xoelle » teaching

photo friday: school

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:16:48 +0000

I miss school. Both as a student and as a teacher.

I was thinking about this last night and how it would be possible to do everything that I wanted to do (own a bakery/making studio) and still teach high school. What is it about teaching high school art that I love so much? Teaching requires me to be contantly learning. Making sugar skulls, batik, and grafitti for a living. Chaperoning prom. Sweet, sweet students. Pep rallies, school lunch, and of course, summer vacation.

On Monday I will be returning to school as a student. I am taking Drawing I at the local community college. It seems silly that someone who has a degree in art education and has taught high school art would need to go back to school to take drawing I to get her BFA. It is silly. One of those hoops that higher education has asked me to jump- again. I will, because I want that piece of paper with the gold seal that states that I accomplished something during those seven years of college. Two something rather. I left Eastern Washington University 17 credits shy of my BFA (but with BAE in hand) and now I intend to finish off those final elective credits here in good ol’ Pensacola.

Drawing I, here I come.

xo elle

More about photo friday.

There’s a bee in my helmet dear Laura, dear Laura

admin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:22:11 +0000

Garth got a bee stuck in his helmet on the way home from Alabama the other day. It’s certainly not the most exciting thing to happen in recent days, but it’s the only thing that I doodled about on my Sacrament meeting program.
I’m packing this morning for Spokane, WA. I’ll be visiting my family and playing in Hoopfest and meeting Julia’s boyfriend, and hopefully, taking a break from this persistent Florida heat.

If you’re in the area, and I like you, let’s meet at the Dockside for dessert. =)
xoxo
elle

bikes as in bicycles.

admin — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:06:53 +0000

My parents bought me a RAD bicycle for my 27th birthday. Garth is thinking about getting one too so we can ride together (awww…) and so he can ride to and from work powered by his own two feet.

Bikes that will someday (*giggle*) be parked in the garage with our current bikes:

One Paul Frank bike by Nirve.

An Electra Cruiser.

And the new vintage-esque Schwinn. =)

I’m souping mine up with some back saddlebag baskets and a bell. =) I’ve been riding it everywhere since my car is non-functioning, and I need more room for groceries!

In other interesting news, I’ve been taking baby steps toward learning how to ride Garth’s Honda Rebel. Yesterday I was riding in excess of 5 miles an hour in second gear! I totally shifted into second all on my own. =)

Keep on pedaling!!!

xoxoxoxo elle!

photo friday: art

admin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:23:40 +0000

This is my photo friday entry for this week.
I sure do miss teaching. I love being part of a school and sharing art with students all day. *sigh*

the day the images died

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:41:41 +0000

I’m in mourning. I’m protesting. I’m crying in my spare time.

My Canon 30D was stolen from my desk on Friday. I am still in shock. That camera represents more than a $1500 investment. It was also my artmaking tool, the way that I recorded and celebrated my life, my communication device with others, and the thing that is now missing from my right hand. I cannot express the angst and frustration that I feel. I do not have the means to replace it- it was a splurge in the first place…but now I am so dependant on it that I might not have a choice. The most painful part is not the money involved, but the fact that it was probably one of my students that lifted it…and there were Disneyland and self-portrait photos on there that I can’t replace. Grrr. I’d rather get hit by a car.

So I’m wearing black. I’m not posting anymore photos anywhere until it’s either returned or replaced. My 2007 daily self-portaits will reflect this period of mourning and protest.

Forgive me for posting the one thing that’s wrong with my life when there are 3,572 that are right. I’m one lucky kid, I love you guys, and I’ll be back with a smile shortly.

laura. =)

today’s excitement

admin — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:46:15 +0000

so much excitement to share with you…but this will have to suffice for today. =)

frustration

admin — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:56:07 +0000

I’m sitting in a science teachers classroom at Oak Crest MIddle School. Today I am a substitute employee. Today my time is worth a flat rate of $95 for the entire day. Today I did not get a lunch, and I feel held hostage here in this classroom where I am wasting two hours doing work that could be done in 10 minutes. I packed two drawers and recorded scores for two tests. I have 100 sketchbooks in my car to grade. I have my own classroom to clean and prepare for summer. The teacher that I subbed for today had no 5th and 6th period so I thought I could sneak away and have the last two hours of the day free. As I was checking out, returning keys,and asking if I could go this lovely friday afternoon, the lady behind the sub desk (to my frustration) paged the entire school too offer my services. A call came right away and I have been stuck in this room annoyed since noon.

I am only a substitute teacher.

oh prom

admin — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:26:18 +0000

I went to prom this last weekend. I got all dressed up in a red velvet dress, wore lipstick and mascara, and gave my date all kinds of things to hold in his coat pocket. He was unbelievably handsome. I bought him a black velvet suit for the occassion and we had a little pre-prom picnic in Balboa Park. It was heavenly. We were sure that every couple that passed us by was envious. In fact, we feel that way quite often. We feel pretty darn lucky to be together. =)
Prom has been quite the time for firsts for me. Prom 1996 was the first time that I held hands (*gasp!*). I took a sophomore, Trevor John Schmidt, my seminary teachers son, and I can still remember how my whole body tingled as his fingers laced into mine. Prom 1997 was my first “real” kiss, and the first and only time that a date has used Tom Jones on me. Thanks Joseph Allen Wedge. I’d like a milkshake now.

This year my date was not my high school crush, or the flirty tenor in my choir, but the man that I will kiss the rest of my life. He is my annual prom date, my lens cap holder, my ice cream supplier, and I have the feeling that in 20 years he will still offer me his jacket when he sees me shiver. Oh how I adore him.
There is no question in my mind that we are mfeo.

my tonight holds many stupendous possibilities. I hope that yours does too.
laura. =)

thursday is as good a day as any

admin — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:52:20 +0000

I love being an art teacher.
Last night was For Arts Sake, a gallery event showcasing the work of Torrey Pines High School art students. We spent the two previous days cleaning the often haphazard art room and finishing, hanging, and labeling amazing student artwork. I like big things. My students showed an entire wall of grafitti and this collaborative piece, among other things. Next year is going to be even better. Pencil it in. =)

I love being next to Garth.
Last night we booked out of the art show (Garth was sweet enough to come by and provide music for us!) and hurried downtown to a Harry Connick, Jr. concert on the harbor. There was a moment, sitting there in my second row seat, on a mildly-warm evening, with hot chocolate in one hand, and Garth’s hand tapping away in the other, experiencing the work of amazing musicians, that I was so content I was sure that my grin was radiant enough to rekindle the twilight.
Later, at Ghirardelli’s in downtown San Diego, he made faces at me and we played a game of I Spy that I will never forget. Garth spyed something shiny. What do you spy?

*grin*
loves, elle

overheard this morning in drawing and design

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:58:37 +0000

If there was like a nuclear bomb and there were like seven people left, I would be the artist.

Daniel Nani, who’s in my second period class and told me this morning that I was legally obligated as his teacher not to laugh at his painting, explaining the circumstances that would have to occur for him to feel like an artist.