Christmas Art

Since I started my full time teaching job this year, my studio time has been cut to almost zero. I'm still journaling, but have not created any new canvas pieces all year. I think I avoid going down to my studio because I get depressed seeing all the unfinished pieces and projects, and knowing I don't have enough time or energy to create on a larger scale right now. Don't get me wrong, I love my new job, but I think the planning, teaching all day, grading and managing students has sucked up all my energy and there's just not much left when I get home.

This weekend I cleaned off my desk in the small office off my laundry room, and moved all my journaling supplies up from my studio with hopes that I can do more journaling in small chunks if it's right in front of me. I went down to my studio tonight and found these pieces that I'd really like to sell before Christmas, so I'm offering discounted prices. Details are listed below. Shipping for first class mail in the U.S. in included. Just email me at spanglerstacy@yahoo.com if you are interested and I'll send you a paypal receipt-first come, first serve.

This Baby Jesus mixed media piece has heavy texture and is painted on an 8 x 8, 1-1/2 inch thick gallery wrapped canvas with finished edges. It is on sale for $40.

This mixed media cross piece is on a 6 x 6, 1/2 inch thick burlap canvas with finished edges. It is $25.

This mixed media Santa is on a 12 x 12 inch, 1/2 inch thick canvas with finished edges. It is $45.

This mixed media Santa is on a 16 x 20, 1/2 inch thick canvas with finished edges. It is $75.

I also have two mixed media packets left. This color infused kit contains over 30 pieces that will give you a fresh start for your mixed media projects. Great for journals, canvases, scrapbooking, mail art and more. Each kit varies slightly, but includes handprinted and stamped papers, texture pieces, glue gun stencil, foam stamp, old book pages, tissue paper, and more. This is a great way to spark your creativity, try new supplies, and handy enough to take with you when you when traveling. $8.00 each or two for $15.00.

Last but not least, I have the above printed cards from my original paintings available. They are $3.00 each or a pack of 6 assorted cards for $15.00-envelopes included. They come clear wrapped with ribbon.

Free delivery and gift wrap for local orders.

As always, I still have art available at Scallions Restaurant in the Heights and Reinvented Vintage in Breckenridge Village. Buy local and hand crafted this Christmas!

Strike a Pose and Learn about Lines

Here's one of my first fifth grade lessons I taught this year. Keith Haring has a great kids website with some fun lesson suggestions, but my inspiration for this came from Cheryl Trowbridge over at Teach Kids Art. I've used the aluminum sheets before for art projects, and they always yield great results, but they are a little pricey when you have 75 kids. So instead, I used heavy duty aluminum foil and it worked just fine, and the kids thought this project was the "coolest thing ever"!. 

For this project, we were learning about the Elements of Art, and specifically focusing on lines. First, I asked for volunteers to come to the front and "strike a pose"- of course, there are always a handful of class clowns who love helping out here. On the white board, I showed the children how I would draw each pose in a stick figure form. Then I showed them how to use a contour line to draw an organic shape around the stick person.

 Next, I had the children get into small groups of two's and three's and "strike a pose" and draw three stick figures on a piece of scratch paper. Then, I instructed children to draw their stick figures larger onto a piece of paper and trace around them with the contour line. Then we traced the three figure design onto a piece of tracing paper.

I had prepared ahead of time, a piece of cut poster board covered with heavy duty aluminum foil. Each student taped their tracing paper over the top, and secured down to the desk. They traced over their tracing paper design with a pencil or sharpie pen lid and it leaves an imprint into the foil.

The last step is to color in with sharpie markers. It's hard to tell in these photos, but make sure the children leaven the silver imprint lines silver (or showing) to divide up the colors.

Art Journaling Kickstarter

I'm excited to give you a sneak peak of the new Art Journal Kickstarter by North Light Books. I will have one of my favorite journal entries published in it, and I can't wait to get a copy in my hands. It will be in stock and ready to purchase in a few weeks. If you would like a copy, North Light Shop is offering free shipping on orders over $25. Please click on the orange link to the right if you would like to order one.

My journal entry that is featured in the book is very near and dear to my heart. I've spent time the past two years creating art and journaling at a monthly art night with the women at The Dorcas House, an outreach for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. I've been so blessed to be able to witness firsthand how God can change a life and bring healing and hope. These women have inspired me so much, that I created a journal page reflecting how so many of them are when they come to Dorcas, and how God delivers them. How exciting that my first published artwork honors them and God's grace! 

I'll be posting more once I get the copy in my hands, but pre-order yours now!!! Remember, please use the orange link the says "Art Journal Kickstarter" in the column to the right, to order-that way the order will link back to me. Thanks so much!!!