Teaching

Teaching is awesome. I enjoy being able to share my love of art. It's rewarding when a student who said they can't create art proudly displays their finished project. My students learn something new, they learn art is interesting, fun and hard work. And it gives them a great sense of accomplishment.

Creativity is about a sense of play and wonder and that forms the basis for critical thinking and problem solving throughout life. I'm happy to be a part of anything that gets the message out there that art is a vital part of our lives. I could go on and on, but instead I'll leave you with your new motto - get out there and CREATE! (Students from my workshops:)

through the generous support of the Sils Foundation

Funding through the US Dept. Ed. Arts in Education-
Model Development and Dissemination Grant Program

       

3rd graders working on their ecosystems mural

detail from one of the murals, cold and hot deserts

NEW WORK - Nature Illustrations

I'm adding to my repertoire of nature illustrations.

This and That, Donna Miskend 2014

These are things I've picked up that I thought I wanted to paint. Sometimes it's the color, or the design element, so to make sense of them individually I decided to put them all together. Acorn, ginko leaf, pine cone, the fruit from a cherry tree, maple seed pods, a dried cherry and I think the other seed pods are either also maple or oak.



This bunny was at the botanical gardens.

Red Cabbage and Rabbit, Donna Miskend 2014

New Work - Food Illustrations

I enjoy painting in both styles and tonight I eat my subjects (stuffed eggplants), ah, summer!

Donna Miskend 2014,Rosa Bianca Heirloom Eggplants, watercolor

Donna Miskend 2014, Heirloom Eggplants, watercolor

Workshop: Beatrix Potter and Botanical Art

Beatrix Potter is most known for her children’s books about Peter Rabbit and other animal stories. How did she create such a believable world in which they live? Through observation of the natural world of their environment.  While it can take hours to create a perfect reproduction, in this workshop we’ll take our cue from Beatrix Potter to introduce you to botanical illustration and then use the work to create a spot for a children’s book scene. Come join me for this painting and drawing workshop. Children and adults.

Funding is thanks to Regeneron and Con Ed

July 19th -  1pm-3pm     at  ArtsWestchester
31 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10601
For further info: CLICK HERE
https://artswestchester.org/events/beatrix-potter-andbotanical-art/

Looking Ahead

After a long hiatus on my 'Conversations...' blog, there's finally a new post with Robert Greer, Artistic Director of The Strindberg Repertory Theatre.

Exhibits Coming up: Selections from the Dickens 2012 exhibit, Dickens: A Celebration in Pictures  will travel to the Poe Park Visitor Center Gallery in Feb. 2015.

What's New

New art

Donna Miskend 2014, Lotus Views, watercolor

Donna Miskend 2014, Tomatillos, watercolor

I love doing this type of painting.

New blog post on the Conversations blog.

ABFFE Auction 2014

Donna Miskend 2014

Once again it is time to support the fight against censorship in books for kids through the American Booksellers Freedom For Expression Auction of artwork by illustrators in the children's book industry. This year, the special tribute is to Dr. Seuss whose books were challenged for their content, especially those that made social commentary or criticized big business. This quick sketch in the Whoville Library is my contribution this year.

The Kids Right To Read Program is co-sponsored by ABC Children’s Group of the American Booksellers Association and American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) with the National Association Against Censorship.There will be an on-line auction open to the public CLICK HERE (opens: at noon Monday, June 2, 2014 and closes June 9, 2014 at noon), in person ticketed auction (Wed. May 28th at BEA may be purchased online) and a holiday auction in the fall. For more information visit the web sites highlighted.  

Examples of books that have been banned or challenged effecting availability:

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee; Brave New World by Aldous Huxley; Angels in America by Tony Kushner, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. Click HERE to see more books, many considered literary classics and important portrayals of American history.