a slow transition.

After spending a lovely week on spring break, with nothing more to do than pursue leisurely pursuits such as croquet in the park, holding babies, and dying easter eggs, I knew I wouldn't be ready to spend the whole day at school inside today... so we took our art outdoors.

 serious about croquet.

 my baby bff!

 3rd graders make a mini nature sketchbook and I set them loose out my secret back door.  They drew flowers, grass, trees, and I wandered from group to group in the sun talking about their art and discoveries of weird bugs. loved it!

serious about art.

and then after spending that hour outside, I kept it going with 4th grade - we headed outside with light sensitive paper to do some "photography" - these are in the process of drying, but so far look great!

and because I do the same thing with each class, this lesson curriculum for the week guarantees me two hours outside each day this week. yes - I will be a happy teacher!

The cube: art in motion.

Fourth graders started making cubes. then the fifth graders got jealous and wanted to make them. Then the third graders saw them, and they started making them.... and then this happened today: (press play)

found art.

I was cleaning and organizing my desk today, and I found these strips of drawings that I did awhile ago. lost and found. and now I'm wondering what to do with them.

All things Grow

it's spring, and all over, things are growing.

 the piles of artwork in my closet at school are growing out of control. it's time to mount the best work and stick them up on the wall for the art show - and then send the rest home!

 My painted card collection is onto the third row on my board - I love that I can see my progress in this project through the year so far. I've gotten behind a few times, but I've caught myself up each time and am still on track with one card each week.

 I planted these beautiful potatoes today. I can't believe the colors inside - they make me really happy. I bought them from a woman a few weeks ago at the farmers market and she spent a good 15 minutes with me telling me their names and how to grow them. That's what i like about the market. I felt like I was her friend when I left, and that she had given me an amazing gift = instead of feeling like I just bought something.

 and I also started growing all these plants today! basil, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, lemon balm, and lavender.  yay growth! yay spring!

Tuesday: a day for...

making cupcakes ala Wayne Thiebaud. clay food is one of my favorite things.

Listening to Jazz Music and collaging instruments.

and of course playing the instruments.

making giant arrows for Miss Rokos... because they know I love arrows.

and maybe getting a little carried away with the paint. sometimes, a brush just won't do and we MUST paint with our hands. today was one of those days.