Thursday, October 30, 2008

to teach art


an apple comes to life, colored pencil, prismacolor
Today, I teach an after school classic drawing - art class to a dozen children.  I enjoy guiding them, listening to them and encouraging them to look and to draw.

Pencil, a student's still life, a fall gourd, some sunflowers, a small pumpkin.
To teach art is like sharing a secret, or giving someone glasses to help them see.  My class gives me the opportunity to stand back, to guide, to listen and to observe budding artists.  Amazed at with only a pencil and paper what one can do, to teach art.  Take an art class and learn to look, to listen and to do.  Surprise yourself with what you see and what you are able to draw.

orange soda bottle - a student's work of art
If you are an artist, teach or volunteer to teach a student or a class and be inspired to encourage others to create.  As a teacher, I feel like a Momma bird, flying to the class, bringing worms for each of the little birds, hungry to learn, eager to fly and "draw."

19 comments:

Joyce said...

What a great tool you are giving the young ones of our future! I can see you have some great little artist on hand, beautiful work. WOW... my friend I didn't know that you also teach art. When do you sleep? Enjoy...

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Those are really great drawings, I'm so impressed with them! Figures...they had a great teacher! I was just commended at work yesterday for my hand drawing -they said from now on I'll be doing a lot of hand drawings -yah! I won't be glued to my computer as much!

Leciawp said...

I'd LOVE to sign Abbott up for your class, once he's old enough!!

Kwana said...

You've got some amazing students there. They must me inspired by the teacher. Keep up the wonderful work.

Ms. Tee said...

Your children are some really good artists! I love art & have always wanted to be able to have that talent - I can draw stick figures, but that's about it. Maybe I should take a class. :)

Unknown said...

I started doing a lot of colored pencil drwaings this Fall when I got sick of painting...what fun! It's unreal how the colors pop. This apple is great!

summer said...

i wish that I could be in your class... i've always felt like i am missing out on something so fun. sometimes i doubt the existence of any artistic ability in me.

pve design said...

what a creative bunch of comments....

Stefan,
glad you are a free to draw by hand.

Lecia,
Give Abbott his own supplies and a timer.
Set him up for snippets of time....it really works.

Kwana,
thanks dear one.

ms. tee,
just draw and doodle, i love stick figures.

milly-
thanks for stopping, you have a lovely blog -
did you see that elephant cake in "rachel gets married"

summer -
doubt causes us to question and that is how we learn - ask yourself to draw... or add some fun to your life. a fun class...
pve

72 and sunny said...

This was my summer job in highschool, assistant teaching. What I learned, is that EVERYone believes they're an artist for the first 5 or so years of their lives, but someone or something comes in around this time and quashes this notion.

I repeat, all of us are artists. Art is merely self expression and neither right or wrong in its outcome.

teaching certain tricks or ways of looking at things, are great tools for everyone (having worked for hallmark, I can tell you, they certainly train their artists)

JoAnneBNA said...

Howonderful that you share your "eye" and myriad of talent with these young minds. Brava.

Rachel said...

How sweet! Sharing your gift with others is a lovely thing to do, and I'm sure it's fun as well.

Unknown said...

I would have loved a teacher like you--although I was lucky enough to have a 6th grade teacher who let me draw and paint while the rest of the class was doing their work. I guess she figured out that was all I wanted to do. I never forgot her! p.s. Wanted to invite you to stop by trustyourstyle.com and let me know what you're reading.

tyler said...

what a gift it is, to give and receive. i teach design at a university and find myself learning from my students every week. in turn i love opening their eyes to challenge the linear world. it is so refreshing and makes me remember how idealistic and 'ready to change the world' we are when we graduated...many moons ago.

and thank you for your kind post below of my card. i am truly grateful to know you. you and the wonderful women i have 'met' via blog are part of my puzzle indeed.

pve design said...

tyler-

oh, I envy you teaching and inspiring all those young minds in an ever changing world. we must give to the youth, as they are our future. it goes so very fast, this one life.

pve

Mary-Laure said...

I wish I had had a teacher like you when I was in school...

erika said...

i was very influenced by my art teachers growing up... i am sure you are influencing many kids in a most wonderful way... kuddos to you. still dying to take another art class myself... maybe this winter!

simply seleta said...

You're amazing.

Vana said...

there is nothing more fulfilling to me that drawing something every week. My job required me to spend lots of time in front of the computer so setting some time on the side for hand drawing, makes a huge difference.

cassandra said...

oh my! i'm sure you're an incredible teacher. it's so true what you say... to teach art is to open eyes! i never knew i had a drop of artistic talent in me until art classes in school. they were always my favorite :) enjoy the experience!