Amazing Akron Artwalk

I LOVE the monthly Akron Artwalks!  I probably only make it out 4 - 5 times a year, but I'm always inspired by what a creative community Akron is.  I also love that it's not stuffy, but really quite friendly.  You get to meet loads of artists and art lovers from our area.

These events happen the first Saturday of each month, and it's FREE!  You can get the schedule for tonight HERE. It has details about what galleries, shows, and studios are open.  It's a great way to expose kids to a wide range of art.  {I even took a 3 year old to a couple places last year.}  There is also a trolly running between venues.  It's also a great chance to try a favorite or yet to be discovered downtown restaurant.

Flowers of the Field 

details from Flowers of the Field

I'm especially pleased to say I have a painting at the BOX gallery, which is presented by The Artists of Rubber City.  It's another fantastic juried show, and my painting is a part.  You can find this painting in the "Little BOX"--behind the main BOX gallery.

If you can't make it out tonight, the next Artwalk will be June 1, 2013.

What are you up to this weekend?

Easter Weekend Photo Recap

Art Show Opening

I was super excited to have my art in a juried art show.  I was even more excited when I got to see all the incredible art in the show.  There was my little old art among a stunning array of pieces and work.

I love going to art openings, but I rarely treat myself to those sort of events.  I also loved taking Sam, who was completely taken by assemblage sculptures.  {Maybe this is why he likes legos so much!}

I felt so shy and uncertain.  {I'm surprised by how much courage it takes to put my work out there!}  It was all in all a great experience.

When have you been shy about putting your work out there?

Classroom Writing: Ten Word Stories

Here's a fun and easy writing idea:

I started doing these little writing projects with my students back in December.  I call them Ten Word Stories.  I have been very pleased with the results.  It seems to give my students enough structure to really let their creativity flourish.  I also like it, because we do not have many opportunities to celebrate seasonal events and holidays.  This allows us to sneak in some of the fun while still doing the work.

Here is how it works:

I give students a list of ten words that they must include in a story.  The students write, and then we share.  They can be as creative as they want to be.  (In December I had a little alien, named Reindeer, living on the planet Santa!)

Here are lists of words for January through April.

I also think it might be fun to give 10 verbs or 10 adjectives!  (I haven't done this yet.)

We've added art, and they have made a great hall display, too!

What You Do Around The Edges

I just saw this quote again on someone's FB page, and I was reminded of two things.  First, I love and believe this quote on a profound level.  Second, this quote is being manifest in my life--all around the edges.

Sometimes I get lost/stuck in the reality that school does not work the way I believe it should or want it to be.  At times I am consumed by that.

At those times I'm not able to look out into the periphery--where some really rich stuff abounds.

This weekend the stuff around the edges came into focus, and it was rich and beautiful.

I had two noteworthy experiences:

1.  My art was accepted into my first every juried art show!

Here's a piece of my little painting.  I can't wait to see the exhibit!  You can find out more about it HERE.

2.  I took a leap and started a little gentle yoga class at my house on Sunday evening.  There's always that feeling of doubt that anyone will even show up, but there were 9 yogis packed into my living room and dining room.  It was amazing and a treat to spend the time with such incredible women.

If you might like to join us, email me, for details!

As I reflect, it just seems perfect to say, "Let the beauty you love be what you do!"  (Rumi)

That's just resonating in the deepest heart center of who I am this evening.

What's resonating with you right now?

Treat Yourself To A Big Girl Slumber Party

I didn't have time in January to tell you about my first every Big Girl Slumber Party.  It will certainly not be the last.

I wanted to do something special for myself to celebrate my birthday.  I thought about going away on a retreat, but I had yoga teacher training that weekend, and I'm not always the best company for myself.  I thought that I really wanted to surround myself with some dear and irreverent women who know me and love me.

Here's what I did:

~I sent out an email.  {I thought they might think I was insane, but they do know me. . .}  The response was overwhelmingly positive.

~I started to plan like crazy, and then I changed my mind.  I just wanted to hang out with these peeps and soak in all the good feminine energy.

~The house was tidy, but not really clean.

~I had a large collection of nibbly food, but nothing fancy

~People came from near and far--literally from the house next door to a couple hours on the highway.

~People brought more food and wine and breakfast for the next morning.

~Sam went to bed at about 9 p.m., and we just sat around and talked for hours.

~I always have loads of art supplies and what not, but it was the talking that was so precious

~The next morning we had waffles and coffee.  We talked more.  I gave little good favors--including the hats we are all wearing in t, and people started to pack up and leave.

~These women are so amazing that they did stuff like wash the dishes!!!

If you want to do something very special for yourself and/or friends, a big girl slumber party might just be the ticket!

I Recommend Tell Tale

I love an inexpensive resource that has amazing power for people of many ages in a variety of situations.  I just discovered such a game a few months ago.

This game is Tell Tale, and it's from the company Blue Orange Games.  It's a great story telling game that fosters creativity, thinking, and self expression.  It's a deck of 60 2 sided round cards with simple pictures on each side.  It's about $12.

My son, who just turned 4, loves this game.  My 4th graders love this game.  There are many, many ways to play.  For my son, we give him 4 cards, and he makes up a story.  It's so stinking cute, I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

At school I have the whole class stand in a circle, and we just keep adding to a big story.  Sometimes I pass out cards to everyone, and sometimes we just pass the whole deck to one person at a time, who takes the card on top and adds to the story.  (Honestly, at first I could not believe how bad they were at this game, but they quickly improved.)  It's a great oral writing experience.

I'd like to think that in my little corner of the world I'm keeping the art of storytelling alive!