I have been a HUGE fan of Crayola's # 2 pencils since I first came across them at Dollar Tree several years ago. They last longer than the former best pencil out there (which has really become one of my least favorite pencils because of the quality & price!). I looked at ordering more after running out at the end of last year, but did not see them. After looking at several places, I decided to write Crayola and see what was going on. They said they actually discontinued them fall of 2023! AHHH!!!!!! Heart broken!
September 13, 2024
August 23, 2024
WHY DO I KEEP TRYING CRA-Z-ART?!?!?!
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again,
and expecting different results."
Though attributed to Einstein, there is no proof he actually said this.
Once again I bought a Cra-Z-Art product hoping it might possibly be a better art supply than it had been in the past. I really am a positive/glass half full guy, but I may need to give up on Cra-Z-Art.
I recently purchased their scented crayons hoping that the addition of scent might change the formulation of the crayon enough that it would be a decent product. I do have to admit they smell great. However, the same issue persists. Cra-Z-Art colors extremely patchy. The colors build up upon themselves that create uneven color. They are also difficult to blend. I like to use crayons as a beginning blending medium, but Cra-Z-art cannot be used for such things. I'm sad about it. I want it to be a good product. Their price point is so much better for my students. I just can't recommend them though.
August 22, 2024
Modifying A Poster From Dollar Tree
I was looking for a new encouraging/motivational poster at Dollar Tree recently when I came across a dinosaur poster. I love dinosaurs, but don't usually put up such things in my room. I loved it though, and thought I could modify it to be more "art" related.
For a $1.25 and a little bit of work...totally worth it!
August 15, 2024
2024-2025 School Year!
August 01, 2024
Mural in Mexico
This summer my family (all five of us) went to Mexico to work in an orphanage for a week. My main "job" was to paint a mural. Having seen pictures of grounds/facilities, I knew it was mostly white & grey. I'm a huge believer in art being transformative visually & emotionally. I had asked prior to going if that was something they would like. They said yes, but wanted some sketches to select from. One of which was done in the style of Mexican embroidery. This is the one they wanted. I was fine with it because the design was similar to Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs (my mom's side is from a Pennsylvania Dutch background). I brought in few teenagers each day to help me with painting of the mural.
May 06, 2024
April 16, 2024
My Odd Anniversary: Nashville Tornado 1998
April 15, 2024
Fish Tanks/Perspective
I've been talking about overlapping and showing "space" in your work with my second graders. We created fish tanks that had a defined corner to create a bottom, side, and back to the tank. I was not looking for mastery as this is a new concept to them. I was just introducing the idea. We used watercolor pencils to finish the work.
YOU ARE GOING TO NOTICE IN SOME OF THE PICTURES THE VERTICAL LINE IS VERY CURVED. THAT IS BECAUSE THE PAPER CURLED WHEN IT DRIED & I DIDN'T FLATTEN IT OUT BEFORE SNAPPING THE PICTURE! ha ha
April 08, 2024
9th ANNUAL ART WITH MR. E SUMMER WORKSHOP
What are you creating?
The kids seem to LOVE dino nuggies! Don't know what they are? They make chicken nuggets in the shape of dinosaurs. Yes...it's a thing!! ha ha There are shirts, earrings, pushies, pillows...a whole dino nuggie industry! I've wanted to make my own pushies/pillows, but it took awhile to find a fabric I thought would work(Dollar Tree...imagine that!?!). I made a pattern to the size of the fabric, cut them out, sewed them together, and stuffed them. It went relatively quick, and I had a lot of fun doing it! A friend saw my post on facebook, and asked if I could make her class (she teaches EE/Special Ed) one. They like to hold something during share time. I gladly gave her one of the dino nuggies! Happy to know it will be loved & used in a school setting!
What are you creating?