On friendship, and the very best rewards

So I was feeling a little sorry for myself for a moment tonight.  The finalists for the Art Ed Blog of the Year were announced today, and I was not included.  It brought me back to high school.  I was (and still am) really short, just under 5' tall, and on top of that, I'm kind of pigeon-toed and wear glasses.  I was, to the casual observer, a nerdy sort, I guess, good at math, an avid reader, artistic, but socially insecure, and a total klutz in orthopedic shoes.  When teams were chosen in gym class, I was always the last pick.  I didn't get asked to the prom.  College was a bit of a chance to reinvent myself, though I was still short. I have memories of having hair down to my waist, being in a crowded bar where a lot of people were smoking cigarettes, and smelling that awful smell of burning hair. Yikes, it's mine!!!  One of the hazards of being short....  Here's me, circa 1972-73, SUNY New Paltz.

 I have felt like the odd girl out many times in my life, but as an adult, and in my career, I discovered I was good at what I did, and I gained confidence in myself.  I put myself in leadership roles, and became president of my school district's local teacher association.  I began teaching workshops at my state conferences, and discovered that I had workshop 'groupies'.  I began blogging, and I discovered you, my loyal wonderful readership. But there are still times when I feel left out.

Back a number of years ago, at the annual conference of my state art teacher association they would award the Art Teacher of the Year with a really fun gift: an Art Teacher Barbie.  I was smitten.  I am a member of the original Barbie generation, and always thought this would be an award that would really be special to me.  But I knew it was an award I'd never get, because, simply, someone needs to nominate you.  I was the sole art teacher in my building, and felt really on my own.  That story has a happy surprise ending, that I wrote about here.  Here's my Art Teacher Barbie, though not dressed for work.

 

 So I have learned that I get my rewards in unusual ways.  I have a great family, including a talented son who has become a fine young man (as well as inheriting some of his mother's quirkiness), and of whom I am very proud, and that is the best reward ever.  Here's my family:

 

And I have had, and still have, students who are the craziest, happiest, most loveable and creative  beings on the planet.  Here are a few:

 

 

And, I may not be in the Art Ed Blog of the Year top 10, or even top 20, but I have YOU, the best readership on the planet without a doubt.  Many of you have become SO much more to me than just casual readers of my blog and/or writer of your own blogs.  You have become real friends.  So to me, getting to know people such as (I'll use their blogger names) Art Project Girl, Cassie Stephens, Mr. R, Mr. E, Rina, Mrs. Hahn, Marcia, Christie, Artful Artsy Amy, Patty, Sharpiewoman (where are you, Pat?), and more, has been a real joy.  And those of you I haven't named - you who read my blog regularly, who talk to me via email when you want to pick my brain, who recognize me at conferences (the silver hair is a giveaway) and stop me to say hello, you cannot begin to know how important you have become in my life.  Certainly, having readers and friends like all of you is a 1000 times better than having an award badge to figure out how to stick on the side of my blog (which is too crowded already anyhow).

Note: the pics below are with blogger friends and more, at NAEA 2012 in NYC

 

 I expect to have a lot more smiling pics like this, from the NAEA convention this March in San Diego!  Maybe some of you will be in these photos!!


So no sour grapes here; after a little moment of disappointment, I realize I am no longer the goofy shy kid waiting to be picked for a team.  I am proud of myself, and I wouldn't change a thing!  Thank you, readers and friends, for giving me the best award ever.

Love and hugs to you all! 

Shameless Self-Promotion!!

Hey, friends, I swore I'd never do this, but, I guess we all have the right to change our minds now and again, right?  The Art of Education is taking nominations for the Art Ed Blogger of the Year, and I'm looking for your support.  I'd like to at least make it into the Top 10 this year, for the first time.  I feel like it is my turn!

Since I started blogging over 3-1/2 years ago, I've written 587 posts, amassed 971 followers, introduced crazy projects like relief carving in Sheetrock and imitation batik with toothpaste and hand cream, and explained the ins-and-outs of making papier-mâché easy-peasy.  I've shared my own photos of student artwork, of the beautiful region where I live, of my crazy personal projects, and occasionally my family.  I've talked about workshops I've taught, and conferences I've attended.  I've initiated interesting conversations on a variety of topics, from the merits of cursive writing to doodling vs Zentangles and much much more.  As of this writing, I've had 810,923 page views!!!

My current goal is to reach the 1000 follower mark, and receiving this recognition would surely help.  I am a retired teacher, as of 1-1/2 years ago, but that hasn't diminished my involvement in the global community of art educators.  Will you give me your support?  

Make your nominations at http://www.theartofed.com/2014/01/27/nominations-now-open-2013-art-ed-blog-of-the-year/  You will need to include a link to this blog, and the reason for your nomination. 

Uh oh.  Just discovered the nominations were due by Jan 31, which here on the east coast ended 41 minutes ago.  Maybe it's still worth a try?   Anyhow, here's a cartoon for your viewing pleasure:

Or maybe I'll receive an award like this when hell freezes over.  Here's one of my frozen bedroom windows.

Premio Dardos Award!

The Premio Dardos Award

I've been granted an award!  Twice!  It is the Premio Dardos award, and I've been given it by both Gretchen at Gretchen's Art Blog and by Rina at  K-6 Art. Thank you ladies!  It is always such an honor to be recognized by your peers, so I really appreciate that you both included me.  I'm a big fan of both of your blogs as well! 

The Premio Dardos award  is a virtual award sent as a ‘gift’ from one blogger to another as “recognition for the creativity, effort and dedication” we each put  into our blog. The award originated in Spain around 2008-2009 and has been sent from blogger to blogger ever since.

 
If anyone can tell me what the name of this award means, please let me know!

To accept the award, you simply:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you (which I already did above)
2. Display the award icon (also above), and
3. Nominate others whose blogs you admire for these qualities.

For my nominations, I tried to choose some blogs that I have not seen nominated, since we know that these awards get passed around and around and frequently arrive back in the same mailboxes over and over again.  So if you are one of my long-standing blog friends and your name is not on my list below, don't take it personally; I'm trying to spread around the good cheer a bit! So here are my choices:

 Jodi at The Small Art Teacher Blog - You won't often find complicated projects using fancy materials here, but instead, you'll frequently find incredibly charming drawings by children, with terrific captions by Jodi.  We should all spend more time doing what Jodi does with her students - giving them a simple prompt and encouraging them to think and express themselves creatively through drawing.  How empowering!!  Thank you Jodi for reminding me what is really important in art class!  Scroll through her older posts, and I guarantee you will find yourself smiling uncontrollably.

Cassie at Cassie Stephens - I have a girl-crush on Cassie.  She is the art teacher we should all aspire to be.  She dresses like Miss Frizzle (from the Magic Schoolbus books), which means that her fashion coordinates with artists and geographical locations being studied, with the holidays, the weather, etc.  You name it, she has an outfit for it, often thrifted and sewn or embellished by her.  Her students must look forward to seeing her outfits each day.  But it doesn't stop there.  She is incredibly knowledgeable, and her art lessons are fabulous, and her student work shines.  I would want to be a student in her class.  I can't imagine she'd ever have a discipline problem, because she is so incredibly engaging.  Who wouldn't want to participate?  If you haven't happened upon her blog yet, go there.  NOW.

Mrs. Impey at Art Room 104  is a newer blogger.  She has been working really hard to meet the demands of new regulations associated with NY's adaptation of the Common Core and new evaluation and assessments etc., and has shared much of her hard work on the blog.  Her posts are very thorough, thoughtful, and informative, and I was glad to have the opportunity to meet her in person at our state conference in November. 

Christie at Fine Lines - I feel a certain kinship with Christie.  I like the thought process that goes into the planning of her lessons.  Everything is done for a reason; no frivolous lessons here!  I seem to find myself frequently pinning her art lessons on my Pinterest boards.

Mr. R at My Messy Art Room  My bloggy friend Mr. R. doesn't write long complicated posts, but he's got charm and humor that shine through in a few brief words. When he posts student artwork, it is always exemplary.  Plus he likes to cook!  

The return of Sunday comics and a blog award, all wrapped up in one post!

Here's 2 Sunday comics, to make up for all the times I haven't posted them. I've saved some more Calvin for next time.
And then, there's this:

I have been awarded a Versatile Blogger Award from http://sgpart.blogspot.com/. If you've never seen this blog, check it out. Her students have been doing AMAZING portraits of presidents! Teddy Roosevelt, George Washington, Obama, etc. You've go to see these - it takes an amazing teacher to bring this kind of work out of her students. Kudos! Anyhow, I'm going to break the award rules. I've gotten 2 of these awards before, and I don't want to keep naming the same blogs over and over so please forgive me for not passing on the award to 10 more blogs. I hope I don't offend anybody by not doing this. It's just not going to happen... If you want to check out the blogs I like, just look at the ones in my blogroll on the side. I added a couple new ones today, and I'm following a couple other new blogs that I'll add once I see that they are posting again. But I WILL try to tell you 7 more things about me, the other rule of the award:

1. I'm a fickle artist. I have too many artistic hobbies and so lots of stuff goes unfinished but I like trying new stuff. Someday... I'll finish a new painting, play with the free motion sewing capability of my sewing machine, take that class in making flamework glass beads, begin to build another dragon, add more dragonflies to my car, learn to use Photoshop, etc. You get the idea.
2. I'm neurotic in cars. I don't like driving over bridges, or in heavy traffic, and I feel a HUGE sense of accomplishment when I make it over the Tappan Zee Bridge which is 2 miles long. (It's sort of a gateway to the NYC area.)
   
3. My favorite color is alizarin crimson.
4. My favorite flower is the pansy. I love that they are so colorful.
5. I adore my goofy cat Isis. She is a house cat that spends a great deal of time outside on a harness & rope tied to the porch, and is happy. We call her "dope on a rope".
6. I have tiny fat feet with structural weirdness. It's hard to find shoes to fit and I get upset about finding shoes for special occasions. I wear athletic shoes to school most days.
   
7. I like to shamelessly promote stuff having to do with my son. (Anyone know of any good creative job opportunities in the Boston area for a new college grad with a degree in Entrepreneurship and an interest in PR, event organization/management, and the live music scene?) His college band recently released a CD - but don't listen in your classroom (2 obscenities). The irony is that itunes labeled these 2 songs 'explicit', but there is NOTHING on the CD relating to sex, drugs, or promoting violent behavior, or anything else of the sort, as you hear in a lot of music the kids listen to these days. The song lyrics, while a bit cryptic, are all about social or political issues. There's not a love song among them. Anyhow, the boys felt those two words were necessary. Here's their website: http://theradiumgirls.bandcamp.com/

This is their CD.

I'm styling!! Thanks ladies!

I have received the Stylish Blogger Award! I got it from 2 terrific ladies, both with blogs that I love to read.
First, from Christie at http://kids-finelines.blogspot.com/,
And then from Jacquelien at http://kidsartists.blogspot.com/!

So the first rule is to link back to the person who gave it to you (which I just did) and thank them. THANKS!

And then you're supposed to list 7 things about yourself. I've gotten one of these awards actually a couple of times before, and posted my list of 7 things each time. But I'll still try again and probably tell you the same stuff, since I don't think I've changed much since the last time I wrote.

1. I like words and word games. I like to play Scrabble, or Upwards, or Boggle, or my newest favorite, bought for me by my son this holiday time, Bananagrams. Oh how he knows me!
2. I watch trashy reality TV while blogging - Survivor, Project Runway, The Amazing Race, and even The Bachelor and American Idol. I suppose I should be embarrassed.
3. I stay up too late at night (like right now). I've been doing it all my life.
4. I was born in the Bronx, but I'm a small-town girl at heart. I don't like traffic.
5. I am basically a klutz, always tripping over things and falling off things (that I stand on because I'm only 5'tall) , but I'm comfortable and confident in the water. Oh how I love lakes and oceans!
6. I like to keep track of what my son is up to, even though he's sort of grown up. He's a senior in college plus he's in a band called The Radium Girls that will have a CD of original music out soon. He admits he's a disorganized mess and unfortunately I think he may have gotten it from me.
7. I'm a compulsive doodler. I doodle on everything, everywhere.

Then you're supposed to pass the award on to 5 favorite blogs, and since I read so many these days I thought I'd pick newer blogs, newer finds to honor. Here we go:

1. http://herdabbles.blogspot.com/ is one of my newer blog discoveries, and she's great. I especially loved her posts about James Rizzi and her brilliant idea to buy calendars 1/2 price for the art prints.
2. http://art-paper-scissors.blogspot.com/ is another newer blog friend, bursting with enthusiasm and great ideas. I'm going to make her lizards with all my new construction paper!
3. http://ms-artteacher.blogspot.com/ is Becca Ruth, "That Little Art Teacher". I love her terrific lessons that she posts.
4. http://stuckinthemudpottery.blogspot.com/ -this is yet another newish blog from a new teacher. Janelle, the blogger, is in my "neck of the woods" and even substituted for me last year! How cool is that?
5. http://faythelevine.blogspot.com/ Faythe is my niece and probably doesn't even know I follow her blog she's so busy, so I'm not going to bother to tell her about the award. But I want to tell YOU about HER. She is the gal behind the fabulous movie and book Handmade Nation, which details the resurgence of DIY (do it yourself) by indie crafters. She's now busy filming a movie about sign painters, but also spends her time traveling around the world promoting Handmade Nation and more, and she posts the most amazing photos of her travels. Such talent. For those of you who get into these things, her dad (my bro) is the well-known astrologer Rick Levine, who has assured me that I'm still a Libra and there is no new 13th sign.

And while I'm at it: a few special shout-outs - first to Erica (Art Project girl) who is probably a new mom today, since I haven't seen her commenting on any blogs. I'm not going to bother her with awards, since I can't top the arrival of her Stella.

And to Patty (Deep Space Sparkle) who I'm sure doesn't need any awards, but who is the real reason I started blogging.

And to Ted (Art w/Mr. E) who gave me some much needed technical advice when I was having trouble in my very 1st blog posts.

And to my blogger buddy Barb (Barbara's Thought of the Day) who I actually got to spend a day with this winter!

And to Dan the Monster Man, whose amazing work has stolen my heart. Here's a link to his blog: http://papermacheblog.com/.

.......................

Meanwhile... My blogger dashboard says that I'm not currently following any blogs. HUH? This has happened a couple of times before, so I'm trying not to panic; I hope they all come back. Because truly, I think I follow about a ZILLION of you , and it would be challenging to have to recapture them all somehow. Hopefully they will miraculously return!

I just checked - THEY ARE BACK!!! YIPPEEEEEE!! Has this happened to anyone else out there?

Random Stuff

These photos have nothing to do with this post. They're just here for fun. As you can see, I actually have TWO dragons living in my art room, a mother (Lucy) and child (Sparkle).


Anyhow...
I've come across a few really cool things lately that I'd like to share, in case you haven't seen them yet.

The first is the one I'm most excited about. I found the link on another blog, and I've searched EVERYWHERE to try to find the blog again that posted this. If it was you, let me know; I'd love to give you credit for this awesome discovery.

It is a sketchbook project - when you sign up (for $25) you choose a theme. Then you are mailed a Moleskine sketchbook, to create in, based on the theme you've selected. You can draw on the pages, or totally transform transform the sketchgook, as long as it folds back up into the original sketchbook dimensions. I'm signing up and selecting my theme tonight. **I just signed up!! My theme is "science project gone wrong"! Sounds like fun, doesn't it?** The completed sketchbooks are all sent back, and the project culminates with a traveling show, which goes around the country in galleries and museums. I'm excited because the show is scheduled to be in Brooklyn during February vacation. I love to go to NYC during my February vacation week, so that means I'd be able to actually see the show.

So, bloggers, if you sign up to participate, let me know and I'll look for your sketchbook when I'm there in February. Anyhow, here's the website so you can see all the details: http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

This next website is really adorable: http://blabberize.com/. Check it out for a dose of silliness. It was previously shared in a post I encountered on this blog: http://artmuse67.blogspot.com/

Here's Ethel the sock monkey - - another photo just for fun...

Someone at my school shared this following website with me, which uses letters to create animals, and could be a good lesson motivator: http://www.bemboszoo.com/Bembo.swf

And finally - YIKES - I've been chosen again for:
The honor has come to me from Kathy at http://cottagegardenquilter.blogspot.com/. I think she was especially noticing my post about the crocheted coral reef, which didn't raise too much interest from readers otherwise. As a former SCUBA diver, I thought the crocheted coral formations looked so much like the real thing that I was blown away by it. But anyhow, I'm digressing... Kathy also has an art teacher blog, which you can find at: http://gallery2404.blogspot.com/ , and I'm honored that she picked me out. Thanks, Kathy.

Now, since I've gotten this award before, I hope Kathy doesn't mind that I'm not going to give it out again to a bunch of bloggers. I don't want to drive you all crazy. But I've been listing blogs I like alot anyhow, and you can see them on my sidebar as well.

But I will comply with the award requirement to list 7 things about myself, and I'll try to list 7 things I didn't say last time.

1. I'm barely 5 ' tall and I don't wear high heels, so I'm usually the shortest adult in the room. So I'm used to climbing and standing on top of things in order to reach what I want. Which is not such a good thing because I'm a real klutz.


2. I'm overly opinionated and I guess sometimes don't know when to shut up. It's a problem, I know, but I don't see it changing any time soon.


3. I love playing Scrabble, mostly with my son, but since he's in college and will graduate this spring, the opportunities are few and far between. :-( I like words.


4. I love to proofread (how weird is that?) and I find typos, spelling, and grammatical errors everywhere. I'm really embarrassed when I find them on my own blog.


5. My first 8 years of teaching were as a high school art and photgraphy (silver photo) teacher, and my 9th year was as a K-12 art teacher (a challenging job). I've been teaching elementary art ever since then (since 1985) and I love it.


6. If you read my prior post, you know I'm chocoholic. I have other vices too. I stay up too late at night and don't get enough sleep. EVER.


7. I believe you can never have too many pairs of earrings. I feel naked if I forget to put on a pair of earrings in the morning. Other jewelry is good too.
   

Thanks again Kathy for recognizing my blog, and I hope you'll understand why I didn't hand it out to other bloggers again this time. Here's the link to my previous response to this honor, if you want to see who I selected to pass it to: http://plbrown.blogspot.com/search/label/blog%20award

Versatile Blogger Award

A cool surprise - I have received a Versatile Blogger Award from Bea at http://http//alljoinin.blogspot.com/. She informed me about my award by leaving a comment on my Toothpaste Batik post http://plbrown.blogspot.com/search/label/toothpaste%20batik, which was one of my earliest blog postings, so it was a stroke of luck that I found her comment!

So, THANK YOU BEA!! It's always nice being recognized or appreciated. And by the way, I definitely plan to do toothpaste batik with my 5th graders again probably in October, but with a totally different theme than this past year's Victorian architectural trim design motivation. You'll have to check back to see.... :-)

Now - there are some rules that come with this award and I'm going to try my best to comply, even if it takes me a while.

Rule #1: Thank the person who gave you your award.

• I've already said it above, but it's definitely worth saying again - THANKS, BEA!!

Rule #2: Share 7 things about yourself

1. I have been teaching art for 33-1/2 years!!!! And I still love it!
2. In my spare time I have too many hobbies - I bead, I paint, I sew, etc etc...
3. I have a son who is currently recording a CD with his college band, The Radium Girls. The band has been staying at my house while recording. Three 21 year-old boys can eat a LOT (but they are great guys and I hope they are enjoying their stay).
4. I have a nice husband who doesn't make fun of my crazy ideas or my singing in the car.
5. I'm completely neurotic, especially when driving in traffic or over bridges.
6. I love books, especially good fiction. I've been in a book club for over 13 years.
7. I especially enjoy the dialogue and comraderie between bloggers!

Rule #3: Pass the award on to 15 bloggers whom you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic. (gosh, I'm a failure. I think I'm supposed to insert all their links here and post a comment on each of their blogs letting them know, but yikes I can't figure out how to do it without it taking sixteen hours.

So forgive me, bloggers, but this is too hard to do, so here are 15 bloggers I think are terrific - you can usually link to all of them by finding them on my blogroll. (I know I've probably left some of you out, so please forgive me if I did. You're terrific anyhow!:

1. Art Project Girl (Erica)
2. Mini Matisse (Mrs. Hahn)
3. Artful Artsy Amy
4. MaryMaking
5. Useyourcoloredpencils (Anne)
6. Kids Artists (Jacquelien)
7. B Art Z - Elementary Art
8. Lines, Dots, and Doodles (Holly)
9. Adventures of an Art Teacher (Katie)
10. Snippety Gibbet
11. Mrs. Art Teacher
12. Art with Mrs. Smith
13. Fun Art 4 Kids
14. Art Class Inspiration
15. Art on the Move (Susan)

To the bloggers whom I've named, if you read this, you can decide if you want to pass this award on to others, as I've tried to do here. It's a bit of work to do, so I'll forgive you if you don't follow up on it, but know that I think you all all great, with great ideas and all so supportive of your fellow bloggers too! So nice to get to know you all!