By Patty on Jul 19, 2017 |
We all have a dream—something we long to do if only…the if only’s have a tendency to get in the way for most of us, but not Kristy. Growing up in Trinidad & Tobago, Kristy remembers always gravitating towards anything creative. But in an educational climate where only academics are encouraged, Kristy was encouraged to pursue math and business. She became an accountant and now helps her husband run their construction business. The urge to draw, paint and create was just too strong. So, despite many obstacles, Kristy decided that she would open an art studio for children. No experience. No teaching degree. Just desire. In this episode of our art series, Art Stories from Around the World, Kristy shares her story of how she started her art camp for kids and what her plans are for the future. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Why Kristy went in a different direction with her career despite having a passion for the arts Reasons why there isn’t a focus on art for grades K through 6 in Trinidad & Tobago How Kristy strived to pursue her creative endeavours outside of her career in accounting Why Kristy involves the culture of her country into the art curriculum she teaches children How Kristy plans to change the perception of art in her community Why the classroom should be a place of difference as well as kindness LISTEN TO THE SHOW DOWNLOAD A LESSON GUIDE… You can download this Lesson Guide BY CLICKING THE BLUE BOX...
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By Patty on Jul 7, 2017 |
Discover how Louise McKeon turned her career as an illustrator and graphic artist to a full time career as an art teacher for all ages. Using the stunning natural surroundings of Cork, Ireland to inspire her lessons, Louise believes in teaching the fundamentals of how to use different mediums as a base for many projects. Louise shares the history of the Skellig Island as the inspiration for two art project ideas that she plans to use during her summer art camps in her small town. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: •How Louise’s teaching curriculum changes for primary school aged children through to teenagers and adults •How she introduces children to the use of pencils in their art (and a common item that she often has them draw using pencil) •What the one thing is that Louise wants the rest of the world to know about the teaching of art in her country •What some of the warm-up exercises are that she has her students do before taking an art exam LISTEN TO THE SHOW DOWNLOAD A LESSON GUIDE… You can download this Lesson Guide BY CLICKING THE BLUE BOX BELOW: SHOW NOTES: Louise’s Website Kinsale Art Academy Facebook Page * Link to Louise’s Art Lesson for Listeners (Puffins, Seals, etc.) *Link to Louise’s Charcoal Monkees Facebook post (couldn’t find on her page!) *Link to Patty’s Treasure Map lesson that Louise mentions AME 059: Teaching Art in a Remote Village in Northern India...
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By Patty on Jun 27, 2017 |
In many ways, a Deep Space Sparkle Workshop is like a wedding. Months of planning, fussing over menus and tablecloths, ordering gifts…and in the end, love erupts. Team DSS felt loved, appreciated and grateful during the event and after it was all over. How can we tell our guests how honored we are to create this event for them? Teaching art can be a lovely affair but coming together like this? Well, it’s nothing short of magic. This is how it all went down…. I was so so so fortunate to have stumbled across the lovely Gina Lee Kim through Instagram. I know. What are the odds? Well, when your genius flows, nothing can stop the universe from spreading your gifts. Gina delighted the audience with her array of watercolor techniques. We were spellbound and couldn’t get enough of what this lady could do with some water and a bit of color. Sally Haughey from Fairy Dust Teaching reminded us of the magical stages of childhood and how as educators we can keep the magic alive. Rachelle Doorley from Tinkerlab showed us how to engage children through thoughtful questions and observation with a fabulous observation drawing with a viewfinder and the most lovely sampling of natural beauties. And finally Team DSS, Marisa Gebert showed us how to use assessment tools for the lessons. Marisa has created a new done-for-you art curriculum and guide that will be released this August in the Sparkler’s Members Club. It’s just one of the many assessment tools Marisa has created for all the lessons inside the membership. Sparkler Morning Are you a Sparkler? It’s a bit confusing, right? I mean, everyone who loves Deep Space Sparkle is a Sparkler! But there is a group of teachers who are members of a paid monthly membership group called the Sparkler’s Members Club. We honored those who could travel to the free bonus Friday morning workshop with a breakfast, lunch, an exclusive Sparklers mug, extra swag from Faber-Castell. Being a Sparkler means that you are not alone. It’s not just about the fab lesson plans you can download each month, but it’s about our community that we created. I’m so proud of how ALL of these ladies support each other. Friendships are forged and...
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By Patty on Jun 20, 2017 |
How do you introduce children to art in a remote region of the world where children have little exposure to expressive art? Where do you start? Where do you find supplies? Celia Fisher not only has the resume, but the passion. Working with slum kids in Southern India, an indigenous school in Queensland and at an International school in Vietnam, Celia knows what is required to create an art program that celebrates children. In our third installment of our summer podcast series, Art Stories Around the World, Celia shares what it’s like to teach in a school she and her husband built in Northern India. Scroll down to download the art project created by Celia that represents her student’s village. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: • Celia’s biggest challenges and the strategies she uses to overcome them. • How this rural community views education and how that differs from other cultures. • Why Celia does the work she does, even when the community doesn’t understand its importance • How she is able to broaden the children’s knowledge of culture and their ways of thinking on a daily basis DOWNLOAD A LESSON GUIDE… In the interview, Celia paints a lovely picture of what its like living in this part of the world: how the rainy season impacts the community, the topography of the region and how art is perceived. Celia offers two approaches to bringing art to her students in a way that connects them with their community. You can download this Lesson Guide BY CLICKING THE BLUE BOX BELOW: LISTEN TO THE SHOW SHOW NOTES Get in touch with Celia and see what art projects her students are working on by clicking HERE for the RightHope School Facebook page. QUESTIONS FOR OUR LISTENERS: Have you ever been to India? Have you created an art project based on the Indian culture? I’d love to hear what your experiences have...
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By Patty on Jun 14, 2017 |
Sana Asad is the second art teacher featured in our summer art series, Art Stories from Around the World by sharing her experiences while teaching art in Bahrain. Born in Pakistan and into a culture where art is considered a craft to pass the time, Sana stuck to her dream of pursuing a career in art. After moving to Saudi Arabia and later to Bahrain, Sana opened an art studio in her home and began teaching children. Now she has a full-time after school art schedule, teaches workshops to adults and plans beautiful exhibits of her students work. Today, we’re traveling to Bahrain to meet art teacher, Sana Asad. Make sure to download Sana’s Bahrain Inspired art projects! Scroll down for the download button. https://d3ndagut9sanks.cloudfront.net/2017-D/VID-06/AME+058+Sana+Asad+Video.mp4 IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: What art was like for Sana growing up in Pakistan How there are certain challenges teaching art in Bahrain Why she doesn’t only teach drawing and sketching What the difference is between teaching in the public school system versus private institutions in Bahrain What’s the most popular social media platform in the Middle East Why word of mouth is more valuable than anything to Sana LISTEN TO THE SHOW DOWNLOAD 2 FREE LESSONS! Sana created two art projects that represent Bahrain: An architectural lesson that merges POP art and color theory (ages 6-10) and a Hamsa Fiber Arts project that builds fine motor skills (ages 3-5). Just click on the blue box, add your name and email and watch your inbox! LINKS Wild About Art and Craft Facebook Page AME 057: Art Stories from Around the World –...
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By Patty on Jun 7, 2017 |
I’m so excited to kick off our summer podcast series, Art Stories from Around the World! After starting Deep Space Sparkle’s membership program last year, I couldn’t help but marvel at what global sharing community we created. We have members from every corner of the globe…Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, France, UK, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India….it goes on and on. What we all notice and appreciate is that we share the same passion. And it is surprising how similar our struggles are. Whether you’re teaching around a kitchen table in Wisconsin or at an International School in Wuhan, we can all relate to the joys and struggles of being an art teacher. Lexi Conrad kicks off our summer art series, Art Stories from Around the World by sharing her experiences while teaching art in China. I have always wondered how creativity is taught in China. Do schools embrace art in the same way as we do in America? Is the art focused on realism or rote mechanics? How do the children behave? is classroom management a big deal like it is here? So many questions! Lexi was so kind to walk us through what it’s like teaching to her group of international students. She shares what the differences are between private and public schools and the surprising differences in how the Chinese people view art. Make sure to download the Chinese Clay Bells art project that Lexi created for you! Scroll down for the download button. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: How the amazing art experiences Lexi herself had at a young age influenced her own teaching style What effects censorship and cultural differences have teaching art in China How the Chinese community at large embraces art What can happen when you have access to beautiful art supplies Lexi’s favorite projects and how she’s introduced art to her colleagues in China LISTEN TO THE SHOW SHOW NOTES Lexi created this clay art project to represent the historical significance of bells in the town of Wuhan, China. To access this free art project, just click on the blue button below. Subscribe to Art Made Easy in iTunes so you won’t miss the next episode of the Summer Podcast Series, Art Stories...
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