JEN KELLER ART

As many of you know, one of my "extra-curricular" activities is teaching drawing in an after school program with The Young Rembrandts for students K-5. This past session I was lucky enough to teach two different classes at Encinal Elementary School with an amazing group kids. From the get-go these kids all took to the program like honeybees to a flower and each week I was amazed at how their work improved and how they absorbed the knowledge I was giving them. I even had one student win the local Trader Joe's coloring contest with the techniques she was taught in class and had another student from a different class have his work featured on the company's newsletter (see below!) As a young artist I was constantly enrolled in summer art programs, but we never had any programs going on during the school year. It's so great to be able to provide outlets for creative kids all year round. Every week we had a different subject, and the kids worked through their drawings

Originally I had planned on working up a post about the new work I've been doing and then the Japan Tsunami happened and I felt like I just needed to address this major catastrophe and the question: What can I do to help? After much research and a shout out to Ripple Blog Founder, Kelly Light, I found plenty of options for both artists and art appreciators. Art for Japan is taking donations of artwork, prints, books, sculpture, or any other piece that could be sellable in order to raise money for a variety of charities set up to help Japan. On Illustration Rally they have several options set up including an online digital gallery, art donations for auction, and an Etsy Shop with all sales going towards tsunami relief. Artists Help Japan has a blog set up with announcements about different grassroots events happening throughout the U.S., including their own. On Design Taxi a charity has been set up in order to help creatives in both Japan and Christchurch. Last but certain