Explorations in Encaustics!

Last Saturday, I gathered with several other art teachers at the renaissance center in Dickson, TN for the middle TN art educators conference. I love attending my state conferences because the focus really is placed on art making for the day. This particular workshop I learned about encaustic painting. I am in love! Following the workshop I immediately went out and purchased a pancake griddle, a heat gun, and some encaustic wax to get me started! 

Photo transfers! 

My work! 

Cheekwood Clay Creations!

So this week I'm teaching at Cheekwood in Nashville, Botanical gardens and art museum. They have a fabulous clay studio, which is where I've been playing with kiddos! Here are a few of their creations... 

Incorporating Thinking Maps into Your Art Lesson

Recently our faculty went through a training on thinking maps. I wasn't present for the training itself, (I was in Fort Worth at NAEA), but my colleagues brought me up to speed. Here is an example of how I used a tree map once third graders were finished with their color wheels!

Mayors Art Show

First off, I have to apologize for being a bad blogger this year! I started graduate school online through Boston University, and bought a house, so things have been pretty busy for me this year. I did want to post a few photos from Cane Ridge Elementary's debut at this years Mayors Art Show at the Frist Center. Congrats to those kiddos whose art was selected and many thanks to those who came with their families!

Only 14 days Left!

Only 14 days left until our Donor's Choose projects expire! SOS!

http://www.donorschoose.org/rachelmotta 

Keep Nashville Beautiful!

Ms. Golen and I met our students this morning in front of LP field to celebrate the success of their artwork! We even met up with Mayor Karl Dean for a Cane Ridge Elementary Photo Op! This year's theme was 'Reduce your Carbon Footprint." which provided us with a fabulous lesson opportunity with the third and fourth grade kiddos. They all really did a fantastic job! Andrea Florence was the top pick from out of my classes, she went with the owl for our Cane Ridge Elementary mascot! Super cute!

Thing's Are Happening!

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so much! I am especially thankful for you guys my followers on here who I have been neglecting the past couple of months. I have a good reason! In the beginning of September I decided to apply to Boston University for their online Masters in Art Education program. I got in and have been pretty busy ever since! I also presented at the Tennessee state Art Education conference at the beginning of this month so things have been a little crazy.

I am still loving my new school and my art partner Ms. Lauren Golen (aka upstairs art teacher.) I'm glad to be continuing my own education as I educate the little ones in my classroom.

This is kinda funny... so one of the assignments we had was to create a political cartoon about issues in art education. Here is mine, enjoy :)