Kindergaten is! They are currently in the midst of creating sandcastles for their architecture project, with a wee bit of glitter liquid watercolors for the sky of course! My early finishers have been designing other forms of architecture via 2-D and 3-D collage.. so much fun!

....My 4th graders of Ortega were lucky enough to get to participate in their Seeing Special Things program this year, and they/we looooooooved every minute! Three different field trips, including art making activities, to their amazing museums throughout this school year .. all culminating in an art show this Friday evening during our annual Spring Carnival! SO AMAZING!

....a sampling of my 5th graders shoe designs, rockin' it as always! I am going to miss these kiddos dearly.. most have been my art students since Kindergarten = going to cry next week for sure!

....with a future Van Gogh inspired still life! Created by Kindergarten, coming soon....

.... and incredible design skills to draw their own shoe and/or create their own inspired by other observed designs. Amazing work by my amazing students! Photos of completed works coming soon....

....has inspired my 4th and 5th graders! Their weavings, on both cardboard looms and ceramic looms, are coming along swimmingly .. fringe and tassles and beads and braids are not far behind!

....whatever color fish they want! These little 1st grade fishies are already full of personality and almost ready for the ocean waves!

....completed works plus a few of their magnificently crafted painting tools!

....happening with 2nd graders right now! They are using yarn remnants to create their own Gee's Bend inspired quilt artwork!

4th and 5th graders, inspired by artist Jack Whitten's use of nontraditional painting tools, are currently engineering their own painting tools in order to create a non-objective artwork!

....inspiring! 2nd graders created beautiful paper weavings in celebration of African - American Heritage Month, using bleeding tissue paper and loooooooots of texture!

.... I could not of pulled this off without the talent of my students and the help and support of every AMAZING teacher and parent at my wonderful Ortega! So,
THANK YOU to all of those fantastic humans!!
See you next year E.A.S.T. for an even grander art experience!

....at The Long Center? Because it is wonderful.... and 2nd grade was inspired.... So we decided to make some nutcracker portraits!

Ortega Elementary Art Studio:
E.A.S.T. stop #150
Who: Artwork created by each of our Ortega art students!
What: We (Ortega) are an official stop on the East Austin Studio Tour! http://east.bigmedium.org/
When: Saturday, November 11th, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Ortega Elementary! (1135 Garland Ave., 78721; art show display in the cafeteria and outdoor space between the cafeteria and the main building.)
Why: Because our art students are AMAZING! Also because there will be arts & craft booths, food, music, and a photo booth!
 
Our theme this year is that of the land, sea, and sky. With so much negativity in our current world, our art students are focusing on what we each have in common – our planet. That although we as humans are different colors, shapes, and sizes, we share so many similarities. We live on the same Earth and under the same sky, and we all want to be treated with kindness and respect. As Albert Einstein once said:
“Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

.... in progress! Students are very busy creating work inspired by artists such as Claude Monet, Winslow Homer, Robert T. McCall, Jacques Cousteau, Ted Harrison, Vincent Van Gogh, and Austin photographer Anthony Maddaloni!

....currently in progress! We love Original Works fundraiser program so much!

This Sunday, September 17th is Austin Museum Day! What does this mean exactly? It means that a wide array of amazing indoor and outdoor museums are FREE for all - this is such a fantastic opportunity to explore all that Austin's thriving art scene has to offer and I encourage everyone to make it out!

Only time will tell. But what I will say is that we are quite inspired by Wayne Thiebaud and the completely cool Voo Doo Donuts! We shall keep you posted on our progress.

....I will never tire of your pure innocence and sense of self - it is forever beautiful.

I hope everyone had a restful and adventure filled summer! I traveled throughout the Pacific Northwest during much of mine and fell completely in love with that part of the country. I feel refreshed and rejuvenated and so ready to see my art students and make a bunch of RAD art in our studio!

....Art Show for Austin ISD! I am convinced that AISD has the best fine arts department in the state and houses the best art teachers as well! I adore this event, getting to hang out with my fellow art teachers, and the opportunity to see and be inspired by all of the amazing student work!
​I am SO grateful to get to be a part of it all.

....texture and feet! Well, the feet are up next.. images of completed project coming soon!

....the awesome field trip Blanton Museum of Art!! This was our favorite one to date, thank you for such an amazing museum teacher and overall experience!

My 4th graders immediately laid down in order to enjoy their view and analyze what they were seeing! Also pictured, our amazing Blanton museum teacher!

We finished out fabulous field trip off with a little art making outside and picnic lunches!

....you're welcome. This project never ceases to bring out the smiles and laughter! The personality and story line my 2nd graders bring to this project is just the best! Printmaking, self-made textured papers, and action lines galore!

....Chinese New Year! My incredible 3rd graders created gorgeous Ming inspired vase still lifes using tertiary colors and their knowledge of shade and shadow. They have such a joyous and happy energy about them and I am, of course, so proud of my young artists!