Happy Holidays!

This will probably be my last update before the holidays, so with that in mind I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! 

This is something I did in 2006. I really like the line work I created around the figure so I decided to revamp the idea! I was inspired after seeing Disney's latest movie, Frozen, and the character of Elsa. So this latest piece has an Elsa-esque look about her. It can't be helped! Elsa is a pretty rad character and, I can't lie, I had the song "Let it Go" that Elsa sang in the movie on repeat for most of this piece. 

Enjoy, everyone! Have very happy holidays!

<3 Kate

The Beauty of Snow Days

So remember that time, oh, a couple of days ago where I said I might turn a sketch into a more fully developed work? 'Might' was the operative word there. Well! Two snow days later and I did it! Yay! And I have to say I'm very, very pleased with how it turned out. First, observe the sketch again:

And now, the final piece:

Woohoo! So, I used a couple of references for a few of the images, particularly images of Nicole Kidman and Candice Accola. The entire work is a mixed media and I used Prismacolor illustration markers, watercolors, Prismaclor colored pencil, pencil, and Micron pens (my personal favorite). I also used a variety of techniques for some of the backgrounds such as salt on watercolor and sponging. The fire, which I'm particularly fond of, I just kind of rolled with. No images for a reference. I'd like to think I embraced an Impressionist style while creating it. The broken mirror I did use a reference for.

Enjoy!

<3 Kate

Let it Snow!

Being a teacher I can always appreciate a good snow day, or even a two hour delay! According to the weather channel, both could be possible! We're supposed to get a health mix of ice and snow throughout the day and I just couldn't be more thrilled! So, in celebration of the possible snow day here are some bulletin boards I've created at school. Spoiler alert: I love, love, love cutting snowflakes.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

<3 Kate

Mola, Mola, Molas!

Well, time for some student art! Below are paper molas my fourth graders made. The project aligns with the new curriculum for fourth grade for the first quarter. So, there is a bit of a delay in posting these! This was the first year I did this project with fourth grade and I really emphasized creating a unified work of art using line, basic shapes, pattern, repetition, and overlapping. This also really helped with fine motor skills because of all the cutting and gluing.

I love the quirky playfulness this piece has!

This mola is a bird soaring over a field and a pond.

Look at the sun! It's positively radiant with overlapping!

This student only wanted to use line and shape and I'd say they got awesome results!

Overall, I'd say the student's projects turned out well! There is an obvious use of pattern, repetition, and basic shapes. The struggle came with students who wanted to create animal molas. They had difficulty abstracting the animal down into simple, basic shapes. So, something to work on! Something else to strive towards is really getting the students to understand what a 'unified' work is. There's always room for improvement!

Until next time!

<3 Kate

Sketchy

Happy Belated Turkey Day, Everyone!

I hope the holiday season was deliciously awesome for all! Mine was busy, as per the norm, and life will only continue to get busier will all the holiday festivities approaching!

I don't have any new pictures of student work yet; my camera broke on me when I went to take more. However, I do have a sketch that I worked on!

Sometimes I struggle with what to draw. I re-create myths and legends, I interpret famous characters, but I always struggle to create something that is wholly, and uniquely mine. Then I realized that, duh, I have characters that are wholly mine. I've been developing them since my angst-y pre-teen years! Above are some of the character I play (or played) in my repeatedly mentioned RPG. They are characters I've created, given story arcs to, and written about for years so why not start drawing them? From left to right we have a mage, a mermaid, a Haunt, a gypsy, and a vampire.

Seemed like a no-brainer to me. So, this was something quick I did the other day. Nothing fancy, though I may turn it in to a more developed piece later.

Hopefully I'll have some more student work up soon as my 5th graders are making the most awesome clay projects ever!

Until next time!

<3 Kate

Owl-rific Owls!

Yikes! It has been awhile!

In the interim since my Disney-obsessed post I have to report that, yes, I am still Disney obsessed (because who isn't and don't deny it...!) and that teaching has continued!

My latest post is all about color. And owls! Observe:

This was a first grade lesson that was primarily focused around color. In this lesson students had to create secondary and neutral colors through color mixing. I used tempera paints (which I personally loath) because they have a great mixing quality; they're thick and goopy and the students just love it. My loathing aside, tempera paints really do have a nice mixing quality because of the thickness. The students can see even the smallest change in hue with a small bit of paint. I've found that watercolor isn't that malleable (even though I prefer it). 

After we mix the colors, the students use their painted papers to create their owls by cutting out basic shapes. We cut out small rectangles for the feathers, a triangle for the beak, and circles for the eyes. This works their fine motor skills as well as the understanding of basic shapes. 

Lastly, I also taught the students how to make five-pointed stars so they could create a night-time background since owls are nocturnal. Overall, I think the owls turned out adorable! My inspiration for this lesson came from lessons I had done in the past based around Eric Carle, and was also based on my county's curriculum.

Teaching aside, I have also celebrated a personal milestone: my one year anniversary! Woohoo! My husband and I recently celebrated one year of marriage. Time flies! It feels like yesterday that I was planning a wedding! In celebration of our anniversary I commissioned some cake toppers:

Disney was a huge part of our year and for those of you who have read previous posts you know my husband and I dressed as Ariel and Eric for our Disney adventure/Halloween. These cake toppers were actually created by the artist who made my wedding toppers and I have to give her a shout-out because she is amazing. You can find her work at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Chikipita

This artist has made me three sets of cake toppers to date; groom's cake toppers, wedding, and anniversary. She is fantastic and I can't say enough nice things! So, should you be in the market for cake toppers go to the above link! Do it!

Anyway, that is all for now! You stay classy, internet.

<3 Kate

My Childhood. It is Complete.

Hello World!

I'm thrilled to say that at twenty seven years of age I have finally gone to Disney-for the first time ever! Initially, I informed my parents that did me a huge disservice by not taking me in my youth, but now having gone as an adult I had the TIME OF MY LIFE (yes, it warrants caps).

Seriously though, going as an adult was fantastic. First, I'll remember the trip. Second, I had the patience to wait in lines. Third, my parents didn't want to maim me because I threw daily tantrums (after careful observation these tantrums typically happened around mid-afternoon) and whined about the heat, lines, wanting things, and so on and so on. I fully advocate hitting up Disney as an adult because, really, you just get to be a kid again; I can't even tell you how hard I geeked out when I got my picture taken with Ariel (she's my idol).

I went with some of my very best friends and we hit every park. We got to go to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Food and Wine at Epcot, breakfast with Donald Duck (eeeeee!), and a bazillion more events. And we only whined a little ^_^

Girls vs. Boys

Us at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Naturally, I was Ariel and my husband was Eric. Major kudos to my friend (Belle in this image) who made nearly everyone's costumes. Whew!

All of us with Safari Mickey at Animal Kingdom.

Enthusiasm aside, I will now relay to you my tips for any and all who wish to travel to Disney.

1) Stay at a Disney Resort. They have transportation to each park and you are given the Holy Grail of all items: the Magic Band. With this magical item you can Fast Pass lines ahead of time, and sync up your dining plan, room key, park tickets, and credit card. It's amazing.

Magic Bands Unite!

2) Fast Pass everything and anything! Rides, restaurants, whatever you can Fast Pass-do it. It is such a time saver. You're able to Fast Pass three things ahead of time using the Magic Bands, but you can also go to the ride itself and get a paper Fast Pass for specific times.

3) Be prepared to spend a bit on food. It's a theme park, right? They thrive on tourism. Just be prepared for higher-than-normal prices. Some great places to eat you ask? I highly recommend the Be Our Guest restaurant at Magic Kingdom. Food aside, the atmosphere is fantastic.

4) Wear sneakers. Serious sneakers. 

Needless to say, my friends and I had a blast at Disney. I don't need to continue gushing on and on. So I will leave you with my latest piece of artwork. It was a quick illustration I did before we left and has nothing to do with Disney!

Enjoy!

<3 Kate

Texture Monsters!

First, I want to preface by saying I love Kindergarteners. They are so free with their art! They're never held up with thoughts of how "good" something looks. They just create and it's so wonderful to watch! That being said, my kindergarteners were hilarious to observe while making these texture monsters. There was much growling and roaring while they were being created. Check them out, aren't they fierce?

This project combined a couple different art elements. We studied line, texture, and shape. The students used texture tiles to complete texture rubbings for the monster's bodies. Then they cut rectangles, circles, and semi-circles from squares (and practiced their cutting skills and fine motor skills while they were at it-whoo!). Finally, the students used line for the teeth. 

Scary huh?

<3 Kate

Groovy Lava Lamps

Whew! It's been awhile! Not to worry though, internet, I haven't left you. I know you were worried about that.

Anyways! Today I'm writing about some lava lamps that my 3rd graders completed. I love doing this project as the first project of the year-it's great review for geometric and organic shapes, as well as complimentary colors. Plus, I put out real lava lamps in my room and my students love looking at them. It incorporates observational drawing to also have real lava lamps displayed!

I also review water coloring with them; how to appropriately use the paints, brushes, and water. All in all, a really engaging lesson for the students to start the year off with!

The first day of the lesson the students review geometric and organic shapes, and discuss the characteristics of both. We then make the observation of what part of the lava lamp would be geometric and what part would be organic. The students then proceed to draw their lava lamps.

The next class would involve complimentary colors. I explain it to the kids as colors that "loooooooove each other." That gets some good responses like "ew!" and "that's gross!" Of course, we also look at a color wheel.

The final class is devoted to painting with watercolors and adding a "glow" with chalk pastels.

This lesson could be easily adapted to 2nd grade, even 1st, but I've always enjoyed starting 3rd grade off with this project.

So, there you have it! Unfortunately, no new artwork from me, personally, but I've got some ideas in the works!

<3 Kate

A Line is a Dot That Went for a Walk

Hey folks! No, I haven't been ignoring you. In fact, I've been insanely busy! With the new school year three weeks deep, and grad class borrowing my spare time I've found it difficult to do anything else! No to worry though for I'm going to share some 1st grade work! 

I want to preface by saying I really enjoy 1st graders. They're so enthusiastic and willing to just experiment and be pleased with their results. In the images below, you'll see line paintings. This is a lesson that usually takes two weeks. The first week involves talking about the various types of lines, drawing them, and then coloring in between the lines. Of course, it isn't so simple as that. What I do is give them "rules" while they draw. For example, I might say 'I want everyone to draw three straight lines, and all the lines must be touching two sides of the paper.' It's a pre-assessment for me to see that they both know the various lines and to see how they organize their compositions.

The second week, students complete their coloring and then create watercolor resists. So, they paint with watercolor over their crayon. This allows me to review painting expectations and review texture. The watercolor and the crayon create a 'resist' because the waxy texture and watery textures 'don't like each other.' Really, it's my preferred way to watercolor with students because the colors come out so vivid.

This project is great for reviewing various art elements and concepts. I don't tell students how to organize their papers. I let them create impulsively and all the results are varied. To supplement this project I read the book The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox. 

Until next time!

<3 Kate

Week One

Well, I've been back to school for a week and a half now, and the kiddies have been back for three days. I have to say: so far so good! A lot of people may assume that the first week of school is easy-peasy but, truthfully, it's not.

From my perspective, I'm like a broken record the first week. I repeat the same expectations for 24 classes all week. However, after day one, behavior is already in a decline. The first day, the kids are excited! They're back to school! New class! New teacher! By day two, they're seeing where you draw the line. It's like they're testing you. And boy howdy do you have to make that line clear and immovable. 

I always enjoy the feel of my classroom the first week though. Everything is fresh and new, clean and tidy. For example:

 Fabric for the bulletin boards. Never fades and there is years of use!

Like my bulldog? I painted him (apparently it's a him) my first year.

Jobs and such. It gives students a sense of responsibility and ownership.

In the next few weeks, my room will be used and filthy with clay, paper cuttings, bits of crayon, sticky glue spots, and probably dirt. Always dirt. That's alright though. In the end, an art room is supposed to look bedraggled! It means there has been serious creating going on!

<3 Kate

Otakon! Wait, where did the summer go?

Well, Otakon was epic. As I insinuated in my last post, I went as Korra from the Nikelodeon show 'The Legend of Korra.' My husband and two good friends were the Fire Ferrets and councilman Tenzin! We also had Pabu, but she was taking the picture. Our costumes were probably the best we've ever done and we've been attending Otakon for years now! Observe:

I can take absolutely zero credit for my costume. That was all my mom! She's pretty rad and has way more sewing skills then I will ever have. Tenzin (on the far left) also has to thank his mom profusely for his super popular costume (he was a big fan fave), and then our Fire Ferrets bravely created their costumes all on their own! We had a ball.

Now, as a not-quite-tangential-but-still-random side note: THE LEGEND OF KORRA RETURNS SEPTEMBER 13! Oooooh yeeeaaah. If you've never watched the show, you really should. Not only is it beautifully animated but it's appropriate for both children and adults. There are some pretty deep themes in the show (along with its predecessor Avatar: The Last Airbender) but they are done really well. It's just great. 

Now that Otakon is over, my summer is also inevitably over. Where did it go?! I demand a recount! This is the time of the year where I start getting nightmares about my classroom. The kids all realize that if they all worked together they could totally rebel and overthrow any classroom management I have in place! You wouldn't think that'd be "nightmare" worthy, but trust me...it's terrifying.

So, look forward to some awesome student artwork in the next few weeks/months! Their work kind of takes over my own, but I'll try to post some things from myself! 

<3 Kate

Off to Otakon!

And I shall be the blondest of all the Korra's.

<3 Kate

Intentional Oops?

Can an 'oops' be intentional? I don't think so...but oh well! I did another small piece in a similar style to my "beautiful oops" piece. I'm really starting to love illustration markers. I've not used them much and I don't know why! I dig 'em!

I took some imagery from ancient Pictish symbols and carvings for this one and used an aerial view of Stonehenge for the "border." I do believe I most enjoy her hair!

<3 Kate

Beautiful Oops

I've come to realize about myself that when I'm trying my absolute hardest at a drawing I tend to over think, get frustrated, get irrationally mad at the paper and pencil for not doing what's in my head, and I storm off to throw a tantrum elsewhere.

Then, there are those beautiful times where I'm just doodling and sketching for the fun of it and WHABAM epic things happen. 

This particular drawing isn't anything over-the-top spectacular but when I was finished with it I was really, really pleased. I just like the simple look of it. Nothing is over done, I enjoy the "flatness" of the coloring, and just generally...well, I love it.

This started off as a sketch for Bree (my in-the-works character). I was playing around with some back story and experimenting with her look. Really, it was a quickie sketch on a page filled with quickie sketches. Then I worked at the image casually, got spontaneous ideas, and just went with it.

Moral of the story: sometimes you just have to go with the flow. 

<3 Kate

Steady As She Goes

What wonders some contrast can do.

<3 Kate

Fish!

For the summer, I'm working at a summer camp. I've worked at this particular camp since high school (yikes) and I used to be the Group Leader for the older school agers (so, 3rd-5th grade). Upon teaching for the county, I've realized I prefer the little ones! This summer I'm with Pre-K through 1st grade.

The first project I did with the kiddies is a lesson I use with 1st grade during the school year: pinch pot fish.

I taught the children how to make a pinch pot which, pinching, is a basic form of hand building when using clay. We didn't use clay for the project, but Crayola's model magic. I like to think of it as a middle ground between play-doh and clay. It air dries, you can color it with markers, or paint it, whatever! It's great stuff with little to no mess!

Anyway! The pinch pots turned into the body and mouth of the fish, then using pinching techniques we added details like eyes and teeth. The model magic was white to start.

We let the model magic dry over night then we painted the fish. Last, I added some gloss medium over the fish just to keep the colors pure and help support any loose pieces. They turned out great! 

It makes me really sad to say, but these kiddies had some better results than my students during the school year, and a majority of them aren't even in kindergarten yet. Remember, this is a lesson I do with 1st graders during the school year. The kids I work with over the summer have more exposure to the arts whereas my students really only have art through me. Once a week. That's only, like, 40 times a year-give or take. Which is sad, really sad. However! Working with a different batch of kids has given me ideas for how to better my lesson with my students; adapting it to their needs. So, that's a big, big plus. No lesson is perfect. It can always be tweaked, altered, or even tossed in some cases.

Yay, cute kiddie art!

<3 Kate

Next!

First, I need to pat myself on the back and have a selfish moment (just hang in there). Usually during the summer I have no motivation for art. I mean, I teach art. So coming home and making something personally meaningful for myself can be tough. Then when summer hits-pfft-I'm tuckered out! I don't want anything to do with pencils, pens, clay, paint-nothing! But, not this summer! I'm on a roll! Victory!

I've started on my next project and it's based on a character I play in the online MUD The Land of Karchan. I've been on this game for...countless years! Yikes. I literally don't know how long. Huh.

Anyway! I'm super pleased with how the image is turning out particularly because I've tried to draw this character before and it's turned out horrible. I mean, embarrassing bad.  

It's not done, obviously, but I think this will end up being a collage similar to my 'Mermaid' piece.

Alright! My boasting is done. Stay turned for some cute kiddie art in the next few days.

<3 Kate

Mermaid Surprise Finish!

Well, I lied. It didn't take until the end of the summer, but two days! I guess all I needed to do was whine and complain about my art block to remedy it. Here's the finished piece:

Overall, I'm pleased! This work is a continuation of what I worked on in my most recent grad class; fantasy art meshed with illuminated manuscripts. There are three pieces that came before this one.

You can check out those aforementioned pieces, or just stare at my art in bigger and better glory at my deviantart site:

http://kwellington.deviantart.com/

So far, though, I'm better at updating this blog.

Anyway, enjoy!

<3 Kate

Mermaids & Stuff

Well. I'm in an art block.

Not too worrisome. This happens, oh, every other week. I get an idea, I start said idea, then I burn out on the idea. It's a horrible cyclical cycle. My elusive mermaid piece is going that route. Ideally, it'll be done sometime before the summer ends!

Here's where I stand with it:

I mean, all the integral parts are there! It's just...putting them together. In an awesome way. What you see above is not the awesome way I envision. I just hope if I leave it alone long enough, the piece will figure itself out.

I put all my effort into the creation of the mermaid. Then after that-kaput. This is why I can never do art full time. For income. Because I can't even keep myself to imaginary deadlines.

See? Loads of steps! 

Which is why I will procrastinate further on this piece and go see Pacific Rim.

For the second time.

Because it's that awesome.

Go see it.

<3 Kate

So We Made A Shark Car

Ooooooh, yeah. 

My poor sister-in-law's car was subjected to the family's 4th of July float idea: a shark. A lady shark to be exact. Sadly, our float didn't win a prize because apparently we didn't have a patriotic-enough theme.

None of those judges ever saw Jaws. Pssh. Most patriotic movie there is.

<3 Kate

Doodles & Co.

First, I'm just so clever.

So! I haven't progressed much on my mermaid piece, so today I will entertain you all with various doodles.

Voila! Behold! My notes from a meeting at work! And before you judge me, yes, I can decipher them. For those that can't, we were discussing the role of being a team leader. I equated it to being a superhero...because we are. Minus the cape and sweet underpants.

Above are drawings of a character I'm slowly building named Bree. She's a faerie. I was just playing around with different styles, and taking a break from being hunched over my drafting table meticulously cutting out letters with an x-acto knife (back ache, whaaa?). It also gave me a chance to play around with some illustration markers.

If I don't post beforehand, everyone have a happy 4th of July! Make smart choices!

<3 Kate

Salt and spray paint, who knew?

Some advice (and no this will typically not be some type of advice column): Never be afraid to experiment-especially with paint!

My latest piece will involve a mermaid and in creating the background for said piece I decided to whip out the ol' sea salt and spray paint. Observe:

First things first, to get the speckled look you see in the blue you need to create a watercolor wash. Apply water to your paper first then apply the paint. I like to add even more water especially when using salt. The sea salt gets applied while the paint is still wet so you may need to do it in sections based on the look you want. Paint one area, add salt, continue on. The wetter the paint is, the more the salt will absorb!

Warning! The salt may stick to your paper! I wanted that textured look, but if you don't just wait for the paint to dry then shake it/scrape it off.

As for spray paint...I don't like it. It's uncontrollable. A hot mess. Kudos to folks who use it constantly. 

Granted, my experience with spray paint is limited...and I created super detailed stencils...

Regardless, I think I'll stick with sea salt!

<3 Kate

Hello World

My name is Kate (for those of you who happen to stumble across my blog and don't know me), and this is my blog!

<-------me



I will attempt to entertain you all with my life and my art! 

Oh, and I'm a teacher, so undoubtedly some fun stuff there too.

So. Scads of entertainment!

Get excited! Whoo!

<3 Kate