Child-driven Education

Teachers: Take 18 minutes out of your conference period and watch this. Don't argue with me, just do it.

Child Nutrition

According to this picture, we are feeding our children what, exactly?

Could have probably added a little orange to that yellow...

NYC

Boston

Hail to thee Bell High School, we love thee

I spent most winter Friday nights playing soccer on that field. That hard, concrete, plastic turf field...

Art can save the world.

Our one-sided education with the emphasis on knowledge has neglected those attributes of growth which are responsible for the development of the individual's sensibilities, for his spiritual life, as well as for his ability to live cooperatively in a society. The growing number of emotional and mental illnesses in this nation, the largest in any nation, as well as our inability to accept human beings first of all as human beings regardless of nationality, religion, race, creed or color, is a frightening sign and vividly points out that education so far has failed in one of its significant aims.... Art Education, introduced in the early years of childhood may well mean the difference between a flexible creative human being and one who, in spite of all learning, will not be able to apply it and will remain an individual who lacks inner resources and has difficulty in his relationship to the environment.
-Viktor Lowenfeld, 1957

I won something, again.

Mr. Burns took home the John Weinkein Memorial Award #4 at the Visual Arts Society of Texas' 125-Mile Fine Art Exhibition on July 9 in Denton, TX. It's the equivalent of 17th place out of 40, but I got some chalk pastels out of the deal, so I am happy. :)

Artists- Scam Alert

I just got an offer to buy three of my pieces totaling $1300. Needless to say I was ecstatic. I called my mom, I emailed my boyfriend, I waited for a reply from the buyer... and waited and waited. While I was waiting my rational and practical boyfriend did some searching and found out the buyer's email address has been flagged on Craigslist as a scammer. Awesome.

About that time my phone rings and a man named Michael calls to talk about the gallery. I was livid and tore into him.

I said, "I did a search of your email address and you came up flagged as a scammer."

"Really?"

"Yes. Can you prove to me you are not a scam artist?"

"I don't understand this word, 'scam artist.'"

"Ok, then can you tell me specifically where you saw my artwork?"

"Downtown."

"Downtown where?"

"On Pearl Street. The TVAA Gallery."

Knowing that was all on my website I said, "Can you tell me more about my paintings? You said you saw them the last time you were in the States. When was that?"

"I am looking at them right now."

In disbelief I say, "So you are in the gallery? Who is there with you?"

"No one. I am the sitter."

Then it all hits me. OH. NO.

"What was your name again?"

"Michael. I was calling to remind you that you are sitting at the TVAA Gallery tomorrow."

I could have died. I apologized over and over again, explained what a scammer is, why I was so upset, that I thought his name was Matthew and not Michael, and so on. The poor guy must think I am an absolute nutcase. (And he's not too far off.)

So anyway, don't trust either or these e-mails: matthew.joe1@yahoo.com or matthew.joe212@gmail.com. He's a SCAMMER. A scammer with good taste in art, but still a scammer.

Also, it's not enough to ask for money orders or cashier checks. Apparently there are many fake checks going around that banks WILL cash, only to hold you accountable later. I guess it's cash only, artists.

Awful. Just awful.

She looks so happy, doesn't she?

I just watched about four minutes of TLC's "Toddlers and Tiaras" and I can't decide if I am sad, angry, or disgusted. Or appalled.

I thought for a second it might be alright when I heard a mother say something like, "To me it's not all about the money and the gowns- as long as [insert toddler's name here] is having fun." Cut to the next shot when her daughter is whining and crying on stage and she says to her afterward, "No, you did NOT do good up there! You will not get ANY prizes for acting like that!"

That poor little girl. She's being judged on beauty, swimsuit, and outfit choice at the age of TWO! And at this particular contest there were babies entered as small as 8 mos. At 8 mos. all babies can do is crap themselves.

But that's not the worst of it in my eyes. Some pageants require "Glitz Photography" where the picture of the child is airbrushed, turning them into creepy living dolls. This not just touch-ups (removing shine or a mole), this is completely changing the facial structure of your child! "No, honey, you're not pretty enough the way God made you. We need to Glitz you up."

Please tell me when THIS became acceptable.

I'm scared.

I won something.

I always think it is winning to get into a show. It is. So I was happy just to have all three pieces I offered up selected for the Texas Visual Art Association's "Nostalgia" show. Here's more info:

Anywho, I found out last night that even better than just getting into a show is WINNING a show. No, I didn't receive the ever-elusive "Best-in-Show," but I did win first place, and I am happy for that. Here is the painting that won, one of my favorites, "Grasp."

No, not that one!

I cannot begin to explain to you the amount of paint my students waste. No, this is not one of my students- I teach middle and high school- but it might as well be. I think the older students waste MORE than the little ones. Maybe it's because they have access to so many supplies. Next year I am considering locking up everything except for Blickrylic (read: cheapcrylic) red, blue, and yellow paint and one paintbrush. ONE.

Case in point- this morning. The students have been printmaking for the past two weeks, and now they are turning their prints into an abstract collage. One of the requirements is they draw or paint into their prints. I was hoping for this:

I am getting more like this:Even though the work is similar, this work is not one of my students'. It's work from a KINDERGARTNER.

Anyway, some students are incorporating handprints into the collage. Fine. This morning one student asked me where she could find the paint. Too lazy to get up and unlock the Blickrylic (why do I have that locked?) I told her to just use the smaller tubes of paint found in cabinets 7 and 8.

I should stop here and state that I was using the term "smaller tubes" as compared to the large bottles of Blickrylic. She misunderstood.

A few moments later I look over and she is squirting half a tube of watercolor onto her hands. Half a tube! I yell out, "NO! Not that one!" but it's too late. It's already all over her hands. She stamps them on her page and then proceeds to rinse the rest down the drain. I am not exaggerating when I say that the amount of paint she rinsed off could have been used on 25 paintings. At least.

But not all is lost. After I showed her the correct paint to use, she was more conservative. She squirted the paint onto her paintbrush from the tube instead of directly on her work like half of her classmates.

These are the same students who are furious when someone doesn't recycle.

Can we please try to conserve? I am still using the oils I purchased and used through college... over 10 years ago!!!

Clouds

My boyfriend is getting a post-baccalaureate degree in meteorology. That means whenever there is a storm, he freaks out and runs down the street with camera in tow. Well, maybe not always, but he does like to get shots of clouds.

I make fun of him for this... and now I am turning into him.

I caught this cloud outside of a Walgreens last week. Aaron says it looks like the backside of the anvil (or anvils) of a big line or complex of thunderstorms. I say it looks like a title wave of Twix yogurt. You decide.

Riley

I finished a commissioned Mother's Day portrait this week and was involved in surprising my friend with it. The experience was awesome. She cried she was so happy, and of course I was thrilled because I busted my butt on this and didn't want to let anyone down.

Here's the painting:
And here's a picture of the happy fam:
Good times. Phew!

Dear art student who thinks your work is perfect,

Your poop does, in fact, stink.
Love,
Ms. Nelson

Give up the Funk

My boyfriend's last name is "Funk." My kids know this, so every time he comes up in conversation (which would be every second of the day if they got their way) someone starts singing this. I may make it my theme song.

Bubba's Patio Critter Feeding Station

My father in his old"er" age has decided to make pets of all the stray animals in the neighborhood. Here's a video of a possum and a pair of mated grey foxes. At the end the momma stuffs her mouth full of cornbread to bring home to her litter.

That's right- every night my dad makes cornbread for the foxes.

Sharing a classroom

Every day at lunch I travel from the high school (my sweet, dear high school with my very own room) to the middle school where I share a room with the health teacher. Coach Frank is a great guy and he always leaves the room clean. I try my best to return the favor, but come on... I'm the art teacher.

Anyway, today I enter the room to find new posters on the wall. Posters made by the students. Posters all about... STDs.

Without further ado, please enjoy these slogans which I am sure every middle school student has memorized and will be repeating from now into eternity.

"Watch what you do or an STD will come for you!"

"Instead of of taking a chance, just keep it in yo pants!"

"Herpes does NOT match my outfit."

"If you give away your gift... you might risk syphilis."

"Gonorrhea is way worse than diarrhea."

And my favorite: "STD's will ruin your life, especially if you infect your wife."

Open the door to the house on that poster and you will find this:

Yeah, my kids didn't learn a thing about art today.

TBSI

Part of being a teacher includes training. Lots and lots of training. But every once and awhile a graphic designer slips in a stock photo that makes the training much more enjoyable.

Please for you to enjoy a typical Texas student:

What's in a name?

I never really understood why parents name their kids "John" if their last name is "Johnson," or "Tom" with "Thompson," and so on. But after watching the Opening Ceremonies last night, I see we're not the only country that does it.

Kappa Rappa Jamma

My friend Katy has this video on her blog and I couldn't resist re-posting. Some people are surprised to learn that I was in a sorority, and the same goes with Junior League now. But I was, and I am proud of it! Even though I couldn't be that involved because I was a studio art major, Kappa was a blast. Good, good girls and good, good times. Here's a glimpse into being a Baylor Kappa 11 years after I pledged. (yikes.)

Sparrows

So I have this fun little anxiety disorder. Actually, it's not fun at all. And at times it is not little, either. This week is one of those times.

Earlier tonight I was talking with my boyfriend and explaining that there are actually many Bible verses about anxiety. I was explaining that God knows every hair on our heads and that he cares for the birds and the flowers, so of course he will care for us. I couldn't remember the exact verses verbatim, but I told him about how I shouldn't worry about anything - what I am going to wear or what I am going to eat the next day. I told him God takes care of the sparrows.

Then he said maybe God sent me the sparrows to eat.

Your father knows what you need before you ask him. So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:8b, 31-34)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7)

Terrified

Get ready for a very honest post.

I said something out loud a few days ago that stopped me in my tracks. I have always known it, but I have never said it out loud.

Sometimes I don't do what I want to do because I am terrified of what my Christian friends' reaction will be.

While to some this may sound wise, to others (or most) it sounds superficial. We live in a world that tells us not to care what others think, to be true to "yourself,"and to do what makes you happy. But as Christians we are taught to seek Christian counsel, be true to God, and do what makes God happy. Sometimes as a Christian doing what makes God happy doesn't make you happy at all... but you know it's right.

Then there are the gray areas; the areas where you aren't sure of God's will, or when your friends disagree with your interpretation. This is when I get terrified because, in all honesty, I think some of my friends are "better" than me... or "better Christians" than me.

Yep, I said it. Let's stop this down.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "BETTER" PERSON OR A "BETTER CHRISTIAN!" We are all sinners, and God loves us all the same no matter what. So to compare myself to others is just ridiculous. Yet I do it all the time.

With that said, I love and respect my friends very much. And I value my Christian friends' advice. They are called to hold me accountable - to remind me of God's Word - or if necessary, to tell me when they think I am making a mistake. This is what crushes me, because I never want to disappoint them. I want to make everyone happy all the time...

I think you can see where this is going. I am focusing on people instead of the Lord!

At the end of my life it's only going to be me and God. The same rule applies for every decision I make... my choices are between me and God and no. one. else. Like Sara Groves sings, "When I stand before the Lord I'll be standing alone. This journey is my own. Still, I want man's advice, and I need man's approval. But this journey is my own."

Christians, listen to your friends. But listen to your heart as well. Jesus is in there. :)

I bet this is just how James Cameron imagined it.

By the way, AMC, your free passes don't make up for the fact that 15 minutes was tacked onto this already outrageously long movie while you changed bulbs.

Top Ten of the Last Ten

I am totally copying my friend Elizabeth (who copied her friend) in posting these. I'm really hoping this decade will bring those life-changing events like, oh, I don't know... getting married and having kids. :)

In chronological order:

10. 2000 - Graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from Baylor

9. 2001-2002 - Spent a year teaching art and English in Tisovec, Slovakia, and traveling around Europe

8. 2003 - Moved to Lewisville and began working for animal health company as a graphic design coordinator

7. 2005 - Moved to Irving

6. 2005 - Spent two weeks in Slovakia with a stop through London

5. 2007 - Moved to Addison and started working downtown for an architecture firm

4. 2008 - Took a leap of faith, quit my job, and began substitute teaching

3. 2009 - Started graduate school at Texas Woman's University towards an MA in Art Education

2. 2009 - Completed a body of work (paintings) that have been shown in Dallas and Frisco

1. 2009 - Landed an art teaching position at a brand-new high school and moved to Frisco

It's been good... but I'm ready to move on. I like my 30's. :)

Art Con 5 Art

I just realized I never posted the artwork I created for Art Con 5. Maybe it was because it went for $120 less than last year. Boo. :(

Here's the train.

Value

As an assignment on Friday I had my high school Art I students draw the dreaded piece of crumpled paper. We are focusing on drawing realistically and I am really pushing value- otherwise known as the value scale or shading. None of the kids really liked the assignment, but they understood the point... I think. Anyway, half-way through I hear, "Ms. Nelson, now does my drawing have enough value?" and he holds this up:


Smart alec. No, seriously. This kid's name is Alec.

The last time my Cowboys won a playoff game...

I was 18.

I had just finished my first semester at Baylor.

And the team we beat was...


The Minnesota Vikings. Oh yes.

Alright, here we go.

Starting today I am available for portrait commissions. Please click here for more information.

Liam

First painting of 2010.And here's dad and real Liam next to painting Liam. Thanks to the Bushwars for the commission!