Student Name tags

I've had this project for a minute but it's finally seeing the light of day. I wanted to reward the class I work with a Troup School for working hard on the CMT. I came up with new name tags for them. Getting them printed was an obstacle but it was worth it. They loved them. The name tags were made using Sketchbook and ArtRage.


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Featured Illustration: Taz

This one is another illustration for the kids and my third Brushes piece. It's Taz from Looney Tunes. Illustrating him was harder than I anticipated. I think for me drawing cartoony characters is really hard because of the exaggerated anatomy. I ran into the same problem with Princess Sally. I was taught to do things anatomically. I guess these drawings are good practice for me. I want to be able to tackle all sorts of projects. I mean why pigeon hole myself. I want to be able to do whatever inspires me or is asked of me. As always the making of video can be seen here.

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Featured Illustration: Aladdin and Jasmine

I'm still adding kid friendly work to my portfolio when I get the chance. This Sketchbook Pro illustration of Aladdin and Jasmine has been sitting in my gallery. I figured it was time to add some color to it. Being faithful to the movie was paramount. I managed to find great reference from the first movie and I just knocked it out in about an hour. The real pain was getting the hues and stars right.


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Artistic Angles

Recently the class I work with had an art contest. The goal was to use different angles in illustration. I judged the entries since I'm the resident artist and all that. The kids were really nervous about it but I just kept reassuring them. They all exceeded my expectations and the Teacher's too. I ended up designing a banner for the theme of the project and medals for the winners. They were created in Sketchbook and ArtRage. It feels satisfying to integrate art into my place of work.

There was only supposed to be a single winner but I had to make it a tie. It was just too close to call. The two kids that won will be receiving art from me on next week. Just to make sure no one feels left out I will be making new artistic name tags for the kids. They deserve it because they work so hard.


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Artwork for the kiddies

This year I wanted to get more involved with the extra curricular activities at my school. Work has been enjoyable but I wanted to do some art with and for the kids I work with. My Cartooning class is underway now. I. Teach after school on Monday and Tuesday. Also I have been raffling copies of my kid friendlier work too. I gave a student Spongebob already. The next one is Goku versus Superman. There's a raffle every month and I will have another piece for the lucky student. This way I'll keep getting work and possibly get some exposure too. But really it's about rewarding the Troup kids for their hard work.


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Location:Platt St,New Haven,United States

iPad in the classroom: Google Earth Edition

I'm quickly learning all of the ways my iPad can be used at work. Yesterday the teacher I work with suggested I use Google Earth for Social Studies. We're reading a book on regions in America. What better than using a virtual map to get them excited. They saw locations like Maine, Vermont and Atlantic City. Now they'll have a visual to go along with the reading. I can already see their little minds working.

Of course I have to refocus them from time to time. They want to know things like the cost of the iPad, and the 3G service. I can't blame them though. If my teacher started using an iPad to teach a lesson I would be curious too. It was just a lot of fun. Not to mention I get a chance to justify having unlimited Internet. I wouldn't have been so willing with a 250MB plan. Recently I had some trouble getting them to focus on the reading. The iPad will make it easier to do that.

Google Earth can even be used as a rewards system. I made them aware that you can look up anything. If they know they could get a treat for good behavior the center should go smoother.


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Spongebob and my plan for work

In a previous post about using the iPad in classroom setting I said that I did some illustrations for the kids I work with. Today I decided to make good on my promise and color some for them. I will be with the same class next year so I will definitely coloring some of the black and white sketches I did for them. Spongebob Squarepants just happened to be the first. The plan is going to be to distribute my artwork to kids in the building that are doing exemplary work. Hopefully that will encourage them to keep up the good work. I look forward to September.



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Location:Blake St,New Haven,United States

Drawing with Kids

My day job is as a paraprofessional. I have a few years experience of working with children of all ages. One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is integrating my artwork. Three years ago I started doing work with Easter Seals/Goodwill's Youth As Leader's program. I did various cartooning classes with middle schoolers in the after school program. It opened a lot of doors.

I won a grant through New Haven's Office of Cultural Affairs. With those funds the children gained access to Adobe Photoshop to complete their storybooks. During the year I work at Augusta Lewis Troup School. Just before the year ended I decided to draw for them. They were a great class so I figured I'd reward them. There's nothing quite like having a classroom of kids jumping for joy over your art. I used my iPad to do the drawings quickly and keep things organized. Well that I wanted the practice. If you want to see how they came out they can be found on Facebook.