This webpage was created in 2020 to help stay in touch and bring art to students while we weren’t able to hold in person classes. It’s become a great platform to keep others up to date on classes, projects, and “happenings” from the art room.
Check out the highlighted paged below or scroll down to see more posts:
If you’ve completed any of the projects, or used any ideas from the site, please let me know – I would love to see what you’ve done and feature your artwork here! Tag me in your posts or send me a message!
We’ve had a few weddings the past couple years – including our own! I loved being able to create custom personalized pieces for some of these weddings!
Earlier last year I was asked to make a cake topper of a Bride & Groom’s doggo for their upcoming wedding! I had so much fun creating their pup out of polymer clay for their big day!
Of course, I had to make our own dog for wedding last spring! She’s always looking for tummy rubs – and food – so this was the perfect combo!
I also enjoyed creating original watercolors that we used to make our invitations & save the dates!
These custom sunflower hair pins were purchased as bridesmaids’ gifts, worn during a fall wedding!
The painting below was created from a client’s photo of a friend’s wedding. I enjoyed turning the photo into an original painting of their special day!
Contact me to request your custom order for a pet cake topper, invitations, hair pins, save the dates, custom paintings from your photos, or any wedding related art project!
Contact me to join us at Baywater Trading Co. in Hebron to create your own mini donut keychain out of polymer clay, while getting to enjoy a Baywater donut!
Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Check out some of what we’ve been up to below!
This month started with a new session, new projects and new endeavors! Students began the year off by working on collaborative painted panels that will be displayed at a local park over the winter! Both private lessons and groups will have the chance to add their own touches to the panels!
Over the summer was packed with lessons and projects held at local libraries, the Art League in OC, Roaring Point Campground, here in the Art Room, & some other places too!
The fun continued through the month! Holding classes at other locations with projects likes paint nights, Zentangles, painted wine glasses, Hanging Mason Jar vases, and kids crafts!
I have also been working on various commission pieces – some I can’t share until after Christmas! Custom wine glass order for Williams Market, and a couple works in progress!
Check out these projects you can do at home & upcoming classes here!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our August spotlight is on:
Kiersten Yates
Hi, my name is Kiersten, aka, Stella K. I’m in 9th grade and I love doing art – it’s my passion! I love trying new things; this year, I’ve tried volleyball, basketball, and entered my artwork into the county fair!
How long have you been taking art lessons? “3 years.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I started taking lessons because I wanted to learn more about art and learn more techniques.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “My mom she loves my art and I love making art for her.”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “My favorite is pencil work, I love making realistic drawings.”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “My favorite food is ratatouille”
‘Momma’s Eye’ this is my mom’s eye in pencil, it took me about 2 hours to complete”
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I’m into digital art as well”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “Art is a form of expression and you can pour all your emotions into a piece canvas or paper ,You can make anything out of art.”
What is your favorite thing about art? “Making a piece of art and it turning out great.”
What artist(s) from history do you admire most and why? “Frida Kahlo, I’ve always been fond of her art work ever since I was a little kid”
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “Yes I want to make murals or sell my art.”
Watercolors- ‘Two peas in a pod’ this was supposed to look whimsical and drawn so that you could see the movement of the fish in the water, I received small frames for Christmas and just wanted to do something fun on one, this painting took about an hour.
Do you enter your artwork in any shows or contests? “Yes, I put my art into fairs.”
Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I would love to try new things but I really want to try ink art and self portraits”
Do you have a favorite color? “Maybe purple or red but I don’t exactly have a favorite”
How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “2-3 hours or sometimes a couple days.”
Rhino drawing is charcoal, I named it ‘Frederick’, this was a drawing done for an online drawing class, took me about a week to finish it.
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My favorite piece I’ve made is a realistic eye I made with pencil and pen.”
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I like to listen to music it helps me relax.”
Fork and Spoon-pencil- ‘Eat It’ this drawing took a couple days to get the shadowing just right
Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “Not at all, I really love all types of art.”
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Practice, practice makes perfect and just go with the flow, art what you want and have fun with it.”
What do you think makes a good artist and/or piece of art? “When they love what their doing.”
How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “It’s improved a lot, I’ve practiced, taken advice, and took some lessons.”
Kiersten enjoys art – having fun while she’s creating and whether she’s encouraging a class-mate, or gifting her artwork, she brings joy to others in the process. She is open to trying new techniques and mediums; not afraid to go for it and dive right in! Even when a piece isn’t turning out the way she planned, Kiersten stays positive, persists, and works through! Keep on creating Kiersten!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our July spotlight is on:
Ema Riggin
Hi, my name is Ema, I am homeschooled and in 11th grade. I like to read; romance and fantasy are my favorite genres. When I get older, I want to travel the world – Scotland is at the top of my list! My favorite season is fall, I like pumpkin spice lattes and sweaters!
How long have you been taking art lessons? “I have been taking lessons on and off for 8 years.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “The pictures at the county fair inspired me when I was little.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Matthew Grey Gubler – he wrote and illustrated his own children’s book and draws a lot when he’s not acting.”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “Charcoal & Clay.”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “Taylor Swift runs my life.”
“Swan” Chalk pastel “I created this for the Chincoteague Migratory Bird Contest in 5th grade and won second place in my age group”
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I like to watch ballet, but I don’t dance.”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “I think it’s important because you can’t go anywhere without seeing it, like even if it’s a poster at the grocery store; it’s everywhere. It’s important for me because it’s a way to express myself in a colorful & fun way.”
What is your favorite thing about art? “That you can make anything with anything!”
What artist(s) from history do you admire most and why? “Marie Laurencin because she does abstract stuff but it still has a bunch of details and uses a lot of pastel colors. And she’s French!”
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “Yes, I want to sell my own stuff and be able to do commissions for people. In addition to that, I plan to be a librarian.”
“Robert” – Chalk Pastel
Do you enter your artwork in any shows or contests? “I do when we have art shows in class – like at the Ward Museum & when we show work at the Deli at Pecan Square.”
Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I want to try oil painting”
Do you have a favorite color? “Pink. But once it hits that red-ish pink, no!”
How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “I think roughly and hour to two hours if it’s a small piece, but paintings take more like 3-4 hours or more and I like to work on them an hour at a time.”
“Scavenger Relief” – Using real pieces of nature we created a mold from clay and plaster, then painted the relief with watercolor.
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “Umm, one time I made a dollhouse out of a cardboard box – It’s my favorite because I really like fairies and making miniatures makes you realize how big you are literally and figuratively.”
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I listing to music; I like indie music, Fay Webster, Mazzy Star, and I also like Taylor Swift & Louis Tomlinson.”
“Fruit Bowl” – Oil Pastel
Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “I don’t like pop art – I’m note sure why…..maybe because I don’t like that it sometimes repeats the same thing with different colors.”
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Draw all the time and whenever you wish you could draw something, just do it! Also, Pinterest is full of inspiration.”
What do you think makes a good artist and/or piece of art? “If you can be original in your artwork and show your personality.”
How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “I guess that I’ve been trying new mediums and subjects that I didn’t do before & it opens my eyes to a different way of doing stuff.”
Ema really enjoys the process of creating – she comes to class full of ideas and is ready to jump right in! She has grown as an artist so much from when she first began classes; becoming much more confident in her work and not afraid to try new techniques or mediums! Keep up the great work and continue to create!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our June spotlight is on:
Shekinah Burnsed
My name is Shekinah, I am 12 years old and in the 6th grade. My interests are in dance, art, nature, learning, walks, & horses!
How long have you been taking art lessons? “1 year so far.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I wanted to learn different art techniques. I became interested in art lessons from seeing all fun things my older brother did and learned through your classes.”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “Acrylic Paint and Watercolor”
“Beautiful Fall” The medium is cardboard and paint, pastels
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I love my Jazz, Tap and Lyrical dance classes.”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “It helps people express themselves. I love to learn new things and to be creative.”
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “I would love to do some type of Art, Dance or Photography as a Career.”
“Heavenly Cocoa” The medium is watercolor and sharpie
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is Purple.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Books and Ms. Jenell”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “I have been dancing for eight years. I love to read. I love anything to do with horses. I love any kind of Arts and Crafts. “
“Summer gardens” The medium is modge podge
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “Sometimes I listen to music when I am doing art projects. I love listening to worship music when I do. “
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “I would say keep practicing, do your best, and take as many classes as you can to expand your learning.”
What do you think makes a good artist and/or piece of art? “Never giving up and keep practicing. Have fun and be creative.”
Shekinah is always happy to try new ideas, mediums, and techniques. She’s able to enjoy the process of creating while being patient and willing to learn! Though quiet in class, she’s not afraid to express herself through her artwork – adding her own personal style and ideas! Keep on creating Shekinah!
Print the pattern page on a piece of 8.5″x11″ cardstock
Decide what colors you would like for each flower
Trace your patterns with a felt tip marker – use colors that are close to your felt color and cut your felt just inside your traced lines, so the marker doesn’t show!
Making a Poppy: You will need the poppy petal pattern, the poppy center pattern, a small pompom, scissors, & hot glue!
The poppy pattern includes one petal which you’ll trace 9 times, and the center, which you can trace and cut as a large rectangle and then cut the “fringe” lines on the felt – making sure not to cut your rectangle in half!
Once you have all your pieces cut out, hot glue your pompom to one corner of your felt center (the edge that doesn’t have “fringe”).
Add hot glue along the edge of your poppy center and roll it around your pompom!
Begin to glue the petals around the base of your center – I like to start with two petals across one another.
Continue to glue petals around the center – overlap and fill in gaps between petals!
Finished Poppy
Making a Daisy: You will need the daisy pattern (there’s a small and large version – both are put together the same way!), hot glue, scissors, felt tip marker, & small pompom.
Cut out your daisy pattern in the desired color!
Glue your pompom to the bottom corner of your daisy pattern.
Continue to add glue and roll your pompom inside of the daisy pattern.
Glue the end of your pattern down!
Finished Daisy!
Making a Rose: The rose can be made large or small with the two included patterns! You will need felt in the desired color, rose pattern, felt tip marker, scissors, & hot glue.
Cut out your rose in the desired felt color.
Starting from the outside, begin to roll the felt.
Continue to roll from the edge – you can glue as you go to help hold it in place. Try to keep the bottom edge of your roll flush with itself.
Keep rolling from the outside in – I begin to pinch the roll in my fingers….
Roll until you get to the center of your pattern…
Add some hot glue to the larger center area of the pattern….
Place the center of your pattern with glue, to the bottom of your roll…
Creating a bottom of your rose and helping to hold your roll together!
Finished Rose!
Making a Cosmo:
Trace and cut out the Cosmo petal pattern – use the pinking shears to cut the top edge of your petals.
Cut a slice from the center of your petal to about one third of the way up the petal.
Cross the tip pieces over one another and hot glue – this will give your petal some shape!
Continue with all remaining petals.
Use a pom-pom for the center of your Cosmo, hot gluing the center of your petals to the pom!
Continue adding your petals to the pom-pom….
Finished Cosmo
Until you’ve use them all!
Use your finished flowers to create a bouquet, attaching them to pipe cleaner or dowels as stems. You could even use them to decorate greeting cards, hair bands, or make bracelets with! Or attach your flowers to a wooden plaque like we did below and add writing, or painting with paint pens, or acrylics!
Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Check out some of what we’ve been up to below!
This month students finished up their still life acrylic paintings! They have all been taking a lot of time and doing their best work on these still life paintings! They did an awesome job! We first learned about composition and arranging a still life, completing several thumbnail sketches of inanimate objects arranged in different ways. Students had the chance to arrange objects and form their own set-ups. The decided arrangement was then sketched out onto a canvas. Before painting we talked about the color wheel and making our own colors as well as exploring tints, tones, & shades & undertones! Students completed these paintings with a limited palette – only using primaries and black and white, mixing all of their colors!
We also have a new art room friend -“Winnie”, our new Standard Poodle puppy! Evidently she likes belly rubs!
This month was also full of classes at other locations! Some fun projects at the Seaford Library, the Art League in OC, Roaring Point Campground, Greenwood Library & face painting! Check out more upcoming classes here!
I was also lucky enough to be able to complete these two pet portraits in May! “Waffles”, 8″x10″, in pastel. And “Buddy”, 8″x10″, in watercolor and pen!
Students also completed these fun pieces of art! Mixed media collage butterflies, pencil drawings, & Watercolor with pen!
Check out these projects you can do at home & upcoming classes here!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our May spotlight is on:
Joelee Arey
My name is Joelee Arey and I am 11 years old and just completed 5th grade. I am a homeschooler and I enjoy dancing, reading, and playing with my sisters and our family dogs. I really enjoy board games and play them often with my family.
How long have you been taking art lessons? “This is my first year (2021-2022) taking art lessons with Ms. Jenell, but I have taken other art classes here and there as well since I was about 3.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “My oldest sister had taken art lessons with Ms. Jenell. I really enjoy creating artwork of any kind.”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “For Christmas I received a makeup vanity and I really enjoy trying new makeup looks and also doing my hair.”
I used artist pencils and I sketched it from a picture online. I call this Pretty Girl.
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I enjoy dancing and have taken dance lessons since I was three years old. I take ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary. My favorite type of dance is tap. I also enjoy crocheting and have created many different items (pillows, purses, etc.)”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “I think art is important because it is a great way to express yourself.”
I painted with acrylics on a blank canvas. I call this Outer Space
Do you have a favorite piece of art you’ve created and if so, why? “One of my favorite pieces is the painting with the swirls and dots. It took a little while to complete and was fun to create.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “I inspire myself depending on my mood.”
I sketched this with pencil on my sketchpad. I call this Mother Nature
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is purple”
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “I hope to include art in my future (whether it be as an artist, art teacher, or just a hobby).”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “My most favorite medium is painting and then sketching is a close second.”
I copied this one from an artist on etsy. I call this one Broken Heart.
Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I am going to try digital art soon and am excited about it.”
Joelee is always focused when she comes to class. She works hard and puts forth her best efforts in all her artistic endeavors – taking her time, being persistent in her ability, and challenging herself. She’s open to new mediums, styles & subjects, and can dive in with an open mind! These are all great qualities that will help her continue to grow and develop her awesome artistic skills!
