Barbara
@calmspin.bsky.social
Elementary art teacher by day.
In spare time: spinning/knitting, 2D making, baking gluten free sourdough and taking care of plants and cats. 🇨🇦
https://bwanhill.ca
In spare time: spinning/knitting, 2D making, baking gluten free sourdough and taking care of plants and cats. 🇨🇦
https://bwanhill.ca
Grade 1 students enjoyed a lesson where there was a goal to realize. “Snow Catchers” inspired by Art Land’s how to draw video sandwiched with a lesson on painting tints and shades for a moonscape background. How to inspire students to choose their own skin tone?! #arted #notafanofsparkles
February 8, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Grade 1 students enjoyed a lesson where there was a goal to realize. “Snow Catchers” inspired by Art Land’s how to draw video sandwiched with a lesson on painting tints and shades for a moonscape background. How to inspire students to choose their own skin tone?! #arted #notafanofsparkles
Catching up on professional reading, catching up on personal wellness. ✨ Spinning/knitting has taken a back seat to drawing class via Zoom with Dr. Heather Hinam @secondnaturemb.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Catching up on professional reading, catching up on personal wellness. ✨ Spinning/knitting has taken a back seat to drawing class via Zoom with Dr. Heather Hinam @secondnaturemb.bsky.social
I realize I love drawing much more than painting - this two hour class flew by. Thank you @secondnaturemb.bsky.social ✨
Spent a great evening teaching my students how to bring this columbine to life. We had a lot of fun. #sciart
January 30, 2026 at 12:57 PM
I realize I love drawing much more than painting - this two hour class flew by. Thank you @secondnaturemb.bsky.social ✨
Reposted by Barbara
A reminder that Albertan independence is not popular
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Albertan Independence? Meet Reality
UCP voters are split, while NDP voters overwhelmingly oppose leaving Canada
canadianpolling.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:38 PM
A reminder that Albertan independence is not popular
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Grade 4 (9 yrs.) exercises in metamorphosis. ✨
January 22, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Grade 4 (9 yrs.) exercises in metamorphosis. ✨
Process: bwanhill.ca/2025/12/27/t...
The unexpected joy of leftovers
My #abstractadvent solution for 2025. Thank you art pedagogy for hosting this every December. A few days before Christmas, I went into Wordpress to edit some information, got sidetracked and inatte…
bwanhill.ca
December 28, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Process: bwanhill.ca/2025/12/27/t...
Solved! Late, but fun. #abstractadvent2025
December 27, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Solved! Late, but fun. #abstractadvent2025
Boxing Day puzzle. Adding some onion skin dyed stars and gelli print leftovers to solve my belated #abstractadvdnt2025 composition.
December 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Boxing Day puzzle. Adding some onion skin dyed stars and gelli print leftovers to solve my belated #abstractadvdnt2025 composition.
Reposted by Barbara
Here are my 24 drawings for #AbstractAdvent2025.
We’ve been using Abstract Advent at work to start off lessons this month: abstract shapes taken from children’s book illustrations that we turned into whatever came to mind.
Some really tricky ones this year but I did enjoy the process.
We’ve been using Abstract Advent at work to start off lessons this month: abstract shapes taken from children’s book illustrations that we turned into whatever came to mind.
Some really tricky ones this year but I did enjoy the process.
December 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Here are my 24 drawings for #AbstractAdvent2025.
We’ve been using Abstract Advent at work to start off lessons this month: abstract shapes taken from children’s book illustrations that we turned into whatever came to mind.
Some really tricky ones this year but I did enjoy the process.
We’ve been using Abstract Advent at work to start off lessons this month: abstract shapes taken from children’s book illustrations that we turned into whatever came to mind.
Some really tricky ones this year but I did enjoy the process.
Syncing the Socials with frozen plant material today. No exciting frost out there this morning, so this is from a few weeks ago. Sending sparkly vibes to you all! ✨❄️
December 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Syncing the Socials with frozen plant material today. No exciting frost out there this morning, so this is from a few weeks ago. Sending sparkly vibes to you all! ✨❄️
There is a stubborn visual block I’m having. Instead, just writing: bwanhill.ca/2025/12/21/a...
A Winter Solstice Sandwich
In my mind, I had romantic visual plans for today. I would walk to the park as the first light of Winter Solstice filtered through the trees. The wreath of pussytoes I had created this spring summe…
bwanhill.ca
December 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
There is a stubborn visual block I’m having. Instead, just writing: bwanhill.ca/2025/12/21/a...
Reposted by Barbara
Looking to beat back the winter blues in the new year? I have room in my online drawing course: Manitoba Wildflowers in Colour. We will use watercolour and coloured pencils to bring a lovely bouquet of wildflowers to live on the page. You can register here: www.mcnallyrobinson.com/classes
December 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Looking to beat back the winter blues in the new year? I have room in my online drawing course: Manitoba Wildflowers in Colour. We will use watercolour and coloured pencils to bring a lovely bouquet of wildflowers to live on the page. You can register here: www.mcnallyrobinson.com/classes
My personal #abstractadvent2025 efforts have devolved into a few second exemplars for the kiddos
December 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
My personal #abstractadvent2025 efforts have devolved into a few second exemplars for the kiddos
This Canadian who happens to currently live in Alberta, also supports this post.
The UCP has made 2025 one of the darkest years for Alberta’s democracy.
Albertans can turn on the lights in 2026.
By simply being Albertan.
Let me explain. 🧵 open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Albertans can turn on the lights in 2026.
By simply being Albertan.
Let me explain. 🧵 open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
What Can We Do?
A Holiday Plan for Restoring Alberta’s Democracy
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:26 PM
This Canadian who happens to currently live in Alberta, also supports this post.
Gift article from @theglobeandmail.com Some lovely, thoughtful, creative ideas. Reminds me of the Argenta, BC Community Hall/Post Office. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/660f8be...
It’s time to dream bigger than the community mailboxes Canada Post is offering us
Canada Post’s next era is an opportunity to design infrastructure with a sense of place
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Gift article from @theglobeandmail.com Some lovely, thoughtful, creative ideas. Reminds me of the Argenta, BC Community Hall/Post Office. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/660f8be...
With clay taking priority this month, haven’t had time to do weekly #abstractadvent2025 with kiddos, so they are playing with all the shapes this year (as will I after the 20th). Some commendable 7 year-old starts to artists trading card drawings earlier this past week:
December 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
With clay taking priority this month, haven’t had time to do weekly #abstractadvent2025 with kiddos, so they are playing with all the shapes this year (as will I after the 20th). Some commendable 7 year-old starts to artists trading card drawings earlier this past week:
Thanks for sharing @jeaned70.bsky.social ✨
December 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Thanks for sharing @jeaned70.bsky.social ✨
Shout out to all the art teachers out there putting aside personal creativity to pump out production of kid creativity before the break. We can do this! #arted #deluluisthesolulu
December 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Shout out to all the art teachers out there putting aside personal creativity to pump out production of kid creativity before the break. We can do this! #arted #deluluisthesolulu
As the year draws to a close, feeling nostalgic for the habits I left behind for most of this year. Wishing the world was different, and realizing it’s most likely just going to keep moving in the direction it has always been going.
December 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
As the year draws to a close, feeling nostalgic for the habits I left behind for most of this year. Wishing the world was different, and realizing it’s most likely just going to keep moving in the direction it has always been going.
Brilliant illustrations for Abstract Advent by @rablackart.bsky.social ✨
December 7, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Brilliant illustrations for Abstract Advent by @rablackart.bsky.social ✨
Abstract Advent shout out to @malucolorin.bsky.social (also loved your zines on flax!) ✨
Day 4 of @artpedagogy.bsky.social’s #AbstractAdvent2025 is a pair of young friends in ushankas having a lively chat on a snowy day ❄️
It was fun to do the designs on their woolly jumpers! And lovely to draw while sipping on my capuccino at my favourite local coffee shop ☕️✏️
It was fun to do the designs on their woolly jumpers! And lovely to draw while sipping on my capuccino at my favourite local coffee shop ☕️✏️
December 7, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Abstract Advent shout out to @malucolorin.bsky.social (also loved your zines on flax!) ✨
Thank you for sharing @kindermalkurs.bsky.social - fun way to introduce neutrals through primary colour mixing.
#snowtime!
Here, the 5–6-year-olds learned to paint a brown #bear using the three primary colors and to spatter snow with a toothbrush ;-) Well done!
#artclass
#kunstunterricht
#paintingclass
#artteacher
Here, the 5–6-year-olds learned to paint a brown #bear using the three primary colors and to spatter snow with a toothbrush ;-) Well done!
#artclass
#kunstunterricht
#paintingclass
#artteacher
December 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Thank you for sharing @kindermalkurs.bsky.social - fun way to introduce neutrals through primary colour mixing.