Monthly Archives: March 2013

End of Winter Term

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Greenware, bisqueware, and glazeware, collectively. 5th Grade.

The winter term has wrapped up in public school and slowly at the art center where I teach afternoons. This week has been a perfect week for me to reflect on students’ progress by reviewing past lessons and projects since mid-January. As a whole it seems everyone’s had fun and learned quite a bit. I’m pleased with the successes had then till now.

6th Grader working intently on his comic book.

I get ‘a little’ excited talking about art.

Women’s History Month

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Annie Leibovitz

Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy – your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself. –  Annie Leibovitz, famed portrait photographer

Throughout the month of March students and I have been discussing the work of well-known female artists. It’s a theme I use often, but particularly focus on during Women’s History Month. This week into next we’ll be wrapping up the event with Annie Leibovitz, an artist who’s taken photographs of some of the most iconic faces of popular culture.

Looking back, the accident

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Art by Ross Andru & Mike Esposito, 1967.

A year ago this month I endured a serious accident and miraculous recovery! I wrote about the experience here, I’m a survivor.

Days later I had a wonderful birthday with friends, made all the more special after realizing I had a second chance at life. Unfortunately, the following afternoon I was rushed to the ER again! Apparently my spleen had been discreetly bleeding and poisoning my other organs and it would be nearly two months before I was able to return to the things I enjoy like walking the dog, jogging, or teaching. In all I was hidden away from the world for an entire twelve weeks.

My life has returned to its standard craziness, though I still endure headaches and severe back pain from time to time. I’m told these symptoms of the accident may never completely go away. I’ve learned to cope and to listen to my body better. If it tells me I need to stay in for the night, I will. If the body feels like it needs a break, then I’ll skip a workout. In the end, I think this accident was a way for the universe telling me to slow down, appreciate what it is I have in my life. And I maintain to do just that.

Love to all of my wonderful friends and supporters. You make every moment of life worthwhile. The love and encouragement pushes me to do my best at home, in the classroom, or in the studio. Thank you!

A special shout out to my students who still let me know how important art class is to them every week. Their joy makes everything worth it and more!