Busiest/Worst/Most Aggravating Week

So if I haven't mentioned already I am a graduate student, mother of four children, married, and a very busy person. This week has been super busy with a lot going on!!! This past week I had a super duper project due on an Youth Art Study. I took 9 children ranging from the ages of 3-15 on a Friday night (away from their parents) and had then create art for me. Why? Because I am CRAZY! No, not really... I wanted to see how boys and girls made art differently, if at all. The verdict... I need to do more research, but for this project, kids really just make art based on their surroundings (i.e. culture, society, peer-to-peer, and etc.) There are some children who are influenced by their peers, whether those peers are boys or girls, the child wants to please the people around them. Well, aside from setting up a learning session for my kiddos, I needed to scan my art, put it on pinterest, facebook, twitter, and etc.,  create a piece of art work (based on the kids art) and write a 1000 word paper! Whooo! I was tired after all of that work! It was quite rewarding but I felt so warn down after all of that. If you would like to check out my study, artwork, and paper it at reflectingartist.com under the education tab. I would love any feedback!

So I guess I can say this has also been a very aggravating week. My daughter, 10, comes home in tears because she stood up for what she believed in and a boy called her the B word. She was so down, and upset. I was so proud of her for standing up for what was right, even though so many kids her age don't. But what really made me mad is that I often wonder what kind of world do we live in where my child feels bad for doing the right thing? I also wanted to smack the sense into the boy who called her that word, but of course I would never do that (but I can think it........ :D)

On another note, I must be insane to tackle a graduate degree while I have a teenager!!!! Who in the world does this????? Just a few weeks ago everything was cool, but now not so much. Why, you may ask? A boy.... I do not know what it is that makes a teenager crazy when it comes to a boy but I swear I want to find a cure for it. LOL!!!! Over the past week and 1/2 my teenage has had 5 melt downs/fits over this situation. And yes I said fits.... like a 3 year old, in-the-floor-screaming-fit!!!! I honestly look at other parents and think, "Can't they raise their child right?", when I see their kid in a fit at the store. I am not sure what in the world my teenager is thinking when she throws herself in the floor, it's not like I am beating her or not putting down the rules here. I don't know...... But anyway, so there have been some melt downs this week, of course it's the busiest week right now for me, but the world seems like it has to stop for ALL of her problems. Now I am so frustrated and aggravated that the thought of doing my homework right now just overwhelms me.

Not to mention that I actually, for the first time in my acedemic career, overlooked an assignment. I feel like a total GOOB! I have no idea what I was thinking or why I did not see it. All I can say was I tried to get my work done too quickly and just did not see it.

So here I am at 11:43 pm, writing in the world of cyberspace about my really rough week. I am feeling super tired, aggravated, depressed, and overwhelmed by all my work. I was hoping to start this next week with a few more smiles and more energy, but from the behavior of my teen tonight I have the feeling that tomorrow will not be all hugs and giggles.

Ahhhh, the life of a starving artist...., yep this was my creative life this week.

New Project...

Okay, so I just bought over 100 markers to create some new art pieces with and I am SUPER excited!!!!! I have never seen so many different shades of markers, eeeek, so fun!!! Of course me being O.C.D. I had to sort them into colors and put them in separate boxes, but I am sure that will come in handy when I am looking for a color. :) I also got a new sketchbook! It always seems like I can have a fresh start with a new one, but also I think that the first page really expresses the entire sketchbook feel. It's kind of like the first pages of a book, it lets you know if you want to turn the page or not, lol. So I have decided to do a yellow fall scene on my first page. It's a little time consuming but I am hoping that my A.D.D. will still allow me to finish it. I might give it to someone for Christmas, but we will keep that between us, so shhhhh. :D
I also want to attempt to create an art piece on a large scale, like 4ft by 8ft. It would be the largest I have created to date. Also, I have, for some reason, gotten really interested in street art. There's this place in my town that could use a good, "painting" if you know what I mean. It is huge though, I was thinking about getting permission to paint a landscape on this awful brick wall. It seems a bit extreme for me, but I like the idea of the challenge. So who knows....
Just a side note, in order to create art I need some good music and environment. I am glad it is getting cooler outside, it will allow me to create my bigger projects outside, and away from all the distractions of my crazy life.

Flipboard

This is a great app to have for anyone. :) you must check it out. I love the art information especially. It is best for the iPad though.

Questions...

What kind of technology is your favorite?
Mine is the IPad…for now but after this fall when I study different types of technologies for the classroom; I might change my mind. Stay tuned for updates on my journey.