My background is education. I graduated from the University of Kentucky and taught for years before I accidentally became the licensed and published artist that I am today. I have a deep appreciation for art in the schools and complete admiration for schools like Rolling Hills that embrace creativity. Every time I go to the school to eat lunch with the girls, volunteer or drop things off/pick things up I am in awe of the amazing artwork on display in the hallways, on the doors and in the classrooms. I find myself snapping photographs and I have this awesome collection of inspiration from these art tours of the halls of Rolling Hills. I love it that their art teacher loves Sharpie markers. Being an inaugural member of the Sharpie Squad is one of the best things about my career. I use them to create all of my original works in my licensed collections.
Here are several of my favorites. I share with intention of inspiring others to create like kids, freely and with zest.
Today I ran across these adorable Snow People around the corner from the art room while I was walking a little girl to find her lunchbox.
I think these caterpillars inspired by A Very Hungry Caterpillar are totally adorable. I think they are by first graders?!
I LOVED this bird in the hallway last year.
So I was really excited when Z made hers this year as a third grader.
And this little crayfish drawing with what appears to be watercolor is stunning.
So many interesting animals are dwelling in this tree.
Who doesn’t love the capturing of a good book. Here are four illustrated by J.
These bugs totally make me want to break out my Sharpie and design one of my own. The one with the heart lips was done by Z. We do love kissy lips around here.
And this bear is awesome. We have it framed and up in our home. J rocked this one.
I think the sign in Mrs. Pearl’s second grade classroom shares a valuable message for kids, kids of all ages…
And these giraffes, oh these giraffes!
Tinfoil space travelers brighten up the walk back to the second grade rooms…
Given the same materials to work with, I love the way each Snowy is unique.
Penguins are always so much fun.
Accessing the creative part of the brain causes all kinds of amazing good things for kids of all ages. Studies prove that accessing creativity and being artistic empowers kids to be more successful all around in learning. It relieves stress. It encourages imagination. It creates a sense of unity. ART IS IMPORTANT!
Inspired? I would love to know which one of these pieces of work is your favorite! Enter the contest and you will have a chance to share and maybe to win too! The winner will receive a 24 pack of 80’s GLAM Sharpies for themselves and a $50 Michaels Gift Card to be given to a teacher of their choice! YEA for teachers who inspire others to create!
If you want to know more about being creative and the value of accessing your creativity, join the Cre8time movement. Read about it here. It is awesome and fabulous and an organization that I am proud to be a part of.
Cheers to Art, To Kids, and To Creativity,
Laura
Anything my kids make
I think the bugs are just adorable! I love the Zentangle flavor. 🙂 My kiddo and I make sharpie art a lot. We have burned through our colored Sharpies twice now and have had to get creative with the page behind the sharpie drawings. We use one sheet of paper behind several drawings, then make something from the marks on the “scrap” sheet. I would love to win a card for my kiddo’s 2nd grade teacher.
I would have to say my favorite are the bugs drawn with markers. I don’t even like bugs, but these drawings are so unique, I might look at bugs differently now. I really enjoy this person’s creativity!!!
The drawing of the bug with the heart on its head and the swirly marked wings is my favorite drawing 🙂 too cute! !
I love these! I spent a year volunteering a day a week in my nephew’s kindergarten class – best part of my whole week! Such creativity!
bugs and the one with animals in the tree
I forgot to say my favorite – the giraffes!
I love them too!
Working with kids really is the best!!! Thanks for making a difference.
Me too!
Snowmen are my favorite
I am a big fan of snowmen but I am loving the bright and colorful caterpillar art. But let’s be honest, they are all wonderful!!
My FAVORITE is the Fancy Nancy in the yellow dress!!!
I love them all! If I had to choose 1 I think I would choose the giraffe.
I love the interesting animals in the tree!
The orange bird in the tree with its’ wonderful leaves and tailfeather is so nice. And the tree full of creatures is so well done. Thoughtful, colorful and fun to look at-finding a different creature on each branch!
I like the bugs! I like that they are in black marker with a water color background.
I love the many many many birds 🙂 the creativity is amazing and makes me smile “_
Loved the animal tree and the bear. So cute.
The giraffes are definitely my favorite. The are so free and enjoying life. Everyone is so creative!
I love the catapillar on the leaf.. I love to watch them, eat away.. and that picture is soooooooo much fun to look at/at that art work…. seriously love it!!!
Love the robots! All are super cute! Can’t beat a a Sharpie!
i love the tree with the different animals
I love the giraffes!! They’re so cute!!
Flower
craftingwithmnm.blogspot.com
That crayfish drawing is fantastic! It’s my favourite! I love art that’s created by kids! Thanks for sharing!
The dancing giraffe! So joyful and whimsical. Thank you for sharing this delightful post! It makes my heart sing.
My favorite were perhaps the giraffes. So cute and all individual. i remember the kids making the hungry Caterpillar in school so many years ago 🙁 Sigh
LOVE them all but I really love the Giraffe
I like all of them. I especially like the penguins though. My kids are very creative and really enjoy crafting and making up new things or changing up what already is. I would love to win this for my boys teacher. She is wonderful. He is in kindergarten and they bring home all sorts of cool projects they have made. Thank you so much for this opportunity. 🙂
I really love the trio of giraffe pictures, this blog post has inspired me! The kids and I will be doing some art today with some of these fun tips.
Anything my kiddos made at preschool that day. Of the photos pictured above, I enjoyed the birds in the tree.
I love the catepillars!
I love the animals in the tree! I’m an elementary art teacher, artist who is addicted to sharpies, and a marathon runner. I love getting new inspiration and a friend just pointed me in the direction of your blog! Thank you!!!
Oh Erica, how awesome that you teach art. Please email me your address.
The bugs are so cute!
I love them all – mostly the bugs (even though I don’t like bugs) and the giraffe! But mostly I love you! kg