As an artist I'm not a very good one in the fact that I only create when I have the time to do so. But I feel this can be to my benefit as well because I am always thinking and when it is time to execute, I will have put a lot of thought and meaning into what I want to create to make it more successful. This is an idea that I want to give to my students as well. The idea of creating art with meaning to them, not just pouring out work that isn't well thought out or well processed.
I've found that repetition has really helped me become a better artist in honing my skills and refining images. If my students seem to be stuck or out of ideas, I will encourage this practice to they can remain active. I've also developed a good eye for detail, really paying a lot of attention to facial features, body parts and familiar everyday objects. This helps me understand how things fit together. Having my students open their eyes and pay attention will help them when learning the basics of drawing, painting, or sculpting.
Every artist has something that they seem to be partial to, whatever the subject matter or medium. For me, the human figure is my speciality. Drawing portraits and the body is something that is especially important when learning technical skills. Showing my students portraits I've done will be a good way for the students to see what I like to do and how I may need to change an approach or work on a technical skill.
I hope that there will be opportunities for me to work along side my students during some class time so they will see me as they are—an artist and not just a teacher. Creating examples for them will also keep me working and and hopefully coming up with new ideas.
A lot of people think only “talented” people are artists, but anyone can be an artist if they want to be. To a certain degree one has to teach themselves how to be an artist—how to have a careful and watchful eye, how to know when enough is enough . A teacher of art simply instills these ideas and helps inspire what motivates an artist to do what they do.
Teaching technical skills will help a student get familiar with techniques that can make them successful. A teacher has to know when to let their students incorporate those skills into their own creative work to encourage individuality and express their ideas.
The way you relate the things you have come to realize about your own art making to how your students are thinking shows that you understand the importance of connecting with your students. I like the point you make at the beginning of your entry about how you take a lot of time to carefully plan and develop your ideas to take full advantage of your creation time. I think this is something that is unfortunately squeezed out of many public schools due to time constraints; rushing to teach as many lessons as we can, "not wasting class time"... Teaching our students to think through their ideas fully and completely is one of the most important skills we can encourage them to adapt. Great thoughts and connections between your experiences and how they can become part of your students' learning as well.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people think only “talented” people are artists, but anyone can be an artist if they want to be. To a certain degree one has to teach themselves how to be an artist—how to have a careful and watchful eye, how to know when enough is enough . A teacher of art simply instills these ideas and helps inspire what motivates an artist to do what they do.
ReplyDeleteI love this. For me confidence was my biggest hindrance that I just recently conquered (for the most part.) I went from describing myself as someone who likes to do art to "I'm an artist." Being an artist is self-declaration, and like you said, it doesn't take "talented" people to do art. It takes a person to express his or her talent. Everyone has a talent, and everyone can do some sort art. It's just a matter of personal interest and drive (and a bit of luck) that makes you a successful artist in OTHER people's eyes. But, our job as artist/teachers, is for our students to see themselves as artists in their own eyes-- the aspect that truly matters.