As an art teacher, I am afforded a position of influence that can be far reaching. An art teacher can be the creative capital in a school building. The ideas presented in an art class can and should come to play in English, Social Studies, and Math classes. I am not talking about making posters for those classes
How do I inspire kids?
History...
I don't rely on the Gardner's History of art to turn my students on to making work. I find local artists and contemporary artists who are creating work that is technically tight and full of style.
Silkscreen by Clinton Reno Stencil Art by Stephanie Rond
Sketchbooks...
Ideas come from the fusion of things we know with newfound knowledge, Innovation requires skill creating an amalgamation of experiences.
I model what I want my students to do. I work in my sketchbook daily. The sketchbook allows me to get an idea on the page, allows me to pull together a tight thumbnail(small) sketch that fills a composition easily and quickly, allows me to render, alter, and build imagery that
Nothing New Under the Sun...
I want my students to be original in their creations. I want them to innovate in their imagery and ideas. Teaching drawing and painting skills with the aim of mastery of the principles and elements of art is a large part of finding an original voice. I want them to know the rules before they break them and/or use them for
