boards & their lessons when they get to that point! 

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: The Van Gosh We Don't Know

 Vincent Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists.  Seeing his work in person is almost a religious experience.  The color, composition, and texture of his work can hold my gaze for untold amounts of time!  Most people know of Van Gogh, and might actually be able to pick his work out of a line up.  It has been a favorite for umbrellas, calendars, puzzles, mugs, and other printable items.  However, this is what most know about Van Gogh: Beautiful Art, Cut Off His Ear, and Killed Himself.  Based off of this knowledge, most people have great pity for the life he lived...and shake their head at the foolish loss. 

What about the Van Gogh we don't know? Vincent Van Gogh was a teacher, a pastor, and a missionary before embracing his call as an artist. Though he never lasted long in any of his previous "professions"...it reveals his heart for people & for God.  Yes, it is true he did have a deep internal struggle that led to his suicide. It is true he made some "bad" choices in his life.  However, he lived so much life in his 37 yrs on this earth that people do not consider. (Like he produced over 2000 works of art...many of those in the last decade.)  For him to be remembered as a sad/depressed man who cut his ear off....shows a lack of understanding & compassion.  We judge an aspect of his life without considering the man as a whole.  We look at the sad expression of his self portraits, and forget the smile of the sunflower!  

What am I getting at?  

WE ARE JUDGMENTAL HYPOCRITES!!   

(This section of scripture begins with the Pharisees trying to "trap" Jesus....bringing a woman that was caught in the act of adultery.)

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?"  "No one, sir" she said.  "Then neither do I condemn you, " Jesus declared.  "Go now and leave your life of sin."  

John 8:7-11

We only allow people to see so much of our life.  We keep the things less desirable hidden/covered up.  We then point our fingers at those who do not choose to hide their "issues" and shake our head & wag our finger. (How often have I rolled my eyes at or dehumanize the Kardashians as idiots...instead of feeling a compassion for them?) You know what though, God knows us inside and out.  There are no hidden places with The Lord.  And yet...He deeply desires a relationship with us.  So much so that He came to Earth, showed us the way we should live, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again to give us new life in Him.  He doesn't throw the first stone...He is the first to reach out in LOVE!  There is no sliding scale for sin...sin is sin!!!  Yours is just as wrong as those you judge.  Yet He wants you to be His.  If the Lord can look through the eyes of love at us...why can we not extend the same to those around us.  We need to be less quick to judge & justify our own behavior based on the world....and quicker to extend the same love & grace given to us.  

Maybe I'm speaking to myself?  However, I think most of us do have areas we need to "adjust" to the Lord's heart.  What is your area(s) where you lack grace/compassion? 

 Ask the Lord to reveal it...and heal it!

October Art Challenge

 Join the fun!!! During the month of October create a creepy character using something from Dollar Tree. Cut it, add to it, paint it...whatever you need to do to make something fun and spooky! Post it to social media using #artchallenge #dollartreeterror anytime during the month! 

Eye See!

This is a great one day project.  We always start each year with portraits (well...after the collaborative project)....so this is a great next project.  It is a one day"er" too!! I start by giving each student a quarter sheet of paper to build upon.  We talk about covering the paper, having a different color for the eyelid, making sure to grab white & black, and then three other colors that will make up the iris.  We had discussed drawing an eye when doing our portraits, and I showed them how to transfer that eyedea (see what I did there ha ha  corny dad jokes for days people!!) over to collage.  Some struggled, but over all I thought these turned out pretty successful/fun!  

 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Beyond Seeing

 Have you ever met someone that just don't seem to "GET" art in its various forms?  They see a painting...don't "get" it.....and dismiss its worth.  They listen to music that is out of their norm.. don't "get" it...and dismiss its worth.  Watch a specific type of dance...don't "get" it..and dismiss its worth.  There are many things I don't care for, but I am usually able to find something about most art & art forms that I'm able to appreciate.  Why is that?  I believe that one of the main reasons for this is that I have knowledge, understanding, and experience within the arts.  What I bring to an art experience allows me to appreciate works of art even if I don't "get" it.  I am able to pull out aspects of the work that connect back to my knowledge/understanding/experience, and I'm able to trust that the artist knew what they were doing or what they were trying to communicate through their work.   I'm able to see beyond what I'm seeing (or hearing).

Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?  

And don't you remember?   Mark 8:18

In this passage of scripture from Mark, Jesus is addressing the disciples.  If you read the context, you will see that the disciples just don't "get" it.  Part of me wonders how they could not "get" things when they had Jesus right their with them?  The other part of me is relieved by their lack of understanding....because a lot of the time I'm in the same boat as the disciples. How many times have I seen God work in my life, in others' lives, or read His Word, but I still live like I just don't "get" it. For some reason these things I've seen the Lord do have not found their way to my heart.  I doubt. I worry.  I stress.  I plot & plan.  I don't trust.  I don't understand.  I don't get it.  

Seeing is only the surface of understanding.  We have to ask God to take those things we've seen Him do in us, through us, and around us....and make it heart knowledge that truly impacts us...changes us!  That way when life throws a situation at us that we don't like the looks of.....we can still see God & trust that He will use all things for His glory(Romans 8:28).  Knowledge(seeing), understanding, and experiencing allows us to know He is trustworthy.  We can appreciate the situations of life that lead us into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  

I surprised my life long friend...

Jennifer Haught and I have been friends for over 40 years.  We were in the same class K-8th grade at Midway Elementary (Not River Elementary like they said in the video..it wasn't built way back then! ha).  We then went to River Highs School together.  We didn't have many classes together, but we had over an hour bus ride (one way) where we perfected our story telling and comedic chops!   Even though we went completely different directions after high school....we never lost touch.  There are forever friends.  The fact that we were both in education gives us much to talk about.  I admire her so very much.  She is the type of teacher you dream of having.  I watch the news online from back home, and saw they had the Golden Apple Award for educators.  I read the rules...and anyone could nominate a deserving person.  NO MORE DESERVING A PERSON THEN JENNIFER HAUGHT!!!  I was thrilled that she received the award...and it just about killed me that I couldn't tell her.  We need to be about the business of uplifting one another.  Teaching is not easy.  We need to spotlight the people that are making a difference...and who give the profession a great name!!  

CONGRADULATIONS JENNIFER!! 

So proud of you & the difference you are making in the Ohio Valley! 

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Don't Rush

Clay is all about the process.  It is not an art of immediacy.  You create & wait days for it to dry.  You place it in the kiln to fire & wait (usually close to 8 hrs plus time to cool down before opening the kiln).  You glaze the work, place it back into the kiln, fire it, & wait (another 8 hrs plus time to cool down before opening the kiln).  If you are all about instant gratification, clay is probably not for you.  If you try to fire the clay too soon it might explode.  If you open the kiln too quickly after firing the clay could crack from rapid cooling.  If you don't place enough coats of glaze on the clay before firing it again, the color could be less vibrant or the glaze will not fire to a beautiful glassy finish.  There are many things that could go wrong if you rush the process.  It takes time....and that's ok! 

Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Our journey as believers is just that....a journey.  It is not something to be rushed.  You are where you are....and that's ok.  I've seen many become frustrated when they feel they should be "further" in their walk with God.  When they struggle with doubt, temptation, lack of knowledge, lack of experience....they beat themselves up over it. The fact that one is aware of these things shows that the Holy Spirit is at work.  The process we go through as we mature in our faith is one that takes time.  We cannot fall into the "microwave" mentality of our society.  Talk with those you see who are mature in their faith.  Allow them to share their experiences with you.  Most will tell you they are still on that journey.  It takes time...and that's ok!  Embrace the journey God has given you.  It is uniquely yours.  Don't rush to be where you cannot be without time & experience.