Tuxedo

.... A Canadian tuxedo? Kind of. Denim shorts, but the shirt is actually chambray. Also, how much clothing actually constitutes a tuxedo? If it requires three pieces, then I'm lacking. This is the summer version. These pictures were taken in a hurry, as the sun was soon setting. I also had a few shots of me climbing this... this.. water tower? But they weren't all that good, and I was nervous to try it again with people walking around. Haha, oh well. I can always come back.

 -Anna-

shirt: thrifted

shorts: ebay

shoes: Payless?

necklace: antique show

Also, paper mache in my after school class! I'm teaching them about the planets and space, so we're making a a whole solar system to display in the class room and in the hallway. It's good, messy fun :)

Until next time,
Anna

Positively Super!

I recently purchased a lacey top from Forever21 to pair with dresses or tops that would otherwise not be suitable for school (ie. sleeveless). I wanted to get something other than a cardigan type piece. So how could I resist when I found this little number on sale? AND it's navy blue? My favorite color to wear? Wonderful!

-Anna-

dress: thrifted

shirt: Forever21

shoes: ebay

watch: gift

my example, awesome anna

I've also included projects my students from my after school class have done. I have fourteen 5th and 6th graders each week, seven on Mondays and seven on Wednesdays, for 80 minutes each. I am free to teach whatever I want, so I decided to teach lessons that incorporated some type of art project, being so fond of it myself. Kids here don't have art classes, which is a damn shame. Creativity isn't really nurtured here. I mean, it's not discouraged, it's just not really available unless they pursue it on their own, and no doubt, after their other school work has been completed. So here I am to help these kids harvest their creativity! Although, creating lessons to practice English while offering an engaging art project for 10-12 year olds is kind of a tough en devour. Sometimes they understand, and sometimes they just smile and nod, haha.

One of our projects was creating a superhero. So the kids decided if they wanted to be a superhero or a supervillian and then we discussed powers they could have. They picked out names and created a city to defend (or wreak havoc in). Then they designed their superhero/villian! I even let them use my nice Prisma Color markers.

the instant comfort pocket box

Another recent project was based on positivity. I taught them positive words and positive actions, as well as how to compliment others. We had to practice, of course, so I had each one give each other compliments ("You're good at soccer", "I think you're handsome", "I like your teeth" are some examples, haha, some better than others). Then we made these little boxes with encouraging words, an idea I got from artist, Kim Welling.

I'm really proud of the work they're doing! It's a struggle to find the right words to understand each other, but images are a universal language :)

Until next time,
Anna

Cardboard Art by Evol

 

jealous.
more here.

-anna-

Songnae Elementary School

School pictures!! I teach at Songnae Elementary School in Bucheon City. It's a smaller elementary, I have about 20 kids in each of my classes. I teach 4th, 5th, and 6th with my co-teacher, Elly. I teach two 3rd grade classes on my own. I also have a daycare after school on Thursdays, in which I teach 1st and 2nd graders,  but with no set curriculum, just songs and games.

I wasn't sure what level of English my students would already know, but after meeting them, I realize it's very low. And that's totally fine; it means we have plenty of room to grow. At the same time though, there are different levels in every class. So while the majority of students have very little knowledge of English, there are some students who go to private English institutions, so they are more advanced. We need to figure out how to address and appropriately challenge the different levels, which is tough.

And from the student's and teacher's feedback, the kids seem to like our class! When we first asked the students, "Who likes English?", a few kids raised their hands. And when we asked "Who doesn't really like English?"... all the rest of the kids raised their hands. Haha! Oh no! We just need to convince them that English is fun and useful! I'm confident they'll come around. I can't wait to see how much they'll learn after a year!

I kept forgetting to take pictures of students, so I had Elly help remind me today with our fourth grade class. we canceled their class last week because of a scheduling issue, so this was their first class. We played games and made name tags. I got to name little Korean kids! It went over better with the 4th graders than it did with the 5th graders, who didn't seem to like any of the names I offered, haha.

the daycare kids. they're so energetic!!

we have two english classrooms. this is where my desk is. we teach in the room next door, where elly's desk is.

our stamp boards: rewards for good behavior.

a rock display showing different types of rocks. its a science thing. i thought it was a graveyard when i first saw it. lol.

the great mother. apparently she had some awesome son, so she's something to live up to.

a few murals painted around the surrounding wall. how cuuute.

I'm very happy with the school I'm at. All the teachers are very friendly and the students seem enthusiastic. Plus, my school is RIGHT next to my apartment building, so the walk in the morning takes 5 minutes! Can't argue with that...

Anna

Who Arted?

I drew this portraits for my sister, Liz, and her husband, Joe, for Christmas this year. She told me she would really like it if I drew her a picture or their family! I love drawing my own special caricatures of my friends and family :) So I thought about it, and decided to make individual portraits for each member, Wrigley the Weimaraner included. I even hand cut their name from the same paper I drew them on! Very careful work with an Exacto knife...

Last Spring, I did some other portraits commissioned by a girl I went to college with. She wanted me to make something for her son based off of the longer piece below that had been claimed by someone else already.

Trail of Fears, 2011

Going along with the monster theme, I created a series of school portraits. I cut out their silhouette, adhered it to Masonite wrapped in fabric, and framed them. I thought they came out pretty cute!

Huey

Colby

Thora

Post graduation has been pretty uninspiring as I haven't been creating much artwork. Now that I don't have to for an assignment, I decide not to. I'm getting to complacent. I'm getting soft. Creating the Denman's portraits was fun though. I need to get my hands on some Modge Podge, markers, and paper stat!


Adios!
Anna