STUDENT WORK
Teaching Philosophy
My students come from all backgrounds and abilities; academically, physically, artistically, and psychologically. It is my challenge to discover where they are, and help them through the next step towards finding their honest voice, and learn some art-making along the way. Our modern culture overflows with such quantities of mass-produced items, that finding one’s authentic voice as a maker becomes difficult in any medium. I have developed some unorthodox methods of teaching that pop students out of the norm and into thinking about problems in a different way. The 90 second sculpture exercise is rather like charades and helps people become instantly familiar with the medium of clay, and it doubles as a challenge to create forms that speak of concepts, not objects. The backwards paper assignment – where right-handed people use their left hand to write an essay backwards so that the paper is read using a mirror - effectively challenges traditional thinking as well as helps the student to see without bias. Blind-folded throwing is another exercise that surprises students. To their amazement, they frequently create their best form with the blindfold on!
My past experience with physical awareness in dance, performance and yoga as well as training animals with positive reinforcement have given me teaching tools that benefit me daily. I focus on cultivating a supportive atmosphere of exploration and experimentation, and require honesty from all parties during assessment. It is apparent when someone can do better, and it is equally apparent when someone has broken new ground and created something unique and wonderful that carries their authentic voice into the world.
I cherish the growth of my students. Teaching has become my primary art form.