This is a special bonus episode in response to a beautiful outpouring from a Sparkler inside our private Facebook Group. Her anticipated art show generated only a few attendees and as we can all imagine, low attendance just doesn’t feel great.

I know I’ve coordinated many art shows that ranged from just a few parents here and there to shoulder to shoulder crowds.

This episode shares 3 simple steps to ensure that your definition of success doesn’t start at the opening of the show.

3 Steps to a Successful Art Show:1. Keep it simple2. Get help from unlikely sources3. Release expectations

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

How you should define “success” before you hold your art show

What tasks your children can help with and why they can be such a great help in preparing for the show

What matters more than just the number of people that attend the show

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

Prepping for School Art Show

Artomé

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Today I'm answering the most asked questions I receive about teaching kids to paint. This is the second episode in our series, Questions You Were Afraid To Ask.

If you want to know how to prevent your paper from curling, wonder why the salting technique doesn't work for you or whether you should buy acrylic or tempera paint, this episode is perfect for you.

Make sure to download the free PDF that lists each question and answer plus offers bonus videos for you to view on Deep Space Sparkle.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why I feel it is precious to be present when teaching children

- What to do about "goopy" water colors

- The best ways to use salt with your watercolor and the supplies that work best for this technique

- How to stop your paper from curling

- How to make your use of Tempera paint more vibrant and the differences between liquid Tempera paint and Tempera cakes

- What are the differences between acrylic paint and Tempera paint

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

DOWNLOAD THE Q & A GUIDE

To get the Art Classroom Q & A Guide, click on the yellow button below. Add your name and email and we’ll email it to you.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Crayola Acrylic Paint

Crayola Premier Tempera

Hand Makery

5 Tips for Making Vibrant Paint Colors

Tempera vs. Acrylic

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We're going back to basics today to answer 5 questions that you may have been afraid to ask about teaching kids to draw.

I've been sharing how to teach drawing to kids for a long time but what I noticed was the same 5 questions were asked over and over again by my audience. These questions are the direct results of diving into an art project but experiencing a reaction from a child that was unexpected. Situations like being frustrated, drawing too small and experiencing perfectionism can leave even the most experienced teacher bewildered.

Make sure to download the complete Q & A guide from Deep Space Sparkle.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

- What to do if your students want to copy pictures from books

- How to get kids to draw bigger, and what to consider when it comes to the size of the drawing

- My secret approach to use when students want to start their drawing over

- Ways to implement sketch books in the classroom

- What to do when children "shut down" during a lesson

DOWNLOAD THE Q & A GUIDE

To get the Art Classroom Q & A Guide, click on the yellow "Download PDF" button below. Add your name and email and we'll email it to you.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

All About Guided Drawings

Draw Paint Sparkle by Patty Palmer (Coming August 21st)

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The fine art of art demonstrations is not something we learn at school. Often, teachers are plunked in front of a class without knowing exactly what to do. Do you show a finished project? Where do kids sit? Do you have supplies on the table or do you offer a self-serve approach?

Believe me, I've been there!

This episode is in response to a question posed in our Sparkler Facebook group:

I'm curious, how do you all demonstrate a lesson? I'm on a cart and don't have access to a document camera. The flow of my lessons feels a little chaotic and I feel it is part due to students not understanding how to create the projects. I usually give verbal instructions and perhaps demonstrate a technique on scrap paper, but then those in the back have trouble seeing.

Such a great questions, right?

This episode reveals my strategy of how I staged my demonstrations in my art room from how children enter the art room to working on a project.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 

- How I use my white board to prepare for a lesson

- Ways I managed my classroom to allow students to have a calm state of mind

- How I get children to listen

- Why document cameras or powerpoint presentations aren't my thing

- What to do if you forget to talk about a step in the lesson

- Why you should always be aware of the dynamics in your classroom

DOWNLOAD A SEATING CHART (Fillable)

To get the Seating Chart PDF, click on the yellow "Download PDF" button below. Add your name and email and we'll email it to you.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

Draw Paint Sparkle by Patty Palmer (Coming August 21st)

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In this episode, I share why I feel so strongly about supporting and sharing with others. Why it's good for me and how sharing, collaborating and being positive shapes my life. I call it living with abundance but it can also be called The Golden Rule: Do to others what you would want them to do for you.

This episode shares a few stories about how giving and sharing has made a huge difference in my happiness, prosperity and job satisfaction and ways it can work for you, too.

I'll talk about...

• What “abundance” means to me

• How living with abundance and giving to others enhanced my own life

• Why you should strive to be the person you want to have in your life

• Why “the less you expect, the more you receive” is true

• The reasons why joining a mastermind is such a great idea

And speaking of sharing, here is a list of people I think are amazing. I want acknowledge them and share their goodness with YOU!

Ami Mayes Colorado, Hand Makery

Allison Jensen Missouri, Orange Easel Art

Anna Bartlett, Shiny Happy Art

Arielle Goddard, Art Camp LA

Robin Long, Balanced Life Sisterhood

Jasmine Star, Instagram 180 & The Social Curator

Tiffany Lee Bymaster, Lights Camera Branding

Anna DiGillio, Simple Skilled inSecond

Jessica Balsey, Art of Education

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

Oprah Super Soul Sunday

James Wedmore

Pat Flynn, Smart Passive Income

Amy Porterfield Online Marketing Made Easy

Rick Mulready

Upcoming Free Challenge

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AME 079: How to Protect Your Creative Content

Do you offer tutorials, projects or handouts on social media, but get uneasy when someone swipes your idea? Protecting your creative content, from your Insta-Stories to your blog posts takes consideration. I know exactly how it feels when someone posts your content as their own and it’s not great.Today’s episode shares 3 options to consider when deciding HOW to share your content without feeling like you got ripped off.

Also, a few updates on a Sparklers meet-up in Seattle, our upcoming Art workshop this summer and what I took from hearing Condoleezza Rice speak.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• How social media has changed the art industry and allows you to join tribes of like-minded people

• Why you should always been learning, growing and experimenting with different ways of teaching art

• When protecting your content, start with stating your intentions

• How to set up shop and charge for your content

• What I got out of sharing freely for years

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

Teachers Pay Teachers

Olympic Sports Icon Project

The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp

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Art Meets Storytime

My favorite way to transition a classroom full of kids to an art class is to read a picture book. I've been a longtime fan of children's literature and art so when you put the two together, you have a enraptured audience.

Today's guest is Julia Linsteadt, the co-founder of KidArtLit, a subscription box company that delivers storytime and art kits every month to young families. It's really two of my favorite things. Julia shares her story of how she began her business and why she thinks it's so successful.

Make sure to click over to the blog to get a special Art Made Easy discount code for your first order of your subscription box.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why Julia’s childhood and artistic parents were perfect grounds to support her artistic side

• How Julia transitioned into an art educator and the ways she now educates and interacts with smaller children

• How Julia and her business partner met and what steps they took to start an online business

• Why, as a new online business owner, you’ll need to learn as you go and have mentors help along the way

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

KID ART LIT DISCOUNT CODE!

We are happy to offer our Art Made Easy listeners 10% off the first-month order of the renewing 1, 3, or 6-month subscription options.

Discount Code: SPARKLE10

KidArtLit Website

Note: This code does not apply to our gift options. Families may cancel at any time.

LINKS & RESOURCES

KidArtLit Instagam

KitArtLit Facebook Page

The Subscription School

The Artful Parent by Jean Van't Hul

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What’s Your Word of the Year?

In today’s episode, I’ll share how I use mine and how you can incorporate a Word of the Year into your life.  There are parts of this conversation that move past picking a word to represent how you want to feel or what action you want to take in the new year.

My word evolved because of a bad situation in one of my past art classes. In order not to repeat the scenario, I created an intention that I still follow today.

I’d love to hear what your Word of the Year is, if you have one and how it has changed how you use in every day.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• How I define my Word of the Year and who inspired it

• Why the practice of setting a word for the year can be helpful

• What things you can do to stay hyper-aware of your word throughout the year

• What happens when your students begin to trust you

• Which words I've used throughout the years and why

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINK & RESOURCES

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav

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[email protected]

CLASSROOM TEACHERS GUIDE FOR TEACHING ART

You may wonder how you can teach art to your students if you don’t consider yourself an artist.  Here’s the thing…I don’t believe you need to be a great artist to teach art to kids. You just need a little bit of help.

This episode of Art Made Easy offers you the tips and tricks (and the toolkit) to help classroom teachers teach art effectively when you don’t have an art room, lots of ideas or supplies.

Be sure sure to download the Classroom Teachers Guide Toolkit through the blog for links, tips and checklists.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why templates and directed drawings can be beneficial for getting started on your classroom art lessons

• How you can organize your supplies for easy access and alternatives to a chalkboard that you can use as dedicated art spaces

• Why I recommend liquid water colors for every grade level if you’re a classroom teacher

• What big misconception exists about using chalk and ways you can start using it in your art room

• Ways to create the right environment for your students to create their art

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

To learn more about The Sparklers Club

> SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE VIDEO SERIES: Create Your Dream Art Program

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Classroom Teacher’s Guide to Teaching Art

Teach Art In Your Class

Art at Home Toolkit and Guide: AME 068

4 Steps to Designing Your Perfect Art Program: AME 064

The Organized Art Teacher: AME 037

Tips to Help Gauge if an Art Project is Right for Your Class: AME 006

Nutcracker Art Lesson

Christmas Car

Have you ever felt frustrated or flustered at work? Perhaps a bit anxious or uncertain? Creating art lessons, prepping supplies, managing behaviors and dealing with uncertainty can challenge even the best of us.

Today’s episode of Art Made Easy takes a look at how one book, Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield changed the way I approached my day. As a writer, it made a huge difference in my productivity and as a teacher it allowed me to look at my job with more focus and less distraction.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

• How having a professional mindset can help you in the art room

• What are the real differences between amateurs and professionals

• Why looking into the future can be just as limiting than looking into the past

• Whether or not you need to offer many different mediums in your art program

• Why I believe you can be both a creative and a business owner

• What I say before my students walk in the door

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

Enrolling new Sparklers on January 3, 2018To learn more about The Sparklers Club

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Turning Pro & The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

AME 007: How to Create a Thematic Unit with Laura Lohmann