Starting Somewhere
I'm starting this blog because I have to start somewhere. I'm not sure where this journey will take me, but I'm excited to share it with you.
I actually started this journey in 2017, but I wasn’t sure what I was doing and how to go about it. I still don’t, but I am moving forward all the same. You might watch me make great strides, jump over cracks, or fall flat on my face, but that’s part of the journey, right?
A Sketchbook.
In 2017, I had given my class a long-term project that included a personalized sketchbook and a theme. This project was inspired by the Brooklyn Art Library’s Sketchbook Project, which has sadly now ended. We spent 10-15 minutes a day drawing in our sketchbooks with the intent of creating our own mini-art library at the school. We created simple books with blank paper, binder rings, and carboard covered in scrapbooking paper for the covers. We then had to choose something that we would want to draw everyday for the entire semester. Choosing the theme was the hardest part. I don’t know about you, but I have decision paralysis (not a diagnosis). Fortunately, my students encouraged me to draw mushrooms because they knew how much I enjoy them.
The Prompts
Everyday, students took turns deciding what we would draw. Our first page was a table of contents so that we would remember what the prompts were and to help us find specific drawings.
Each day, I had to incorporate mushrooms into my work. The majority of my works were mash-ups and cartoon illustrations. I have always enjoyed kitschy art, so I had a lot of fun doing this project. (My students liked this project too, but I am trying not to be in teacher mode, sorry).
Monster in a Box
One of my favorite projects teaches students how to draw boxes using perspective. My mushroom monster made its first debut outside of the sketchbook.
This is where my journey truly took off. My mushroom grew, gained personality, made connections, and a story started taking shape.
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it and come back to see more. My next blog with show case the original drawings of the story my little monster wants to tell.
