Facing Some Real Challenges

If you have read my blog before, than you may have read my little blog about fear: Something that I seem to feel a bit more intensely than is normal at times. I ended up in my own little corner again (pic above). But I am on my way back and plan on being back to work soon.

My heart is becoming more like this guy. I have a bit of a connection with both Tigger and Piglet. They both represent two major facets of my personality.

I am revamping my "Fear No Teaching" image for my students at Dekaney. They are the WILDCATS so I had to adjust the image:

I will colorize/watercolorize it and show y'all later.

Using my skills: Making a Teaching Tool

This is my Chart intended for NOISE control in the classroom. I will have an arrow which will point to the acceptable level of noise at any given time. This way no student can play dumb and feign ignorance.

My indicator. An Imp riding an arrow. Some of my personal "flair".

A Work of Love

In the Literary canon, none have been as influential and dynamic to me as Bill Watterson's "Calvin & Hobbes". When I decided to add Calvin and his existential buddy in my Literary Character Avatar project, I wanted to do them justice. Calvin I have already posted. I have just recently finished Hobbes.

Hobbes took a lot longer to interpret due to the difficult proposition it is to take such a lovable, dynamic, inquisitive, intellectual individual and represent him in a way that encapsulates his "cartooniness" and yet gives him a more realistic representation. It was quite a fine line to try to balance.

Thank You Bill Watterson for such a rich and edifying commentary on the living plight of humanity!

More Avatars for my Grammar Game Project

I have already come to terms with the fact that I will not have this ready this year. I will continue to use this project as an escape from all of the other work I will have to do for the year and hopefully I will have a better idea of how it will work by next year.

Lancelot: the ultimate knight

the ultimate brat: Calvin (Hobbes is in the works)

another one of your fairy tale standards: Gremlins

whether he is battling the all-seeing eye or cobbling your shoes, this Elf is the dude for the job.

One of my favorite things to draw in Jr. High School and a Comic Icon

This Generation's ultimate Wizard . . .

A Classic tall-tale and a Legend


Preparation is what dominates my days right now. Anticipation can be a killer.

Literary Character Avatar Project

I have been working on an idea I've had concerning grammar. A few drawings of literary characters that I intend to use. I will probably use my watercolors to color them later.

                                                                         Beowulf

                                                                    Red Riding Hood

                                                                The Big Bad Wolf

                                                                     Puss in Boots

                                                                           Troll

I am "THE EDUCATOR!"

I have officially accepted a position this morning as an English teacher for the Freshman/Sophomore level at Dekaney High School in the Spring Independent School District. I have crossed over into the scary realm of public education. It helps that I am relatively naive about what I am getting into. Student teaching can only show you so much.

Reflection: Fear

We all experience a wealth of human emotions. The rainbow of human experience allows us to soar upon the wings of euphoria. On the other end of the spectrum, we are mired in the sludge of depression or are assaulted by agitating pangs of Fear. All of this got me thinking:

An image came to my mind that perfectly describes the suffocating nature of FEAR. Imagine you are encased in a substance that resembles a tough and tacky cellophane. The real kicker is that without exertion on your part, the blob will shrink you until you are incapable of movement. You may even feel your insides shrink as your skin begins to buckle beneath the pressure of this voracious malady:

Freedom only comes through real effort on your part-- effort that allows you to move and to be with some semblance of freedom. But the moment you shrink away from something and begin to allow that fear to have any room..... ZAP!! You're shrinking under the pressure all over again.

This image above was only the basic idea when I pictured how one struggles with fear inside. The next one wasn't as effective as I wanted it to be either.

The stretchy cellophane appears too pliable and stretchy. I felt that Fear ought to be more effectively portrayed as something that doesn't give an inch at all. Emily helped me figure out how to more effectively portray a material that is thicker and less pliable (she works with fabric a lot). I think the following image is much more effective at what I am trying to portray.

Do you think this is an effective portrayal of Fear? What are your thoughts?