Outdoor Exploring

You can find some interesting things when you explore in your own backyard!

This was a surprise!

I named this one "Billy"

 

Art I Created: A Look Back!

My Created Art

     Way back in the beginning of R. Andrew's Corner, I posted about art that I had created in the past. I believe the web site that I had my photos uploaded to ended, because I remember deleting the post altogether due to the links no longer working. Well, I was looking back at my photos and I thought I'd share them again, especially ones that I never got around to showing. 

     Drawing is special to me, but it is hard! I love creating with my hands, but drawing comes at a difficult price just like writing does - it takes a toll on me. I don't know why but tapping into my creative self is a challenge, and the stubborn person that I am tries to procrastinate until I force myself into drawing or painting or even writing stories. I mean, I can see the art, or hear my characters and know their stories, but even beginning them is a trial because there is this blockage that attempts to stand in the way of myself and the creation in my mind. So, when there's finally an opportunity to open up this skill, I cherish the product that came out of it, no matter if others find little worth from it. 

     I know I'll never be an artist or an illustrator, but I'm still proud of what was created from my mind to my hands. These are just a few! 

One of my originals. I'm in the blue chair!

Characters in love...or in feud. Originally done with charcoal but improved from a software program. Was a potential art project for Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

A baby donkey I drew in Children's Literature class in 2010.

Backside of my Final Exam project for Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

Front side of my Final Exam project for Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

Randomness created from a software program...Circa probably 2004/2005?

Another randomness created from a software program...Circa probably 2004/2005?

Art project for my Creative Expression class in Spring 2010.

Illustration of a portrait of my great-grandmother, for her 77th or 79th birthday. Made probably in 2000 or 2002...

Recoloring and improvements of the original drawing. Done in 2010 from a software program.

Drawing of my left hand during my Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

Sequel to the drawing that I did below...

Made this in 2006...Was shocked myself at his face after finishing it...

Created from a software program in 2007.

Updated version from the above. Revised in March 2012.

Illustration from my children's book that I wrote in 2010.

Random drawing during Children's Literature class in Spring 2010.

A place dear to me. Created in 2009.

Picture Day Memory

Clip-art by Microsoft Office

This past Wednesday was Picture Day for the faculty and students at the school where I am student teaching. All the second graders were excited about having their pictures taken, so I thought I would share with them one of my vivid memories of past picture days. I recalled the story of when I was in fourth grade and had pictures after coming from P.E. 

It was a warm day, and we had been running around the track course. Somehow, my nice, prepared hair was no longer nice-looking! When it was time for pictures, I took a comb and simply started combing my hair back, like I typically did that year. At the time, as I was standing in line and waiting my turn, I was puzzled as to why several teachers kept laughing at my hair. I was certain that I had combed my hair, so why were they laughing in my direction? Well, I did not know it at the time, but it turns out that by combing my hair back I had given myself a very poor unintentional impersonation of the "Elvis" hairdo. To this day, I cringe every time I see my fourth grade portrait!

Anyway, the students loved the story. They found it amusing how their "teacher" made a terrible picture when he was a kid. When we got to the room where the photographer was, I was under the impression that the only ones having their pictures done were my cooperating teacher and the students from my homeroom. Well, imagine my expression as I discover that all interns had to have their pictures taken too! To some, this would be less horrifying news, but I had just recently taught two classes about the sun's energy, and I had tried on a couple of hats to show examples of how to be safe outside in the sun by wearing decent hats the proper way. Once I found out that I had to have my picture taken too, I automatically returned to the memory of my fourth grade portrait. I was like "Oh, no!" The students thought I feared getting my picture taken, so it amused them as I asked several, "How's my hair, is it fixed okay?" Thankfully, a couple of the kids were honest and told me areas that needed flattening down. I just hope I don't have another poor "Elvis" hairdo!