Hi I'm Jess, Artist and Educator. I've dedicated my life to the arts and to being an advocate for arts in education. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Clemson University and my Master of Fine Arts Degree from Memphis College of Art in Memphis TN. After graduation, I went on to complete a three year program for Teacher Certification and became a certified art teacher.
I've taught full time as the Lead art teacher at an Arts in Basic Curriculum School in Spartanburg County, worked part time in Anderson District 5 as an Elementary Art teacher, taught as an adjunct professor teaching foundations of art at Anderson University. I taught 2D Design, Painting I and Drawing I at Converse University in Spartanburg County.
Currently and over the last 12 years I have worked as a visiting teaching artist across the state of SC to bring specialized projects into the classroom. I also received The Metropolitan Arts Councils, Teaching Artist Award, this year for my work in Arts Integration. I love my job!
Scroll to Bottom For Price List
I've taught full time as the Lead art teacher at an Arts in Basic Curriculum School in Spartanburg County, worked part time in Anderson District 5 as an Elementary Art teacher, taught as an adjunct professor teaching foundations of art at Anderson University. I taught 2D Design, Painting I and Drawing I at Converse University in Spartanburg County.
Currently and over the last 12 years I have worked as a visiting teaching artist across the state of SC to bring specialized projects into the classroom. I also received The Metropolitan Arts Councils, Teaching Artist Award, this year for my work in Arts Integration. I love my job!
Scroll to Bottom For Price List
What I offer for Visiting Artist Residency:
Printmaking: I offer several different types of Printmaking Residencies.
1. Most Popular: Linoleum Cut (Grade Levels: 3rd grade and up)
High School Option: Woodcut
For extended residencies I can expand and show two color process.
LINOCUT PRINT: Students create a sketch, transfer image to linoleum block and carve away the block to reveal an image. Project is finalized with the printing of an edition of prints: students print 5 copies of their artwork. Students can trade extra print with a friend. (optional)
EXTRA OPTION: Students print on a tote or t-shirt
2. Popular: Monotype Print Workshop: (Grades 1st and up)
Students ink a plate with different colors using a Brayer (roller) and then impress objects, fabrics, plants, etc. to create images. Students can also draw into the ink using different tools to create an image. Ink colors are layered for beautiful one of a kind prints.
(One Full Day Workshop Available for this Art Process)
3. Collagraph Print: Students create a textured plate using a variety of materials and then print the plate to create beautiful textured images. I bring my small press for this project and students get to run their prints through the press!
(Available as 3 to 5 day residency)
1. Most Popular: Linoleum Cut (Grade Levels: 3rd grade and up)
High School Option: Woodcut
For extended residencies I can expand and show two color process.
LINOCUT PRINT: Students create a sketch, transfer image to linoleum block and carve away the block to reveal an image. Project is finalized with the printing of an edition of prints: students print 5 copies of their artwork. Students can trade extra print with a friend. (optional)
EXTRA OPTION: Students print on a tote or t-shirt
2. Popular: Monotype Print Workshop: (Grades 1st and up)
Students ink a plate with different colors using a Brayer (roller) and then impress objects, fabrics, plants, etc. to create images. Students can also draw into the ink using different tools to create an image. Ink colors are layered for beautiful one of a kind prints.
(One Full Day Workshop Available for this Art Process)
3. Collagraph Print: Students create a textured plate using a variety of materials and then print the plate to create beautiful textured images. I bring my small press for this project and students get to run their prints through the press!
(Available as 3 to 5 day residency)
Pinhole Camera Photography
This residency is becoming very popular.
Students Learn about the Pinhole Camera, its place in History, the science of Light, all about a dark room and how photo's are taken and developed the old fashioned way!
In this Residency Students Learn how to take a pinhole camera photo. First, they learn how the camera works. Second, they learn how to load and take photos with their own pinhole camera, third, they develop the photos they took in the dark room (a magical Process!) and Finally, they learn how to take the negative photo image they created and make it into a positive photo image! This residency is super fun for students to explore what is was like to take photos when camera's were first invented.
This residency is extensive and only offered as a full week experience. (Unless I'm with the same class for a full day)
Click on Images Below for a Closer Look.
Modeling Clay Relief Paintings:
One of my most popular residencies!
This Project allows students to get creative and expressive with materials.
In this Residency, students learn all about relief sculpture and paintings. The difference between high and low relief, all about texture you can see and feel and don't forget color mixing! Students create beautiful works of art using modeling clay and model magic, they learn many different texturing techniques, techniques to build depth with the clay and are given the opportunity to embed objects/various materials into their artwork. These artworks always turn out stunning!
This residency is wonderful for cross curricular projects and integrates perfectly with many different science units. I've used this project in past Arts in Basic Curriculum projects to teach about ecosystems, Study space, and to depict different layers of the Earth's crust.
See Photo's Below For Student Examples:
One of my most popular residencies!
This Project allows students to get creative and expressive with materials.
In this Residency, students learn all about relief sculpture and paintings. The difference between high and low relief, all about texture you can see and feel and don't forget color mixing! Students create beautiful works of art using modeling clay and model magic, they learn many different texturing techniques, techniques to build depth with the clay and are given the opportunity to embed objects/various materials into their artwork. These artworks always turn out stunning!
This residency is wonderful for cross curricular projects and integrates perfectly with many different science units. I've used this project in past Arts in Basic Curriculum projects to teach about ecosystems, Study space, and to depict different layers of the Earth's crust.
See Photo's Below For Student Examples:
Encaustic Wax Painting
This residency introduces students to the ancient art of painting with wax. Students learn the basic techniques for working with the wax. This can include: collage, embedded objects, painting techniques, texture exploration, carving into the wax with various tools, layering imagery, etc...the possibilities are endless. This residency is fun on its own as an art lesson in both technique and history. It also can be a great vehicle for teaching science (heat transfer for example)
Examples provided below were done with High School Algebra students who graphed equations in the wax and created beautiful designs.
Note: This residency does involve the use of heat.
Grade Levels: 4th and up
Available as a one day residency but must be one full day.
Works great as a 3-5 day residency (residency time frames depend on amount of classes being taught in one day)
This residency introduces students to the ancient art of painting with wax. Students learn the basic techniques for working with the wax. This can include: collage, embedded objects, painting techniques, texture exploration, carving into the wax with various tools, layering imagery, etc...the possibilities are endless. This residency is fun on its own as an art lesson in both technique and history. It also can be a great vehicle for teaching science (heat transfer for example)
Examples provided below were done with High School Algebra students who graphed equations in the wax and created beautiful designs.
Note: This residency does involve the use of heat.
Grade Levels: 4th and up
Available as a one day residency but must be one full day.
Works great as a 3-5 day residency (residency time frames depend on amount of classes being taught in one day)
Fiber Arts and Simple Sewing:
Wet Felting and simple sewing: Students learn basic wet felting techniques using vibrant colored wools. Optional second part is adding fun details with thread and beads.
Weaving: This residency offers several options.
Weaving Level One: is basic traditional loom weaving. Students can create designs and weave using various yarns to create a beautiful tapestry. (beading option available)
Weaving Level Two: A little more advanced version where students weave into a base (styrofoam cup or bowl) to create a woven vessel. Students have the options of adding beading if desired.
Simple Sewing Circles: *Popular-- Students create beautiful geometric designs using yarn and board. Simple sewing designs are taught with this lesson such as a square design or radiating line design.
Mixed Media Fiber and Sewing Workshop: This workshop takes a mixed media approach to the lessons offered above.
Students are given a canvas as a base to work on. They paint and create a design on canvas. Step two is adding sewn elements to the canvas or cutting parts out and weaving or sewing designs back into surface. This is a great workshop for older students who want a little more creative freedom in creating their artwork.
Images Below are 4th grade Sewing Circles.
Wet Felting and simple sewing: Students learn basic wet felting techniques using vibrant colored wools. Optional second part is adding fun details with thread and beads.
Weaving: This residency offers several options.
Weaving Level One: is basic traditional loom weaving. Students can create designs and weave using various yarns to create a beautiful tapestry. (beading option available)
Weaving Level Two: A little more advanced version where students weave into a base (styrofoam cup or bowl) to create a woven vessel. Students have the options of adding beading if desired.
Simple Sewing Circles: *Popular-- Students create beautiful geometric designs using yarn and board. Simple sewing designs are taught with this lesson such as a square design or radiating line design.
Mixed Media Fiber and Sewing Workshop: This workshop takes a mixed media approach to the lessons offered above.
Students are given a canvas as a base to work on. They paint and create a design on canvas. Step two is adding sewn elements to the canvas or cutting parts out and weaving or sewing designs back into surface. This is a great workshop for older students who want a little more creative freedom in creating their artwork.
Images Below are 4th grade Sewing Circles.
NEW!!
Impasto Style Painting:
This is a new offering featuring my favorite style of painting, Impasto! This residency introduces students to the joy of palette knife painting with thick paint and texture. The thick nature of this medium lets students explore a tactile type of painting where they can put on thick layers and draw back into the surface using various and unusual tools like toothbrushes, forks, and cookie cutters. The medium also acts as a glue and allows students to embed objects, papers, threads, fabric, or any materials they can think up.
**The impasto style painting residency can be taught as a fun abstract composition where students focus on interesting design and exploration of material and technique. It can also be offered as a more guided lesson where students create landscape or flower paintings.
Examples Below of Impasto Style Paintings
Customized Integrated Arts Unit:
This residency is offered as an arts based lesson plan where we integrate my arts lesson with something students are learning in the regular classroom. I start this residency by meeting with the teacher and looking at any of their major units they will be teaching. We put our heads together and I help develop a fun filled lesson where students learn core curriculum through the arts. My work as a Smart Arts Teacher in Greenville County has helped me hone and develop this skill over the years and it is a passion of mine.
This residency is offered as an arts based lesson plan where we integrate my arts lesson with something students are learning in the regular classroom. I start this residency by meeting with the teacher and looking at any of their major units they will be teaching. We put our heads together and I help develop a fun filled lesson where students learn core curriculum through the arts. My work as a Smart Arts Teacher in Greenville County has helped me hone and develop this skill over the years and it is a passion of mine.
Price List:
One Week Full Day Residency:
Full Day can be with 1 to 5 classes.
1875. per week
3 Day Residency:
1150.
2 Day Workshop:
750.
1 Day Workshop:
400.
Travel Fee:
Travel fee is added to any distance traveled that takes over 50 minutes.
$20 Per Day traveled added to fee.
Full Day can be with 1 to 5 classes.
1875. per week
3 Day Residency:
1150.
2 Day Workshop:
750.
1 Day Workshop:
400.
Travel Fee:
Travel fee is added to any distance traveled that takes over 50 minutes.
$20 Per Day traveled added to fee.