to that one follower…i'm still here

So this seems a little silly that I wouldn't just start a new blog…or maybe I will. I don't know, do people even blog anymore? Well, since this is already set up--I will just continue on, as if I never left.

Well…I will catch you up a bit. So life got a little busy there for a minute and it seems for a while that I just wasn't creating art or doing any projects worth mentioning. Lately though, I have started making more time for my artwork and I am really excited about it!

Just a little catching up--

I finished my student teaching
Spent that summer looking for a job
Found a job
Went on a cruise
Got engaged
Bought a house
Got married
Went on another cruise
Bought a puppy
and...
Currently teach art to middle schoolers while picking away at house projects, yard work, gardening, traveling a bit, quilting, and making art. I think I might have ADD…or I just like to do too many things.

The latest of my artwork below.



This was a fast sketch that I turned into a print during a workshop at the UAEA conference.

I do appreciate those few followers who check my posts every so often to see if I still exist. I do, and I will try to post more frequently in the future. If you would like to see any of my other artworks--I have them posted on my Etsy shop, as well as my Instagram.

the most recent

and it is just a card, but I love it. I made this into a thank you for my teacher, and she loved it. She does a lot for me and I owe her way more than a thank you, but I will try and think of something grand. So still here in Germany. Life is great, teaching is fun, but I can't wait for my own classroom. I hear this is a normal thing for student teachers to feel. Tomorrow I am all on my own. My teacher is away. Wish me luck!


And since I have a little time, I thought I would add one of my new found favorite stores. It is a little fun boutique called, Bolero. They have funky purses, lots of really expensive ornaments, and just silly katie things that lift my soul.


This time, I will try to post more frequently...really.

katie jo

i'm really here

or so it would seem. We travel from base to base so much (by carpool) that I haven't gotten a chance to explore and even appreciate the city. I will tell more soon, but alas, I have to wake up at 5:40...and I am not a morning person.
















Also, more pictures tomorrow, because these are only half of the adventure...some of which involved me looking stupidly at a map while walking for blocks on end...I have never walked so much in one day than I did on Saturday...not even that time when our family went to Washington DC. Mom--you remember that?

That's it for now,

katie jo

the classroom

or at least the one involving clay. I was thinking for a lesson I would have my students make stamps, and then our next project would incorporate design, pattern, and texture. Can't wait!


This ceramics room is small, but we will make do! As I was making these clay stamps, students were inquiring as to what they were...I take that as interested. Yep, I was totally impressing them. A side note--they were equally impressed when I was making a pinch pot/bowl. Ah, it's the simple things...


Today I finally made my way into the city. It is not the easiest feat, but I loved every minute, despite the rainy cold weather.

Pictures tomorrow, time to sleep for now.

Guten Nacht,

katie jo

one of my favorite finds

bird scarf.


My favorite thing about scarves is that even hours after (also days) I use a spray of perfume, I can still smell it on my scarf. For some reason though, the scent goes sweeter. mmmm...

This really is the land of scarves.

katie jo

home is what you make of it...

and internet helps too.


A view from my window.

I haven't had much time for pictures...sad, and not really an excuse, I know. It has just been busy busy busy. I sometimes feel a little stranded here on Little America. We have our own market, library, movie theater, and convenient store. I even hear we have a craft store.

This is a little of what it looks like...not really in Germany, but lets just call it the place where I live.


My wonderful room. Yes, the layout is a bit odd, but there is not much I can do to change it. I do have my own room, and the other girls move in soon. (5 of them) There are four other student teachers across the hall.


Unpacked...oh, what one suitcase will hold!


I can say that even if I am stranded in this weird little place (Little America), the sunsets are still beautiful. I can't imagine how outstanding they would be from the city. I will have to take pictures when I am there during sunset...this has yet to happen, but it will.



My cooperating teacher took me on a little bargain shopping trip. We traveled in a loop from the base and stopped at New Edingen. Here is the second hand store we stopped at. I did find a vintage lace shrug...so no complaints from me.



My first day, today! The students are wonderful kids and I can't wait to start on some really awesome projects with them. As for my own artwork...I am itching to find an art shop. I have yet to explore the streets of Heidelberg, as we are a little farther from a bus stop than I had hoped.


Oh, and dinner with the best people in Germany (most likely the best night so far)! I love them!


I send my love to those I miss most!

More when I escape!

katie jo

cluttered with class assignments

I apologize.

Real work some day.

katie jo

ruffle this

I know what you are thinking, you have seen this before. But done at last, (for over a year now). Notice the christmas lights in the background?

 

 

 

 

 

I am in love with the fabric for the back.

katie jo

did i ever show you this

because I don't think I did...I was searching for some photos I had shot a year ago for a painting I am working on and I found a bunch of images I haven't uploaded. I never posted them because I wasn't completely satisfied the way they turned out and I had planned on retaking them. Well, a year later and I still haven't re-shot them.


A while ago I was painting on fabric and I will probably revisit this method soon. I have a few ideas in this head of mine...


Both the front and back have embroidery on them, but it is a little challenging to see from the photos.


That is it for now, just a little taste of summer because on Tuesday, plan for snow.

katie jo

a little out of the ordinary

I usually only post my own work, but I thought we could all use a little humor today.


This little piece is titled Hangjongeren by Idiots


I came across this artist while in 3D design and he spurred my hanging horse phase. His name is Maurizio Cattelan and the title of the work is called bidibidobidiboo. You should look him up.

So if you are feeling inspired and you want to make your own creation but perhaps in a more traditional pose and not so tragic you can purchase this mounting kit for just $39.99 at Cabella's (video also available).



Sorry Mom,

katie jo

a school assignment it is

So for all of you occasional readers, feel free to disregard. Ahhh...my creativity is being murdered at the moment.

I found one awesome website about how blogs can be used (10 ways actually) in the classroom. The website is http://edublogs.org. But since we had to go find three blogs about what this website just told me, here goes.

http://artjunction.org/blog/
A great resource for art teachers. This blog has current information on where to find even more resources online as well as lesson ideas, and we like that.

http://theartclassroom.wordpress.com/
A way for students to enter contests, post their own work, and vote on work of their peers throughout the country. I think if incorporated into the classroom, students will be excited about art and gain more ideas from what they are seeing.

http://theartclassroom1.blogspot.com/
This last one took some time, but I like the way the teacher has set it up. This blog is a good way for parents to see what their kids are doing in the classroom. The students also see their work and are able to gain a sense of pride not only for themselves, but for their classroom as a whole.

And now for the blogs/sites I now subscribe to...hoo-raw.
http://www.schoolartsroom.com/
http://theartclassroom.wordpress.com/

Time to treat myself to yet another diet coke...and red velvet cupcake. Stop judging me, if you tasted red velvet cupcakes as delicious as these you would understand.

Actual work soon...I promise.
katie jo

all toghether now

I do love series, and along with series, I love poppies.

No, this blog is not dead, and here is the proof. I have been painting and working on quite a few projects. I am once again in a new house and new work spaces are so hard for me to adapt to. I don't know why this is, because despite my efforts to create a small studio space of my own, I still manage to do the majority of my work on the floor or kitchen table, and when it is nice...outside. I do love summer.








I wish I could keep these paintings for my own, but they are headed for a long stay in Texas with my brother and his wife.

More to come soon... I promise,

katie jo

for ashlee and reese

This was a fun painting for me. It was painted for some friends of mine. Ashlee was trying to surprise Reese for Christmas...and almost had him fooled.

All she really wanted were bright colors and a barn in a field...and that was about it. I drove all around Logan looking for the perfect barn, found a few, and then found a background that I wanted to set the barn in. So I combined a couple of references and the rest was from my head.

The medium is oil...still my favorite (although I am sure it feels abandoned lately). I painted on a wooden panel board (a little bigger than 2 by 3 feet) with poplar sides that my dear friend and patient dad helped me build. One day I will have my own little wood shop!

The colors in this painting make me so happy! Oh, how it would be fun to paint outside again, but only when it is warm and dry. That is my goal this summer...lets see if it sticks!

More on the way,

katie jo

and three...

this little monkey for was one cute girl.



I know I have been a slacker about posting, so hopefully with school and life I can get some pictures thrown up once and a while. I have two pillows finally finished that I can't wait to post!

love,

katie jo