Make the Most of Your Summer by Making Your Own Art

 

By:Sarah Krajewski

Art teachers are artists! It’s a fact.

We are creative people who love to be covered in clay or to dip a brush in a fresh set of watercolors. But, sometimes, the only time we get to make art is when we’re working on something for school. Often, our personal artmaking takes a back seat.

But don’t fret—summer is the perfect time to find your artistic voice again!

It’s time to model our love for art by being artists ourselves.

Student: “Art is my favorite subject! I love it so much!”
Me: “Dude, ME, TOO!”

This is just one example of a conversation I have with students daily. Think about it. When was the last time you sat down and made something that wasn’t a lesson example? Whether it was last week or three years ago, summer is the perfect time for a fresh start.

Sometimes all it takes is finding a reason to create to get back to doing what you love.

A recent art market gave me a reason to create. One of my student’s families owns a barn where they were planning an art market for local vendors to sell their creations. As their child’s art teacher, the parents asked if I wanted to participate and sell some of my own art. I happily agreed. Then, I instantly thought, “Wait, what is my art? What do I enjoy creating? What do I want my artistic voice to say?” The art market was the motivation I needed to have a reason to create again.

Now, I make what I love. I spend more time in my studio space and get excited to work with new materials. And, let me tell you, it is therapeutic. It is energizing and rewarding. It’s truly a wonderful thing to feel like an art teacher and an artist. After all, isn’t that what we tell our students? You are an artist, we say. Change the words just a little and say it again to yourself….I AM AN ARTIST.

If you are having a hard time getting started, try one of these 5 challenges!

1. Scout your classroom.

Find an unopened package of art materials in your classroom or studio space and finally use it.
“Oh, these fancy metallic crayons from who knows when…looks like it’s time to play!”

2. Make a space.

Don’t have a studio? Use your artistic skills to create a designated art area.
“News flash everyone…this corner of the basement is now my art space!”

3. Create a habit.

Start an art log or journal! It doesn’t need to be complicated, just something you are dedicated to using.
“Everywhere I go, I’m going to bring this pink pen and a tiny sketchbook. One drawing a day, that’s my goal!”

4. Swap your work.

Participate in an art swap. Reach out to an artist friend and ask to do an art trade!
“Hey, friend! I love your art and have been wanting to work more on my own art, are you interested in making a piece of art for each other and trading? I think it would be fun!”

5. Do a giveaway.

Make a piece of art for a giveaway among your friends or students!
“I made this really cool painting but don’t really have a space for it. The process of creating was awesome, but now, I’d love to give it to someone who wants it!”

For example, during our school-wide art show, this painting was on display in our mini marketplace, and attendees of the show could enter to win the painting!

Delivering one of my paintings to a 4th-grade student and seeing her literally jump for joy was a pretty awesome reason to create.

There are so many benefits to creating your own art this summer!

One of my favorite books to inspire and encourage artists is Steal Like AnArtist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon. It’s a refreshing reminder about just doing; pulling inspiration from many places and making things! This book helped me work through questions I had about my style and interacting with others. It was jam-packed with ideas about how to get started.

We were all born with the desire to express ourselves. For some of us, it comes naturally to do this through drawing, telling stories, or dancing. The benefits of expressing yourself in any way make your daily experience richer and relieve stress. Check out some reasons why the mental healthbenefits of creating art are for everyone.

Whether it’s been a while since you’ve made something of your own or you are constantly creating, always remember that YOU are an artist.

What are some materials that you’ve always wanted to experiment with?

How often do you create art during your summer?

Sarah Krajewski

Contributor

Sarah Krajewski is an elementary art educator in Wisconsin. Her teaching philosophy is mirrored in her classroom mantra: "I am positive. I am creative. I am mindful. I am amazing. I am an artist.”

What Kind of Art Teacher Are You? Redefining Your Art Teacher Identity

 

By:Janet Taylor

Teaching, as we know, is much more than a job; it is a huge piece of who we are. It’s our identity, and just like other aspects of our identity, our teaching identity shifts and pivots based on our path and personal growth. You might change schools, move to a new location, have a child, adopt a puppy, or become a principal. Something completely unexpected could also happen to make you reconsider your identity as an art teacher.

For those of you who have been teaching for more than ten years, it’s a lot easier to look back and see the progression of your teacher identity. For those of you newer to the field, it’s fun to pinpoint where you are now! And for those of you leaving the art classroom, see if any nontraditional ways to continue your passion spark an interest.

As we go through seven phases of being an art teacher, reflect on where you are now, where you have been, and where you want to go.

Phase 1: The Fairy Art Mother

You have a glamorous vision of what your life as an art teacher will look like. You love art, people, and teaching, so the obvious choice is to becomean art teacher. You will make crafts all day long, wear an apron, play with paint, and inspire others. Being an art teacher looks like so much fun!

Reality Check: Clearly romanticized, this is also known as the “everyone knows what it’s like to be a Fairy Art Mother teacher because we have all been taught by one” syndrome. Teaching looks easy because our role models were highly experienced.

Phase 2: The Young Artist Art Teacher

You are artsy and quirky. You have a flare of your own. You work your way through art school, where you probably try on a dozen identities before settling on something that feels comfortable. Each time you try something new, it feels totally awkward and completely you all in one. But you are an artist and an art teacher, so you make sure you look the part.

Reality Check: Everyone struggles to find their identity regardless of expertise or profession. The phrase “you do you” may be the understatement of the year.

Phase 3: The Hero Teacher

You studied so much educational theory you thought you would save the world through art, one student at a time. Social justice is the most powerful and effective way to teach art. You will walk into a Title 1 school and be woke. You will play guitar at the beginning of each class and will beinstantly loved. After all, this is your calling.

Reality Check: While art does make a difference and will eventually save the world, it’s time to eat some humble pie and realize you aren’t the first teacher to think they are the hero. Have you seen Dangerous Minds?

Phase 4: The Perfectly Put Together Teacher

You know exactly how to hush an entire room just by simply gazing at the floor. You are the Mary Poppins of teaching. You always look incredible with your coordinated outfits. You have a calm demeanor, are always smiling, and never look frazzled.

Reality Check: Hindsight is 20/20. All teachers, even experienced ones, started out the same. All teachers have bad days, so chalk them up for what they are and don’t let it phase you. It’s a marathon, not a sprint—there are more good and bad days to come.

Phase 5: The Overachiever Teacher

You feel more comfortable in your own body and with your own voice in the classroom. You have the curriculum under your belt. But there’s always more to do, so you keep on revamping your lessons, tweaking the rubrics, and changing the pace. While you are no longer “volun-told” to be on committees, you still feel constant pressure to be and do everything. The exhaustion is real, but you “didn’t go into teaching for the money.” You love the students and the teaching, so you keep grinding through the behind-the-scenes drama and endless paperwork.

Reality Check: Every teacher is overwhelmed at some point (or all points!) of their teaching career. Teaching is really hard, and it doesn’t get any easier. But, healthy teachers get better at setting boundaries and balancing their lives.

Phase 6: The Ten-Year Stride Teacher

Finally! You hit your stride and made a mark for yourself. You know how to balance all of the extra responsibilities that come with being an art teacher, and you know how to collaborate well with your colleagues. Your curriculum is solid, and you tweak and change when you want to—not because you have to.

Even if you moved to different schools, you know who you are as a teacher. You spent years reflecting on your practice and what worked and what didn’t. Your philosophical approach is down pat, and you have the capacity to ponder the nuances of teaching and education. You have long-term goals as a teacher, you understand how your students work and think, and you finally have the space to be yourself.

Reality Check: There is nothing to read between the lines here. Although the ten-year stride is a magical place to be, it doesn’t mean everything is all unicorns and rainbows. As we talked about before, teaching is hard!

Phase 7: The Burned Out Teacher

Unfortunately, this can happen at any point in your teaching career. If you haven’t personally experienced burnout, you have seen it on someone else. They roll their eyes at any new initiative or exciting new program and manage to find the negative. These teachers often think you are doing “too much,” and you will get over it soon enough. They tend to put down new ideas and prefer the status quo. You see them and think, “That will never be me! I love this job! I live for this!” But alas, the burnout is real and cancome for you, too.

Reality Check: It sounds so threatening, doesn’t it? But burnout is a real thing which is why so many teachers have to take a break in the summer to recharge. Just be careful that you don’t get stuck in an ongoing rut. When teaching loses all of its joy, it is time to take a vacation!

Who am I now, if not in the classroom?

All joking aside, being an educator is a huge piece of our identity. When the pandemic hit, many teachers retired early, took leave, or resigned positions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. When something quick and unexpected occurs, and you have to shift your focus away from teaching, your identity will inevitably shift too.

When leaving the classroom, there is a moment of pause as you contemplate your new identity. The hustle and bustle of your routine suddenly stops, and you are left to figure out what is next.

Recognize that you will always be a teacher and educator. It is a quality ingrained in who you are as a person. Teaching will always be there when you are ready to come back. Take some time to decompress and slow down. Take time to grieve your loss or celebrate your decision. Depending on the event that changed your path, you may need to shift your focus onto a new responsibility.

Whether you are just taking a break or figuring out your new path, it’s time to decide what you loved (and didn’t love) about teaching. As you redefine your new teaching identity, look for other ways to stay connected with the parts of teaching that filled your bucket.

Here are some creative suggestions to stay connected with art education:

• Teach other teachers. Become a consultant, look to higher education, or shift into a Learning Support Coach position.
• Teach art classes outside of the school setting. Children and adults are always looking to bolster their creative outlets. You get to set your own hours too!
• Focus on your own artwork. Creating for yourself can be incredibly rewarding. Whether or not you are creating to sell, you will find purpose in your own practice. If you feel stuck with artmaking, consider AOEU’s newest course, Rediscovering Your Artistic Identity.
• Start a business. Maybe you have always wanted to sell your artwork or start a coffee shop that supports local artists.
• Join the AOEU staff. There are so many different positions available, from PRO Facilitators to Magazine Writers and more.
• Volunteer at a school. Schools, especially now, are always looking for volunteers to help supervise or support their staff.
• Become a substitute. If you love teaching but don’t love the extra responsibilities outside of school hours, you might enjoy the flexibility of being a sub.
• Work as a museum educator. Art education isn’t just for the classroom. Check your local museums to see how you might fit in their educational programs.
• Work at your local library. Some libraries have Makerspaces or are looking for educational support staff. Libraries are a great way to stay connected and continue to give back to the community.
• Teach overseas. Maybe you need a good reason to travel. Get a change of scenery, meet new people, and learn new perspectives in an overseas assignment.
• Change it up. Maybe you need a career change. There are plenty of ways to access your inner teacher regardless of what field you move into.

No matter where your path leads you in life, teaching will always be a part of who you are. Take time to reflect on where you are in any phase of your teaching journey. When the unexpected comes along, make sure you address your inner art teacher as you pivot your focus.

What does your art teacher identity look like right now?

How have you addressed unexpected changes to your career? 

What other plans could you see yourself pursuing beyond the classroom?

Janet Taylor

Contributor

Janet Taylor is a high school art teacher in the western suburbs of Chicago. She geeks out in developing Choice-based curriculum and believes that by guiding students through their own creative process, they are empowered to create unique and meaningful artworks.

5 Ways to Make Art with Your Children

 Summer is a time for many things for art teachers, including the time and space to make your own art. Creating artwork that’s not for an example in your classroom can reconnect you with your artist roots. For some, however, this artistic dream dissipates quickly, especially if your own children are dependent on your every move. Spending hours in a studio is simply never going to happen. While it might look a little different (okay, a lot different) than it used to, creating with your own children can be a fun and rewarding experience. Introducing your children to different forms of art is a great way to connect with your family. Your children will also get to see you being an artist. It will also give you a chance to get your hands messy and do some artmaking. Here are a few ideas to help get you and your children started.

1. En Plein Air

One challenge with making art at home with your kids is finding a suitable space. You might not have furniture or flooring you want to get messy or risk a paint stain. So, ditch the indoors and head outside. Take your young artists to a fun outdoor spot where they can be loud and messy. This is a great chance to get out in nature like an open field or the woods.

Find a spot they can safely explore during their many artistic breaks, while you continue to work. Watercolor is a great medium for these types of experiences. Instead of bringing water, you might be able to find a water source in a drinking fountain or pond. Then, all you need is a brush, cup, watercolors, and paper.

2. Life Drawing

Children love having your undivided attention. Modeling for them as they draw or paint you can be a fun experience that gets you both laughing. You can help keep them on track by pointing out things they may have forgotten. When they’ve officially lost their focus, go ahead and switch places. Kids are perfect models for fast gesture drawing since they can’t sit still for very long. They’ll also crave any goofy poses or positions. Using a timer in life drawing with your children can also be helpful to manage time and focus.

3. Scribble Art

Creating a foundation for your abstract piece can be done by children of all ages. Provide them with a tool and a lot of paper and have them make their own designs, lines, scribbles, and shapes. Their inability to mess up can be refreshing. As your child creates these pieces, which will likely be very fast, you now have a range of canvases at your disposal.

Take their paper and find your composition by rotating and cropping the image. Then, use any medium you prefer to work into the spaces and create representative imagery or just go abstract. The problem solving of making something out of nothing can be a fun challenge to feed your artistic craving.

4. Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of fun photo prompts for you and your child and head out on your hunt. Using a tablet or phone, investigate spaces in search of the right image. Tailor the prompts to different ages involved for everyone to have a challenge. This activity is a fun way for children to learn the elements and principles.

They can look for shapes and lines, or respond to prompts that require some ingenuity. For example, “Find something sticky” or “How an animal sees the world.” You can also use this as a chance to practice some digital photography. If you have multiple children and devices, check out the GooseChase app where players can compete and upload photos to finish the game.

5. Adventure Collage

Perhaps the idea of materials like paint sounds too messy. Or maybe your child is continuously on the move. Collecting materials from a daily adventure can set you up to create a collage together. Start by creating your itinerary and the places you want to stop. Think about spaces where you might find good materials like candy stores, restaurants, or the library. If you need an added challenge, create a list of prompts like a scavenger hunt to help your child look for something specific. Be sure to remember a bag or container to carry your collection throughout the day. When you’re finished, and your child has burned off some energy, you can collaborate and glue down your artifacts into a fun collage.

Children are great, but not always ready to give you the time and space to be back in the studio, creating your own art. Finding ways to collaborate with your kids is an exciting way to connect as a family and get your creative juices flowing. Think about which type of activity is best for your child and what materials you have at home. You might not come away with a piece for your portfolio, but it will get you making again and exercising your creativity.

What are other activities to create art with your child? 

Which child-friendly art material do you recommend? 

5 Art Materials That Will Blow Your Mind

 

By: Sarah Krajewski

Summer is an excellent time to focus on making your own personal art, specifically experimenting with tools you may have never used before. Taking time to create your own artwork can be incredibly therapeutic and necessary for your mental health.

As educators, we selflessly give to our students, leaving little to no time for us. This summer, try and make a little time for yourself by making yourown art. It’s important to continue igniting your love of artmaking so you can model that love of creating for your students. One way to get excited about creating is to try out new materials, or looking and experimenting with old materials in a new way.

Here are 5 materials worth exploring; they are guaranteed to give you a spark of joy and creativity. 

1. Posca Pens

Posca pens are water-based pigment markers with smooth, colorful ink that is non-toxic, lightfast, and waterproof. It overlaps seamlessly over most materials, specifically if you want to work with mixed medium projects.

Check out amazing pattern designer, Polina Oshu, on Instagram. Her botanical drawings are perfect examples of the crispy and bold layering power of Posca pens.

2. Watercolor Crayons

Water has always been an important part of artmaking. A drop of water on top of a marker line or a drip of water in a watercolor puddle can completely transform the artwork. Watercolor crayons, or any water-soluble material, are a fun drawing material to experiment with.

Watercolor crayons tend to be looser and more playful than watercolor pencils, which can have a more pointed, precise line. Try laying down a puddle of clean water and dragging a watercolor crayon through the puddle. Watch as the pigment from the crayon explodes away from the line like a firework.

3. Spray Paint

Until recently, I had only really used cheap spray paint to repurpose an old piece of furniture here or there. I hadn’t used spray paint as an artmaking material. However, if you start playing with spray paint, you might soon realize the exciting techniques it has to offer.

Spray paint is the perfect way to add a splash of color to your indoor or outdoor space. This positive driveway overhaul was created with spray paint.

You can also experiment with a variety of ways to handle a spray paint to change what spray pattern you get. Drippy, clean, splattered…all mark-making techniques are welcome! You can even use spray paint to create an outdoor installation like a kindness sign. The bright and bold colors are sure to make someone’s day a little brighter.

If you’re looking for an inspirational spray paint artist, be sure to followJason Naylor on Instagram for his bright and positive murals.

4. Embroidery

If you tend to gravitate toward drawing or painting as your art-making medium of choice, try working outside your comfort zone and experiment with embroidery. Challenge yourself to translate your style into a different medium to see what new ideas arise. You may even find you can connect more than one medium for an even more powerful artmaking practice.

You need to follow Nneka Jones on Instagram She is a contemporary embroidery artist who creates the most jaw-droppingly beautiful portraits done with only embroidery floss.

5. Try “Just One”

One of my favorite, and most dangerous, games to play while at my local art supply shop is to get one new tool of something I’ve never tried before. This might mean I get one fancy oil pastel in my favorite color, one smooth Stabilo Woody Pencil, or one vibrant watercolor pencil. When trying to find a new art material to experiment with, you might just need “one” tester to get you hooked with your next favorite art tool.

There is no reason you need to stick to just one type of artmaking material. It’s fun to experiment, play, and discover how you can best express your creativity. Check out these ten art supplies to remind youhow amazing your job is. Using a new art material might be just the trick to awaken your creativity.

What’s your favorite art tool?

How do you like to store all your favorite art supplies?

Why is it important to experiment with new tools?

Sarah Krajewski

Contributor

Sarah Krajewski is an elementary art educator in Wisconsin. Her teaching philosophy is mirrored in her classroom mantra: "I am positive. I am creative. I am mindful. I am amazing. I am an artist.”

MORE FROM SARAH

Step by step mandala baby bump belly painting

Maternity Belly Painting

Belly painting is a new way to celebrate your magnificent 'Bump' which is becoming an increasingly popular trend during the last trimester of pregnancy. Nothing is more beautiful than your pregnant belly, or more interesting than the expectancy of the unborn child within. Don't let this precious stage of your life slip away without encapsulating the rare moment of growth on your camera. Your colourfully painted artistic creation will provide you with great moments that you will be able to share with your loved-ones, forever. And after the paint has washed away - you will still be left with precious memories and photographs to last a lifetime! Your Baby Bump Painting masterpiece will be performed in the comfort of your own home, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Close family members are welcome to stay to capture this memorable experience. 

It also makes a perfect baby shower gift. 

BABY BUMP PAINTING

A beautiful way to create a lasting memory of your pregnancy. With many designs to choose from, it is a fun experience that can be captured on camera forever. A Bump Painting is done in the comfort of your own home

Getting your belly painted and photographed is a unique and fun way to create special memories of your pregnancy! Whether you have your belly painted as part of your baby shower, or make it a special event in itself, you’re sure to treasure the photos of your belly painting day for years to come. They make such a fun addition to your baby book!

Most designs take around an hour or two to do, but it depends on the design, of course. Your baby bump painting session includes a little photo shoot done by myself, and I will send you digital copies.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Make sure you are in comfortable clothing and something you will be happy to be photographed in.

Choose some comfortable positions for being painted. On a sofa (sitting or lying down), on a chair or lying on the floor are all fine. You will have plenty of chances to stretch your legs and move around, we aim to keep you as relaxed as possible.

Make sure you are nice and relaxed and have everything you need.

The length of the session will depend on what kind of design you choose.