The truth is out!

I wrote this message to my students who lost their charcoal artwork on 22nd April :

Dear students,

I'd found the culprit! It must be "The Killer Cleaner"!!!! :(

My Sat level 6 students named the weekend cleaner as "The Killer Cleaner" (from Johnny English Movie) cos she always naps or lingers with her hp on the sofa in the pantry room :s

This morning, I questioned her whether she happened to throw any of my students' artwork on last Sat, she LIED to me that she didn't come on last Sat! Yes, she did come and I witnessed her R&R on the sofa in the pantry again. I realized something very fishy, when I was busy with the little people in the classroom, "The Killer Cleaner" sneaked into the classroom without my notice and wrapped up the first layer of rubbish bag! I think she has been doing that when I was teaching! :S

I supposed I'd left your drawings on top of the rubbish bin which I was intending to place them back into the bag, I could be distracted by the little people during the art class! Chaotic in the art class cos these little people need a lot of attention from me! "The Killer Cleaner" must have wrapped up your work by MISTAKE! Worse, I could have forgotten about your work when I was busy! BIG SIGH! This cleaner should knock the door and notice me! She has been RUDE! :S

Sorry students, my apology to all. Let us move on to the canvas and paint one of your cubism pieces from your charcoal sketches or from your memory. But one thing I wanted to share with all of you that SiaoSiang drew the same horse he did onto the canvas.:)

Have a nice weekend!

Best Regards,
T.Esther

Again, I have been thinking, at least she should ask me about the artwork before she thrashed everything even ON the bin!!! One more thing, the school head told me they are going to sack the cleaning company, I am glad to know that but if they'd done it earlier, this thing would not happen! BIG SIGH again!

6yo Javier said

6yo Javier loves KFC chicken popcorns meal! Usually, he will be late for art class and I allowed him to have his late lunch during the lesson. This time, he arrived earlier before his lesson starts. His grandpa deposited him in the classroom and rushed off somewhere. This little boy asked me politely if he can eat his fav meal in the classroom, I allowed him. I told him to behave and not to disturb my class and he agreed. He was eating his meal peacefully. 

When my earlier class ended, it was his lesson time. All his classmates came in and set up their table. There, I started to have a conversation with Javier.

"Javier, next time ask your Papa and Mama to bring you for lunch before coming to the art class, ok!"

"Teacher Esther, I don't have Papa!" He exclaimed.

I was stunned...

"What happened to your Papa??" I asked.

"I don't know, but I know I only have one Grandpa!" He replied and was munching away.

The class went quiet...

"Have you seen him before, do you have a photograph of him???" I asked for more details.

"No Teacher Esther, I don't know how he looks like...." This time Javier looked lost and a bit of teary...

I changed my subject quickily, and said, "Javier, I know you are Mummy's good boy!"

I went forward and gave him a good pat on his head and made a mess of his hair!!! And he went, "Hey!!!" He smiled again.

This cheery little Javier has a good heart. Grow up beautifully with good people around you!

My thought is, it is not easy for his Mother who is a single parent, working so hard to raise up her two children. Javier's Mummy - "JIA YOU!!!!"

My cheery little people!

Teacher Esther has gone mad!!!!!!

I know I had busy Thursday and weekends, I didn't get the chance to tidy up the art materials and my students' work in the classroom! But they are always in place where I stored them! Last Sunday, I got the time and chance to tidy up the stuff, then I realised I'd lost my Thursday students' charcoal artwork which was halfway, some 70% completed... They took almost 6 lessons to work out this artwork from composing to constructing to completing with my guiding!

My heart dropped all the way to the bottom...

I searched high and low for them! But they were not even found!

Did I misplace them? The other art teachers took them? The cleaners accidentally threw them away?? Or someone stole my students' masterpieces??? WHO???

I couldn't sleep last night, I was thinking about it the whole night, good things, bad things, EVERYTHING!!!! I was tossing left and right on the bed, I kept blaming it was the coffee I drank when I had buffet dinner with my husband and my in laws...

I needed to calm down but I can't..... I was sooooooooooooooo mad about what happened!

I asked myself, am I too serious with my students' artwork or my blood pressure has gone up!

BIG SIGH~

My Apprentices

Theon showed the children how to draw a dolphin! Issac wanted to join the fun too!

13yo Isaac Lee and Theon Aw usually came late for art class right after their dinner and school. For this case, I would extend their lesson time so they could join the younger group at the back of the seat to continue their artwork.

I supposed at the back of their seat, their vision of Teacher Esther teaching the younger group had flashed back their memories when they were their age.

When I was about to start the young group class, 13yo Theon interrupted,
"Teacher Esther, can I try drawing on the white board?"

Theon wanted to try teaching the little people!
Without hesitation, I decided to let him try.

"Come!" I handed him a whiteboard marker.

Then he changed his mind, he said he can't draw a dolphin. Actually, he can but he had no confident. Isaac encouraged him, and even showed him how to do it! Isaac wanted to draw on the board too! I stopped him because Theon's confident was low. I promised Isaac, he can do it on the other day.

Back to the white board, I showed both Theon & Isaac how to teach the young ones. The little people were very supportive too, they were smiling and looked on.

Finally, Theon decided to try, he came to the white board. Issac came along too, both of them showed the little people their drawings on the white board. Theon was drawing and Isaac was interacting with the students. They both did really well.

The little people were impressed by 2 gor gors. I must say they did a good job too, and they did the best drawing on the actual day!

There, Issac and Theon continued their work at the back.

8yo Hannah shared her happiness!

8yo Hannah Goh just email to my mailbox:

Hi Teacher Esther, my piano exam results came back. I got distinction. 133/150

Wow! I'm so happy for her! This young lady must be too happy to share her high score that she'd achieved in her exam. I replied her:

Wow! Awesome Hannah! I'm so happy for you!!!!! Well done!!!! :D

Now Teacher Esther has to work harder on my violin practice for coming September exam! 

Teacher Esther Jia you!!!

Shortlisted artwork submitted! :)

I'd just submitted Jamie & Chloe's artwork. Uncle Joeel was with me :) Hope they will win an title for their creation! All the best!

Kenny Tan Art | Colours 2012

Kenny's Jiejie Sophia (from Everyday Revolution) has put up a video of him featuring his work of art! His colourful paintings has definitely put a smile on our faces and make us a very happy art viewers! He has just began his art journey! Support in any way you can as an art audience! He has a mini art exhibition at the Pathlight School also highlight World Autism Awareness Day!

Way to go Kenny! :)

7yo Justine said

Justine's staircase drawing

Last Saturday (31.03.2012) at clay making session, my students managed to finish their work early, therefore, they had extra 15 minutes to do something! I asked them to draw something they like! Justine exclaimed, "Teacher Esther, I want to draw staircase!"

I was curious by his exclamation, I asked him, " Why do you want to draw staircase?"

"I don't know, I just feel like drawing staircase!" replied Justine.

I was not convinced, I asked him again, but he still said the same thing, "Hmm, I don't know, I just feel like drawing staircase!"

Then I took a picture of his drawing. I supposed he started to have a view of perspective in his drawings, or maybe the birth of Escher has just begun! :)

Phoena is BACK!

Last March, we bumped into Lims at the Junction 8 when we were shopping around after the dinner! Phoena's Papa (Mr. David Lim, a skateline instructor) chatted with me when Phoena and her Mum were at the wallet shop. He told me that Phoena wanted to join back the art class so badly! He will let her join back the art class after their Hong Kong Disney trip. Good news were shared and told to her little artmates as well.

When Phoena came back to her art class on 7th April 2012, her artmates exclaimed, "Phoena, you really come back!!!!!"

Yes, they reunion again.

And the lesson begins.

Good news!

Yes! I have got a mail from the NParks!

Good news! My students 5yo Jamie Dylan Tam and 8yo Chloe Chua Ke Ying were shortlisted! The email mentioned that they have been selected from thousands of entries for the final judging! I am so happy for both of them!

A little mix feeling for the rest of my art students, most of them did really well, but they were not shortlisted.

Here is my little message for students who are not shortlisted:

Dear Students,
You did well in your work, if you are not shortlisted, it is alright! You are young and have many opportunities knocking at your doors! So, never give up, take it as an experience and move on to the next one! Together we excellence in the art way! Cheers!

Love,
Teacher Esther

"Teacher Esther, come with me to Taiwan!"

"Teacher Esther, come with me to Taiwan!" 5yo Momo exclaimed.
"Really? Again?? Why me?" I asked.
"Because I want you to come!" She exclaimed.
Then 5yo Keanne grabbed my hand suddenly! He said, " Teacher Esther, come to Hong Kong with me!" I was like "Huh??!!!" He even repeated what he said, "Teacher Esther, I want you to come to Hong Kong with me!"
Oh dear, since when I'd become my students' favourite pet or toy or, well, favourite Teacher Esther and I have to go holidays with them, too!

4yo Momo said

Happy Mo Mo and her sheep!

"Teacher Esther, can we draw sheep when we come back to art class?" Mo Mo asked me this question during our Taiwan trip.

I told her I promised her I will teach her how to draw sheep when we come back to the art class. She held and pulled my hands for more attention, she had not finished her conversation with me, this time she whispered, "Don't let Donovan draw dog, teach me how to draw SHEEP first, ok!" Gosh, I wanted to laugh when she said that because Donovan kept pestering me to draw dog during the art class, previously.

Initially, I thought she would miss the art class on the week when she came back from Taiwan! She really came back! Her Mummy told me she must not miss the art class! As promise, I announced that we're going to draw SHEEP! Mo Mo was jumping up and down like a little lamb!

Job done!

I was urgently submitting 80 over entries of artwork to Trees for Life art competition! It was a hectic process, waiting for students' finishing artwork required a lot of patience and guidance, taking pictures of 80 over art pieces meaning bending my back for numerous of times plus scanning those entry forms, some even not completed, and I had to double check with the parents, on and on and on...

I was bringing forward the dateline from 9th March to 2nd March as I had a plane to catch on 3rd March! So it was panicking to me! Last Thursday (1st March) was a last lesson before I went for holiday, 13yo Theon couldn't meet my dateline as he couldn't stay late to complete his art piece, I asked him to continue at home and submit his picture of artwork and entry all by himself. Left 14yo James and 13yo Issac who were still rushing to finish up their work... They finished their artwork about 10pm. Thanks to my staffs who gave them extra time to complete their work. Finally!

Not to mention, everything took away my sleepless nights! But I managed to submit everything before my dateline!

Job well done! Teacher Esther! Time to pack my luggage!

Now I can focus to enjoy my holidays! Ya Hoo!!!!!!

Size does matter!

Getting my little artists to draw on the bigger scale paper from A3 to A2 size. Most students can manage the A3 size paper, and they even colour the whole drawings with no hesitation! This week, they were required to convert their original drawings to A2! Some did a wonderful job with no complain, some even can finish the work within 1 lesson! But, most cannot handle the size of the paper, they will either draw too small on or recomposition the drawings or change the story of the theme! In the whole, the artwork has to be split into 3 lessons, a day for discussion, brainstorming and drawings on the A3 paper. Followed by the day to convert the picture from A3 to A2. And finally, colouring and finishing stage. I hope the little artisits would enjoy this full 3 sessions in their creations!

Serious artists at Maplewoods

The young ladies are getting on to have a little competition among themselves! A test to their mind and their creativity! Sonia got her idea and sketches planned at home during her spare time from homeworks and piano practices. Whereas, Aimee was too tight up from her school activities and homework, the only time for her is to work on the ideas and sketches during the art class. Things worked out differently for both artists. But, they are doing great! :)

"Trees For Life" Art Competition

"Trees For Life" Art Competition

A link that was shared by my ex-student Evangelyn, who is currently studying at SOTA :)

Thanks for sharing Evangelyn! Keep in touch! :)

My student threw a pencil at me!

I told my 7yo Susanna to draw more fairies on her paper. 6yo Maya and 6yo Shayna wanted to draw fairies too! I told them not because their ideas were different. Both insisted, but I rejected them.

Maya didn't do a good job and requested to her redraw original idea on new piece of paper, there, I gave her another piece of paper. But, Shayna insisted me to draw a fairy on her paper, I rejected her, I even showed her how to draw a fairy demostrating on the white board. She stomp her feet and demand that I should help her :s

"No Teacher Esther, I want the fairy on the paper right now!" There goes her temper again.

I told her "This is an art competition, teacher is not allowed to help you, I only can guide you!"

7yo Benjamin interfered, "Shayna, stop it! Teacher Esther said no means no!"

Shayna stomp her feet and threw a pencil right onto his head!

I was about to give her a lesson and furious Benjamin threw back to her and targeting on her head!

"I supposed to scold one person and now I have to scold 2 persons!" I raised my voice with my big wide eyes!

Both were terrified by my facial expression and apologized immediately to each other!

Back to their work. Every lesson I would share some interesting stories to my students, but this time I was so regret to do it on this lesson... Shayna decided to change her mind on her drawing after I told them the story! She demanded for a new piece of paper! I told her if she changed her mind again, no more paper to be given! We supposed to save the trees!!!!!!

Again, she asked for help when she had hard time drawing a kingfisher. There, I showed her on the board again.

"Teacher Esther, I want that kingfisher on the paper right now!"  Shayna once again throwing her tamtrum!

When I said no, she threw a pencil right onto my chest! There, I gave her a strict look.

Maya stood up from her seat, ran to the front and picked up the pencil and hanged it to me! I was wondering why would she do that, I asked her to put it back and asked Shayna to pick it up and apologized to me in no time. She didn't, and she even crossed her arms... The whole class were shocked by her action.

Times up and lesson ended and I have to get everyone packing up and opened the door for the next class. When I opened the door, the class was quiet and their parents entered the room to help their children. Benjamin reported to his mum about what happened and his mum told her, "No girl, you cannot do that to Teacher Esther..."

Then she stomp her feet and replied, "You're not my Mother!!!!"

Benjamin's Mum was shocked and making sure that her son was behaving in the class. When Shayna's grandma arrived, I told her about what happened, soft spoken grandma told her to apologize, she ran out of the classroom without packing her things! Sigh.... Shayna ah Shayna... :s

7yo Joshua says...

8yo Ian told me, "Teacher Esther, next week is Valentine's day you know!"

"Yea, do you have a girlfriend?" I was joking with him.

Ian went shy and said, "Yes..."

7yo Joshua interrupted, "Teacher Esther! I don't have girlfriend!!!"
Then his younger sister 5yo Sonia responded immediately, "Gor Gor, I am your girlfriend!!!!"
Both me and their Mother laughed at their conversation.

Then again, Joshua asked something funny " Teacher Esther, can I be you boyfriend!!??"

His mother and I were stunned and went huh...

Kids say the darnedest things!

I could have hugged her...

5 yo Shayna was always demanding, throwing temper during my class, angry over small little things... Today, she told me something that made me shock and I am still thinking about her...

"Teacher Esther, do you know I have brothers and sisters? I have 3 of them..." Shayna was chatting with me when I was touching up her artwork.

"I know your gor gor and jie jie (brothers & sisters) are your cousins right!" I replied her confidently.

She continued, "No, they are my real brothers and sisters! My dad doesn't allow me to play with them..."

I was confused because I learnt that Shayna has been a only child in her family and then I asked why.

"You know, We have same mother!" She claimed.

"Ok, of course they are your siblings and you have same mother, what are you talking about?!" I was getting more confused.

"They have the same mother of mine but different dad!" Shayna confirmed.

I was shock to hear what she had told me. A 5yo little girl could explain her family chain with me and she was very sure what was going on. I was thinking whether her parents were right to explain these to her at her tender age, was it too early? Her mentality is so much more mature than any other children. I realized when she explained what was going on, the other children were not interested. Why can't she be as naive as her classmates... Was it because her dad wanted to protect her from her step-siblings and told her the truth about the relationship. Was she confused too?

Should I hug her to console her...  I could have hugged her... She's always an angel to Teacher Esther. Grow up beautifully my dear Shayna.

Happy 13th Birthday Theon!

"Yes, I have been waiting for many years and my birthday fall on Thursday art class!" Theon Aw who turned 13 today expressed his happiness with his classmates! My little pop artist who was 4 years old does really grow FAST! :)