Rachel Simpson
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Travels, Art, Teaching...

Stories of my travels across the globe that enrich my experience with teaching and making art. You can find me at my art studio in the FAB Studios 314 E.Holly Street, Bellingham WA, and shop with Rachel's Whimsical Art on the Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts!

Holiday Festival of the Arts

NAEA 2018 Seattle

4/14/2018

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It's been about 3 weeks post the NAEA conference in Seattle at the WA State Convention Center, and I've just now had the time to sit and write about my experience as a first time attendee.

As a newbie, it was exciting, mind-boggling, and overwhelming to see all of the sights, plan for the trip, witness the massive amount of classes, the presentations, and the hundreds of vendors to choose from and go see. I knew from what I'd read about the National Art Educators Association conference, that it was big, but to actually be there and see it in person is completely different. It was ginormous, gigantic, massive, and holy heck titanic! To be honest, about a week prior, I was getting nervous about going to the big event, and being by myself for the most part.

Luckily, I'd already made a few online connections with fellow art teachers from across the country, who were planning on attending. Thanks to a friendly, experienced, talented, and wise-lady by the name of Phyllis who started a meet-and-greet chat group, I was able to plan some meals, and meetings with some amazing art teachers. It really helped me feel welcomed to the event, just by the new friendships I'd made that weekend. Just talking to the various ladies over a meal, helped me feel much more comfortable with all of the surroundings and big event.

One of the events that I'd planned on going to was the opening night dance party, and they had a fabulous theme that I was thrilled to participate in - Steampunk! So, I'd planned my costume with many things I already had in my collection. If you know me, you know that I love to dress-up in costume, make outfits, accessories, headdress', hats, jewelry, and sew various apparel to add to my wardrobe. The only thing that was a bit awkward about my outfit was that I had to think about... how was I going to get into my corset all by myself?

So, I gulped my hesitation away, and asked the chat group if anyone who was going to the dance, could help me into my corset at the hotel. Three different people said yes and offered to make arrangements to meet to get dressed together. It was more than I could have expected by all of the warm welcomes and offers of assistance. I had help from both Jenn and Melissa to get ready for the dance party, and we all had fun walking down to the event in our own small posse in Steampunk style! We found that not very many had realized that there was a theme, so there were only about 25ish people dressed-up for the night in the theme. This became fun in a different way, we got to chat about our costumes to many who asked, and one of the NAEA photographers took our photos - they were posted and shared on the NAEA 2018 for everyone to see!

I thought that the opening-night dance party was pretty huge, and exciting to see so many art geeks such as myself, dancing, socializing, and even some Artist booths to check out some Art Teachers Art work that was for sale! There was a moment, while dancing, that I thought this was the pinnacle of being an art geek. It was so full of art geeks that the energy was rising to the highest point on Mount Everest. I loved it!

All of the workshops, presentations, free-walk-in-sessions, and hands-on art projects was awesome! The amount of shared knowledge, skills, advice, creativity, and inspiration was phenomenally uplifting in so many ways. As an art teacher, or an artist, there are times when you feel alone in your work. Believe me, I'd started to feel this way during this school year, while I was getting busier with art classes. To be a part of a collective of creators was such a fantastic experience!

When I first entered the gigantic vendors hall, I felt like I was transported into a world of artists and teachers, who all loved to do art as much, if not more so, than me. I had heard about how much there can be, so I prepared and brought along a small rolling bag to carry my essentials such as water, book, pamphlet, pencils, purse, coat, and plenty of room for all the free swag! This one tip that I got from another art teacher was the best! The first vendor I saw was one of mt favorites - Faber-Castell products. I made a B-line straight to their booth, tried all sorts of materials, and got a swag bag. I was in artist heaven. Every booth that I walked to, had some kind of free workshop/demo, and swag. Of course, they had items for sale, and on the 1st day, I chose to just browse and try things, while I decided what I wanted most to bring home. Not only did I learn about so many new products/materials, but I got to meet new people in the business, share fun experiences in the demos, and make art to take home! Oh, and I went there every day to see more. As it turned-out, I saw plenty of new things everyday, and got more and more swag. It was so awesome!

I'd planned ahead to take 3 different registered hands-on-workshops, and each one of them was great on many levels. The first one I took on Thursday was called Da Vinci's Heart-Pounding Studies: Layering Authentic Scientific Illustration with the Emotional and Expressive Heart. This one called to me in so many ways of my love for mixed-media, the artist, mediums, and the scientific illustration aspects such as how to make your own quill, and pigments mixed with egg tempera. It's a unit that I know I will do with a future art class of kids in levels of 4th-9th grades.
The second ticketed workshop I'd registered for, was on Friday, and it was Gyotaku Eye Painting from the STEAMy Ecology Series: Gyotako Fish Printing, Culture, & Ocean Literacy. What an awesome one this was! I learned about how you can use various inks to do fish printing with or without real fish (and to use fish plates from Dick Blick), ways in which you can use science and oceanography, skills on painting layers/backgrounds, use of various papers, and for all sorts of grade levels. I know that in time, gathering all the supplies and preparation, I could do this lesson with kids for the next school year. I think this is a perfect subject to do here in the Pacific Northwest, since we have so many fresh water, and salt water marine life.

During the second and third days, I took the opportunity to walk-into several of the free presentations that were offered. So many different art educators were there to share and speak about their own personal experiences and practices. At a few of the following I learned about: Jewelry Making for secondary school levels, Journal and Sketchbook ideas, Meet-and-Greet-Art Teachers in Speed-dating-style, Art Installations of a different flavor, and an elementary schools experience on how to make Paper Mache Art Mural with an artist in residency. I could have gone to a lot more, but I really wanted to take my time and soak up everything that I could, without making myself overly stressed with too many things to do all at once. Within each hour of each day, there were literally 30-50 different things to go see in an art class, workshop, presentation.
On the third day, I took my registered workshop called, Oh What a Relief - Fabulous Tooling Foil, taught by Phyllis L. Brown, (yes, the same Phyllis I met via the chat group). I was excited about this class from the first time I read about it, 6 months prior. I've been wanting to learn how to do Tooling Foil for quite a long time and I've got a bunch of supplies for it, that's just waiting for me to use with some kids art. This was also the best class I'd taken all weekend for many reasons & not only because I liked Phyllis, but yes that did have an influence in my opinion. She was up-front and honest about the class, informative on the lesson to be used for future art classes, great with planning, various techniques/skills, all the supplies, the hand-outs, several demos, and enough time she allotted for the class to utilize for making our own art. Hands-down, this was the best in every way! Not only do I have the info to use for a future class, but I even have a few supplies to use for my preparation.
On the social side, I met up with fellow art teachers from various states such as Melissa, Jenn, Phyllis, Emily, and Clara. Thursday was great to meet and hang out with Melissa and Jenn over dinner and the dance. On Friday, I walked to Pikes Place with Phyllis and Emily to show them the sights and shop for a couple hours, & then we made time for some great seafood for lunch! That Saturday we went to the Chihuly Glass Garden and to the MoPoP by the Seattle Space Needle. Even though, I've seen all of these things many times, it's a treat to share them with guests for their first time. There really is so much to offer for tours and visits in Seattle. While I used to live there about 12 years ago, some things have changed. Since I live 1.5 hours north of Seattle, now I can enjoy being a tourist or a guest of the city, and really soak it up.
I'm so glad that I was able to have all of these fabulous experiences with new friends, and come back home to see the grand scheme of things in my wonderful word of art. I am blessed in so many ways, to be able to cherish these moments and thrive with new found creativity!

Looking back and on my own reflection, I know that I would totally do this again. Maybe even push myself to go teach a workshop, or give a free presentation to share some of my experiences in art. I'm also looking forward to meeting even more art teachers and artists, being a tourist at another city, and feeling that growth mind-set. One where anything is possible, and the weeds of our minds that get tangled in the worlds affairs, and stresses that build in our daily lives, can be opened up to learn, and see new things with others who have similar passions. NAEA opened my eyes. Thank you for this. I'm completely grateful to the event, my partner Jeffrey for helping me go, my friend Starry for having me as a guest in her home, the new art teacher friends, and all the people who make this event happen.

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April's Whimsical Art Newsletter

4/3/2018

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“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” Albert Einstein

April showers and breaks with the sunshine is the start of our brisk spring here in Whatcom County. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know that our spring weather is unpredictable until Mid-May or sometimes into June. The great part about it for me is to see all of the new things growing in shades of green and flowers popping-up all over the place. Spring also gives me inspiration for new art and new classes arising. I was so full of joy and gratitude for being able to attend the 2018 NAEA conference that was in Seattle on March 22nd – 25th, where I was able to learn from art workshops, meet new friends, and be a part of art teachers’ presentations. It gave me new insights, skills, and so much more to share with my future art classes.

Awesome Art Announcement: This Friday, April 6th, is the RARE (recycled arts and resource expo), that Allied Arts of Whatcom County puts together every year for all of us to enjoy, is happening this next downtown art walk in Bellingham. There is the opening art exhibit on Friday between 5-8pm, (which I’ll be at for showing some of my art), with free artist presentations, music, special art shows, and on Saturday there’s more with art workshops. Join us for some local art, & community fun! Find out more with Allied Arts of Whatcom County's RARE!

Registration is Open for the Summer Art Camps at BAAY and WCC!

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There’s a variety of  Summer Art Camps for kids of all ages, such as Drawing & Painting, Upcycled Art & Sculpture, Preschool & Kinders Art, and there’s options for several age groups with BAAY (Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth - Summer Art Camps) and a Drawing class at WCC (Whatcom Community College – Kids College)! Details for BAAY are listed below:

Upcycled Art & Sculpture with Art Walk at BAAY. Ages 9-16 years.

Teacher: Rachel Simpson

July 23rd - 27th & July 30th - August 3rd, 11:30 - 3:00pm, Finishes with Kids Art Show at BAAY for the Downtown Art Walk at 6pm! (Register for 1 or 2 weeks)
In this amazing art course, we’ll start the first week to develop skills and techniques to create a miniature shadow box in mixed-media with use of recycled tins, metallic’s, lace, buttons, glitter, gears, moss, gems, keys, photos, felt, collage and our unlimited imagination. We’ll also explore how to do Paint-Cup-Pour acrylics in fluid art of an abstract painting of swirls of color onto canvas into our very own works of art.
During the second week, we’ll explore Sculpture & Papier-Mâché and Paper Clay; we’ll discuss styles of sculpture, a variety of artists such as Leonardo DaVinci, Picasso, & contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Claes Oldenburg, and Romero Britto…. We’ll also select an animal of their choice to build into sculpture, by learning the use of building armatures, sculpting, using paper mache, paper clay, and painting to finish their pieces.  The class will also have a 1-day field trip to visit a local gallery or museum downtown.
                                                               Register with BAAY!

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Drawing & Painting. Ages 6-12 years.

Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson

July 9th - 13th &  July 16th - 20th, 2:00pm - 6:00pm (Register for 1 or 2 weeks)
In this exciting summer art camp, we’ll gain the confidence & ability to work in any medium. We’ll take the first week to learn to accurately draw what you see, self-portraits, & learning the beginning of perspective and shading, through the use of charcoal, graphite, oil pastels and chalk pastels. The second week will be about painting, using watercolors/acrylic paints onto canvas with different techniques to change the look and texture, with inspiration of Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Van Gogh & the contemporary artists Amy Sherald & Kehine Wiley, who were the first black artists to create official, Smithsonian-commissioned portraits of former President Obama and First Lady in 2018. Students will explore the arts, creating fun & educational drawings/paintings taken from observation, photographs, & illustrations. The class will also have a 1-day field trip to visit a local gallery or museum downtown. By making art of the world around us, we learn to see it in all of its beauty.

                                                              Register with BAAY!



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 Preschool & Kinders Art. Ages 5-6 years.

Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson

July 9th – 13th, 8:30am - 9:30am

In this fun preschool summer art camp, we’ll explore a variety of different art mediums, experience choice based art, hands-on tactile sensations such as air dry clay, charcoal and soft pastel drawing, shaving cream painting, create sun-catchers with glass beads, paper craft flowers, use balls marbles and balloons to make art, use movement and music to express themselves in art, use of children’s books as inspiration, as well as explore painting onto various types of surfaces. Your child will be able to take home many pieces of art as well as wonderful experiences and stories to share with their family.                                                  
                                                              Register with BAAY!


WCC’s  The Art of Drawing (ages 10-14)

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Art Teacher: Rachel Simpson
June 25th -28th,10:00AM – 12:00PM
Learn how to draw what you see and gain the confidence and ability to work in multiple mediums in this fun class! Using pencil, charcoal, soft pastels, and ink, we'll develop skills in contour drawing, shading, and creating depth. We'll discuss our artwork as a group, as well as gain positive feedback from your instructor, local artist Rachel Simpson. We'll also look at a variety of artwork and discuss such famous artists as Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Cézanne, Andy Warhol, Kiki Smith, and more! All materials included.

                    Register at WCC Kid's College!


Winter Kids Art Ended & Spring Kids Art Begins!

We had a great last day of all of the after school arts enrichment programs at various schools, with kids & parents sharing in fun art games, an art show-and-tell, awards, and a photo booth for the kids with their art.
In case you didn’t know, I teach at a few different schools in the Bellingham School District with BAAY EduArts, & in Arts Enrichment Programs with Allied Arts of Whatcom County. Both of these amazing non-profits bring the arts to many kids throughout the schools, and I’m so thankful I can be a part of it.

You can still Register for the Ceramic Garden Masks at WCC!

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If you’re in love with working with clay like I am, or just want to learn how to try your hands at making something fun for the first time, then this is the class for you. This spring quarter, I’m teaching a one-day ceramic workshop that is all about bringing in the joy of the changes for spring. Registration with WCC is below:

Dates: April 28th Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm. Class Description: Join local ceramic artist Rachel Simpson and create a hanging garden mask OR a nautical mask! Choose to make a classic Green Man mask, sun/moon face, or a nautical themed face with starfish, fish scales, and shapes of shells. Rachel will guide you in sculpting facial features in the right proportions for a realistic mask, or get creative and make it whimsical. Dress for mess and be ready to have some fun with clay! All levels, including teens ages 12 and up with a parent, are welcome. All materials included in class fee. Finished masks will be ready for pickup on May 11. Ages 15 and up are welcome to join.
                                                                    Register with WCC.


Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!
 ~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)

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    Rachel Simpson

    Creativity is key to finding a balance with a happy life.

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