Saturday, October 6, 2012

Upsidedown Autumn



Well, I guess it's been quite a while since I've checked in. For the past 8 weeks, I've been settling in to my new job.  Things are getting better, and I'm really enjoying my students, but boy have I been worn out. This is my first teaching job that I've had to almost beg students to turn in late work.  It's no fun having to give zeros to students that just choose not to do their work.  I'd rather all of my students get an A, and have a blast being creative, but...  Anyway, I'm getting my room put together, and my student's are making amazing artwork as usual. I took this (above) pic of myself with my work phone on a Friday evening.  For some reason I really like the image upside down, instead of sideways.

I'm looking forward to attending the TAEA Conference in San Antonio in November.  I'm excited that I will be getting hands on professional development for high school and middle school art. (yay!)
 
Today, I went to Nature's Treasures for their truck sale and got a pretty little geode book end pair for my classroom, and a ring. I guess the ring is kind of big, but it didn't cost very much and I thought it was cool and fun for the price. 




For my next post, I'll put up some photos of the work my classes are doing.  Now, I'm going to get some sleep and enjoy the rest of my weekend and this amazing October weather.  Happy Autumn!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Ok. Here it is!

I have to say, I'm still pinching myself a little bit.  I mean, I've said it before, but
  a month ago, I had no idea what I was going to do for work, a place to live, what I was going to do with my pets...  I am so thankful with how everything is falling into place.  SO VERY THANKFUL!  I definitely have a different appreciation now for living simply, comfortably, and organized.  Heather and Jeff helped me to hang shelves, etc, so I guess my new place is ok to show, so here's the moment you've all been waiting for. (just kidding)  Anyway, here are some images of my new place.  My wonderful, much less furnished, much much less cluttered and much nicer place. (Did I use the word, much, enough?)

 patio



Built-in Bookshelves, Kitchen, Dining Room - I can't wait until I can afford a couple of bar stools!


Bathroom next to laundry room - Here's what I am thankful for about it:  working sink, working tub, air vent in bathroom, storage space, cabinet space, medicine cabinet =  yay!

 Laundry hallway between kitchen and bathroom - Yay, for not having to go outside to do laundry anymore!


 I guess I'm going to have to throw out my twin mattress, unless I can figure out a bed frame that will allow me to store it underneath.  Heather talked me into keeping Aragorn to guard the window (lol) and the bottom pic is Dolly's part of the bedroom. ;-)


 My temporary "couch."  Hehe.  I'm looking forward to getting a sofa that I really like, but this bean bag from Heather has been working out just fine for now.

 I whittled the art room (extra bedroom) from my old place down to this corner of art supplies in my living room.  Hopefully, once I can start moving things into my new classroom, there will be even less in here soon.  ;-)


My huge closet with a 9 ft ceiling.  Love.


Here are some pics from the dinner I cooked for my movers.  ;-)

 I made zucchini lasagna, salad, and fruit salad.

 Tiger AND Dolly like playing in the living room now.

I'm not sure what's going on with Dolly here. Haha!  ;-D

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Just a little peek

Since I have not exactly been able to decorate my new place yet, I am just going to show some outside pics.  I have to say that I have felt pretty empowered after selling, donating and throwing away about half of all that I owned.  As a result, I literally feel lighter. It was a long time coming, but I guess I hit my tipping point. Now, I can't stop.  I keep looking at everything critically, trying to decide if I really want or need it.  If not, then BOOM it's outta here!  :-D
I  LOVE my new apartment.  The high ceilings, the nice carpet, the huge and ( and this is important ) functional kitchen, the giant closet, and of course the great deal on ATT U-Verse doesn't hurt either.  LOL!  I am getting myself mentally and physically prepared for my new job.  I am very excited to start in early August.  (Eeeek!!!!)

Well, I'll post some new pics of the inside of my place as soon as my personal decorator, Mrs. Heather Robbins gets it ready for them.  ;-)

Here's a pic of my huge patio:


and the pool in my village:


Happy July, everyone!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Who am I to tell fate where it's supposed to go?

     Now, I'm sure that anyone who has kept up with my goings on over the past twelve months knows that the past year has been quite a roller coaster for me. I've had to get way, WAY out of my comfort zone and also take a really long hard look at myself.  The process has been challenging and liberating at the same time.  I've been forced to develop a laser focus on what I want in my life, and how I provide that for myself.  Let me tell you, I've had to get pretty creative, selling off jewelry, and other things that I just didn't need.  I've also been able to look at my possessions with what seems like new eyes.  I've gotten rid of things that I have hung onto for years.  I can only guess it was just because I had them, they were there, not really because I wanted them.

     After my layoff last June, I took a risk and decided to renew my lease, hoping that things would work out and that I would find another job quickly.  Ha!  That didn't happen, but a lot of other things did, wonderful things.  I started attending job clubs, meeting people, networking, bouncing ideas off of others.  I even took on volunteering and leading the Art Alliance job club myself, so that I could continue to network with others that were searching for work in creative fields.  I started selling some of my own artwork, and I found a part-time job teaching art in a great supportive place, which has actually helped me build up my own skills as much as I have done for my students.  Everything that I've had to do this year has made me feel like a grownup (in a good way) for the first time ever.

I've been applying like CA-RaZY everywhere (even for jobs that have nothing to do with teaching) and have gotten relatively few interviews, considering the time put in. In fact, I generally receive email responses saying," we've found a better fit for the position but, thank you," which I find really hard to understand how they are able to determine that without ever meeting me.  C'est la vie.

     I finally decided to get even further out of my comfort zone and I started applying for teaching jobs in South Korea.  Someone that I went to high school with has loved it, and done well, and she gave me the contact information.  Wow, I was really surprised with how fast they got back to me.  Again, I've been searching for work here like crazy with no response, and South Korea was jumping at the chance to interview me.  Long story short, I got a phone interview that went well,  and was then passed through to the Placement Department.  I had no idea that it could happen so quickly.

     So just when I'm thinking... I guess I'll have to find a new home for my pets and I'll be moving to Seoul in a couple of months, I miss a phone call as I'm walking around  the Blanton Museum.  I don't know what made me call it back, because they didn't leave a message on my phone, but I thought to myself, call it.  So I did.  When they answered, I realized it was an art teaching job that I had applied for at a College Prep charter school.  I told them that I had applied for an art position and they immediately said they would like to schedule an interview.  So then I thought... yay!  This was a job that I knew I would be perfect for.  Well, another long story short, I guess they thought I would be a perfect fit too!  I'm so excited!!!!!  I can not tell you how excited!  I honestly did not feel that there were enough people on my phone to call to get the excitement out of my system (facebook helped).  I will be teaching 7th though 9th grade art, full-time, at a charter school, and it's such a neat place!  I am THRILLED!!!!

     Just a week and a half  before I got the offer, I was going to have to put all of my belongings into storage and temporarily stay in, my wonderful friend, Jenifer's camper trailer while she was gone for the summer, but after that I had NO IDEA what in the world I was going to do.  NOW, I can get another place to live (and it's an awesome place!!!!), I can keep my fuzzy kids, stay in Austin, and most importantly I GET TO TEACH ART TO KIDS (something that I love to do).  Whew! What a year!

So I want to say to everyone that stood by me, supported me, had to endure tear-filled conversations with me, and inspired me to keep on keepin' on, THANK YOU!!!!  I don't know how I would have gotten through this crazy topsy-turvy year without kind, generous, supportive, and loyal friends and family. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

* ...and as soon as I can get someone to take a picture of me jumping in the air smiling with my thumbs up, I'm adding it to this post.  haha! ( I have a trampoline... We can do this, people!)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

This Week's Workshops at Jerry's

There are two great workshops at Jerry's this week.  Both are from 7-9pm, all supplies are included, and are at a promotional rate of $29.00!! (and it's BYOB)  :-)

The first one is on Friday and it will be the hauntingly beautiful sunset in Venice, "Twilight" by Monet




The second one on Saturday night will be energetic "Seascape at Saintes-Maries" by Vincent van Gogh

You can sign up for them HERE.

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

West Austin Studio Tour

I'll be at Jerry's doing demos during the West Austin Studio Tour this weekend. Come out for free demos and fun with art. :-)
 -Misty


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Fostering

Hello everyone.  As far as I know, I will be moving out of my place at the end of June and I will be needing some help fostering from friends.  I have some water gardens, and paintings that will need temporary homes until I am able to move back into a place of my own.  Please let me know if you are interested/able.  Also I will probably be having an everything must go sale in June, too.  So stay tuned, and please tell your friends when I do.  Here are some images of the two water gardens that will need a home:


Friday, April 27, 2012

Lots to report...

... though, I just thought I'd check in quickly to mention a little of what has been going on in my artsy world, and what is coming up for me.

I've been having a blast teaching with Cordovan Art School.  What a great place, with talented fun teachers, AND talented fun students!  This past weekend I also attended the Round Rock I.S.D. job fair and met with principles from several great schools looking for art teachers ( Pick me, pick me! ;-D )  I've also been having a great time teaching Art Night Out workshops at Jerry's Artarama.  It's so rewarding to teach others skills to help them tap into their own creativity and express themselves.
Tonight, I will be teaching an abstract painting workshop at Jerry's that I created based on my own style of abstract painting.  The class is almost full so there will be a lot of wonderful energy tonight.  This weekend I will be helping to represent Cordovan Art School at the Georgetown Red Poppy Festival.  I'll be promoting Cordovan's great classes, workshops, and summer camps.  There will also be teacher artwork available for sale.  I'll be showing a few paintings, my pins and hair clips, and greeting cards.  For now I leave you with several images of my students' work.
Have a great weekend!








Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Yes, I know...

 Look at all of the roses!

 Also found these interesting little fungi. 


I know... I've been posting a lot about my garden, rather than my art lately, but I can't help it.  It's spring!  Anyway, Here are some pics from my garden this morning, but I predict that very soon, I will be posting a new painting that I have been working on.  So until then.  Happy Wednesday! I'm off to a full day of teaching.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Haiku

I have been enjoying my time with friends, and family, and am still working to not let the stresses of looking for a full-time art teaching job get to me.  I am determined to persevere and ultimately thrive.  One thing that has been bringing me some giggles lately is Haiku...  "Haiku?," you say.  That's right.  Simple short poems that express some of the things that have been on my mind in a creative if not constructive way.  Here's one thing that I wanted to... ummm... express.  :)

-Haiku For That Jean Jacket-

Hate your jean jacket
So not a good look for you
Just wear a sweater

(on that same subject, a delightful submission by a friend of mine)

The 90's has called
About that awful jacket 
It says..., "you keep it."

----------

You said some mean things
I remember all of them
Trying to let go



Saturday, March 24, 2012

Rebel in My Garden



I have been having so much fun photographing my little garden lately.  I've been teaching myself to use my Canon Rebel more effectively.  I'm so grateful to have been given such an awesome camera.

This morning I woke up to find my first poppy of spring!!  You'd have thought I'd won the lottery by how excited I got.  haha...  I didn't even plant them this year, they just came up from last year's seeds.  Also, the dew on the plants in the mornings right now give everything a sugary effect.  Delicious!  :-D