Sunday, August 12, 2007

About Me

My art won’t be selling at Sotheby’s but I still enjoy creating it. Even more, I love looking at other people’s art. I have always loved Impressionism, been interested by the art of the Renaissance, and been confused by abstract art. There was so much I wanted to learn about art.

I graduated from the University of Florida where I earned a bachelor’s degree in English. I read tons of great books and I wrote a lot, two activities I have always enjoyed. Soon after graduating, I regretted that I didn’t study art when I was at school. But it’s never too late to learn. I started Art Smarts 4 Kids because it gave me a reason to write everyday and because I wanted to learn more about the artists I had always loved. I thought that my research could be useful to others, especially children. Kids get 50 minutes of art a week in school, if they’re lucky. That’s not enough. I hope this website will help.

I am currently working toward a master’s degree in elementary education at Johns Hopkins University. It won’t be long before I can use some of the lessons and projects posted at Art Smarts 4 Kids in my own classroom. I can’t wait to let you know how it goes.


If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, email me at artsmarts4kids AT yahoo.com.

23 comments:

Rachael said...

Hi! I desprately want to use your website live in my elementary-level classroom. I agree with your mission, and admire your candidness. Plus, I live in Florida! What a great opportunity for my students to see a website built by someone who practically lives in their own backyard. However, some of the choices of links to paintings I will not be aloud to use in an elemetnary-level classroom setting. The Salvador Dali painting posted first in your rescent article about Surrealism simply will not fly (even though we both know the students at Florida schools have seen more on tv...) Thanks.

Art Teacher, Winter Haven, FL

Jessica said...

I'm glad you like the site. You're absolutely right about the Dali painting. I'm going to change the link right now. It was extremely challenging to make Dali kid-friendly, as you can imagine, and I guess I didn't fully succeed!

Thanks for the heads-up!

Andy said...

Hi Jessica,

I enjoyed my visit to your website and the opportunity to read about you. I went to school to learn to be a music teacher, though have always enjoyed art as well. Recently I started a website of my own where kids can learn to draw, learn about great artists or print coloring pages. It has been great fun! If you would like to share my website, it's - www.makingartfun.com - Thanks!
I hope you enjoy your opportunity to teach. It looks like you are well on your way to having a great collection of resources to offer the kids.

RaspberryKidz said...

I am so happy I found your web site! I just signed up to teach an after-school class at my kids' school. I decided to call it "Under the Influence" where the kids learn about different artists and then do a project in that style. At the end, I will do one of their drawings in MY style (http://www.raspberrykidz.com). I knew I had to do research about different artists, but I was more concerned about how to teach it to prek-2nd graders. Your site saved me. Thank you!

rachel

Anonymous said...

hi
nice blog
would you like to add my blog to your blog list on blogger and I will do the same for you!

thanks
mads

Anonymous said...

hytI just signed up to teach an art lit. class in my sons class and by no means am I an artist!i really was saved by your site!GREAT IDEAS and helped me to "get Matisse"and now I can apply my knoledge to a 5th grade class and look foward to our art project!thanks for helping a non artist enjoy art and hopefully my class will agree!

Mary Benton said...

thank you for the work you have done. I took your idea for finding angles in Art work and instead of making post cards with them I made a power point. I put your blog address and name on it. I plan on using it in my music class and send it to my classroom teachers (for use in math). Thank you, Mary Benton

Jessica said...

Wow. I have been neglecting comments here. Thank you all so much for your kind words. I will click through to all of your sites this week and take a look around. I'd love to find some new art blogs to read!

Mary:
I hadn't thought to load the art angles into a Powerpoint presentation. I'll keep that idea in mind when I get to teach that lesson. I hope your students enjoyed finding angles in art. And thanks for passing my idea around!

Michelle Stewart said...

Dear Jessica:

I LOVE your site! I teach Art History for elementary and middle school students at a private school and I am always searching for new ideas. May I reproduce your info on Titian for my class? I will give you credit and site your website - it's all so kid friendly and well done - I'd love to pass it along with your permission.
Thanks, Michelle

Jessica said...

Sure, Michelle. I love to hear that my site is being used in the classroom. Feel free to print anything and definitely pass the site along if you think others would find use in it.

Anonymous said...

Hello, great site! I volunteer to teach art classes at my childrens' rural elementary school because the budget does not allow for any art classes until 7th grade! I borrow posters of famous paintings from a local arts council, give the students a brief bio of the artist, lead a discussion about the artwork and finally end with an art project that emulates the artist's style. The 5th graders will be trying out the Warhol project tomorrow and I am very excited. I plan on using your site for ideas for future projects so keep the famous artists coming!

Jessica said...

Welcome! I'm glad you found my site useful. Blogging has slowed here, but I will definitely post more artist-inspired projects.

It always makes me so sad to hear about kids who don't have art in school. Thanks for your hard work. You're doing a great thing for those kids.

Have fun!

Carol said...

Hello,
Oh, how this world could use more creative and caring individuals like you. Your website is a plus for our precious children--in so many positive ways.
I am a former teacher but are still connected to children in a variety of ways. I will share this website with coordinators and administrators of local grade schools, libraries, daycare centers, and crisis centers with which I have contact.
Your time and efforts are sincerely appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Carol, Former Teacher
Northeast Nebraska

Jessica said...

Wow, Carol. Thank you so much! I haven't been posting much lately because student teaching is keeping me busy, but comments like yours make me want to find the time. Please pass the site along to anyone you think might find it useful. I really appreciate the great word-of-mouth.

Anonymous said...

i luv u

Candace for the Arts said...

I love your site and all of it's wonderful links. I am a pre-school art instructor in Arizona. Thank you! Have you ever researched Romare Beardon? I use his work mostly for collage ideas, but wonderd if you had any other suggestions.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
iRAB said...

omg sorry thaT WAS MY FRIEND i was researching diego rivera and he did that he didnt think it would post im so sorry by the way i do love your site it is great

Unknown said...

Just found your website! I am spending some free time navigating through it. Lots of work and love went into it. I am sure I will find many new ideas. I have been teaching art for 33 years. Webs, blogs and 21st century learning has changed what I do in the classroom--big time. Are you still actively posting? Last additions I found were in 2010.

TryonMom27 said...

I love your blog. I homeschool my 7 children and really want to have more focus on art. This is the just place we need. thank you for putting it together. I will be adding you to my blog feeds. God Bless.

L. J. Lowe said...

Are you still around? Will you be actively blogging again soon? I'd like to feature your blog on my edu-freebies blog but can't if it's a dead blog.

Please contact me via email if you get this message and are still blogging or plan to revive this blog. Thanks.

mail @ freek12edu.com

yo peeps wassup said...

hi bye

Ms Liz said...

Thank you for all of your efforts and information with your website. I'm an art teacher and love reading art teacher's blogs. I'm planning my storyboard for my blog at this time. I'm wondering why you're not keeping your blog alive. You have so much writing talent and information to share with us all. Please consider to once again share your God-given talents with us all. "I" and I'm sure others, truly appreciate you and your efforts. Blessings and smiles, Liz
lizcalais@gmail.com