Is it just me, or do back to school ads seem to creep up earlier and earlier every summer? Now it seems we not only reach the summer solstice by late June, peak summer produce at the Farmers’ Market soon thereafter and that perennial symphony of cicadas outside by the 4th of July, but promotions for everything from binders to book bags too.
I may not be ready to give up the long, hot days of summer for the shorter (albeit, just as busy!) days of the school year, but I’ve been keeping plenty active teaching in my studio and about town these past few months. Here’s my highlight reel from the summer so far…
Art Explorers Kids Watercolor Class
In June I started private kids watercolor lessons in my Mainframe studio. We experimented with a variety of traditional and wacky watercolor techniques from dry brush to tape masking and even salt painting! Kids may have a shorter attention span (hence, why I always plan an extra activity–or two!), but it is such a joy to watch the way they bring paint to paper with such gusto!
Beginner Watercolor Class
I then spent my evenings teaching a Beginner Watercolor class for adults. They may approach watercolor with a little more hesitation, but it was a wonderfully meditative and relaxing way to end the day watching the beautiful colors bloom across the page and see skill and confidence grow with each and every session.
Shadow Painting at The Woodland Realm
On the longest day of the year I took my painting chops plein air with my friend Laura to celebrate the summer solstice at the Woodland Realm, a local volunteer-led urban farm catering events to kids and adults alike! I helped conduct a shadow painting activity while noshing on baked treats like acorn flour cornbread and juneberry pie from the outdoor wood-fired oven.
This August I’ll be leading a session on illustration during the Bright College Summer Bridge Program at Drake University (where I’ll be teaching next spring). By then, I think I’ll be ready to pack my own book bag and swap studio for classroom!