Whether you’re a parent wanting to document your child’s artistic journey or an art teacher/blogger in need of awesome photos of your students’ projects, the best camera to use is the one you have with you! And if you’re like me, that’s the iPhone in your back pocket. With an iPhone (or other smartphone), you can take photos that are high enough quality for most uses, from … [Read more...]
How to Start an Art Program at Your Child’s School
The one question my readers ask more than any other is something along the line of, "Do you have any advice for parents who want to teach Art in their child's class?" And my answer is, yes.... actually, I do! This topic is near and dear to my heart because this is exactly how I got my start in Art Education! I began my career in Art Ed as a parent volunteer. When my … [Read more...]
Art Hanging System from IKEA
Parents, ever wonder how to display all that wonderful artwork your kids bring home at the end of the school year? The mom of one of my students shared this great idea with me (thank you, Molly Craig!) and it's so clever I had to pass it along! She created a "hallway gallery" for her son's artwork, which can be easily changed as often as they like. This simple hanging system … [Read more...]
How Full Is Your Bucket?
The books that inspired this lesson have nothing to do with art, and the illustrations were not what attracted me! What I LOVE about these books is their message. And what better way to drive home a great message than with a fun art lesson??! Inspired by a bullying episode at my school, I saw this idea as a way to make a difference, so I had to try it. I figured if even one … [Read more...]
Art Show – Lessons Learned
5th Grade Oil Pastel Paintings inspired by Marc ChagallI'm a "learn by doing" kind of person. And usually that means learning from my mistakes (i.e.what not to do!). But last week I had the rare privilege of learning from something that I unintentionally did right!! Every Spring we hang an Art Show that coincides with our school's Open House. In the past, I always saved … [Read more...]