FACEBOOK PAGE LAUNCH!

Hey everyone!

It has been one crazy ride through these first few weeks of school and its safe to say that I'm glad to be back! BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! I just created a FACEBOOK page for Come to the Art Side! You can click on the tab at the top of the site OR you can click HERE!

I'll be posting cute little tid bits here and there on the Facebook page as well as when I update the blog! I'll be back soon with an in depth update of the beginning of the year shenanigans!

Side Work

I am a teacher, but I am also an artist! I have people contact me often with small projects they'd like help with. I finished this Wedding sign in "book" for a colleague at school. 

This is a watercolor painting I did for a friends nursery! So much fun since I hadn't worked in watercolor for a while. 

Do you have a side business that you do? Share I the comments for a chance to be featured here!

Thursday Think Tank: #cheaperthanchipotle

You might be looking at my title wondering what in the world, but you'll see what I mean as you continue to read!

Last week I received boxes of sketchbooks! This was completely unexpected! I received the first donation check from Gofundme and purchased these sketchbooks about a week and a half ago.  I didn't think they would be in this soon and besides that I didn't think I would get ANOTHER surprise!

I think when I ordered this first round, 68 sketchbooks total, there was a special happening in which for each sketchbook purchased we also received these Bristol Vellum pads too! THIS IS AMAZING! For everyone who donated THANK YOU!!! You've donated double to our cause and I am thrilled!

Aren't they BEAUTIFUL!?

Want to join us in support? Check out my campaign at Gofundme: 

cometotheartside SKETCHBOOKS!

Every little bit counts, just $7.50 buys a nice sketchbook for a young artist next year! And like I've been saying it's #cheaperthanchipotle! If you want to start your own campaign or have a question, please just ask!

Art teachers have you ever done a fundraiser for your classroom? How did you do it? What platform did you use? Please let me know so I can share!

Monday Mayhem: Art Show 2016!

I am so completely amazed and proud of all of my students this year! I can't believe how time has flown and how they have grown into such amazing artists! This years art show was amazing and I am so thankful to have been apart of these students growing in their talents. We also included Aurasma on some of the pieces so that people could interact with them. So much fun!

Several of my students were interviewed for the Irving Community Television Network and I couldn't be more proud of how they were able to articulate themselves. You can watch the video above.

What are your art shows like?

Monday Mayhem: Teacher of the Year

This is a dream come true! I am so overwhelmed by all the support that I've received this year at my school and from my district for these 7 years I've been here! This was my third year being nominated and I can't believe it finally happened! Words can't even express how awesome if feels to be recognized in such a way especially since I teach art. I feel so blessed!

Monday Mayhem: Endangered/Extinct Animal Paintings

Sunday Share: Networking and Connecting with Others

I am a big advocate of sharing! It's the most basic way of interacting with others that we learn way back in Kindergarten. I know as I began my teaching career I was always asking for help and I am so thankful that others around me were kind enough to support me. In the same way when another teacher asks to use one of my lessons I am all for it! This example comes from one of my fellow middle school teachers!

It looks great!

What are some lessons you've shared with another teacher?

Friday Fun: ArtLoveMagic Artist Workshop

On my birthday I had the wonderful opportunity to take my advanced art classes on a field trip! In our district art typically doesn't have field trips, this is a pilot program in conjunction with ArtLoveMagic to see if we can get more middle schools investing and supporting their visual arts program. My students got to meet with different artists and learn from them by going through a rotation. My hope is that this partnership will continue into next year and instead of only taking 30 students I would want to take all of my students which could be between 100-200. ArtLoveMagic is a non-profit organization so this workshop was completely FREE for my students all we had to do was raise money to pay for our bus transportation.

Art is such an important part of growing up for children, it teaches them how to problem solve and see the world in new ways. The benefits of the arts for children are phenomenal. You can read the article 10 Lessons the Arts Teach by Elliott Eisner here.

Four artists came out and shared their experiences with us: JC Barba a talented illustrator, Ale V. clay specialist, and Luis & Arazeli Torres masters of sculpture! I can't tell you how excited I was to see my students interacting with artists who have made their passion a viable career choice through hard work and dedication.   I am so thankful for communities like ArtLoveMagic that constantly seeks to encourage the young artist.

Want to get involved?

ArtLoveMagic is based in Dallas and is always looking for volunteers and artists to help with events and shows. ArtLoveMagic never takes commission from artists and they are extremely supportive to those just starting out, or those who need a little encouragement to continue onward. In fact because of this connection, I was able to sell a new piece of art I finished recently! Please reach out to them if you're interested in growing as an artist or if you love to volunteer at great events!

Thursday Think Tank: First time weaving!

Monday Mayhem: Gang Prevention Poster 3rd Place

We have a 3rd place winner this year! So happy for my student!

Monday Mayhem: Gang Prevention 2016