Hi, I'm Dar Hosta James... I'm an artist who does lots of things. I paint, draw, collage, make books out of garbage. My studio is FULL of stuff and I often have many projects happening at once. I'm blessed to have a thriving career as a creative person.

I am a certified educator working as a children's book author & illustrator and visiting teacher. I do general "Author Visits" as well as extended Artist/Author In Residence Programs where kids work with me for a weeklong book publishing project. See the many books I have created with kids at www.blurb.com.

I host super fun professional development programs for TEACHERS with the focus on how to integrate creativity into the standards-driven curriculum. You can find out all about these programs and workshops at www.teachingoutofthebox.wordpress.com.

I also create gallery work in collage and acrylic, and do a variety of design work from brochures and business cards to full image marketing and book design.

I like to take pictures of my own work in progress, children's art projects, objects in my studio, nature and food and a bunch of other stuff.

I make a variety of How-to videos, too. You can see all my videos on my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/darhosta

I blog on Mondays about creativity, education and fitness. You can follow me at my blog www.darhosta.wordpress.com.

I have a flock of Cranky Birds at www.crankybirds.wordpress.com.

I have art for sale on Etsy.

I love Flickr and have made so many cool, creative friends here. Thanks for stopping by my Photostream.

Find out more about me at my site www.darhosta.com.