First Art Project

Outer Space was a popular category

Woodland theme

Football but of course

Displaying Scenes

This was their first drawing project. We used regular white construction paper, crayons and color pencils. These were the only items we had at the time. It was supposed to be a sketchbook assignment but it snowballed to a bigger canvas. I did this assignment mainly to see the drawing abilities of each student. I showed them a lengthy power point that included elements of art and principles of design. For the drawing assignment, students were asked to create a scene that included value, overlapping elements, background, middle ground and foreground. Obviously, they were graded if their work met all the requirements.

Making Personal Visual Journals

Paper Roll

Students working together

Students using a template

Using a template for sketchbook cover

Choosing a wallpaper design

Punching holes

Sketchbooks

A place for everything

Creating their own personal sketchbook was the very first thing they did. It was a collaborative effort because they had to work with each other to cut paper from the roll (the paper rolls were given from Lin Ferrell-thank you). The very first thing I did was to show them a power point on photographer Peter Beard. The power point highlighted his collage-like journals and I explained that their sketchbook would be their visual diary. Their sketchbook will be constantly used to draw or write in it their thoughts, ideas, and memories. It was my fifth or sixth period class-I got an applause after the presentation. The students enjoyed the lesson and I hope I can continue that enthusiasm throughout the school year.

Students used a template to trace their pages and covers. The cover was from a wall paper sample book and the back was from heavy construction paper. They taped the sides to the back cover for extra stability, added graph paper for future perspective sketches and used fasteners to connect everything together.

Shoe Boxes

Labeling shoeboxes

Covering the interior.

I lined shoe boxes with orange paper so that it doesn’t get trashed too easily. The boxes I have are pretty sturdy so I want them to last a long time-at least the school year. I add large plain labeling stickers so that I can label each box the appropriate art supply.

The Art Cafe

The computer desk-also known as another work space.

My desk and my big red tote!

"the art cafeteria room"

Extra cafeteria tables found a place in my room

I wanted to name my room the Art Cafe because I have cafeteria tables in my room. At first, I hated them. I wanted those nice tall ones with stools as chairs but when school started and I saw how they were with regular chairs and regular tables (they are moved like five feet each time)-I was happy-I mean lucky with these cafeteria tables. They’re pretty heavy so they stay put. Chairs are attached so they can’t shove or move them. Try them out-you will thank me!

My Art Room

the closet

shelving unit

pencil sharpener-I swear..the things I get excited about!

Like any first year teacher, I was overly excited and nervous about seeing my art room for the very first time. I braced myself for disappointment. I heard some horror stories about small rooms. The school building was an elementary school in the past so it has its fair share of small rooms. But I was more than pleased to see my room. I had one of the biggest rooms in the building and the warmest! It had a projector, a big closet, desk, shelving units, tables and chairs. Awesome. Now, all I have to do is decorate it with color and fill it with students!

However, it wasn’t all perfect. There was two drawbacks. There was no sinks in the classroom and the restrooms weren’t too far but they weren’t that close either. I can just imagine middle school students tracking water down the hall and slipping and sliding. The biggest disappointment was that we couldn’t have a kiln. Our building is old and Dominion Power was giving all it can give without the building shutting down completely. Ugh! I was totally excited about getting a kiln in here. But there’s always a silver lining in everything. Buying a kiln and all the extras that needed to come along with it would have eaten all of my budget. We had a nice budget for our first year of art. It’s not a starter budget-trust me, my art room would be decked with the works if we did. But it was enough to get the basics and then some. I was able to purchase a heavy-duty paper-cutter, dry-rack, printing press, print making supplies, movable gallery wall, drawing mediums, paint, display items, paint brushes, drawing boards, canvas, matte boards and paper. I went a little overboard with paper. We’ll be good with paper five years from now!

Supportive friends and family

Student Teacher Exhibit 2008-work from my Godwin students

Gretchen and me at the Student Teacher Exhibit Fall 2008

Another pic

Holly, Gretchen, Erin and me!

Gretch and family

Best of Friends

Circa 2006..I love my girls!

with my favorite college roommate Carisa and fellow art teacher Megan at my art gallery opening

During my twenties and career switches, my friends and family have been always been supportive of who I am and what I wanted to do-even when I was truly lost. My husband stood by me when I went back to college for a second time and helped me when our computer crashed at the very worst of times. My friends went to all of my gallery events-though, they weren’t one artist shows but the fact it showed my work-meant the world to me.  A big kiss from me to you!

Also, I couldn’t be where I am without the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for being the guiding light in my life. Forever your girl, Sheila Donahue.

Me

"Me"

Happy New Year! I am facing 2010 with a bright eye perspective and am determined to make this year the best-personally and professionally! 2009 started rough, my husband lost his cushy job with Qimonda (he was there 9 years or so) and I already left my cushy job with Louis Vuitton. Wasn’t able to get to Paris but stayed long enough to get vested. I went back to school full-time in fall 2008 (student teaching) and substitute taught. During my wedding anniversary trip to D.C (hey..its the recession) in July, I received an offer for a part-time art teacher position at an alternative public middle school.  During the interview, I was excited to find that the art program was new to the school and I was responsible for its foundation. This was a test of all my education, observation, artistic prowess, my savvy money-crunching expertise and accomplishments. It meant extended hours, ordering supplies for an art room, and establishing a middle school art curriculum. My student teaching work was at the elementary and high school levels, so my lesson planning started that day in July.

Any whoo, I decided to start the new year with a blog. A blog to showcase my school, my lessons, exhibit my student’s excellent work and yes, to look good! Its 2010-I have two degrees under my belt, am three decades young and I love what I do. I decided to name my blog Teaching Picasso because I want to bring out the inner Picasso in them. I live for those Picasso moments and I get them everyday when I’m teaching students or when they teach me.

There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun. ~ Pablo Picasso