7 Habits of Happy Kids!

This past year, our school attended a professional development to learn about Franklin Covey's leadership program, the "7 Habit of Highly Effective People."  We decided to implement a lot of his ideas into our school to foster leadership and pride among our students.  "7 Habit of Happy Kids" is a spin they did on the ideas to make the language and images more kid friendly.  Whatever you call it, it is the same ideas and principles.  This summer, I painted a large mural in the front of our school to go along with the program.  It is the 7 habits tree that outlines the 7 habits.  It is 8 feet wide by 14 feet tall.  Let me tell you, scafolding is a bit scary for a clutz like me!  No worries though, I survived!

Faux Frames

I am part of our "Office Environment" committee at one of the schools I teach at.  Our committee was given the task of coming up with a new "theme" to decorate with in the office.  We decided to display student art samples inside "faux frames" painted on the wall.  With help from a fellow teacher, I painted the frames on the walls in bright colors and we hung mounted art inside of them.  They really brightened up our office space, I think they look great!

  

Underwater Mural

My first year teacing in the public schools, one of my principals jokingly told me, "Ok, this is your chance to outdo the last art teacher and prove you are a better artist!"  What she meant and what she explained to me, was that she wanted me to create a mural on one of our school walls.  Not ever having done such a thing, I was a little nervous, but in the end it turned out really cute.  I love the ocean and all of the whimsical creatures that are associated.  Also, i admittedly have a bit of an obsession with coral.  It's just so neat, intricate, and beautiful.  So, naturally, I decided to do an underwater scene for the mural.  I started by sketching things out with my all time favorite art supply, a black Sharpe marker.  Then, I painted everything in with acrylic paint.  This was my very first mural, so I was pretty pleased!

Starry Night Mural

Last year I painted my classroom a bright blue color (the actual color was called "Bay City Blue").  My favorite colors are any combinations of blues and greens, so I accented with lime green.  I have a huge blank wall in the back of my classroom, so I thought, "Why don't I paint a mural there?"  So, I did!  I sketched my humble verison of famous Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night and commenced painting.