Welcome to my third episode of Art Made Easy! Thank you so much for the overwhelming support for the creation of this podcast. I can only say that I have a great line-up of guests and topics to share with you in the upcoming weeks and months.

Today I am interviewing Jessica Balsley from the Art of Education. Jessica and I started our blogging journeys around the same time and our visions for supporting the art ed community have complimented one another. I love how Jessica bridges the gap between providing professional development opportunities and valuable teaching resources with creative vision to her readers. If you are a credentialed art teacher, she is your gal.

In today's show, Jessica and I talk openly about art assessment. I confess I know nothing of formal assessment tools. She breaks down assessment strategies using art project examples so I can understand.

But here's the best part of the interview: Jessica reveals how a mindset shift can make a great teacher even greater. This stuff is gold!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

- How Jessica began her career as an art teacher

- How engagement among art teachers increases teacher happiness and positivity

- How a bubble test lead to Jessica's decision to shape art assessment tools

- How to assess your students without selling your creative soul

- Why checklists are better than rubrics

- Why art teachers should design their own curriculum

-  The benefits of thematic art programs

- What questions to ask yourself when designing your art program

- Tips for recording assessment (this one is so cool!)

- What a positive attitude looks like in an art room

- Why being good at one thing is good enough

- Jessica's top tips for becoming a great teacher

- What class Jessica thinks is best for a brand new art teacher

- Jessica's favorite book right now

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

SHOW NOTES

 Jessica's 100 Free Art Projects

The Art of Education

2016 Winter Online Art Conference

Assessment in Art Education Online Class

Cassie Stephens

Painted Paper (African Unit)

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

If this show inspired you, please subscribe to Art Made Easy in iTunes and leave an honest review. This helps the podcast get recognized by more creative people like yourself.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

Today on the podcast, I interview Heidi Easley, owner of Texas Art & Soul. Not only is Heidi a part-time K-5 art teacher but she runs a thriving paint party business in Dallas, Texas. Heidi is going to walk you through the process of hosting your own painting party, whether you host a small event with family and friends or for a large group.

I'm so inspired by Heidi's entrepreneurial spirit and her ability to make it work no matter what the obstacle. And this is the part of her story that is really impactful; how she went from losing everything to creating and living the life she has always dreamed about.

Her story is so inspiring.

This episode is for anyone who would like to learn more about hosting painting parties, how to start a business with zero budget and for anyone feeling like they are at a dead end. Let Heidi inspire you!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

- How to bounce back from bankruptcy

- The value of family support to foster new business ideas

- The importance of patience and never giving up

- Being open about considering new opportunities

- The healing power of art and the real value of painting parties

- How Heidi provides art assessment for her students

- Heidi's advice on how to start your own Paint Party Business

- The best place to buy easels, acrylics and brushes

- How Heidi handles the variety of painting personalities she encounters

- How Heidi stays positive and maintains a fresh mindset

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

SHOW NOTES

Texas Art & Soul

Heidi's Artist Series The Accidental Artist

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Jerry's Artarama

Blick Acrylic Paints

Cassie Stephens (Art Teacher from Tennessee)

Sign up for Heidi's newsletter and download the free How to Paint Your Pet Project

PS – Please leave a review on iTunes!

Art Made Easy is now live on iTunes! Subscribing to the show and leaving an honest review really helps the show gain visibility and allows me to tailor the show to your needs.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

You can connect with Heidi on Instagram and through Facebook

Yes, the day has come!

After a long time deciding if, I finally said when.

Thank you SO much for your encouragement, show suggestions and help getting Art Made Easy off the ground.

Many of you were so pumped about this show but confessed that you had no idea what a podcast was. I love you guys for your unbridled enthusiasm.

Here's a quick definition of a podcast & what to expect from Art Made Easy:

A podcast is a free radio show. The host (me!) interviews guests or talks about a favorite subject. You get to listen through your computer, laptop or smart phone. I like to listen to my favorite podcasts in my car during long travel days or on my walks via set of ear buds and my iPhone.

You can subscribe to the show via iTunes and Stitcher radio. The benefit is that your free podcast ap on your iPhone will automatically be updated with all the podcast episodes from any show you subscribe to.

Go ahead and give it a try!

To listen on your laptop or computer, just click the play button in the colored box below.

To listen via iTunes, click on the "play in iTunes" banner and click subscribe.

And now onto the show...

For my first show, I wanted to tell you my story of how I became an art teacher. We all have different paths and this one is mine. I'll share advice to those who are just starting out as an art teacher and some of my best tips for teaching art to kids.

This episode is for anyone who thinks they may not have the qualifications to be an art teacher. Teaching art to kids doesn't have to happen inside a classroom. You can teach art at home, at a summer camp and even as a volunteer (like I did).

If you are an art teacher just beginning your journey, I'm sharing my best advice to get you through that tough first year. Download my free handout and keep it in your teacher planner and refer to it when you have a tough day.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

SHOW NOTES:

Drawing With Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too

Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages (Lab Series)

National Art Convention

CreativeLive- free online classes

Art Teachers Facebook Group

Website: Painted Paper in the Art Room (Laura Lohmann)

Website: Art of Education

Book: Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers

PS – Please leave a review on iTunes!

Art Made Easy is now live on iTunes! Subscribing to the show and leaving an honest review really helps the show gain visibility and allows me to tailor the show to your needs.