April is National Poetry Month

Teaching poetry to elementary school students is one of the most enjoyable things I have experienced as a teacher. I am not in the classroom this year to share this study with them but I can share a bit here.

Every year we ask our students to read through books of poetry and stop at a poem that they connect with. Coincidentally, one of my painting assignments this semester was to "let a poem find me" and to let that poem speak to my theme for painting. Happily, a few poems and quotes found me. Here's one of them and some poetry sites I've poked my nose into. Better late than never ;)

I'm pasting this guy right into my writing notebook.

Kindness
Naomi Shihab Nye, 1952

Links to Poetry Resources:

TED-ED: 10 Poems to read during National Poetry Month
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group: Poem-a-Day 2105
Poetry Foundation: Children's Poetry
The Classroom Bookshelf 

Let a POem Find you!

and I'm still playing catch up here...

I feel like I started out strong with this blogging thing. I was organized, excited and motivated. I would jump out of bed in the morning and go straight to the computer to create or publish a post. Now, days go by and I am consumed with countless tasks that have derailed my previous organization and enthusiasm for blogging.

I know that when the to-dos list starts to grow, I slowly but surely become a bit overwhelmed and some things have to take the back seat.  I can only focus on a few things at a time and currently that time has been given to home improvements, doctors appointments, going to class and working on assignments, daily chores, life... My goal is to complete the house stuff, school stuff and doctor stuff by the end of April; making more time to enjoy this space. In the meantime, here's a quick glance at some of the things I've been up to :)

Sketches for next oil painting assignment

Trips to antique stores and workshop studios 

for my decorative arts class

New travel sketchbook

Painting backgrounds on pages

Trying out a new smoothie recipe in my Vitamix

Chai spice + almond + coconut breakfast smoothie

You can go here for the recipe. Delicious and filling!

March Catch Up

 I am slowly moving out of hibernation and finding motivation in...

Playing with paint

My Painting II Class (oil painting in progress)

Walks around Greenwood Cemetery to gear up for actually getting myself to the gym

These trees are ready to burst with new life just like me :)

Making dinner for my teacher friends; in celebration of all of their hard work
as they come to the end of report cards and parent teacher conferences.

Morning coffee and a sketch

Art Journal: Still Life

Still life...

with flare pen...

inspired by above.

A Glorious Day!

The high was 61˚F today. I took a long walk and bought flowers. I also bought some carrots, eggplants, and mushrooms to sketch (then turn into something yummy to eat). It is almost 6:00pm and the sun is still shining. I hear birds chirping outside my window. The hubby and I are popping out for some guacamole and chips...

It is a glorious, glorious day!

Hydrangea

Protea

I am on a sunshine HIGH!!!

The Brooklyn Museum

Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic

Kehinde Wiley's paintings, sculptures and stained glass are on view at The Brooklyn Museum through May 24, 2015. His compelling works encompass themes of race, ethnicity and gender, and reference historical art. The larger than life paintings contain beautiful decorative details and realistic handling of the subjects. Here's a sneak peak.

You can learn more about Kehinde Wiley, his art and process, by going here and here. Go to PBS to watch a video of the man in action!

Painting II

I have to be honest and say that the last few weeks have been tough in terms of motivation; to create, go outside, be social. I strive to be positive and optimistic, but I cannot lie. This weather has put me in serious hibernation mode. Really, I'm only asking for 45 degree weather with little or no precipitation of the white and freezing variety. I don't think that's too much to ask for.

But then I wouldn't have noticed, with such great enthusiasm, that the birds were chirping loudly this morning and that the sun was trying really hard to shine in through the window. My hubby even mentioned their chatter. I can still hear them as I write this post :)  

Thankfully, I am enrolled in a Painting class which has been quite wonderful (and has kept my sluggishness in check). I have taken several classes with Margaret Krug and she is just so knowledgeable and kind.

Painting II Exercises in Progress

Copying a master painting: first make a sketch, then transfer with tracing paper onto canvas

Imprimatura:; a thin veil of color

Underpainting

color inventory

drawing of my chair for a painting sketch