I can't say what particular day it was, nor exactly just how "Mrs. Taylor" turned into "ArtMama"... and I can't begin to tell you how happy it makes me, as I walk through our school hallways, hearing cheerful shouts of "Hey ArtMama". But you probably can imagine.
I am the proud art mama to just over 900 kindergarteners through 5th graders and just mama to 2 biological children (that have zero interest in visual art - yet my son plays many instruments, all by ear, and my daughter is a ballet major, and dances with a company.) Life can be sooooo trippy, huh?
I've been the art teacher at Oriole Beach Elementary for 16 years now when my own babies were there.
Previously, I was an art director, graphic designer, and illustrator working in the Atlanta advertising market.
The trade off: working with grown ups, wearing heels, living in the city to working with children, wearing flip flops, and living at the beach = Best. Decision. Ever.
My school is amazing. It's also one of the highest performing elementary schools in the state of Florida. My co-workers, I call friends. Blessed is what I am.
But...
someday I would like to retire, possibly hire a cabana boy to peel me another grape or perhaps I want to do something different when (and if) I decide to grow up. Hence I've created my Hey ArtMama TpT shop.