Rachel Simpson
Find me through Allied Arts of Whatcom County!
  • Home
  • Art Classes
  • Art Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Exhibits
  • Student Art
  • Art Lessons
  • Contact & Register
  • Favorite Artists
  • Featured Artists
  • Painting Parties
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resume
  • Whimsy

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

Autumn Changes & Creative Kids!

11/9/2015

1 Comment

 
Over the last 3 months, things have been super busy with my teaching career starting to finally take off in the Whatcom county area. I am so very thankful that this is happening after 2 years of hard work to get myself situated in the teaching community. I'm currently working at BAAY (Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth), as a Visual Arts Teacher in their EduArts program working with local elementary schools in the Bellingham School District. This means that I work at 3 different elementary schools in after school art classes devoted to giving fine arts projects, some art history, and elements of art lessons to the children. I absolutely love working with BAAY, a non-profit organization that has been in Bellingham for the last 15 years. Not only do they work with classes in theatre, but this after schol EduArts Enrichment program for the schools. Everyone who works there is positive, helpful, and focused on bringing all of the arts to our future generations, help give art teachers positions, and is a part of our community.

http://artsarebasic.org/
Picture
Picture
While I've been working with the students at the schools, I've had such wonderful feedback, compliments, and joy while watching them develop a better unnderstanding of art, gaining confidence, use of skills that elevate their hands-eye-coordination, use of creatity& innovation. This gives them another way at being better communicators, as well as helping one another to be all that they can be. It is really the best place for me to be for so many reasons that I can't even count them all.
Picture
We've been working on Autumn Leaves - wax resist with sumi ink, My Story Rocks, Birch Trees at Sunset collage, Sea Turtles in foil collage, Self-Portraits in the style of Paul Klee, and Starry Night watercolor paintings with sea salt effects. I've got a couple more weeks to go with half the classes, then a winter break in December. On the last day, we will have show-and-tell for parents/guardians to come and visit, see what they have done, with a photo booth, and art games to share.
Picture
Last Spring quarters BAAY EduArts classes also went extremely well and everyone loved the last day of show-and-tell! So, this will be a part of each art class that I teach. I have hopes that the next winter quarter will be even better with all of the art classes full with registration.

Aside from teaching at BAAY, I've also been doing a few fine arts classes at Jansen Art Center (JAC),  in Lynden, WA since this summer. They have been trying to work with me to fill the art classes that we've worked on together, and a few have filled, but it is not the same kind of classes - as they are an art center that allows the public to register for classes at their center & not at the schools. It is a beautiful location with a cafe, art exhibits, 6 different art studios for all kinds of art ranging from painting, drawing, ceramics, jewelry-making, dance, music, and textiles.

In addition to JAC, I'm going to have some future art classes to teach at Whatcom Community College (WCC), as a part of their Community Ed Art classes this winter quarter. To be an art teacher at WCC has been a goal of mine, ever since I was a  student there. I've always loved that community college, the helpful professors, guides, advisors, and resources that they give to everyone. I'm super excited to be a part of WCC!

The classes that I will be teaching at WCC are:


Play with Clay: Ceramic Tiles
 
This hands-on workshop for beginners and novices alike is your chance to make a set of 3-6 decorative ceramic tiles with artist and instructor Rachel Simpson as your guide. All that will be needed is your own imagination as you create your own pattern or picture and learn how to transpose it onto clay. Rachel will teach you various techniques such as making grids in clay, design basics, working with positive and negative space, and glazing your fired tiles. Rachel invites anyone ages 15 and up to join. For class supply list, visit www.whatcomcommunityed.com and click on "Supply Lists & Class Info."
 
Mixed Media Meets Steampunk
 
Take a blank canvas and transform it into a creative work of Steampunk altered art! In this hands-on workshop you will create a mixed-media painting while utilizing a variety of techniques such as collage, antiquing, blackened canvas, photo transfers, and the use of found objects on canvas. Your finished painting will reflect an eclectic Steampunk style and you’ll leave with a treasure trove of skills to use on your next project. Prerequisite: a basic background in art. Experience in painting not required. Rachel invites anyone ages 15 and up to join. For class supply list, visit www.whatcomcommunityed.com and click on "Supply Lists & Class Info."


Picture
 Great news! On November 20th will be the beginning of the Allied Arts 36th Annual Holiday Art Festival between Nov. 20th - Dec. 24th at 4145 Meridian St. Bellingham, WA - located in the Cordata Center, next to the old Cost Custter building.

I will have my very first art booth at this event to sell my art, mixed-media, paintings, teacups, mermaids, prints in mats, and my book art! There will be over a hundred different artists and crafts tables at this event & they are open 7-days-a-week! All ages are welcome.


Picture
At the Holiday Festival, I will also be teaching a one-day kids art workshop on Sunday, December 13th, between 12pm - 3pm.

Cave Painting & Drawing Class

In this 1-day workshop art class, students will learn the history of Cave Paintings, then create their own version of cave paintings with use of recycling old brown paper bags, gesso, acrylic paints, charcoal, chalk & pastels, to draw and paint their marks of animals, people, and hand shapes to resemble the look of a cave wall picture. The use of the elements of art will be incorporated into this art class with use of line, shape, color, form, texture, and space.


I'm now a Teaching Artist at Allied Arts & will be doing a few kids art classes with them! While I have been a volunteer, taught workshops at their RARE event, and a member of Allied Arts, this is a first for me to be a Teaching Artist with them. It has also been on my list of goals as an art teachern Bellingham! I love what they do to help our community with the arts, schools, and artists!
1 Comment

    Rachel Simpson

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

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    June 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Classes
    Cooking
    History
    Inspiration
    Teaching
    Travel
    Video
    Website

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly