Hello all!!  Well, finally, I have a blog!  I hope to share with you all the latest happenings in art class and keep you up to date with what we are all currently working on.  I am so happy to be working here at Missoula International School!  I seriously think that this is the very best school in Missoula.  I have really been enjoying getting to know all the students, and I kno all their names! ....well almost ;)   I have been delighted to meet many of you, their parents, and I look forward to meeting the rest of you in the near future!

The year has gotten off to quite a start....  
One of the first things we all wanted to do was to make a great big get well card for Feather.  The eighth graders made the front of the card by collaborating on a picture.  Each person reproduced a part of the whole image of an eagle in a tree.  I think that almost every single student in the school was able to sign the card and draw in it for Feather and give her their best wishes!  I was able to see how much everyone loves her and I know how much she is missed.  When I delivered it she was very pleased and touched, and really enjoyed reading everyones comments.  
We are all wishing her the best in her healing and in the direction that her life is taking her.

I hope that while you've stopped by the school you've been able to see the beautiful trees that the 8th graders also made, depicting the seasons and thinking of them as a metaphor for the seasons of our lives, for Grandparents Day. 
And the leaves!...Beautiful leaves!! Almost everyone in the school made colorful oil pastel leaves, maybe you've seen them adorning the walls here and there for this autumn....  Each one unique and beautiful, just like your kids :)

The latest big thing that the Middle Schoolers have been working on, and now with help from the After Care kids, is the giant Alebrije being constructed for the Day of the Dead parade this Friday!!  It's coming along quite nicely and quite a few people have collaborated on this big flying sea serpent/dragon/boar.  I'll try to post pics of the progress if I can...and I do hope you'll come see it this Friday with the Day of the Dead festivities... and in particular, join us to walk with your kids with it in the Parade!!! (if you're wondering what an alebrije is, ask your kids what it is, and how they came into being ;)  

Hope to see you on Dia de los Muertos this Friday!!!


warmly, 
Loryn