I’ve had people ask me how do record my video demos. I use a stand I made from PVC pipe. I’m posting a video on youtube and here are the plans. I’ve also included a photo of what the cutters look like. $6 at my local hardware store. I made 11 of these stands. The cost was about $3 for each stand.


I made a video recording of how I would stylize a mouse. I also included details about what types of pencils I like to use to draw with. My background is in illustration and I teach graphic design, photography, and animation to high school students.
I’ve posted several new lessons
for Photoshop that can be modified to work with Photopea or Pixlr. Visit the Messy Art Teacher TPT
I just made a video tutorial of how to quickly get the proportions for drawing a head using Loomis technique. This is good for secondary, but with some coaching, you could do this in elementary.
If you have been tasked with continuing lessons for your graphic design students in high school this video covers some options that students can use online. You need internet access, works on Chromebooks, Mac or PC. Pixlr offers an app FREE for iPhone or Andriod. I’m going to post some options and tutorials based on these FREE browser-based options. Photopea.com Pixlr.com Canva.com Spark.Adobe.com. If you know of other please comment!
Here is the final Updated May 16, 2020.

I think with all the turmoil that is going on in the world right now I wanted to work collaboratively with my fellow people to share a positive message. I feel for those that are struggling. This virus is like nothing I have seen in my life. The closest is probably 911. It’s a time that leaves us uncertain of the future, but I truly feel that things will get better. This place we call the USA has so many great things going for it. I feel fortunate that my parents that were immigrants moved to this country for us to have a better life. I feel lucky when I became a US citizen.
My wonderful creative friends have come together to help out with a word in the message. They come from all over the United States. CA, NY, GA, and IL. There are probably more states, but it’s hard to keep track.
The message is “We may be apart but we’re in this together. Social distancing. Stay safe. We’ll meet again.”
I’m posting a template of what we have so far and I’ll update it as I get more of the words added. Please be well and safe.


I had the pleasure of meeting TeMika Grooms via the SCBWI Southern Breeze. She is such a generous and knowledgeable illustrator. I think her passion and kindness shine through in this interview. Here is a little about TeMika.
TeMika Grooms is an Atlanta-based artist, author, and arts advocate. Her interest in art and storytelling began early in life under the influence of her mother, an artist, educator, and librarian. Creative art practices provided TeMika with an outlet during challenging transitional periods as a military child settling in Columbus, Georgia. Under the direction of wonderful teachers, she was provided a well-rounded education that supported her artistic talent and ability to capture and animate the human form with strong, fluid lines and expressive movement. To expand on her traditional art-making skills, TeMika is exploring the use of technology in art by creating digital paintings and surveying new avenues to bring interactive art to the public.
TeMika was selected for the international 2008 Taller Norte Portobelo Artist-in-Residence program to work on an illustrated sequential art project and present an art workshop to Spanish-speaking children in Portobelo, Panama. Since that time, she has produced multiple books in children’s literature and community art programs to support creative initiatives. She currently works with the international organization Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) as the Regional Illustrator Coordinator for the southeast region and serves on Board of Advisors Equity and Inclusivity Committee to impact the inclusion of diverse voices within the children’s book publishing industry.
To see more of her art visit
http://www.temikatheartist.com/
Instagram TeMika Grooms Artist
Save the Crash-test Dummies
Listen to the interview at My Creative Life.