Teaching vs Creating

I just had the best most exhausting December, ever...

Me after work everyday this month...

Personal Note: For those of you who don’t know... as much as I love love art,  I would go crazy if I only worked in my studio or gallery.  My first art career was as a public school art teacher and while I adored it I could not handle the insane amount of time required after my own kiddos came on the scene.  On top of the regular teaching and grading, with teaching art extra time is needed for material ordering, prepping, clean up, and exhibiting.  
Yet I truly miss being around all that energy and curiosity as well as being a part of a caring staff working together to inspire students to develop into the best they can be.  So these days I try to find ways to balance studio time with getting back into the classroom without those crazy long hours that only a public school art teacher can relate too.  

Hence I now do something I would have scoffed at 20 years ago (never say never, right?)  

I substitute teach.  

But not this kind...

         



this kind...

So I just spent the last month with an adorable class of kindergarteners while their teacher took longer to recuperate from knee surgery than previously planned.  

I feel very fortunate that I am able to use my skills from teaching to truly help others out when it is really needed.  

I don’t get all the negative PR with substitute teaching.   If you ever want to feel like a Santa Claus/Rock Star walk into the door of just about any school to sub.  And here is the most awesomesauce part...you can leave right after the kids...no faculty meetings, staff development workshops or extra mandated projects.  This is why I keep my teaching certificate up.


But now that it is done I am raring to get back into the studio!!