Art Made Easy

Many art teachers dream of running their own art studio. The freedom, the creativity and the chance to impact children on a deeper level appeals to many of us. Maureen Marks, a member of our Sparklers Club, shares how she went from teaching art in a public school to running a successful art business in her home town of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Maureen shares what made her decide to move out of her home and into a rented space, what she charges for her classes, what her biggest challenges are and her own special take on paint parties. If you’re an art teacher considering the big move outside your art room to owning your own business, this episode is for you. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How Maureen got her start in the art industry and what led her to owning her own studio - What services Maureen offers to her community and her strategy around pricing - What Maureen's biggest struggle has been as she builds her art teaching business - Why she enjoys teaching adults and how she uses mixed media in her classes - Why becoming friends with other small business owners is important LISTEN TO THE SHOW LINKS & RESOURCES: Keep up with Maureen Marks through her Website, Facebook Page, and Pinterest. You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Patty Palmer At Home Instagram [email protected]

While I've been asked a hundred times, I rarely go out of my way to talk about it. Mostly, I'm afraid of the unwanted attention it would create. Or the feeling that I was abandoning my art teacher identity or that somehow my intentions were misguided. The it I'm talking about is how I transformed an art teacher's side hustle into a thriving business that employs nine people and impacts thousands of teachers worldwide. The it is Deep Space Sparkle. Today, I'm taking you behind the Sparkly curtain to share with you how I run DSS. From sharing how my early mentors influenced how I created content to how my current business coaches have literally changed the trajectory of my life. In the past two years, I retired (or liberated as he puts it) Neil from corporate America, hired 7 ladies and developed a membership site that has over 5000 active members. It hasn't been an easy road but it was one fueled by passion, purpose and instinct. If you know anyone who could benefit from this podcast, please share! It's really easy. Just open up your podcast app on your iPhone, search for Art Made Easy and click the share button. And while you're there, please consider adding a rating or review. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How I got started selling my first few lessons and why I was so excited with the possibilities - What I gained from taking an online course and how it's influenced what I create now - How to know when it's time to focus more effort on your side business - What going "all in" with Deep Space Sparkle looked like, including renting office space and hiring a team - Who influenced me the most for building my dream business LISTEN TO THE SHOW LINKS & RESOURCES: Watch How Neil and Patty grew Deep Space Sparkle HERE Find out more about my mastermind coaches, Stu McLaren amd James Wedmore Deep Space Sparkle Shop and Teachers Pay Teachers Shop Join the Waitlist to be apart of my Sparklers Membership Club Podcast's and Bloggers mentioned in this episode of AME: Holly Becker Blogging Your Way Amy Porterfield Podcast Pat Flynn Podcast You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Patty Palmer At Home Instagram [email protected]

Krista Hilmen is a former high school English teacher turned art teacher at her children's charter school. Learn how Krista raises funds for her art program through a successful art auction. She shares what the most popular projects are, how her auction committee manages the tasks and how she decorates the venues. If you are considering doing an art fundraiser, this episode will leave you inspired! We selected Krista for November's Sparkler Spotlight and as a result, she gets to interview me! Krista asked these questions: - Is there a medium you really dislike using? If so, how do you work around that in the classroom knowing it's best to expose the kiddos to as much as possible? - Do you have a favorite artist, art movement or genre? - Your lessons are always successful with my students and one of the reasons I use them time and time again. What is your process for creating these and testing them to be sure you have created something with such guaranteed success? WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How Krista transitioned from teaching English to Art - What Krista has done to generate revenue for her classroom by running shows - How she got started using Instagram and the ways she uses that platform to build support for her program - What is my own process for creating art projects and a big mistake that I see many teachers making - What Krista's best tips for classroom management are and the reward systems she uses with her children LISTEN TO THE SHOW LINKS & RESOURCES Download Krista's free resource, Cozy Holiday Cats by clicking the image below. Type in your name and email and we'll send it to you! You can connect with Krista on Instagram at artsatplaceracademy Deep Space Sparkle projects & podcasts mentioned in this episode There's a Dragon In My Art Room Blog Classroom Management Strategies That Work For You: AME 088 Best Practices for Acrylic Paints: AME 091 You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Patty Palmer At Home Instagram [email protected]

Do you dream of the day when you can spend all your time sipping tea and working on your art? For most of us, it’s a long-term goal and one in which Nicholas Wilton is far to familiar with. Nicholas calls this the Hibernation Stage, which according to his 6 Stages of the Creative Path is the stage practically everyone is in: those who wanted to make art but can’t seem to find the time. Can you relate? Nicholas offers a strategy that helps us understand the natural flow of creativity and how to move from one stage to the next. And even if you are not a working artist or have no desire to be one, his insight into our creative process can be applied to most anything we do. About Nicholas… Nicholas is the founder of Art2Life, an online platform that strives to build, empower, and inspire the creative community. His online programs provide artistic, business and creative coaching to artists. With over 20 years working with creatives, Nicholas has developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process. He speaks and writes extensively on the subject of creativity, purpose and inspiration. Wilton’s paintings are seen in yearly gallery exhibitions, International Art Fairs, and are included in numerous private and corporate collections in both the United States and Europe. His paintings have also been used on the covers of the national bestseller “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, and Brene Brown’s “The Gift of Imperfection.” Recently, the US Postal Service issued a stamp featuring Wilton’s artwork. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How to identify and move through the different learning stages of art - How to integrate your knowledge and preferences into your art work - How your creativity and confidence will increase when your intuition comes into play - What his membership group can do for you, no matter what stage of your career you are in LISTEN TO THE SHOW LINKS & RESOURCES Learn more about Nicholas Wilton by checking out his Website, Facebook page, & Instagram Books mentioned in this podcast The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly by Brené Brown You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Patty Palmer At Home Instagram [email protected]

Need a little art room make-over? Yvette Ackerman is passionate about making her art room feel like home. By using warm, textural elements and a strategy for student inspiration, Yvette's art room is a dreamy example of what's possible. Yvette is a former classroom teacher turned art teacher for her local Charter School in Northern California. Yvette is also a brand new Sparkler having joined the membership last August and turns the interview to ask Patty questions about work-life balance, what's in the future for Deep Space Sparkle (BIG reveal here) and strategies for art assessment. Check out Yvette's Bulletin Board ideas with links to Pacon paper products in the Show Notes below! WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - What was the biggest challenge for Yvette as she started teaching art - How to communicate with the parents via Instagram while also using it as a tool to get kids excited about learning - Why Yvette puts so much effort into decorating her art room and making it fun, comfortable space for her students - How to truly make your space "your own" - What Patty does to balance her work and home life, and the BIG surprise for Deep Space Sparkle LISTEN TO THE SHOW Check out Yvette's Bulletin Board ideas she displays in her art room, using the Pacon Bulletin Board Background Paper to decorate her boards. LINKS & RESOURCES Follow Yvette on Instagram Art Made Easy posts mentioned in this episode Word of the Year: AME 077 How to Assess Student Artwork & Qualities of a Great Art Teacher: AME 003 A Chat with Team Sparkle Marisa Gebert: AME 048 You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Patty Palmer At Home Instagram [email protected]

Today on AME, I’m continuing with my series: The Draw, Paint, Sparkle Book Chat, where I read sections of my new book and give you extra insight to how my teaching philosophy has worked throughout the years and how it can help you create art with your kids. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the reason behind one of my biggest art preference …why don’t I use pencils in the art room. As Deep Space Sparkle reaches more and more teachers from around the world, I get asked a few questions a lot and one of them is why I don’t use pencils in the art room. This episode shares the 3 big reasons why pencils just don’t work for me. But don’t worry, I’m not a pencil-hater. I feel there is a time and place for pencils and I’ll share when and why I draw that line. To listen to the first and second podcast of my Book Chat Series, listen to Directed Line Drawings and How to Host Art Sessions in Your Home WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - The 3 main reasons I don't recommend the use of pencils - How to encourage children to draw larger without the use of pencils - Why I feel that pencils promote perfectionism - Why pencil techniques are more appealing to an older age group LISTEN TO THE SHOW CLICK TO DOWNLOAD A FREE LESSON FROM DRAW, PAINT, SPARKLE LINKS & RESOURCES Click here to purchase Patty's book Draw Paint Sparkle via amazon Patty's favorite paint brushes Royal & Langnickel Art Brushes Check out these blog posts How to Get Children to Draw Big You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Patty Palmer At Home Instagram [email protected]

Are you a relatively new art teacher who’s trying to figure it all out? Guest teacher, Tamara Evans shares her how she gets her students to help with prep and clean up. And it’s pretty easy! Tamara Thomas Evans, teaches K-8th art in Hendersonville, North Carolina after a long career as a dance instructor. Tamara is a Sparkler and was invited to share her experiences as a relatively new art teacher. In the first half on the show, Tamara shares her systems for keeping her classroom calm and her students engaged as learners and helpers. Then, we switch the tables and Tamara asks me how to keep children practicing craftsmanship, how to carve out creative time and how to submit lessons for publication within the Sparklers website. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - Why Tamara decided to take the opportunity to become an art teacher after years of teaching dance - How to be prepared in the classroom, stay organized and finish your day, all while having a strategy - What will keep the children engaged with a project that can take two or three lessons - Why we put so much pressure on ourselves to create, be creative and force ourselves to get inspired - What kills creativity and the number one tool Tamara uses that makes teaching art feel easy LISTEN TO THE SHOW LINKS & RESOURCES Draw Paint Sparkle You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Facebook Instagram [email protected]

Do you have enough time to prep? Are you able to enjoy your job? When do you sit and breathe? I teach over 850 students at my school. There is little time built into my day to lesson plan, grade, hang/take down work, clean the room, and what ever the next thing is that admin assigns to me. This was a question posted last week in the private Sparkler Facebook group. Perhaps you feel the same way? I know that at one point in my career, I had similar thoughts. And I suspect most art teachers would say this would be true. But does it have to be your reality? That’s what I want to explore today on the show: moving beyond technical tips or strategies and digging a bit deeper into the origins of this question. We’re heading down the woo-woo path as I share my experiences with the Law of Attraction and how I used it to make me happier in my art room, happier at home and how I found my dream home. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - The approach I recommend to art teachers who are developing a curriculum - How your own energy will affect your happiness level and the children that you serve - What happens when you change your behavior towards children and the importance of consistency - What the Law of Attraction is, my early experiences with it in the classroom and why things really “happen” to us - How positivity can change your life and the way I got started on my journey of self-awareness Tips to Help Overcome Frustrations: 1. Find a Mentor - who at your school seems applicable 2. Accept what you can’t change but change what you can - resist leads to frustration and blame 3. Remember you are the teacher. Children look to you for guidance, energy (calm, fun, inspiring) and above all to teach. LISTEN TO THE SHOW LINKS & RESOURCES Christy Whitman Teaching Kids to Paint: AME 083 Quantum Success: 7 Essential for a Thriving, Joyful, and Prosperous Relationship with Work and Money Jess Lively You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram Facebook Instagram [email protected]

Today on AME, I'm continuing with my new series: The Draw, Paint, Sparkle Book Chat, where I read sections of my new book and give you extra insight to how my teaching philosophy has worked throughout the years and how it can help you create art with your kids. I taught in an elementary art room for 13 years before going full time with Deep Space Sparkle. And over the past few years of writing this book and helping parents in my membership program, the Sparklers Club, I realized that teaching or facilitating art at home is different than teaching large numbers of students. In today's episode, I'm sharing 5 tips that will reveal a few secrets that will set both YOU and your child up for art at home success. This will help your art-making sessions to be fluid, creative and stress-free. Real quick before moving to number 3, if you’re a parent who loves to do art with your children or recognizes that your child needs more art in their lives, you’ll love my new book Draw, Paint, Sparkle. You’ll discover easy ways to get started with art-making with basic supplies and flexible instructions. Create art based on celebrated painters like Van Gogh, Monet and Pollock and explore engaging subjects inspired by nature and animals. Be sure to head over to the book’s website: Draw, Paint, Sparkle to download a free art project and then, if you like it, order the book. After you buy the book, come back to the website to access your bonuses: 27 Drawing Guides that you can download, print and use with your kids. Like the book? I’d love for you to write a review on Amazon, which helps the distribution of the book so more parents can create art with kids. You can buy the DPS book from Amazon, Barns and Noble and wherever good books are sold. To listen to the rest of my Book Chat Series, click to listen to All About Directed Line Drawings and Why I Don't Use Pencils in the Art Room WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - The importance of trying your projects first before your students - How to develop a relaxed approach with art supplies to give children the freedom to experience art - Why children will get frustrated and what we can do to help - What playing music can offer for everyone’s experience at home LISTEN TO THE SHOW CLICK TO DOWNLOAD A FREE LESSON FROM DRAW, PAINT, SPARKLE LINKS & RESOURCES Draw Paint Sparkle You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram [email protected]

Today on AME, I starting a brand new series: The Draw, Paint, Sparkle Book Chat, where I read sections of my book and give you extra insight to how my teaching philosophy has worked throughout the years and how it can help you create art with your kids. Today’s episode talks all about Directed Drawing. While directed drawing, or guided drawings, are a gateway of possibilities for a child, sometimes a child or a parent is resistant to the idea. I share my experiences working with directed drawings at home, help you navigate the often murky waters of creating art with your child and tips to avoid conflicts or frustration. Draw, paint, Sparkle Creative Projects from an Elementary Art Teacher is written by Patty Palmer and published by Roost books. You can buy the book from Amazon, Barns and Noble and wherever good books are sold. After you buy the book, head over to Draw Paint Sparkle to download your book bonuses: 27 Drawing Guides that you can download, print and use with your kids. And while you’re there, why not write a review on Amazon? This helps the distribution of the book so more parents can create art with kids. To listen to the rest of my Book Chat Series, click to listen to How to Host Art Sessions in Your Home and Why I Don’t Use Pencils in the Art Room WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - What is directed drawing - How to foster more art at home for 5-10 year olds - What to do when you face resistance from the children - How everyone can be an artist - How to build confidence with a directed drawing LISTEN TO THE SHOW CLICK TO DOWNLOAD A FREE LESSON FROM DRAW, PAINT, SPARKLE LINKS & RESOURCES Draw Paint Sparkle *To download your book bonuses for directed drawings You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram [email protected]