Where have I been?

Well, it has been a while since I have blogged. Life has gotten pretty hectic between school and other projects. I have been able to do a bit of weaving, but artwork remains unfinished. Since school is on break this week, I am hopeful that I will pick up where I left off with a mask come Friday. When April hits, I absolutely need to be back in the barn studio preparing for the summer influx of tourists.

The other day, someone said that we only have 16 weeks of school left before summer break. Wow! Time has just flown by this year, as it usually does. There is still so much left to do. I am currently working on writing our art plan for the Gifted and Talented component of our program. Grading is due in a couple weeks, and our big push with literacy and differentiation is keeping me busy with re-working some lesson plans and rubrics. The student art show at the library will be coming down soon (see photo above) and before I know it I will be preparing student work for our big art show on Projects' Night in May. Also, students will be getting artwork ready for sale at the West Quoddy Visitor Center over the summer, and work needs to be prepped for the Women's Club Art Show. Things are happening fast!

I am excited to be working with a group next week in Ellsworth to review grant applications. It has been an interesting process so far and I am enjoying the reading. An inside view to the world of giving and receiving grants. Plus, I get to spend a day with some super neat folks!

The most exciting project right now, though, is that I am working closely (madly!) with Maine artist Natasha Mayers to apply for a grant to bring an amazing community art project to Lubec. I have a good feeling about it - and will write more on it later as details become more specific. The organizer in me is coming to the forefront. It all began when my dad coerced me into organizing a parade for Hallowell when I was 18 years old. I ended up doing that for three years, then was enlisted to be on various committees for different community projects. I enjoy the writing, networking, publicity, excitement on event day, and the general creativity of it all. Now, there just isn't enough time to do everything I enjoy, as often as I would like. I hope to be able to do more of this type of thing down the road to help move my art career along. It's a lot of work though. For now, I just need to be able to find a balance, keep my artwork going, stay on top of teaching responsibilities, and...most importantly....maintain my sanity. What's left of it anyway.

Check out Natasha Mayers work:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/natashamayers/

On another note, my friend Ruta runs this nifty business called Tours of Lubec and Cobscook. Check it out if you would like to get a better feel for this end-of-the-earth area we live in. Lots of treasures to be found here.
http://www.toursoflubecandcobscook.com/