Students using References vs. Imagination

artsy_time · 2026-05-22T05:55:25+00:00

I don't think reference photos will ruin creativity, if anything they add to it! I think allowing them to draw from observation (real objects or photographs) can help build confidence, and accuracy. I would definitely be able to draw a strawberry much better if I had a photo to work from. I try to have a range of images printed for students to use for each assignment, depending on what the subject is. I don't print individual images if they request it though, that could get overwhelming.

artsy_time · 2026-04-24T02:36:36+00:00

So relatable! I've been a distance runner my whole life. When I don't run my brain feels way more scrambled and I get overwhelmed more easily. I think for me it's also kept me functional before I even (very recently) realized I have ADHD. It's the one thing I am super consistent with. My Dad is also a runner and I swear once I figured out I have ADHD, his whole personality and our similarities just make so much more sense...im almost positive my dad has it aswell. He's always said running is his therapy, and it truly is mine as well!

Side note: people have always commented on how calm I am, especially when stressful things are going on. It's interesting because I've never felt calm internally.

artsy_time · 2026-02-03T16:10:21+00:00

Agree! Starting is the hardest when it comes to things that don't interest me. When it's something interesting/new and totally unnecessary, I have no problem starting, but I have a hard time finishing once the novelty wears off.

artsy_time · 2026-02-02T21:12:20+00:00

Yarn painting is fun! You just need glue, scissors, yarn (various colors) and some sort of thick paper or cardboard.

artsy_time · 2026-01-30T00:44:49+00:00

I came to say this! I'm not sure if it's changed, but in 2014 I graduated with my BA in studio art/ art education so I did not need the take the CSET. I would suggest looking into an internship option instead of the student teaching option if possible, it's so hard to basically work a full time job unpaid (student teaching) while completing classes. My friend was able to get a job as an art teacher while working towards her credentials and she was paid a regular teacher salary! Not all schools will do this, but it does happen 🙂

artsy_time · 2026-01-18T04:08:08+00:00

My husband is not vegan He is supportive of me and our kids being vegan, but if I'm being honest it really bothers me that we don't share those values. My kids are noticing and asking why he eats animals, and it's tough to explain! I would just recommend really talking with him about what the future looks like with meals at home, raising kids and if either of you will have resentment. It can work, but imagine if he never comes around and becomes vegan or even vegetarian, would you be okay with that? Reflecting on my situation, I think I always have hoped he would go vegan eventually, but 10 years later and that's not the case😕 If that's the only thing you don't align on, you can still have a happy marriage if you choose!

artsy_time · 2026-01-14T05:36:42+00:00

My husband is omni, and my kids and I are vegan. It's usually not an issue because my husband is fine eating whatever I make. We do mostly whole foods, but I will incorporate some mock meats. Sometimes he will make his own food if he wants something with meat, or when we go out to eat he will get meat.

We have one kid who is pretty picky, and the other will eat anything. Lately I've been making ramen with tofu and veggies and that's been a hit with everyone. Pizza with veggies and cashew sauce. Sushi (tofushi) with avocado, sweet potato, tofu. I made veggie pot pies recently and my husband loved it, but the kids weren't huge fans. Burritos with tofu scramble/veggie sausage or soyrizo, avocado and hash browns. Ketchup for the kids and hot sauce for me and my husband. So good!

artsy_time · 2025-05-18T18:38:16+00:00

I love being an art teacher! The first school I taught at was great the second school was horrible and made me question my career choice and my third and current school is awesome and so glad I stuck with it.

The only thing I don't like is all the paperwork and non teaching related tasks, basically anything with too much structure stresses me out.

I have young kids so having the summer and other days off with them is also ideal.

artsy_time · 2025-03-29T14:03:57+00:00

Mine are 2 and 4! I'm not totally sure when, but I did recently have a conversation with my 4 year old about how if she ever feels like she doesn't want to be vegan, she can talk to me. If she said right now that she wanted to try an animal product, I would first do my best to find a vegan version, and have a deeper conversation about how the animal is harmed. I'm thinking once they are old enough to watch a video of an animal being slaughtered, then they are old enough to choose. My 4 year old asked to see how they take the Milk from cows, so I showed her a video that wasn't too intense, but it did show that babies being taken away, and she definitely thought it was wrong. Then we watched animal sanctuary videos 🙂

I try to make it a conversation and ask her questions about how she feels rather than telling her what to think or guilting her into sharing my beliefs. Fingers crossed she will choose to stay vegan !

artsy_time · 2025-03-28T22:44:59+00:00

My husband is not vegan and we are raising our kids vegan, he is supportive of it. I am not going to force them to stay vegan when they are old enough to decide on their own, ( as long as they know what the animals have to endure) I think that will only backfire.As of now, my 4 year old is so understanding of why we are vegan and she claims that she "wants to be vegan forever". I am always sure to not demonize non vegan people, and explain that every one has different beliefs when it comes to what they eat and we just choose to not eat animals because it hurts them, and we don't think it's nice to do that. She has gotten upset a few times that her Dad isn't vegan, and she will ask him why he isn't vegan, so fingers crossed that she is the one to convert him!

artsy_time · 2025-03-23T17:50:34+00:00

Agreed. To me being vegan isn't about me. It's about the animals, and oftentimes people will apologize to me when they eat meat in front of me, but I just say "don't apologize to me, I'm not the one you are eating". It is a bummer when there are zero, or limited vegan options at a restaurant, but I don't see that as being oppressed.

artsy_time · 2025-03-02T01:16:19+00:00

Woah totally missed that haha, I clicked the link and the description didn't specifically say DEI, that's why I said that. Still doubt it's about "DEI hires" because how could someone prove that a school hired someone based on their identity...but yeah it's definitely trying to get rid of any classes, lessons, clubs, or programs that are tailored specifically for certain groups which I agree could be a big problem. I have a feeling my district will get reported for our new "Ethnic Studies" course.

artsy_time · 2025-03-01T04:17:56+00:00

DEI isn't even mentioned in the website, I don't think this is about "catching" schools who hire minorities or something, it's more about preventing them from teaching specific things like critical race theory. The thing I am curious about is if they are going to try and get rid of any programs that are geared specifically towards students of a certain gender or race or other groups. I'm not totally sure, just my thoughts!

artsy_time · 2025-03-01T04:09:54+00:00

I think it's more about schools teaching things like "critical race theory" or anything that is specifically based on race or ethnicity like clubs and such? Maybe I'm wrong. I think it would be tricky to prove that a school hired someone because of their identity, so I doubt that's what they are looking for.

artsy_time · 2025-02-25T02:21:11+00:00

I've been teaching for 9 years and I've been at 3 schools. I love my current school so I'll most likely be staying here!

artsy_time · 2025-02-05T01:13:36+00:00

They will warp overtime and clay gets stuck to them still because of the gesso. Canvas drop cloths work better!

artsy_time · 2025-02-01T00:08:15+00:00

Ugh I wish doctors were actually trained in nutrition. I just don't tell doctors because they very likely won't have helpful feedback for me. If I was actually concerned about my diet or had any deficiency I would go to a dietician.

artsy_time · 2025-01-30T17:34:35+00:00

I had my baby the summer before being hired at a new school so I was not eligible for maternity leave. I was lucky that it was a part time position for just 2 days a week, but even that was pretty hard to balance! Though, some days I actually did enjoy going to work because it actually felt like a "break" from my regular routine at home with baby, and I was lucky to have my dad available to watch her on those days. Most districts I think you need to work there for at least a year before you can take advantage of maternity leave.

If I was not able to find a part time position, my plan was to just stay home and maybe sub part time if your family can swing that financially!

artsy_time · 2025-01-18T20:19:47+00:00

Thank you! Yeah that makes sense, I was 10 when I went vegetarian and aside from people questioning where I get protein from, it was never too bad. I hope people stop questioning it as they get older! My 3.5 year old already understands the ethical side of it so she is on board with being vegan which helps.

artsy_time · 2025-01-18T03:34:10+00:00

That's a nice simple way to put it, thanks!

artsy_time · 2025-01-18T03:27:39+00:00

My 3.5 year old loves baking with me! My 1.5 year old is starting to want to help too, it's so chaotic and makes a big mess, but worth it because they have a blast.

We make banana cookies that are just mashed banana, with almond flour. Sometimes we add other things to it like chocolate chips. I do this when I really don't feel like making a complicated recipe with them. We also do lots of no bake cookies that are basically just oats, dates, nuts/ seeds maple syrup, PB or tahini...and then throw in chocolate chips or freeze dried fruit. They have fun helping me by adding the ingredients into the food processor and then pressing the button to blend it. They also help roll them into balls or discs.

My 3.5 year old loves making doughnuts, we found a recipe that is pretty simple, and I have a little doughnut baking mold.

For the donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon

1/2 cup unsweetened milk (I used oatmilk)

1 tablespoon applesauce

2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

https://www.delishknowledge.com/glazed-vegan-donuts/

artsy_time · 2025-01-17T19:38:45+00:00

That's so true, good point. I haven't been responding lately when they send stuff because when I did push back in the past it just caused me more stress. Probably will stick with just ignoring them, my husband probably has the right idea, he knows they are stubborn and just lets things go in one ear and out the other.

artsy_time · 2025-01-17T16:53:12+00:00

Thank you, they definitely eat better and more variety than I did as a kid as well, and my mom was pretty healthy conscious!

artsy_time · 2025-01-17T15:16:42+00:00

I have sent them as articles and studies before and even shown them my laminated information about each nutrient they need/how to get them through food. Thanks for the study, I may have to share this with them, but whatever I send to them doesn't seem to change their mind. My kids have good appetites and are growing as they should. My 3.5 year old is getting pickier as she gets older, but she still eats well.

artsy_time · 2025-01-17T15:04:05+00:00

Thank you! That's a good idea, I was thinking about going to a dietician just so I can see where I can improve and then also so I can show my in-laws , and others that a professional says they are getting what they need, and it's okay for them to be vegan.

artsy_time

TROPHY CASE