Designated Doodler

I haven't written in this blog in a long time. So long, in fact, that I'm not quite sure where to start. This post, for whatever reason, feels pivotal. Maybe that's because my life has drastically changed, maybe this is the start of a new beginning or the end of a very long chapter. Whatever it is, I find myself here, in this familiar space, staring at the same screen I stared at in 2008 when I was just starting college. The same screen I came to in order to escape, in order to muse about life, wax on about hardships, and try my hand at poetry & art. Here is some of my recent artwork...

Art is the only area of my life that I can afford to be fearless. In general, what prevents people from creating art is the fear that they're not good enough. They're worried about the "judges" and criticism. But my attitude is f*%& it, if you don't like my art I don't give a shit. I don't care because I'm not seeing the judges when I look into paint, I see a quiet unformed world that doesn't exist yet, that won't exist unless I make it exist. It is a 40x60 inch white curtain that I pull back with fingers, brushes, wires and palette knives. Does anyone care that I create art? Probably not. Does it garner me accolades or attention? Probably not. (another reason why people don't make art) And it sure as hell has no monetary pay off. Yet I always find myself standing in front of an easel again and again. Dozens of sketchbooks piling in corners of long lost territory. A creep of disappointment and pride when I look back through pages an...

Thanksgiving approaches. It's hard to believe it's here, yet here I am, wishing it were May. I suppose I should slow down and savor life. I think I've been enjoying myself. Here are a few pictures from life as I know it. And as my birthday approaches, I'm hoping for more fun and general shenanigans. Wish me luck! It wouldn't be my blog without some of my art, right?   Some student work that looks FANTASTIC. So proud of my kids. More of my art. Wolf. More unfinished art. Actually finished art. My sample for my students. Led some more painting classes. Then made some paintings of my own. Gobble. More art. My cat. My spirit animal. Trips to the HMFA!   Trips to Crave Cupcakes!! Roses, how sweet :D First place! The 'Stang.

I feel like it's been forever since I wrote a blog post. This summer was crazy. And since I have no idea how to sum it up or share it, I'm going to throw a bunch of stuff into this post and hit "publish" whenever I feel like it. Teaching: I've learned that Cypress Fairbanks is awesome. They have given me so much training, support and information that I really feel ahead of the curve this year. They hang on to their employees for years…decades…and it's no wonder - it truly is like a family. This community of teachers and administrators make me feel like I could take on the world. For my teacher friends, I have a few AWESOME Pinterest boards you can follow: CLICK HERE STAAR 4th Grade SAT Prep Art Education English (all ages) 5th Grade Science …and 10th Grade English This weekend I'm going up to decorate my class…so wish me luck! My color scheme for this year is black, gray and yellow. I think it was inspired by my love for the Steelers...