An approach to teaching art
...milieu and context is vital to the art making, as well as being a great source of inspiration. Class projects as well as outside assignments are designed to involve broad investigations [artists’ lives; aesthetics; socio-cultural, philosophical and personal issues; other cultures; systems of thought; methods of thinking]. Basic research and library skills must be utilized to follow through on this kind of investigation. I feel that the ability to seek and find desired information, of any sort, is basic to well formed creative development. When necessary, I teach the skills needed by the student to access and utilize the information they seek. Once the basic design and intent has been established, work can begin in the studio. Development continues in the form of journals, 2-d and 3-d sketches and ongoing research. Studio work is a combination of experiments, practical investigations, and the complete realization of ideas. The interactive aspects of thought and practical experience are observed and aided through regular one to one meetings with the student. I have a broad technical and material base to draw from, which becomes particularly activated by observation of the student. I like to keep a high profile presence in the studio to address problems as well as provide a strong hands-on teaching example for the students. When artwork and research are complete, a third activity is engaged: critique. This is the conclusion of a dialog that has been ongoing throughout the research and studio phases of the coursework. The cri...