How to Start Planning for AP Studio Art

How to Start Planning for AP Studio Art

  With the new AP Art guidelines released by the College Board, it’s time to start planning. I’m trying to make sure that I plan smart, keeping in mind that I’ll need to update my syllabus. I also want to think about what lessons and resources I already have that will work well with the […]

How to Use Drawing to Improve Learning in all Subjects

How to Use Drawing to Improve Learning in all Subjects

Do you know how to take notes that help you learn? When I started teaching AP Art History, I found that students were excellent at filling pages in their notebooks with notes. However, as I looked over their notes, they were simply re-writing what they were reading. They weren’t demonstrating that they understand what they […]

3 Tools to Help You and Your Students Feel More Confident Writing

3 Tools to Help You and Your Students Feel More Confident Writing

I often have students in art class they don’t feel comfortable writing. I myself wasn’t always a big fan. As with most things in life, it takes practice and access to the proper tools. Two tools that I use myself and also share with my students are Grammarly and the Hemmingway Editor. Both of have […]

How to Prepare for AP Art

How to Prepare for AP Art

  Did you know that the portfolio requirements for AP Studio Courses are changing? In the past, students submitted 24 pieces. 12 breadth and 12 concentration. Moving forward, students will submit 15 pieces. All 15 pieces will be focused on sustained investigation. Meaning that all 15 pieces that demonstrate sustained investigation around questions asked by […]

9 Videos about Jewelry Design

9 Videos about Jewelry Design

When it comes to art class, a lot of people don’t think about Jewelry Design. Creating jewelry is sometimes put into the category of craft. Jewelry design is a great way to learn new skills and techniques, but also to learn and explore 2D design principles. Below you’ll find a collection of videos that explore […]

6 Photography Videos to Inspire You

6 Photography Videos to Inspire You

If you love photography, you might be thinking about a career as a photographer. There are many types of photographers, product, food, fashion, and event photographers to name a few. Some photographers choose to specialize and others work in a few different areas. As you’re thinking about what direction you want to go, it’s important […]

Tips on Giving Students Feedback About Their Art

Tips on Giving Students Feedback About Their Art

No matter how long you’ve been teaching, you likely ask yourself, am I good enough? Do I know what I’m doing? Am I providing good feedback to student work? I ask myself these questions a lot as well. One thing that I always find helpful is hearing from other teachers. So today, inviting you into […]

Are you getting enough feedback on your Artwork?

Are you getting enough feedback on your Artwork?

When it comes to writing, you know that you need to edit, and that often means having someone else look at your work. Creating art is the same way. You get better when you ask others with more experience to look at your work and provide feedback. You might be thinking, but art is subjective, […]

Are you Thinking about Taking a Year off from School?

Are you Thinking about Taking a Year off from School?

  As you finish your senior year of high school it can be hard to decide what to do next. Do you want to attend a 4-year college, get an associates degree, or take a gap year?   In case this is the first time that you’re hearing of a gap year, let me back […]

How to Encourage your Teenager that Likes Art

How to Encourage your Teenager that Likes Art

‎”Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.” ~Steven Pressfield When I was a kid my two favorite things to make were drawings […]