Blog
Sweet Strawberries: A Mixed Media Art Project for Kids 🍓
This summer strawberry art project is perfect for adapted art, preschool, or early elementary students. With process-based steps like splatter painting, stamping, and 3D layering, kids will love creating their own vibrant mixed-media strawberry scene. 🍓
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My First Mini Course is Here: Botanical Silhouettes 🌱
Two years ago, I painted a silhouette of my daughter filled with blooming botanicals—and had no idea how much that single painting would change the course of my creative journey. At the time, it was simply a personal piece, created with love as I watched my daughter start to grow into the little lady she was starting to become. I decided to share this painting on my Instagram and was blown away by the reaction! Something about this painting seem to resonate with my followers: fellow moms, teachers, art admirers and soon after, I found myself sharing the process with others through my first ever adult art workshops. These workshops then morphed into online workshops and before I knew it, I had taught this lesson to hundreds of people—from fellow teachers to complete beginners—each one creating beautiful, heartfelt works of art inspired by someone (or some pet) they love. Teaching this lesson to other adults who have maybe always bee interested in art by rarely made the time for it lit a spark in me: I loved teaching adults. I loved teaching busy moms. I loved that I could create a special time for each of my attendees to look inward, focus on their own joy, practice and experience. I was also surprise to learn that after 15 years of teaching kids under the age of 12, that I could experience all of the same feelings of price and joy that filled my cup when teaching kids- but on a peer to peer scale. After teaching my Growth Mindset workshop over 10 times both in person and online, I am now thrilled to share that my first ever mini course is officially here! Introducing: 🌿Botanical Silhouettes: A Growth Mindset Mini Course 🌿 This self-paced course invites you to create a meaningful silhouette painting of a loved one using gouache, layered with plants and symbols of growth. It’s inspired by the idea that, like nature, we are constantly growing—especially when we allow ourselves to slow down, get creative, and make space for learning. What’s Included: ✔️ A detailed supply list (perfect for beginners)✔️ Pre-recorded video tutorials you can pause and rewatch anytime✔️ A Plant Painting Guide to build your confidence with gouache✔️ A step-by-step presentation that breaks down the whole process Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this project is a beautiful reminder that creativity and growth go hand in hand. I hope it brings you the same sense of peace, joy, and connection that it brought me when I painted that first silhouette of my daughter. One thing I know is that when you finally say yes to your creative side, so much more than your art will start to grow. If you're interested in creating your own gouache masterpiece, click here to begin! 🌿 Happy making!
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My Personal Sketchbook Journey as An Art Teacher and Mom
It’s wild to think about how my sketchbook journey began—and how much it’s transformed my life over the past nine years. Nine years ago, I was a brand-new mom navigating the intense waves of postpartum anxiety after returning to teaching full-time. Every morning felt like I was leaving a piece of my heart behind at daycare. I knew deep down that I needed to find a spark of joy to carry me through this difficult new normal, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. One day, I happened to have an extra sketchbook left over from my classroom. Around the same time, I discovered the artist Jennifer Orkin Lewis ( @augustwren on IG) and her daily painting practice. Seeing her simple yet joyful approach to daily creativity felt like someone had given me permission to try something I had never even considered before: actually painting in a sketchbook. Up until that point, I had always thought of sketchbooks as a place just for pencil drawings, quick notes, or rough ideas—not finished paintings. I loveddd painting but the idea of setting up a canvas, and space in a studio often got in the way of me actually sitting down to do it. So I grabbed whatever student quality watercolors I had lying around, and started to use those to paint with. That inspiration was all I needed. I made a small but powerful promise to myself: I would draw or paint for just 20 minutes a day. No expectations. No pressure for perfection. Just a simple daily act of creativity that was just for me. Even when I wasn't inspired or had no idea what to make- I just started putting pen to paper, brush to paper, anything to paper. As cheesy as it sounds, to quote one of my favorite children's books, The Dot, but I just "made a mark" and then let it take me somewhere. Little by little, my sketchbook became my lifeline. Instead of spending my lunch breaks crying over photos of my son on my phone, I poured all my feelings into my sketchbook pages. I would start to really pay attention to things in my surroundings that inspired me, and brought me joy and would make a mental note "Oh I can't wait to draw or paint that later". I started being fully present by drawing or painting things in my surroundings more often, like the picture above of my husband sleeping with my son (at the time our baby had an ear infection and so snuggles with dad to the rescue). My heart was so full in that moment that I thought, "You know what, I'm going to sketch them to savor this moment". I started carrying simple supplies everywhere—just a few pens, a travel watercolor set, or even a couple markers—so that whenever I found a pocket of time (10 minutes during my prep period, 15 minutes while waiting at the doctor’s office), I could make something. I also started to look forward to small pockets of time in my day where I knew I could come back to working something that I had started in my sketchbook. I was excited to create art again. Slowly, quietly, I began to heal. I started to recognize myself again—not just as a mother or a teacher, but as an artist. I realized I could have space for all of these things in my new normal, I just had to prioritize them. Instead of picking up my phone and consuming garbage on the internet, I chose to pick up my sketchbook and create something instead. And when I started to create more and more, content and calm came back into my life. My sketchbook didn’t just give me a safe space to process my emotions—it rebuilt my confidence as a creative person. It inspired new art lessons for my students, opened the door to commissions and workshops, and eventually led to launching my Patreon community and, later, our brand Quell. It even shaped the way I parent my own kids, modeling a life where making art isn’t just something you do in a class—it’s part of everyday life. Now, one of the greatest joys of my journey is seeing my children pick up their own sketchbooks, feeling the same pride and joy in creating that once helped heal me. Watching their little hands draw, paint, and dream reminds me why I started this in the first place—and why I’ll never stop. Van Gogh once said, “Art is to console those who are broken by life.”For me, it truly did—and now it’s my passion to help light that creative spark for others too. Thank you for being part of my ever-evolving artistic journey. Your encouragement, your presence, and your shared love for creativity mean the world to me. Here's to many more pages ahead.❤️
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Introducing Our New Quell Sketchbook: Your Creative Companion Made with Heart
Discover the new Quell Sketchbook—an A5, hardbound artist-quality sketchbook with smooth 157gsm mixed media paper and a lay-flat design. Perfect for drawing, painting, journaling, and sketching on the go. Loved by artists and kids!
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DIY Sun Catcher: An Easy and Colorful Art Project For Kids of All Ages!
Looking for an easy and colorful art project for kids? This DIY Sun Catcher lesson is perfect for art teachers, classroom teachers, and parents! Using black glue and markers on transparency film, students can create beautiful stained-glass–inspired sun catchers that brighten any window. Fun, affordable, and simple to set up—perfect for spring art projects, classroom activities, or creative afternoons at home.
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The Best Budget-Friendly Acrylic Markers for Artists and Creative Kids
Looking for affordable, high-quality acrylic markers that work for both kids and professional artists? In this review, I’m sharing why the Ohuhu Brush Tip Acrylic Markers have quickly become a favorite in our home. With vibrant colors, smooth brush tips, and a budget-friendly price, these markers are perfect for mixed media projects, classroom use, or sparking creativity in young artists.
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Easy Coffee Filter Flowers Craft for All Ages! 🌸
Looking for an easy and engaging spring art project for kids? These colorful coffee filter flowers are perfect for art teachers and parents alike! With simple supplies and a big visual payoff, this process-based craft explores color mixing, creativity, and sensory play—making it an ideal addition to your spring arts and crafts lineup.
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The Artist Bag That Goes Where You Go: Meet Quell’s Newest Must-Have
The Quell™ Artist Bag is the ultimate solution for artists, creatives, and art teachers who want to make art on the go easier than ever. Designed with a sleek, minimalist style, it features smart compartments for sketchbooks, supplies, and essentials—perfect for plein air painting, classroom travel, or creative adventures. Whether you're commuting, exploring, or teaching, this compact yet spacious bag keeps you organized and ready when inspiration strikes.
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Celebrating Women’s History Month Through Folk Art Portraits
Looking for a meaningful Women’s History Month art lesson for your classroom? This Folk Art Portrait project is a powerful way to help students celebrate influential women through portraiture, storytelling, and research. Perfect for elementary and middle school art teachers, this lesson encourages students to honor women they admire—whether historical figures or personal heroes—while exploring bold colors, patterns, and symbolism in their artwork. Discover how this engaging, easy-to-adapt art project fosters creativity, student choice, and conversations about representation and resilience in your art room!
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8 Practical Tips For Making More Art as a Busy Adult and Parent
When you’re juggling work, family, and life’s endless to-do list, making time for creativity can feel impossible. Add kids into the mix, and art-making often falls to the very bottom—if it even makes the list at all. But what if creating didn’t have to be a big, time-consuming production? What if it became as natural as grabbing your morning coffee? The secret isn’t waiting for the perfect moment or a surge of motivation. The key is to start small, create an open invitation for yourself, and make art a natural part of your daily routine. As James Clear puts it in Atomic Habits, “Motivation often comes after starting, not before. Action precedes inspiration.” 1. Build the Habit First—Inspiration Will Follow A common misconception about making art is that you need to feel inspired first. In reality, just getting started—even with a quick doodle, a color swatch, or a few lines—can spark ideas. Instead of pressuring yourself to create something amazing, treat your sketchbook like a playground. Doodle while waiting in the car line, play with color while dinner is in the oven, or jot down small things that inspire you throughout the day. One of my favorite ways to just get started is painting a page in my sketchbook with a bunch of circles. Then later when the paint is try, I will ask myself "hmm now what can I turn these into?" I do this with other shapes too, like mugs, pots, or just blobs. It's enough to just rip off the bandaid of tackling the white page, and then excites me to get back to this page later on. You can also keep some drawing prompts on hand to easily access when you just can't think of what to draw! Remember, small creative moments add up over time! 2. Keep a Sketchbook Handy You don’t need an elaborate setup or expensive materials to make art daily. Keeping an A5 sketchbook on hand has been a game-changer for me. The smaller size gives me a sense of accomplishment, even when I only have a few minutes. And here’s the key: not every page needs to be a masterpiece. Your sketchbook is a space to experiment, play, and process your thoughts—free from pressure or judgment. The lower the stakes, the more likely you’ll keep coming back to it. 3. Make Your Supplies Easily Accessible Forget the idea that making art requires a full palette of paint and a giant canvas. Most of us don’t have the time or space for a dedicated art studio—but what if your supplies were always within reach? Lean into materials that excite you and fit your lifestyle. I love painting, but acrylics aren’t practical on the go—so I started carrying a travel-sized watercolor palette instead. To make creating easier, I put together a small pencil case with my favorite supplies, ready to go at a moment’s notice. This habit is actually what led me to design the Quell Carrier Case—a portable sketchbook case that keeps my supplies organized and accessible without the hassle of a big setup or cleanup. You can also create an invitation for yourself by leaving your supplies in a visible, easy-to-reach place. I like to keep my Quell Case on the kitchen counter, open and ready for when I wake up. If that doesn’t work for you, stash it in your bag, by your bedside, or anywhere you’ll naturally reach for it when you have a spare moment. If you're curious about what supplies I keep in my Quell case, or just my favorite supplies to use an artist, just click the links :) 4. Make Art Part of Your Daily Routine Think about your current daily habits—could you pair art with one of them? Maybe you sketch while drinking your morning coffee, unwind with a few lines before bed, or doodle while your kids do their homework. Habit stacking—adding a new habit to an existing one—makes it easier to be consistent. I’ve found that early mornings, before my kids wake up, work best for me most of the time. But here’s the bonus—on the days they wake up early, they often want to join in, and there’s no better way for us to start the day together! 5. Process Over Perfection As a busy mom and teacher, I used to tell myself I “didn’t have enough time” to make art. But once I started making time, I realized how many micro-moments existed throughout my day. Let go of the idea that every piece has to be polished or perfect. Maybe you only have 15 minutes while waiting at the doctor’s office—but that’s still better than not creating that day. The joy of art is in the process, not just the final product. 6. Use Sketchbooking as Self-Care Did you know that making art can actually lower stress? A 2016 study from Drexel University found that just 45 minutes of art-making significantly reduced cortisol levels, even in people with little artistic experience. Similarly, a study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that engaging in small creative activities daily—like sketching or crafting—led to an increase in positive emotions, personal growth, and a sense of accomplishment. Instead of scrolling your phone before bed, what if you took five minutes to sketch? Instead of filling every spare moment with productivity, what if you gave yourself permission to play with color? Reframing art as self-care rather than a luxury makes it much easier to prioritize. 7. Set a Small, Achievable Goal If making art feels overwhelming, start with a small, manageable goal. Maybe it’s filling one page a week, doing a five-minute sketch each day, or exploring a single color palette over the course of a month. Even the smallest goal can help build momentum. When I first started my sketchbook practice, my only goal was to create something—anything—every day. I didn’t set a time requirement or pressure myself with expectations. I just had to put something on the page. This simple approach made me more intentional about finding small pockets of time to create, and eight years later, it’s safe to say it worked! 8. Creativity Thrives with Limitations Sometimes, too many choices can lead to creative paralysis. Setting limitations—whether it’s time, materials, or color choices—can actually help you break through perfectionism and get into the flow of making. Try setting a timer for five or ten minutes and challenge yourself to create something within that window. When the clock is ticking, you’ll be less focused on making something “perfect” and more focused on simply starting. Similarly, limiting your supplies—like keeping only a few favorite tools or a small selection of colors in your kit—can remove decision fatigue and make it easier to dive into the process. Constraints can be incredibly freeing, allowing you to focus on the joy of creating rather than getting stuck in your head. Final Thoughts: Just Start—What’s the Worst That Could Happen? If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to make art, this is your sign—start today. Open your sketchbook, grab your favorite supply, and just put something on the page. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. And with tools like the Quell Case, making art anytime, anywhere is easier than ever. Oh- one last thing! If you're looking for a creative community to help inspire and push you to create more art, consider checking out my Patreon! I absolutely love sharing my personal practice with my patrons and have so much fun creating together in live zooms 2x a month in my Sketchbook Buddies tier. The only thing better than making art is making art with other like minded creatives :) So, how will you make time for art today? Drop a comment and let’s inspire each other!
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How to Make a Textured 3D Tree for Your Classroom or Art Show
Creating a large, textured tree is a beautiful, dynamic project that can be used year after year to create an immersive experience for an art show or your classroom. Whether you're celebrating the seasons, creating a backdrop for an art exhibit, or just looking to add some creative flair to your space, this DIY tree project is a perfect fit. Here’s how to make it step-by-step. Materials Needed: Painter's tape Brown kraft paper Foil (for texture) Hot glue gun Brown paper towels (for paper mache) Paper mache paste (homemade or Elmer's glue paste) Cheap green plastic tablecloths Paper clips or binder clips Pool noodles (optional for branches) Streamers or twisted green bulletin board paper (for vines) Paint and brushes (for embellishments) Step 1: Set the Base Start by finding a column or bump-out wall space to use as the tree's base. Secure brown kraft paper onto the wall with painter's tape to form the trunk of the tree. This will provide a sturdy foundation for the rest of your project. Step 2: Add Texture with Foil Crinkle some strips of foil and hot glue them onto the kraft paper base. This adds texture and gives the tree a more sculptural, realistic look. Foil is lightweight but can still give the appearance of rough bark or tree texture. Step 3: Paper Mache the Trunk Next, use strips of inexpensive brown paper towels (perfect for this project and commonly found in schools!) to create a paper mache layer over the foil. Dip the strips into paper mache paste (you can either make it yourself or use Elmer's glue paste) and apply them over the crumpled foil. This layer adds both texture and strength to the trunk. Step 4: Create the Tree's Leaves For the leaves, use green plastic tablecloths from the dollar store. These are cheap, easy to work with, and have a nice flowing texture. Attach the tablecloths to the ceiling using paper clips or binder clips, letting them hang down to form the main body of the tree’s leaves. Step 5: Make Vines to Hang from the Tree Create some fun vines by twisting green bulletin board paper, streamers, or strips of tablecloths. Drape them around the tree to give it an extra layer of whimsy and realism. You can even have your students help create these in bulk for efficiency! Step 6: Add Branches with Pool Noodles If you'd like to add branches to your tree, pool noodles work wonderfully. Cut them to the desired length, then wrap them in crumpled kraft paper and secure them using hot glue or more paper mache. This makes for flexible, lightweight branches that can be arranged however you like. Step 7: Embellish the Tree Trunk Once the basic structure is in place, it’s time for some finishing touches! Use a dry brush technique with different shades of brown paint to add texture to the trunk. You could also paint in a critter in a hole in the tree, or get creative with other ideas to personalize the look. Step 8: Bonus – Reuse Your Tree for Different Celebrations One of the best parts about this project is that it’s versatile! You can reuse the tree year after year for different themes or school events. For example, I used this tree as part of a Mister Rogers-themed art show. The possibilities are endless when you think about how to incorporate the tree into different celebrations or art show themes! This DIY tree is a fun way to add a creative element to your space, and the best part is it can be used for multiple purposes throughout the year. From art shows to classroom decor, it’s sure to be a hit! Happy crafting!
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How to Make a Vibrant Paper Weaving: A Fun and Accessible Art Project for Kids
Create a vibrant paper weaving project with your students by combining bubble wrap printing and colorful weaving techniques! This engaging lesson strengthens fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and color theory while allowing kids to explore texture and contrast. Perfect for art teachers, homeschool parents, and adapted art classes, this hands-on activity is a fun and accessible way to teach weaving and mixed media art!
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