When I asked my web designer a few months ago if it would be possible to add a “blog” category to the navigation bar of my new website, I really didn’t have any specifics in mind about the kind of blog it would be. “Some sort of art blog” was as far as I had gotten at that point. On the other hand, I knew even then what kind of blog it would not be: A “how to draw and paint” blog. I had absolutely no interest in repeating information that can be found in dozens & dozens of “how-to” books. And yet… I did have this overwhelming desire to share what I’ve learned as an artist-slash-art instructor over the last 20 years.
Then it occurred to me: I wanted to write about those elusive little issues that come up while learning how to draw & paint; about those stumbling blocks that hinder our efforts to learn how to draw & paint; and about those issues & stumbling blocks that too often suck the pleasure out of making art (once we’ve learned how). I wanted to write from the perspective of an art student, an art instructor and an artist. And I wanted to do all of this in no particular order, with no particular schedule. Voilà! My blog!
Before I wrote my first blog, I did ask myself two questions: What is driving my desire to share this information, and why do I want to do it at this time? The last question is the easiest to answer. I’m doing it now because I finally have a forum – my long-awaited website – & because the IT world – & my husband Tom! – have made it relatively easy for me to do so. The first question takes a bit more thought.
A clue as to what is motivating me to blog about these topics is contained in my first post. There I said that good teachers smooth the path of learning for their students & maximize the possibility of their students’ success. The last 20 years have taught me many ways to do just that & I believe – at least, I hope – that if I put this information “out there,” it will be useful to others, & certainly, to many more people than can come to my studio to work with me. I also wanted to share this information because I truly believe that anyone with an authentic desire to learn to draw & paint, can! No exceptional or esoteric innate talent is required. Drawing & painting are skills that can be learned by anyone with the physical capability to do so. It’s as simple as that!
Being engaged in teaching & making art over the last two decades has been a transformative experience for me. If what I’ve learned about this process can be of interest or help to others, then I freely offer it up on this blog…
…in no particular order, with no particular schedule, of course!