Tuesday, October 28, 2014

A new direction....

I have tired on this blog to focus on my art teaching practices.  But things are changing. 

I moved to Europe...that was a big change.

I am now teaching high school art.

And, most importantly to this blog, I am really trying to focus more on my own art making.

I have always been an artist...a maker if you will.  I can not help myself.  Even at times of my life when I felt I was being very artistically unproductive, if I really think about it I suddenly realize, "oh yeah!  I actually made this sculpture, and these three paintings then!"  I might have just pushed them out of my mind because the did not feel "good enough" or something.

So, I want to shift this blog; it has been too quiet for too long anyway!  Instead of only focusing on art education (specifically TAB) I also want to talk about my art, and how I try to be an artist and an educator. 

I do not claim to be an expert in this.  It is actually something I struggle with every day.  But, maybe, we can figure some stuff out together.

This summer, before my move to Kiev, I gave away all of my artwork.  I'm nuts, I know.  It was a very cleansing experience, like watching your children go off into the world on their own for the first time.  I once heard someone say, "Do not be the greatest collector of your own work."  And I was.  I had piles of painting and drawings that were good, but not being seen.  Now dear friends can enjoy them; they can have an audience.  It was wonderful.

All the paintings in this post is my own work from this summer.  All the paintings in this post now live in another person's home (mostly other art teachers!).  It makes me very, very happy to think about that.

Here are a few more of my children now out in the wild:



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Sign up for Colorado TAB art conference

It is still not too late!!!:

Join us for the 3rd Annual TAB Conference (Teaching for Artistic Behavior)
Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19 - MLK Weekend
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Aurora Public Schools Professional Learning Center
15771 E 1st Ave, Aurora, CO 80111 (just east of I-225)

Keynote talk is free and
open to all! 10:00 Saturday
Immediately following the keynote, the conference continues for paid registrants.
Cost: 2 Full Days for $75.00
Student Price $25.00 Students
UNC Credit available at conference.

Keynote Speaker:
Clyde Gaw
All about TAB - from cognitive neuroscience, to arts and STEM connections, to the secret art of boys and rhizomatic curriculum experiences! Clyde is author of chapter 11 in The Learner Directed Classroom: Developing Creative Thinking Skills Through Art.
See ”Transition to Choice-Based Art Education”at  www.clydegaw.blogspot.com

The Continuum of Choice Based Art Education Agenda includes:
New to TAB Sessions
Experienced TAB Discussions
Grade level groups
Interactive Centers
Assessment and Assessment Swapmeet.
(Everyone bring one “assessment” you want to share; either because it works great or because you want some feedback).
Also: Pecha Kucha, Contemporary Art,
Sculpture, Digital Portfolios, Strategies,
Tips, Tricks & Resources.

Snacks and munchies will be provided, but lunches are brown bag!

For questions & more information contact: Adam Laughlin Adam@laughlinart.com

video of my room

Here is a quick video tour of my room....be prepared to be jealous!


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Awesome Artist statement

This amazing artist statement came from a very quite 6th grade boy today. I am posting it exactly how it is, including spelling mistakes.  Man, this kid is cool...
Sorry the photo is sideways.
"I used a pencil and a markers. My artwork is about the prince of lordearon named arthas with his old friend muradin bronzebeard go into frostmourne cave. Muradin says no arthas it will give you a curse but arthas says no old friend I will bear and cruse to save my homeland. Arthas grabs frostmourne and. Muradin thought have died but he survived. After arthas destroyed his kingdom and became the lich king. Yes I think my artwork was good. I got better a drawing"

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Zombie Art

I need to apologize to you all...I have not posted in a long time.  But, honestly, I have been so busy in my classroom this year I have hardly had any time to think of anything to write.

BUT, one of my students just finished a portrait of a zombie...BOOM!! Art Education connection!  Oh yeah; speaking to my audience (all five of you).

Saturday, August 17, 2013

How often do you see your Artists (students)? - Part 2


Here in Aurora, Colorado we are already in our second week of school! Things have been going very well so far and it is looking to be a really great year.  I have some cool stuff in the works, that I will share with you all soon!
Our school is finally a full-grown PK-8 grade, and is now the largest school in the city.  Remember last year how amazed I was that I taught 750 students?  Well this year that number has gone up... it is now...


Wait for it...


1200!




Can you believe it? Twelve hundred students making amazing art; twelve hundred names to learn; twelve hundred smiles to earn.  I am pumped!

Our administration has been great with the jump in numbers and made sure the electives have enough staffing this year.  We are now offering 10 electives:  Boy's and Girl's PE, Band, Choir, Drama, Spanish, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Yoga, and little old me at Art.  It is so cool we get to offer all these classes this year.