I've Been a Bad Blogger!

Well, it's New Year's Eve and I'm finally writing another blog entry. I regret the fact that I didn't blog about all of the places I've been since April (Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, North Carolina, Montana, Canada, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Maine). I wish I had posted all of the little art projects that I made here and there (logos, advent calendars, greeting cards, canvases, sketchbooks). OOOPS. One of my New Year's resolution will definitely be to write more frequently. I'm currently on Winter Break from teaching. The time off has allowed me to draw, paint, read, and visit with friends and family. Awesome!! I've been working on a scrapbook documenting my trip to Costa Rica with my boyfriend in 2012. It was a sweet little adventure and making the book lets me experience the fun all over again. Awww.... Here's a spread that I just finished (click to enlarge):

Luis: A Blast from my Teaching Past

I officially began teaching Art in 2002. One of my students from those first few years is now a senior in high school and he recently contacted me to invite me to his art show. It's crazy to think that these kids grow up, and even crazier to think that a few of them might remember their elementary school Art teacher. I was so honored that Luis reached out to me. I remembered him as an enthusiastic, talented boy with a big imagination. It made me happy to see that he is still upbeat and very creative. It's awesome that art plays such an important role in his life, and I hope it continues to do so. Here's a picture of the two of us at the show and a picture of some of his artwork:

Escape to El Salvador

At the end of January, I got to escape the frosty weather in Virginia by flying down to El Salvador, land of volcanoes, sunshine, fruit trees, and beaches! One of my best friends was born in El Salvador and still has family there. I'm ever so grateful to Veronica and her fabulous family for showing me around and making me feel at home in Central America. It was a perfect trip because I learned some Mayan history, practiced my Spanish, ate new foods, made new friends and strengthened old friendships, had crazy adventures on jet skis and in the back of pick up trucks, danced, laughed, made art, and relaxed. I hope I get a chance to go back someday. Here I am drawing a picture of a statue of Jesus out on the rocks in the ocean:

Here is what I ended up drawing:

Wrapping Up 2013

I painted this origami crane during the last few months of 2013. I gave it to my mother in hopes that it will bring her good health in 2014 (and far beyond!). Cranes are often thought of as a symbol of hope, healing and longevity.

I spent most of November working on an advent calendar for my friend Sophie. The calendar was in the form of a book. On each page was a seed packet envelope containing a drawing. I was so artistically drained from making the book and the 25 drawings, that I didn't make a Season's Greetings card this year. Sophie made an advent calendar for me too. Hers involved delicious chocolates wrapped in lovely fabric flags. Making the calendars was a lot of work, but it was a creative, fun way to share the holiday season with a friend who lives many states away. Here is a photo of my 25 drawings and a close up of the picture for the 25th day:

In December, I finished doing some drawings for my friend Margie. She's getting married and asked me to do some illustrations for her Save the Date and invitations. The wedding is going to have a country theme, so I drew a barrel, a wooden fence, a wagon wheel, a mason jar, and a barn. It will be interesting to see how Margie and Greg use the artwork on the final products. Here's one of the drawings:

 During the week of Christmas, I drove my mother, her dog, and my grandmother down to my brother's house in North Carolina. My sister and her boyfriend flew up for part of the week. It was amazing to be around so much family on Christmas Day. That hasn't happened in a very long time. My brother's wife had decorated every inch of their big, historic home, so that it felt like the set of a Christmas movie. One of the highlights of the week for me was sketching at the dining room table alongside my niece and my sister's boyfriend. I wish I had taken a photo of all of our sketchbooks. Here's what I drew that day:

Looking forward to making much more art in 2014! Happy New Year!