Blessings and Abundance Abound!

So much has transpired in my already blessed life. Have been in two fantastic coaching programs, one with Un-seminarian host: Pat O'Bryan and the other coaching program with Erica Douglass. They both offered diverse and useful information speaking from their vantage points as successful online entrepreneurs. Classmates were pretty cool too. At the top of the list,we held our precious grandson for the very first time who was born on my husband's July birthday. Enjoyed an August opening of school Art Work Book Bootcamp with Lamar CISD art teachers with another scheduled next month. Spent this last weekend all bundled up due to Texas' freezing temperatures.In cahoots with others, we surprised a dear friend and Eve's Garden business partner with a milestone SURPRISE birthday party on Friday night. Saturday and Sunday was spent among other Silva graduates in a Dare to Dream Seminar with 40 year veteran Silva instructor, Wanda Morris at the healm. We discussed ancient secrets that have been passed on from generation to generation since the beginning of time. Both Hawaiian and Mexican Healers were discussed.We did 3-4 meditation exercises a day to manifest our intended desires. It was inspirational with lively conversations for possibility in between. This next week will be filled with activities , meeting with my Aldine ISD teachers, and visiting my FBISD schools and teachers. Also launched three of four new web sites; Joan Maresh Hansen, Affirmations That Stick and Good Life Guide Marian and I conducted our first 2010 meeting at Central Market for the Good Life Feel Good Gatherings. Have spent a lot of time bringing the two art sister sites: Art Work on the Web and My Virtual Art Room back up after being worthy of being hacked. Also check out Cool Art Cards. Life is good and getting better and better. Let me hear what you have been up to.

Unseminar 6:Mingling with Internet Marketing Masters

Spending a weekend around people who are doing what you are moving in the direction of is quite an inspiration. This last weekend, three of my girlfriends who share an interest in thriving businesses online attended Pat O'Bryan's Unseminar 6. the name is derived from several factors because it is informal, the time line is as Pat says, a work of fiction, and the attendees mingle with the speakers the entire weekend. They are all very available for conversations that create possibilities.

So much was learned, in summary here is a fraction of it...
FRIDAY at Unseminar 6:
Masterminding and Mindmapping: was presented by Bill Hibbler, author of "Meet and Grow Rich" and Ann Collins. Mastermind groups are formed when two or more people come together and a third mind is formed. This concept was made famous by Andrew Carnegie and Napolean Hill in his classic book, "Think and Grow Rich." Bill and Ann shared inspirational stories where everyone in the group continued to meet their goals.
GOOGLE INSIDER SECRETS were next presented by Simon Leung, former Google employee, and Lee Collins. Their information was a two step formula for making money online with the right PRODUCT and then driving TRAFFIC to your site. Suggestions were made to use the Google tools including Google Keyword Tool, Google Ad Words, Google Shopping, and Google Maps. The idea behind this is that Google is Google's # 1 fan and your position on the page with the search engines will rise using this strategy.
Erica Douglas then spoke on "Turning your Blog into a Business." Erica shared strategies including the benefits of using Word Press with it's plug ins to finding complementary affiliate programs to add to your site to assist your customers in getting what they want/need. She stated that if you have read 10 books on a topic, you know more than 90% of the people. Erica offered a fabulous coaching program in which many of us joined. Stay tuned to new exciting updates.
Dr. Joe Vitale ended this first day by speaking about "The Secrets of Attracting Money." His charisma and passion filled the room. He shared his own story and urged each of us to raise our financial set points so that more money is allowed into each of our lives. He spoke of the significance of empowering ourselves to accept money so that we too could use the money as a tool in the world to do good. He ask us ,"how good can you stand it?"He ended by giving many gifts to the audience as he always does.
SATURDAY at Unseminar 6:
Mind mapping was continued when Bill Hibbler and Ann Collins coached an attendee, MJ on her web site and offered solutions in a visable format of a mind map that each of us could follow along.The mindmapping software was Mindjet which offers a 30 day free subscription.
The inspirational and energetic Eric Farewell spoke of building businesses that give you what you want in his presentation entitled," Simple and Proven Niche Marketing."In his talk, he told his personal story of how he is able to travel often throughout the year. He said that his lifestyle offers freedom and blessings to others. Then he offered reasons why most internet marketers fail. He showed us his formula and how his sites make money while we sleep.Very cool!
Following was a continuation of the GOOGLE INSIDER SECRETS by Simon Leung and Lee Collins with a focus on TRAFFIC. The emphasis was on the effective use of TWITTER and how 32% of their traffic was generated by their presence on Twitter. A good read is Joel Conn's "Twitter Power "which clarifies how and why this social media network works.
Andy Huang, who is known as the 80 Million Dollar Man spoke next on "Making Money Online without Creating a Web Site." and added more insight to the benefits of affiliate marketing.
Wendy Friersen of WendiTV stole the show next with a memorable performance of how she effectively uses YOUTUBE in very innovative and entertaining ways with videos to be remembered. She sells hynoptism products to solve people's problems and gifted us with a meditation that was so soothing. She shared so many incredible suggestions that will help us all.
SUNDAY at Unseminar 6:
Mindmapping was continued by Bill and Ann with more solutions presented for MJ's website.
Collin Joss spoke next about grabbing the reader by the eyeballs and ripping his money out of his wallet. Collin has an incredibly dry sense of humor and a unique accent. He gave away sales copy to three attendees and I became one of the fortunate recipients. I anticipate great results.
Ben Mack spoke next and shared his upcoming Good Energy Day ( 9/9/09). Kim Burney is working with him along with Chuck Pennington and shared their ideas. Kim is leading Mastermind groups and shared her products.
"Masterminding instills you with a sense of optimism"
Nathan Anderson,SEO expert, shared with us what he is calling "Niche ATMs."Web sites built to serve a particular audience while making money. I loved Nathan's Success formula
Give,Read an hour a day,Work Daily on your beliefs,Get RIGHT with GOD!Kill TV,Lose Negative Friends,Ask ( and it will be given), and Accept...He also shared his philosophies, and many other strategies that has him living in Colorado near his brother and family and parents on the same beautiful piece of land. He continued on multiple streams of income, choosing niche markets for which you feel passion, and how small profits individually add up.
After lunch,Kim Burney shared her new products for Maintenance on the PC.
Public Domain Expert, Tony Laidig spoke next giving us so much information of How to Create Public Domain Products.Tony told us about finding and using information that is paid for by our tax dollars and how these government documents are ours to use.
Our concluding presentation was phenomenal and given by author of Inspired Marketing, Craig Perrine. Craig encouraged listening to our subconscious mind and then taking action. He told his story and added his own humor. He reninded us how when we live our life doing what we love our to do list becomes our "get to do list."
Unseminar 6 was created and hosted by a phenomenal man named Pat O'Bryan who has gone from being a broke blues singer to a successful internet marketer. His Unseminars are affordable while providing so much information by experts who are successful. Napolean Hill said that if you want to be successful then help others get what you want. Pat O'Bryan said that" life is a parade as you learn something, turn around and teach the person behind you." My life is very blessed, my passion for learning has been re-ignited. The speakers were incredibly generous in sharing their formulas for success in each of their lives. Success is like a mathematical formula, if one person can do it, we each can if we are willing to follow their system until we have developed our own.
In addition to meeting these speakers, we had the hundreds of attendees to meet and mingle and to share each of our visions. Pat invited ten of the attendees to speak, I was the first to speak. It was an incredible opportunity to share a platform with all of the amazing and generous experts mentioned above. My friends Louise Dewey, queen of networking, Martha Giffen of Think and Motivate, and Wendy G. Young with her newly launched Spiritual Grid Manifestation DVDs also spoke sharing their dreams and stories.
Someone once said, "that our lives are lived on the acts of others, this truth resonates more than ever having been the benefactor of the generosity of all of the Unseminar 6 speakers and attendees. Although I have a ways to go with my businesses online, my attendance to Unseminar 4,5,and 6, brings me closer each day to my vision. My intention continues to be to share what I continue to learn to assist others in their journey.
The law of attraction assisted me in that the first person that I met online was Pat O'Bryan. When I ask, now what? The Universe answered with an opportunity to continue teaching with my classroom becoming the world. My classrooms online include art and technology, spiritual laws and a peaceful retreat from the world to a beautiful space. I am glad we share this journey.

22 Smart, Inspirational Quotes From Bloggers In 2008

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

22 Smart, Inspirational Quotes From Bloggers In 2008

View more presentations from Adam Singer.

Swirling Vortex Meets at Temples Gate

Temple's Gate was the site for our last Swirling Vortex meeting where we completed our Vision Boards. In addition, we discussed a new process called which allowed all participants to work on writing out the things they want in their lives.
The meeting went into overtime as those in attendance enjoyed working while meeting new like minded people involved in studying the laws of attraction and the teachings of Abraham. Visit our site to keep track of our upcoming meetings and all of the offerings that contribute to leading joy filled lives.

Teacher from The Secret in H-Town: James Ray

Attended an exciting seminar last evening in Houston with James Ray, one of the teachers of the hit movie,"The Secret." His message reinforced what I believe to be true which is that if one person can do something then we all can. His story was another rags to riches tale of how he learned and applied spiritual laws along with what he calls his science of success to turning his life around for the better. In fact ten times better as a multimillionaire. He gave an interesting analogy that our unresolved emotional issues are like a minimized computer program, although we cannot see it, it is still there. His "Harmonic Wealth" book and  his weekend seminars assist any one who has these unconscious beliefs in existence to eliminate them therefore allowing more love, joy, and empowerment into their lives. After last night, I am inspired to read his latest book. The most value gained from the lessons he presented is that we each have the potential to change our lives in the direction of our dreams should we be willing to do the inner work. 

Thanks for Everything!

Thanks is a powerful word that can influence each and every situation in life. If we can come from a place of appreciation, then we can feel better about our lives in each moment. How many times do we find ourselves in the company of someone who is grumbling? It is so easy to chime right in and say something about your life that adds to the drama. It is challenging instead to say something to shift the conversation to something more optimistic. "Let's intend a positive outcome." When someone is complaining, we can walk away while saying to ourselves," I choose to be happy right now!"
Louise Hayes wrote Gratitude as a Way of Life, in it she tells a story of a grandmother known for saying," Thank you God, one hundred times a day. She would chant, "Thank you God " for the sunshine pouring in her kitchen window, for the food she was about to eat and for the pot boiling over. Her grandchild ask why she said Thank you for the bad things. Her reply was that the challenges in our life make us stronger and provide contrast in order to better appreciate the good in our lives. How refreshing, to develop an attitude where we appreciate whatever happens in our life.
I have started chanting this same phrase and sometimes shorten it to "Thank you G." It makes me smile while doing it. It takes me to a place of appreciation and I realize just how blessed I am as I continue to think of other things for which I can be grateful.
I tell my husband how much I love our life and him. I appreciate the world we live in and all the opportunities that have been granted to each of us. Thanks to the world of technology we can connect from all corners of the world. We have many reasons to express appreciation. I keep a Gratitude Journal and write down what I appreciate in my life and the list keeps growing. Try this and see how many big and small things you can name in your rampages of appreciation.
Julia Cameron says," The key to practicing blessings is the willingness to accept the full value of each moment." Thank you!

Saturday Session of NLP, Success & Goal Setting

Some days are better than others as a result of someone's willingness to share their expertise. This past Saturday was one of those days as 18 people gathered at the Enhancement Institute, St.James Place in Houston. My dear friend Marian Lasalle invited me along with others in my spiritual group. It was nice to share the day with Marian, Catherine and Becky. The host Victor Escalante spoke on the history and benefits of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). He has been a practioner for over three decades and shared some processes that had us experience a deep and relaxing meditative trance. I have always had an interest in processes that enable us to tap into more effective use of our brain. Victor knows his stuff and we appreciated his generosity in telling us all about it.

Taz was next to tell us the stories of his life from hard luck to success. He shared lots of inspirational quotes and was passionate about his delivery.

Ray Flores concluded our day with how he works with individuals to have us remember who we really are. He says life has a way of clouding over our reality. 

Three individuals sharing their life story to make our lives better. 

Pay-Out Watercolor Party

Celebrating life's accomplishments is important to feel gratitude for all that has come your way. Last evening,we gathered with good food among good friends to share successes and to acknowledge the joy in each of our lives. We had lots of delicious food and shared recipes of  Michael's tamale pie, Debra's avacado and corn salad, Cec's  Chicken with Coconut &  Peanut Sauce and Cheesecake by Catherine's brother. Everything was delicious. Watercolor was introduced to the group allowing everyone to tap into their own creative muse. We concluded the evening in a prayer of gratitude and sharing of successes that the Universe has paid out in subtle rewards and moments that have made our lives much richer in our awareness of them. Louis L. Hay has a new book on gratitude that I am looking forward to reading. 

Sometimes in life things are happening so fast. We solve this challenge and two more show up. We feel really great in the morning and get so caught up in life we sometimes forget that morning excitement. The simple concept of gratitude can pull you back to a place of peacefulness. We can say thank you for the challenges that make us stronger. Thank you for the way that things have turned out. Although you may not like everything, say thank you anyway.

Melodie Beatty says."Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." She says,"It turns what we have into enough,  it turns denial into acceptance,it turns chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a house into a home. a meal into a feast,a stranger into a friend. Practice grateful thinking and see how all things gain this fullness of life and feel like MORE. 

Let gratitude create it's magic. Look at your life and count the ways that you can be thankful. Life pays out dividends for those who appreciate what they have, WARNING because you will get rewarded with MORE. Thank you!

Spring Art Teachers Trust Process of Growth!

Presenting to a room full of art teachers is an invigorating experience. Twenty Spring ISD art teachers gathered at Spring High School to explore possibilities for each of their classrooms in the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. Discussions were facilitated by myself, Joan Maresh Hansen, a newly retired art and technology instructor. 

Opportunities like this are so appreciated and are truly rich among a room full of master teachers.

Discussions in the short amount of time included the significance of class room management strategies. We all know we can have the best lesson in the world and if nobody can hear you, what's the point? You must encourage students to be respectful listeners in order for learning to take place. Whether it is late arrival to class, reading aloud, bringing in guest speakers, distributing materials, or collecting them at the end of class. What I call "systems" should be put in place with each varied activity. These guidelines or expectations communicated clearly to the students are called,"ground rules."Taking time at the beginning of the year, focusing on this until it is clearly in place teaches students to be good citizens among the community of learners in your class room. Ask any veteran teacher, moving away from this important topic too quickly can have dire circumstances and may need to be revisited.

Samples of student work lined a wall which sparked lively discussions for trying old things in new and innovative ways. Sequencial steps were evidenced in concepts which through repetition were gradually improved upon. Time was spent in small groups to discuss ideas that could be implemented in their class rooms. Others took time to get their hands on some materials to try these new ideas. Extended opportunities beyond the class room were offered in sketchbook/journal and altered book assignments. These ideas and many more were left in the hands of the participants in 56 page The Art Work Book Bootcamp Training Manual.

Heartfelt stories were shared of the teachings of Corina Kent in the book about her teaching life,"Learning By Heart,"where she talks about her teacher, videographer, Charles Eames. She says his teaching still lives in me and we must remember we are each others SOURCE. Good teaching impacts lives for years to come. Good teaching is learned and takes time in years of reflective practice. John Holt says, "We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way." 

Murphy's Law showed up in technological challenges, and because of the wisdom from the crowd, we rearranged the group and "fishbowled" around my laptop to watch presentations of student work including AP portfolios with student dialogue. Brad's concentration statement, "It is as though my soul is dancing on the surface of my work, made more vibrant with each stroke."

Learning is like that dance,three hours passed quickly. The "popcorn shares" indicated that this very enthusiastic group of educators are eager to take what they gained back to their class rooms to make magic happen. Being among teachers is something that I love and although a shorter time than most, it is clear that Spring ISD art students are fortunate to have these educators committed to their lives. Our next encounter will be even more promising.

Special thanks to Kim Abshere and Cathy Lovett who informed District Coordinator, Rick Ghinelli of The Staff Development with an Art-itude opportunity. Thanks Kathleen Wicker for your assistance. Thanks to our hostess, Myrtie Porter for opening up her Spring High School art room, Shea Ngyyen for taking videos, and Gene for his technical savvy in getting things working. Opening school and keeping it running smoothly every day is a truly challenging and sometimes daunting task. We must remember to allow ourselves time to grow and relax into the learning. "It takes time for nature to change things into what they're becoming, it takes time for things to develop. Be patient with yourself and your life.Trust the Process of Growth."

A reminder to visit my other virtual art rooms for additional resources of student work, lesson plans and more and if you like what you see, tell others and if you need something else, tell me.

 Visit: Art Work on the Web, My Virtual Art Room,  Art Work Book Series at: Flickr,Carver Crew at: Flickr, YouTube, over 800 pieces of student work at Artsonia, and stay tuned for more to come. Please comment on this BLOG! It would be great hearing from each of you. Thanks!

 

 

In Teaching YOU Can Start Over Again and Again!

Working with teachers has always been a passion of mine. At first addressing a group of educators may to some be a bit intimidating. However when the interactions begin, you realize that although you may teach different subjects or different levels of students—we share the same considerations and concerns.

Last week, FBISD, a local school district, my alma mater hired me to facilitate training with MENTOR teachers who are going to be working with beginning teachers, those totally new to the teaching  profession. I am excited to also be working with a group of new teachers. 

• During our two days together we reviewed many statistics that are somewhat alarming.
•   More teachers are leaving the profession than are coming into the field of teaching. 
• In the next ten years 700,000 teachers are expected to retire. 
• Too many teachers are leaving the profession in the first five years.(The Teacher Shortage:A Case of Wrong Diagnosis and Wrong Prescription by Richard Ingersoll NASSP Bulletin ( June 2002) 16-31.)
• All of this is because we as John Murrows puts it, "we train teachers poorly, and then treat them badly— and so they leave in droves."
  

The opportunity of an induction program to support new beginning teachers will allow us to become better practitioners of teaching, better listeners and will allow us to reflect on what we are doing and why we are doing it. We can offer suggestions for classroom management, lesson planning , organization and time management and more. Most teachers agree that taking a first year teacher under their wing renewed their enthusiasm for the profession. I agree as I 've supervised many student teachers, and have in the last couple of years worked with beginning teachers. Veteran  teachers like myself tend to forget how much we know that can be beneficial to these new teachers. 

So much is needed in the first few days of school. It can be very overwhelming. Harry Wong in his book:The First Days of School:How to be an Effective Teacher, addresses seven things students want to know the first day. Teachers can ease the worries of their students by 

addressing  each of these concerns.

1. Am I in the right room?
   
2. Where am I supposed to sit?
   
3. What are the rules in this classroom?
   
4. What will I be doing this year?
   
5. How will I be graded?
   
6. Who is the teacher as a person?
   
7. Will the teacher treat me as a human being?

Think back to when you did anything for the first time. Think about any time you took a class in school. Did you have questions like the seven listed above? 

The good news is this, programs are now being put in place to offer the kind of assistance beginning teachers need. The other bit of good news is that the teaching profession is one of the few that allows you to start over again  and again till you get it right. I  know, I spent 34 incredible years in the teaching profession with the best art and technology students on the planet. It wasn't a job it was an adventure.

In Learning By Heart by Corita Kent & Jan Stewart, a source is described as the first or ultimate cause. A story is told of how artist Charles Eames inspired teacher Corita Kent in his use of films and how he connected art with life. Corita says," of his teachings, I can hardly distinguish between what he actually said and did from what he taught me to say and do myself. His teaching is still living in me and I am still learning from that life in me, as well as from students and friends and every single contact with people and things. He taught me that too."

How true that is that we are impacted by who we meet. Teachers have a unique and wonderful responsibility which begins as students enter their class for that first time.We think of teachers as college graduates and finished products. Instead new teachers should be thought of as having learner's permits. Herbert Kohl said it well." Nobody starts out as a completely effective and creative teacher. The desire to teach and the ability to teach are not the same thing. With the rarest exception, one has to learn to be a good teacher. "

Photos above were taken in Ector County ISD August Art Work Book Bootcamp, Odessa, Tx.

Summer Time!

So much is possible when time is available to you. I so enjoy the numerous opportunities which present themselves. I love to make changes while enjoying time spent in my home and garden. I love to rearrange my home and get more organized and add new plants to learn about in the garden. Sometimes this prompts purging the old to make room for the new. Boxes get packed for a future garage or tag sale. Other options of attending classes and training, reading books, writing, and getting more organized. I enjoy attending classes each week at the APPLE store to learn more about the many new applications. My classes cover Adobe's InDesign, Keynote, and IMovie and Garageband to name a few. Learning how to use these to offer more things in my virtual art room online will be exciting. It is nice being the student after having been the teacher for over three decades. Training to become a trainer of teachers who are becoming mentors to new first year teachers and training to be a mentor in my hometown district was a great way of being around other educators for four days.
My web site has changed and been updated to get products ready and available to my subscribers. Who would expect 14 days of setting up a merchant account and another week to add SSL security on the server. Having a vision of what you want and then finding others aligned in their thinking so that they can assist in creating it takes more patience than I can sometimes muster. The monthly bonuses each month have yet to be available as we determine the best way to make that happen. The opportunity to send e-cards is on hold as we are still looking for the Mac software.
The ArtWorkBook Series is finally in the art catalogue and available in ebooks which can be downloaded at any hour of the day or night. The books are also available in print on demand,( when someone orders, they are printed and shipped) this one company is a little costly and won't print one book at a time. So I am looking into other companies.My other blog was customized and when we changed the theme, it lost all that customization. It is now being updated. About to attend a family reunion at Lake Texoma and look forward to time in nature.
Also scheduled to meet up with internet marketers: Pat O'Bryan, Dr. Joe Vitale, Craig Perine, Bill Hibbler and others in San Antonio at Unseminar 5 in July. The assistance in providing clarity on what's next in the development of my site will be welcome and appreciated. Two of my mastermind group are attending and it will be nice to see them in person as we meet on the phone each week from all parts of the world.Well, time is of the essence although there seems to be more of it on these long summer days, I think I will walk in my garden before getting into my next daunting task. This afternoon a nice dip in the pool will be refreshing. How are you spending your summer days? I would love to hear.

" You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it however." Richard Bach

Spring Comes!

How perfect that on the day of the SPRING Equinox that many great ideas were planted like seeds in fertile soil. My day was spent with incredibly generous people sharing both their time and talents. Two graphic designers shared with me ways to get my books and products online as offerings to art educators and their students. We discussed POD ( print-on- demand) so that art teachers could order a hard copy of my books, the company would print and ship the books to those who order and numerous other options. We discussed my Flash Card deck, calendars, paper portfolio packs, and more.
Another meeting with my mastermind group had us talking about the many details that each of us are involved in to get our web sites launched with the unique offerings for which we each feel a great amount of passion. The learning curve is phenomenal. Last of all, research at the book store with another friend had us learning about how others ( successful women) went about marketing their sites so that people could find them.
Think about it,the internet with the millions of sites makes finding your site kind of like searching for a needle in a haystack. I feel confident with such dedicated people surrounding me that we will work together to succeed. I expect positive outcomes!
I am so grateful for all of these people in my life. A very talented copywriter just re-wrote the copy for both of my sites. Next my web designer will be back to work on launching a new look to the art work on the web site.
I absolutely believe that when a lot of energy is spent on something that will be good for the world. The rewards will follow. It is back to the analogy of having planted a seed,in fact many seeds, and with the right soil, light and nutrients, the seed must as they say," Bloom where it is planted!"
I very much look forward to the day when all of these tasks are done and the communication will be frequent between art educators and art students.The sites will have taken on a life of their own. I will rejoice with a heart filled with gratitude for a dream realized, somewhere quiet, smiling face upturned to the warm sun.
"Sitting Silently,Doing nothing,Spring comes,and the grass grows by itself." Osho

A New Day Dawns! Reach Out and Touch Someone...

It is getting to be more comfortable leaving these random messages in different places online. I really look forward to comments and interaction with others as I seem to NOW be talking to myself. For now that is just fine as I can practice my "free flow" writing and get more familiar with posts and edits and all sorts of skills that can be improved upon as you spontaneously spurt out life's new insights.
I am excited to say that on two of my sites a professional copywriter is assisting me and another web designer supported me in changing the theme of the blog on one of my sites to look a little more artful. The magazine, " Artful Blogging" inspired the changes and the impulse to hire help and get things up and running a bit sooner than later.
As I move forward in completing my goals of connecting with more and more people online and most particularly provide services and products for art education, metaphysics and more, it will be interesting to see the transformation in myself in terms of web 2.0 skills and mastery. For now I can simply rest assured that a new day is dawning and to that I look forward.Sarah Ban Breathnach, says" the details of our days so make a difference in our lives." I agree and concur that as you reach out and touch someone across the planet with your words, or your offerings toward their lives being made better, each time you do, the world becomes a happier place.

Art Teachers Are Talking!

It has been so much fun and a lot of challenges getting my sites up and running. The really good news is that art educators are emailing me and we are talking about different issues in the classroom. It is great to finally arrive at this place where connections are being made. 

Clearly, it is important to put all the bells and whistles on your site, and you might be waiting a long time if you are stubborn and muleheaded like me and want to learn how to do this stuff yourself. The fact remains that I had assistance along the way with several groups of people whom I meet with on a weekly basis. Without their assistance, I may still be reading books about building web sites. Thanks to all of my helpers and my support network!

Now I am happy to say that two sites are launched and although still under construction, they are out there just waiting to assist others in their classroom challenges. Visit them and tell me what you think. http://www.artworkontheweb.com and my second site: http://web.mac.com/jmh5/_My_Virtual_Art_Room/Welcome.html

 The painter, Robert Blair said that " The element of risk is part of the challenge of watercolor." The element of risk is a significant part of the challenge of living life on the edge. I know that many times I stopped before I took the leap into the unknown, and when I finally just acted, and leaped— it was some of the most exhilarating times of my life. So this action is like none other, as it forces me to live bigger than I originally thought that I was capable of.  Now I say, bring it on,bring it all on! I am ready and willing to grow and learn and stretch myself to greater awareness and new levels of  knowledge. 

Today Technology Tremors Subside

Have you ever been afraid to do something on the computer? My latest challenge is to set up a BLOG on my web site and a merchant account so that others can benefit from the products that I created since my retirement from teaching art and technology which include e-books, calendars, presentations, etc.

Today I will pursue reading the Help sections on both the Blog site and the merchant account site. I was pleasantly surprised when I  just put a form put on my web site so that I could capture the names and emails of those who wanted to stay in communication and who visited my site. That involved copying and pasting  HTML code from my autoresponder site to my web page

 ( after downloading it with an HTML editor and then uploading with a FTP software) .It was a real thrill to see it there. Now I am going to start learning HTML code so I can tweek all of my sites.  Well, better get busy! 

ArtWork on the Web site is coming to Life!

It has been nearly two years of working on my web site so that it can be useful to both educators and their art students.For me it will be such a relief to have all of the lessons and images archived so that I can say that I have done it. Who was it that said,"Anytime you say Let it be! something happens!" Well, plenty is happening each and every day and I am happy to say that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I love the creative possibilities of technology as much as art and am thrilled each time I jump through a hoop to complete some other daunting task that makes having a web site easier. The word is "automation" and it allows you to set up in advance ways to communicate with other like minded individuals and share common concerns and successes.

I really look forward to hearing from others. I set up this blog forever ago and I need to figure out how to link it to my site...that will be one of the next challenges to overcome, Have a ho-ho filled Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year—2008 will be GREAT!

Connecting with Others Teaching/Making Art

Having taught art and technology for more than 34 years, a life working with young people kind of gets under your skin in the best kind of way. With the social security loophole, forcing 2000 educators like myself into early retirement,it was a struggle at first to figure out what I could do with my life beyond the class room.

You see I absolutely loved teaching. I was living my dream with the unique opportunity of being able to teach art both on and off the computer. My art classroom was an amazing Mac Lab. In my assignment prior to retirement, I had numerous preps with first through fourth year very talented art students.

During the final years, my students and I collaborated on eighteen feature articles in School Arts Magazine. McGraw Hill contracted me to write Digital Studio Projects, it was truly an incredible series of experiences which were complimented with speaking engagements at both state and national art conferences. Each time I met very devoted art educators who shared my love for the profession.

The long story short of it is I have/had so many ideas that I refused to just allow them to just remain buried in a file cabinet, I want to share them. So many of my friends told me to "throw all of that stuff away." I could not do that, one day I woke up realizing that a presence on the web along with the newest technologies would allow me a forum to share these chronicles of my teaching life. My intention is to do just that... share all of the lessons,art work examples, and other strategies which brought about successes in my art classes so that others could realize some of the same.

I am interested in hearing from art educators to know what they need most and how I can be of assistance.