Making Hard Decisions

I've taught art in the same district for 29 years.  The last 25 of those have been in the same classroom at the high school level.  I guess I must not like to change things up very much.  So, for me to make this important decision, was very difficult.  I made the decision to retire from teaching.  I have been thinking about it off and on for a year or so.  Although I have, for the most part, enjoyed my little home away from home.  I have spent more time in that classroom than I have been home.  I really enjoyed getting to know my students who loved to come to the art room to create and explore and enjoy the process of learning.  It was a blessing to see so many students enjoy my class.  But, it was time for a change. Change is good.  I retired from this job, but I plan to continue to be an artist, hopefully sell some things along the way...hopefully a lot of things!  But I know that I will probably continue to teach art in some way.  I don't know what or how yet, but creating art and teaching art seems to be my purpose...and I cannot give up that part of me.  It will just be in a different place. I have some ideas rolling around in my head.  For now, I will continue to create in my home studio that is bursting at the seams with supplies that are begging to be used.

Beth ♥

Summer break is almost here!

Clay Owl Sculpture
by me...

I call it summer break, but I really don't just sit back and do nothing! Actually it is not really a break from work, just from the rushed schedule of having to be at work at a certain time and meeting school deadlines.  After school is out, I start on my "To Do" list.  It starts out very long. Most important items at the top of the list and the least at the bottom.  I never get through the entire list, but I usually get the most important things done.  Among some of the things that I do are cleaning and de-cluttering around the house.  I do some deep cleaning that does not get done as much during the school year because of lack of time and energy.  But most important is the time that I have to work on extra art projects of my own or commissions for other people.  That list is growing as I write this! And that is a good thing!  One of my goals is to replace my dead laptop!  So hopefully those art commissions will help me reach that goal!  My need for a new laptop seems to get pushed down on the priority list quite often.  But that is just the reality of having a family and having a kid in college!

I recently created a clay sculpture of an owl (to go with my owl painting series), but it looks a little crazy. But that is how I feel this time of year trying to get everything done for the end of the school year.  Everything happens so fast at school, and so much is going on that it just boggles my brain. So I thought I would share this photo of my owl sculpture, just so you would understand!  I'm looking forward to time to paint and work with clay, just to clear my mind!

Beth ♥