During this quarantine, I've had a lot of time to do things that I usually would not. Normally, my time to create art is given to project examples and other tasks for my classrooms. With the extra home time, I decided I wanted to do a canvas painting with my nieces and nephews.
Inspired by the amazing art teacher queen Cassie Stephens, I created a piece for the school they attend in Alpena, where my sister teaches Kindergarten as well. In 2018, I also used this concept to create surprise pieces for all of our NCA staff members. I laid out all of the letters, and filled in the different colored background sections. My nieces and nephew helped finalize the project with oil pastel and paint marker designs! You can click on all images below to enlarge to see the progression.
Inspired by the amazing art teacher queen Cassie Stephens, I created a piece for the school they attend in Alpena, where my sister teaches Kindergarten as well. In 2018, I also used this concept to create surprise pieces for all of our NCA staff members. I laid out all of the letters, and filled in the different colored background sections. My nieces and nephew helped finalize the project with oil pastel and paint marker designs! You can click on all images below to enlarge to see the progression.
The images below are of my sister and her family delivering the painting to her school principal and how they mentioned the painting in their bulletin/newsletter. Click to enlarge!
As an art teacher, it's sometimes hard to find time to create art for myself. Recently, I saw the post pictured left from the Marfan Foundation and was inspired. Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissues. Some medical problems associated with Marfan can be life threatening, especially those dealing with the heart. I have a direct connection with this after learning my mother has Marfan in 2015. Thankfully, she survived emergency heart surgery that year thanks to all of the amazing doctors at U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor. Shout out to Dr. Kim!
Since that challenging time in 2015, Marfan awareness has been very important to my family. We later learned that my older sister has the condition as well. After my sister sent me that facebook post as a "Call for Artists" I had to respond. After contacting the foundation, I was sent a 3D heart to paint for one of two events: Heartworks Gala St. Louis on March 14th or the 20th Anniversary Heartworks Gala NY on May 19th. The heart will be used in a silent auction. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this piece and donating my time to the Marfan Foundation cause.
Since that challenging time in 2015, Marfan awareness has been very important to my family. We later learned that my older sister has the condition as well. After my sister sent me that facebook post as a "Call for Artists" I had to respond. After contacting the foundation, I was sent a 3D heart to paint for one of two events: Heartworks Gala St. Louis on March 14th or the 20th Anniversary Heartworks Gala NY on May 19th. The heart will be used in a silent auction. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this piece and donating my time to the Marfan Foundation cause.
My creative process can be seen below. I used acrylic paint, sharpie marker,
and many layers of Cray-Pen to complete my design. Click to enlarge.
and many layers of Cray-Pen to complete my design. Click to enlarge.
Letter Photography can be seen below taken from my summer vacation to New Orleans,
Cozumel and Progreso via the Carnival Triumph. (Yes I know the "R" is missing)
Click on the images to enlarge to full size.
Cozumel and Progreso via the Carnival Triumph. (Yes I know the "R" is missing)
Click on the images to enlarge to full size.
This wolf painting that is part of the welcome sign needed an update from my high school job at the Call of the Wild....with a modern twist, it was back for a new life!
The piece chosen for ArtPrize was my Senior Exhibition piece from Northern Michigan University. The artist statement pictured left is for that piece - titled
80 hours/week.
I designed and painted(with a little help from Gabby & Kathie) a Family Tree for the amazing Coppercreek Camp in Greenville, California. It is still used today as a place to remember campers and staff over the years.
Click on the images below to enlarge.
A glimpse at my photography can be seen below -
click on the images to enlarge.