In June 2018, I got the opportunity to travel to Brooklyn and install a mural in the new office spaces of Stomping Ground Photo Studio. This team is the real deal: bright, kind, energy and their work proves as much. Here are some pics of my process.

  Art Room View 1   Art Room View 2  Art Room Plan

This weekend I celebrated my birthday with lots of fun activities. Part of the weekend included crafting with my sisters and making these adorable paper dolls inspired by Claudine Hellmuth. We met at a wonderful art store in Marin called Once Around, and they allowed us to use their classroom to make these dolls as a private class. My sister, Diana, helped coordinate the event - she made the samples for us and provided many of the supplies - thank you Dee! If you're ever in Mill Valley, make sure to check out this store called Once Around - it's very cool! Prior to the crafting event we had a wonderful lunch at Blue Barn at Corta Madera, one of my favorite spots for lunch... Picture of me & my sisters and my niece Natalie On Friday, I took the day off and spent some time in Petaluma antique shopping and also taking a class from Eileen Hull at Cathe Holden's amazing barn. Below are a few shots from her barn. Cathe Holden and I My sister Maryl and teacher Eileen Hull What great inspiration for redoing my craft room someday! Cathe you've collected some amazing pieces and your barn is a dream...love it all! Here's a picture of the project I made in the class. We used a Sizzix die to cut out the cover and pages. Thank you Eileen for a fun and inspiring class! Another nice bday surprise was being published in the Oct/Nov/Dec issue of Somerset Life. One of my recent necklaces that I constructed from several necklaces was featured. Thank you friends and family for all the bday wishes and thoughtful and generous gifts! It was a wonderful weekend of celebrations!

Designing a kids’ playroom is an exciting opportunity to create a vibrant and imaginative space that...

I've been chatting alot with y'all lately about routines for the art room...and it seems kinda crazy to address that before talking about rules, doesn't it?! For the longest time...like, I'm talking YEARS, I did not understand the difference between rules and routines. There were times when I would list my rules and they'd be a mile long because they were actually procedures I wanted my kids to follow, not rules. It can all be a little confusing so let me share an analogy with you... Your art room is the magical masterpiece of a place you wish to create for you and your students. Your RULES are the broad brush stokes of that masterpiece. The solid foundation you wish to create. Your ROUTINES are the small brush strokes, the dabs of color and light that bring your entire work of art together. With rules and routines, your art room are room has the potential to becoming everything you and your students need to create, grow and thrive. Now...when those rules and routines are disregarded, which can happen for any number of reasons, then there are consequences. I'll be talking more about that next week. For now, let's focus on rules. Here's mine: Each one of these is a downloadable PDF which you can find here. In fact, you can read more about my rules by following this link. For many years, I just came up with rules. I copied rules that other classroom or art teachers used without putting much thought into it. I hate to even admit it, but it's true. In fact, I talk a lot about it in one of this week's podcast episodes. But, incase you missed the prequel, you might wanna listen to the one on routines first. And here's my podcast episode on rules: Before you even start thinking about your RULES and ROUTINES, shouldn't you know your WHY? I wish I had. For years I was just blindly going thru my rules, the ones I'd robbed from other folks, without giving it much thought. It was the thing I thought I had to do, get outta the way and off my To Do. Sadly, what I didn't know, is that your WHY sheds light on the tone and climate you wish to create for your art room. Starting there allows you to then shape and form your RULES and your ROUTINES. If you've not yet created your WHY, don't worry about it. I walk you through the process in this working podcast. I have LOVED seeing your pie charts and your WHYs...thank you so much for sharing them with me here. Painting my WHY was so much fun. It now hangs happily in my Command Center, right where all of my students and I can see it everyday. I talk about my WHY with my students on the very first days of art. And I ask them WHY they want to be in art...WHAT do they hope to learn, do and know. Knowing their stake in their education and owning it, gives them power. My rules embrace my WHY and help to bring it to life. What are your art room rules? What tone and/or climate do you hope they help your masterpiece of an art room become?

Well, it's that time of year: Back to School Time! I know what you are thinking...already?! Yes. On my end of the universe, we head back August 1st and the kiddos return about a week after. For once in my life, I decided to get my room together EARLY so as not to be running around right before the kids walk in the door. I thought this might leave me some more time to lesson plan...or stay in my pjs until 1:35pm as I am currently doing. But, whatever! This place is GOOD.TO.GO. Here's just a lil time-lapse of all that you can accomplish when you drink two POTS of coffee: Yeah, I was so motivated! I wanted to get as much done as possible in just two days and managed to knock out the bulk of it in one. I have been working this summer to declutter and clean closets...and while I have not completely finished those, it was nice to walk in to a tidy-ish space. That made setting up so much easier. The second day, I did finish organizing books, sorting supplies and clearing off my counter. If the kids walked in today, I'd be ready to teach! WHAT I'd teach 'em, I dunno...but we'd be ready. Here's a quick room tour: I will most certainly give you a detailed tour of each space next week. So stay tuned, y'all! This week, I'll be posting on all of the DIY decor I've created since last year. My room was looking drastically different just one year ago. For the curious, I have pulled up my room tours from years past! This should be interesting: This is from 2016...right before the fire marshall came in and told me to take down all of my fun stuff. This video was created for my kindergarten thru second grade kids...so pardon me for talking to you like a little. And this one is from 2014. I've gone thru some changes, y'all! Having been in this space for 15 years, I was ready for an update. I was tired of just hanging up posters and silly stuff on my walls in an effort to just decorate the space. In the end, it just looked junky and cluttered. It was not a happy or calming place...not that it's calming now but I can say it makes me happy! The magic of a couple of cans of paint and rainbows. Like I said, I'll be posting A LOT of info on how all of these were made this week...and next week, a more in-depth tour of each area. However, feel free to leave me questions below if you have any! It's getting to be a packed house, even without the kids! Thank you so much, y'all, for letting me taking you on a tour. Best of wishes getting your art rooms to their happy places! It can be an overwhelming task. Just take your time and enjoy that journey. Listen to what the kids respond to and go from there.

If you’re a crafter, you know how quickly things start to pile up. Yes, I do need that many different types of scissors and that many colors of ribbon! If you have a designated craft area either large—lucky!—or small, it’s nice to (at least try to) keep it organized, especially if it’s in a part of your home that’s not off-limits to guests.

This contemporary canvas print of one of my original African art paintings is the perfect living room wall art. It would also brighten up the other rooms in your home and is a suitable and thoughtful gift for any occasion. This trendy art piece is inspired by my love of African masks, Jamaican art, Black art and modern home decor . I combine African and Jamaican themes into all of my art and I give each one a name and story that shows this influence. This is Passa Passa which means "Mix up, Mix up" in Jamaican Patois. The various themes in this painting with its straight lines, curved line, wiggly lines, and dots looks like it's straight out of Africa or the Caribbean. This is an eye-turner that will make a perfect gift for a special friend or family member. Colors: • Vibrant multi-colored with intricate hand-embellished details in gold, silver, red, white, lavender, green, black, brown, grey, aqua. Dimensions: All of these sizes may not be in stock but can be ordered for a later delivery. Message me if you want one that’s not included as a variation in the Etsy listing • 16” Wide x 20” Length, $100 • 18” Wide x 24” Length, $120, custom - delivery in 14 days • 24” Wide x 36” Length $150, custom - delivery in 14 days Materials: • The canvas is professionally wrapped over solid kiln-dried pine stretcher bars, stapled in the back and framed with a one (1) inch frame. • Ready-to-hang clasp or wire attached at the back of the canvas. Packaging: • I will package your order securely to prevent damage. Shipping: • I will ship your order within two (2) business days of receiving payment. • Shipping within the USA is FREE by USPS Priority Mail which usually takes about 3 - 5 business days. • Shipping International (outside the USA) is NOT FREE but is paid for by the buyer in addition to any other related charges such as VAT and CUSTOM FEES and will be shipped by USPS Priority International Mail which usually takes about 6 - 10 business days. Complaints & Refunds: • I aim for 100% customer satisfaction. • If your artwork arrives damaged, please take a picture, and contact me via Etsy within three (3) business days to discuss how I can make it right. You can see more of my art in my ETSY Shop. www.lesancreates.com Please favor my shop if you like what you see. It helps me as a small business owner. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you again soon! Leslie Anne Hansley

IN ART Poster for the art room, 11x17 and 8.5x11, 2 versions, subway art style, in high resolution PDF and jpeg for printing. Great for the art classroom or art teacher!*This listing is for a digital file download. Image must be printed out to create poster.**This is a ZIP file. You must have softwa...

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These adorable paint can curtains were made by Melissa D. Olson in her classroom! She was so kind to share her directions! Tutorial: "We drilled holes in the side and bottom of the can (at

Beautiful and creative inspiring art rooms. These art teachers have gone all out decorating their art rooms. Super-creative!

More Photos To Come :) What a successful EVENT! Our First art show here a Danz was a success! We had 6 local artists come and demonstrate their skills in painting, photography, pinata making and sewing! We had author Katy McKy here who was signing her books. We also had 3 different dance/music performances! It was definitely a huge hit with students and families!

Beautiful and creative inspiring art rooms. These art teachers have gone all out decorating their art rooms. Super-creative!

We all know how it goes, you start the year full force ready to conquer every day of class but inevitably life, stress, exhaustion, and time throw a wrench into things. Here are some awesome things I am trying to do this year that I hope I keep doing (And will try my absolute best to do so) this year and the next! PBIS! This is where our PBIS stuff happens in the Art Room. The numbers are velcro and change throughout class based on behavior (That 2 was the first day of art, UGH) the scale is 1-5. We ask the students "strive for 5", and this is part of our district PBIS program. I did this last year and I loved it but I was having to re-make make my charts when we got new teachers so my solution was to laminate everything! The charts were laminated blank and the names separately so all I needed to do was double stick tape the names. Next year, I just have to make new names! I hope I can manage to do at least that, or I might be a lost cause. Table identification! Last year we just had table colors, this year, I'm trying to infuse a lot more art history. So, tables are also an artist. Tables might be called by their artist name or color so they really have to listen. I hope I can remember to call them by the artists! And do a project that is centered on each artist! Displayed I CANS! Last year I was writing massive I CANs up on the board for each class and it took a lot of time and I had to re-write it each class and it left little room for me to use my board. The words "I CAN" are magnetic and so are the classes so I can easily move them when necessary. I REALLY hope I keep up with writing the I CANs, they are such a great tool...for me and students! What do I need?! Once again magnetic, I did supplies that we use on a day to day basis including colored sharpies, erasers, pencils, rulers, oil pastels, crayons, paint brushes, glue stick, bottled glue, watercolors...etc I did not do one for paper and I have a Special Supply one for unique materials. I was already forgetting to change this in the first week but I hope once I get into a routine, I will be able to stick to it and it will answer a lot of questions that students ask me. In addition to this I have them tell me the steps of a project and we write it on the board next to this. That I REALLY hope to keep up with too! "Show Me The Mona Lisa"! This has been all over the art teacher webisphere and I wanted to give it a try. I SERIOUSLY LOVE IT. The older kids think its a little silly but the younger ones are really into it. Whenever they start to get restless or I need to tell them something during work time I say "Show me the Mona Lisa" and they sit up straight, voice zero, and hands folded. Get this version here, otherwise you can easily do your own! I hope, because I love this so much, I will be able to keep up with it! Handy dandy supply labels! Another question I'm really tired of is "where is the (art supply)" this will hopefully help with that and also keep my supply tables cleaner! I used the same labels for my What Do I Need? so it was no big deal. On the first day of Art we talked about keeping the supplies behind the labels to keep everything where it should be and so the Kinderbeaners can see the pictures! Obviously I can keep up with this because I don't need to do anything else, but I am worried about wear and tear. I may need to replace them half way through...they are laminated and packing taped on so we will see! I hope they survive! New "Free Art" excitement! Another Art Teacher webisphere idea/concept floating around is Legos as a free art choice. I also got my hand on geo-boards that teachers were getting rid of when they got new math stuff this year! The Legos were mine as a kid so i'm a little nervous about them being out but I told them how they were mine from when I was little and hopefully that personal connection will keep them around. I am also CRAZY nervous about rubber bands getting flung but I warned them of losing this as a choice if it happens. I hope they can handle this stuff so I can keep using them year after year. "Write About Art"! This is also a new choice for free Art but will also be used as a consequence for kiddos that are off task. I feel like that is a little contradictory but I have some kids that just LOVE to write, so why would I tell them no? I hope I keep up with using it as a consequence because I believe it will be an effective one. Le Piece de Resistance! New and improved seating charts! Somewhere in the bloggersphere or Pinterest I saw this idea for seating charts (if anyone knows where let me know)! Instead of writing names in pencil and having to deal with erasing and re-writing for seats that get switched, students that move, or new students, you write the names on tabs that can be moved easily. I write first name, last initial. I have the names blurred for safety reasons here but you can see how it works. I LOVE THIS and have gotten a ton of compliments from other staff on the idea already (but I give credit to the internet-don't worry). It is pretty low cost also, a pack of about 200 is less than $2 if you go with the generic brand from Walmart. I hope I do this each year to save me some sanity of the ever-changing seating chart! All in all, lots of new things happening and this is just my second and a half year teaching. Can't wait for what the future brings me in my career. I hope its all as awesome as this stuff! Anything totally awesome that I just HAVE to try in my room that you do?

Inspiring Art Room Doors. Lately, I've seen some truly inspiring art room doors posted by art teachers on social media.

Welcome to a new year in the art room. This year my room looks completely different, from layout to bulletin boards to organization, thanks to all my fellow art teacher bloggers and my dear friend Pinterest. Now every table, supply bucket, and chair is colored coded. Chairs are numbered as well (more art room organization photos on this post). Thanks to my colleague Nancy R. for the value poster idea. Every year I tell my students my dad banned Barbie dolls from our house. He felt his three daughters would turn into 'clothes horses' if Barbies made it through the door. So Art Teacher Barbie is my very first Barbie doll. She called my name from the toy department at Wal-Mart my first year teaching, and since then we have never been apart. p.s. In the background you can see my new tempera cake rack (from Blick or Amazon). Hoping that will seriously reduce my clean up time. Best wishes for a successful school year! May your kiln never explode, and may [...]

an inside look at the stitching- so well done!! a stack of registers a few books finished ;) an outside view of the stitching I am incredibly blessed this year to get a small group of 6th graders for almost an hour 5 days a week. How much we can accomplish and how much individual attention they can get from me is very special! Our project for this quarter is making 'Zines (that is self published magazines for any of you wondering) and part of self publishing is somehow binding your 'Zine. It is very popular to use good old staples but I wanted to take the opportunity to teach them a few bookbinding techniques. We made these sketchbooks by using four registers (a register is a stack of papers folded and sewn into the cover side by side) and the saddle stitch. They designed their covers with duct tape or cloth sports tape (that stuff is the BEST!!). I have one duct tape pro in class who even made little duct tape bows (see the photo above)- it was awesome!! The kids seemed very proud of their work and so am I! I'm really impressed with their craftsmanship and how persistent they were at finishing them. I also love to see their excitement about learning something new. We started playing with my new sticker maker today to make & trade hand drawn stickers for our books. I can't wait to see what else they fill their sketchbooks with!!

In British painter Danny Fox's sprawling new Los Angeles studio, we see influences of Jean Michel-Basquiat and Paul Gauguin.

Art room decor, art room layout design, Art room storage, Elementary School Art Room