Art Made Easy

In today’s episode, I answer a question from Ashley, a member of Deep Space Sparkle's Members’ Club. Ashley asks, How do you train volunteers so they become an art room asset instead of a liability?

This is such a great question. I've been a volunteer in my children's classes and had the opportunity to work with some of the best parents in the world.  And let me just say, there's a learning curve to both sides. In this episode I help you clarify the message and task list you send to your volunteers and help parents maximize their time spent as a volunteer.

If you are an art teacher, this is what you'll learn:

How taking a few minutes to write down what you need help with can save time for both you and the parent

Why you need to communicate clearly and professionally what needs to be done (just because they are volunteers doesn’t mean their time is unlimited)!

How delegating the right task to the right volunteer will result in a more efficient classroom

How having a parent with photography skills can benefit you

How any negativity and distractions can disrupt the learning experience

Why it’s important to accept the outcome and realize that the job might not be done to the same level that you could do it

If you are a volunteer, this is what you'll learn:

Why it’s helpful to tell the teacher your parameters beforehand

How listening to the teacher’s demonstration and being prepared to help will make you a more effective volunteer

Why you need to help every child in the classroom, and not just your own

When volunteering, why hiring a babysitter is a good plan

How being a worker and finishing the task at hand will allow you to be of the most benefit to the class

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast App. 

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES:

Artsonia

Developing art lessons can be overwhelming to create with a busy schedule. Sure you can use the same art lessons every year but every now and again, you’ll want (or be required) to create lessons for a very specific topic or subject.

Over the years, I created a criteria for assessing whether or not a lesson will work in my art program. I call it my SPARKLE method for lesson development. These 7 key steps will help you create art projects that are unique to you, your art program and that your students will love.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

Why it’s important to flex your creative muscles and see what you can create on your own

How I get ideas for my new projects, both around the house and while travelling

Why illustrations have to be understandable for children in order to convert successfully into an art lesson

What to do if you have a set curriculum to follow

The secret to know if a project will work for students

Why you don’t need to apologize for your weaknesses - play up your strengths!

How it’s important to try out a new lesson yourself before introducing it to your class

Why if you’re introducing an art concept in a school environment, there has to be a reason for it

How telling a story or interesting fact about an artist will engage children and make the lesson memorable

When you’re doing research you can use sensory details to explain or elaborate on an artist’s technique

How YouTube videos can easily be used to teach kids about artists that you’re not overly familiar with

When designing a lesson around a master, make sure the person has a broad appeal for the age group you’re teaching to

How using lingo, or vocabulary, in your art room is a great way to make sure your lesson planning is on track

The mindset shift I had to make when it came to using 3-D forms

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap. 

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES:

Eric Carle

Lois Ehlert

Old Bear & Leaf Collage Lesson (inspired by Kevin Henke)

Etsy

Karla Gerard

Mizzlee_Art (Instagram)

“A Rock Is Lively” by Dianna Hutts Aston

Art Made Easy’s Free Art Supply Checkist (downloadable pdf)

Romero Britto Facebook Page

Maud Lewis

Art with Mati & Dad YouTube channel

Getting to Know Videos on YouTube 

Fred Babb

Keith Haring

Nellie Shepherd

Are you feeling overwhelmed? I must admit that this year has been an intentionally busy one for me. In order to prevent overwhelm, I fall back on 5 strategies that keep me focused on what is important, what I value and the most important tasks I need to accomplished in a day.

This episode will help you identify when you are about to go down that overwhelm hole and how to get yourself back on track.

After you listen to the episode, let me know how you handle overwhelm. Share in the comments below...

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

How change can never happen without some level of being uncomfortable

How the recent expansion of Deep Space Sparkle is exciting, but overwhelming at the same time

The three main factors that contribute to overwhelm

When you give yourself permission to alter things with your own twists, the expectation placed on you go way down

How saying “Yes” too many times can lead to you feeling depleted

How information overload can lead you down the rabbit hole of overwhelm, and how choosing what to focus on can help

Why that “little voice” in our head doesn’t serve us

How the mind is a powerful tool that can be used to your advantage when facing overwhelm

Why going for a walk in nature often solves everything, particularly for someone who is introverted

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap. 

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES:

AME 016: 5 Mindset Shifts That Made a Difference in my Life

AME 026: Unlocking Your Potential with Personality Tests

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61)

A New Earth with Oprah and Eckhart 10-part series

Do you love creating crafts with your kids? Or creating art based on famous artists? Learn how engineer turned crafter, Maggy Woodley started Red Ted Art, an arts & craft blog for kids. The success of her blog lead to her first book deal, Cute & Easy Crafts for Kids and grew her Facebook page to 1.8 million fans and almost 91K subscribers on You Tube.

Amazing, right?

Maggy was so much fun to talk to. She shares so many secrets of how she grew her blog following while raising a family. Even if you aren't a blogger, I know you'll find so many gems in this conversation.

Enjoy the show!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 

How getting content out there can help you define your niche

How Maggy defines art vs. crafts

What types of recycled materials around the house can be used (instead of expensive supplies)

Maggy’s favorite craft products from Red Ted Art

How she uses Facebook and YouTube to build a following with both adults and children

Advice from Maggy on starting a blog and the challenges that come with it

Why building a network or meeting blogging friends can help you succeed

The benefits of blogging courses and why waiting six months proves your chances to succeed.

What resource Maggy calls “Invaluable”

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap. 

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES:

Red Ted Art blog

Red Ted Art Cute & Easy Crafts for Kids

YouTube

Facebook

Barbara Richardson

Andy Goldsworthy Lesson on DSS

Check out Maggy’s favorite crafts - Walnut Babies and Halloween Lanterns

Do you get frustrated when your students rush to finish a project to work on free drawing or a coloring sheet?

Do you find you are constantly being challenge to find solutions for early finishers?

In this episode of Art Made Easy, I walk you through strategies to help your students finish an art project during the scheduled time plus tips to help you assess your lesson timelines, free choice activities and grade-level projects.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 

Why you really need to step back and look at the reasons why timing is problematic in the first place

What to expect when kids begin art projects

How providing predictability in what your children can expect in the art room can go a long way in gauging how long it will take them to do a certain task

How demonstrations can be used before, and during a lesson, to grow the listening and attention skills of your students

Why your reaction matters

The benefits of sticking to a lesson that was tested for that grade level

Why setting up as many limitations as possible for the “perfectionist” student is the best thing you can do

How to use free choice time effectively

Why portfolios can be a good alternative to free choice

The benefits of directed line drawings and how they can be used to help get a handle on how long children are able to work on a project

Patty's strategies and script for teaching a direct drawing

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap. 

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES

Draw & Paint a ¾ View Snowman Art Project

How to Draw a Snowman without using Circles Art Project

AME 025: All About Guided Drawings

All About Free-Choice Art Time

Have you ever wondered whether you could run your own creative business? In this episode, I'll walk you through what its like owning a business, qualities you need to possess to be an entrepreneur and what to look for when deciding what type of business you would like to run.

This episode is perfect for anyone who is looking to supplement a teaching income, explore ways to teach art outside of school and general tips for starting your own creative business.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

What my definition of entrepreneurship is and the various ups and downs of being an entrepreneur

Why it’s important to let your business develop organically

How with being an entrepreneur, all the freedom/responsibility is on you

What qualities are key for being an entrepreneur

How to solve problems and conflicts without getting personal

How to grow your business by systemizing

How to determine what people want then take the lesson a little bit further to give them what they need

What is the “hand maker” movement and why is it gaining popularity?

How to set up your environment and get the rules and regulations from your Chamber of Commerce

Why videos can enhance your online business and blogs and podcasts can help you excel

How to charge for your services

What is test marketing and competitive shopping

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap. 

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES: 

Art Made Easy 027: Life After Teaching – Part I

James Wedmore

Art Projects For Kids

Art Made Easy 010: Tips For Running An After-School Art Program with Kathy Barbro

WHATEVER… blog, Meg Duerksen

While She Naps, Abby Glassenberg

CraftSanity Blog and Podcast, Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

Are you dreaming of what life will look like after you retire from teaching art?

Or perhaps you’ve had enough of teaching and are ready to move on?

Today’s episode helps a reader bridge the gap between finding happiness as a K-8 public elementary art teacher and her dreams of opening up a children’s art studio.

This is Part I of a two-part series on exploring creative opportunities after teaching.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

What are three main courses of action you can take when you feel like you’re ready to switch things up

How it was a natural progression for me to move from teaching art to starting a blog

What the word “inspire” means to me

Why you shouldn’t underestimate the power of creating something everyday that’s just for you

How its possible (and so important) to merge your hobbies and interests with teaching and how it can benefit both you and your students in the art room

Why learning a new skill just might awaken the future entrepreneur inside of you

How lessons learned from TV shows can help you connect with your students

Why earning money from selling teaching resources can boost not only your pocketbook but your enthusiasm for the work you do

How presenting at events and teaching workshops can be exciting opportunities to grow and help you prepare for your future

Why you need to make the decisions on the curriculum (not children or parents) if you are teaching out of your home studio

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap.

Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.

SHOW NOTES: 

Cassie Stephens’ Blog

Creativebug

Teachers Pay Teachers

Art Made Easy 021, with Ginger Bowerman Pacer

Laura Lohmann’s Website

National Arts Education Association

Art Made Easy 002, with Heidi Easley

Art Made Easy 009, with Megan Schiller

In this episode of Art Made Easy I’m diving down the rabbit hole of personality tests. Don't know if you are a fan, but I've been literally obsessed with the Myers-Briggs test since I listen to The Mind Your Business podcast a few months ago.

Here's what I learned; by knowing what makes you tick, you can learn how to become a better teacher, engage in activities that bring you more joy and be around people who compliment you. You may not be overly familiar with personality test, but trust me, knowing the reasons why you do what you do really helps with making decisions—big and small.

This episode is for anyone who is interested in being happier at work, choosing activities that energize you and learning how to manage your personal relationships. 

It’s also a lot of fun figuring out who you really are!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 

-  How knowing what makes you “tick” can actually make you a better teacher

-  How just being good at something doesn’t mean you should build a career from it

-  That my strength was a single verb, “Create”, which has guided everything I do from my blog to my lessons

-  What the four categories of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test are

-  Where we get our energy from is the key to determining if we are an introvert or extrovert

-  How you have to throw out your preconceived ideas of what people are based on their occupation

-  How people with opposite personality traits can make a relationship work

-  Why understanding other peoples’ personality types can make it easier to work with them

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

SHOW NOTES: 

The Mind Your Business Podcast, with James Wedmore and Phoebe Mroczek (if you are a creative entrepreneur and haven't listened to this podcast, you need to check it out. You'll love it. I promise.)

Episode 020: Know Thyself, Know Thy Business

Episode 021: Know Thyself (Part 2)

Marcus Buckingham on Oprah

Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham

Take a Myers-Briggs Test and Read About your Type

Did you enjoy this show? Get automatic updates by subscribing to Art Made Easy on iTunes

To start off Season Two of Art Made Easy, I'm answering a member's question about Guided Drawings.

Gloria asks:

"Sometimes when I am doing a directed drawing lesson, like the Matisse fish bowl, rabbits, pumpkins or really, whatever …. I'll always get the question from my students Do I have to do it that way? or Can I just do anyway I want?

And, frankly I'm torn. I don't want to squash their creativity, but I do want them to stretch themselves and try something new. My teacher friend, who is an artist, says I shouldn't even attempt to do directed drawings but rather bring in objects or photos of what is to be drawn and let the students come up with their own ideas of what that should look like on paper. Is there a balance to be had? And what would you say to those little guys who just want to do what they want and go their own route? Thanks Patty!"

Isn't that a great question? In this episode of Art Made Easy, I'm going there...discussing the pros and cons of guided drawings and answering whether or not they can be beneficial to kids or whether they restrict creativity.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- How all art philosophies are good, and there’s really no wrong way to teach art to kids

- What exactly a guided drawing is and when is the best time to use one

- What are the benefits of guided drawings, especially for younger children who tend draw on the small side

- Why your objectives or goals must be determined when considering which methods to use in your classroom

- How you sometimes will have to be the authority and not allow a child to draw something that doesn’t fit with your project or theme

- What guidelines exist for implementing drawing into your art program

- How everyone can draw (it’s really just a series of lines and shapes placed on the paper)!

- Why using a variety of techniques to teach children how to draw will build their confidence

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

DOWNLOAD A PDF

I created a simple guide that offers direction on what drawing strategies work best for the different grade levels. I use these guidelines as a way to introduce art projects throughout the year.

To download the PDF, click the YELLOW box, add your name and email and you will automatically receive the download. Check your inbox!

You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram

Patty Palmer At Home Instagram

Today is the last episode of Art Made Easy Season One!

When I embarked on this podcast journey, my intentions was to test out the platform, see if anyone was interested in listening to what I had to say and to share my love of teaching art through others.

I'm proud that the show has over 65K downloads and has been in the New & Noteworthy section as well as the What's Hot section in iTunes (K-12 education) since we began. That means that many of you tune in every week to listen.

Thank you!

To me there is no better way to begin summer, than to have a stack of books at the ready. Teachers need this time to recharge their creative batteries, take a break from the rigors of teaching and to explore new ideas and pursuits.

Books can help take you there...to the place where anything is possible.

Today's episode shares three of my favorite books: One to help you form new habits, another to take you on a creative journey and the final one to allow you to step into the life of an artist/entrepreneur.

Season Two of Art Made Easy will start in late August. See you then!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

- What I’ll be doing this summer (including exciting plans for Deep Space Sparkle)!

- Which book can be used as a guide to help you get past “sticking points” in the creative process

- What inspired me in different phases of my life & how creativity is literally a “living, breathing thing”

- How visiting museums, libraries and nature will open your mind up to new ideas

- What is a “morning writing commitment”?

- If you really need to be an artist to teach art to kids

- Why you need to listen to your instincts and that little voice inside your head

- Why you can do anything, whenever, when it comes to creativity

- How really knowing yourself is needed before you change any of your habits

- Why you need to understand what others are motivated by

LISTEN TO THE SHOW:

SHOW NOTES:

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (affiliate link)

Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits--to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin (affiliate link)

Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon by Susan Seid (affiliate link)

Jess Lively, The Lively Show

Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies   & Quizzes