Moose and another Peacock

 Driving home from school... I saw a moose. I stopped, took a few pics, and then he ran across the road right in front of me. Pretty cool!

At school, we teachers made handprints for a 'Helping Hands' bulletin board. Here's mine:

I scanned the design prior to painting it.
I thought I could use it as a coloring page.

I turned this work into an art print in my Etsy shop. Click the hand to see.

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

I spent last weekend oil painting in a Plein Air session at Haystack, on Deer Isle. The occasion was the Maine Art Educators Association annual fall conference. Did I have fun? Did I charge my art teacher batteries? Assuredly, YES! Instructor Cooper Dragonette led us art teachers off campus to wonderful locations on Deer Isle, and the weather was perfect. As I basically have not used oils since art college (California College of the Arts), I was intrigued and grateful to work with Liquin - a miracle medium that dries oils within days. In fact, most of our work was fairly dry to the touch the next day. This annual conference is great. Teachers pulling 'all-nighters' in studios, just like the days in art school. Here are a few photos...

I'm looking forward to next year's conference!

Peacock Mittens in July

Snow~Day Artist Peacock Mittens

Peacock Mittens






Here is a modified version of my Chicken Mittens. Details can be found on Craftsy and Ravelry.

NBPTS Teaching and Learning Conference 2015

WWII Memorial

I attended the NBPTS Teaching and Learning Conference in Washington. This was five seriously busy and wonderful days in our nation's capitol. The workshops I attended were inspiring, informative, and thought provoking. It was great to get away and see so much while gathering information and ideas for all the ways I teach and promote visual arts.
Here are some of the more 'arty' photos I took. I saw: the White House (from outside the gate), Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorials, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, WWII Memorial, Ford's Theater, The National Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, The Capitol, and The Botanic Garden. All this sightseeing was in addition to the conference!

The Capitol Dome - during the restoration project

Library of Congress

At the Capitol, we got in to the Senate chamber and heard Senator Angus King speak. He spoke about a couple from Windsor, Maine who carve canes for veterans, for free. It was quite a coincidence to hear mention of Windsor, as this is where I teach! 

Orange Clivia and -30 degrees

I just inherited a lovely clivia. It decided to bloom right off. The orange blossoms have been a nice touch of hope and warmth in my studio.
I am doing the school yearbook this year. Not much time to paint right now.

I've photographed the clivia for a future painting.
These days the morning temps are below zero... well below... as in -30 below zero! I believe this is the coldest we've ever had.
I'll be heading to Washington next week for 5 days. I am attending the National Board for Professional Teaching Conference: Teaching and Learning 2015. I'm hoping to get a whole day in at the National Gallery of Art. I'm making a list of paintings and sculptures I must see! I can't wait to go!

Clivia shadow... looks like poetry!