As artists and teachers, we overlap realms in moments- seconds or minutes- pushing and pulling from whatever cache suits the task. This leaves me with the question: where do my artistic and teaching practices overlap? My goal is to create a personalized learning experience for both me and my students by providing equal space for ideas and promoting critical thinking to solve any issues that may arise.
The interaction with artwork in a classroom setting creates a sense of community. Each experience is one's own and can be guided through visual cues and questions. Context can be deciphered from the study of material. If further understanding is needed, I, as the leader of this classroom community or studio space, am a bridge to fill that gap. Research can play a vital role in critical thinking and probing information for context clues; in this process, roadblocks are expected. What I ask of myself and students with their research is how can we utilize standard connections to our daily lives to reinterpret information?
As an artist, I am often struck by sudden inspiration that motivates me to create. Ideas for paintings or drawings form vividly in my mind and compel me to bring them to life. I begin the process with thumbnail sketches, miniature versions of an image that turn into sticky notes with phrases or information that develop the work itself. This ability to apply pen to paper leads to a work in progress where I change the course of the artwork from its intended design. This method is used in teaching where risk management and risk tolerance are at the forefront. "If a particular plan or instructional approach doesn't align with the requirements, it's better to abandon it and employ innovative thinking to redefine the situation. As an artist and teacher, I aim to steer clear of the conventional path and rather focus on active engagement that caters to the specific needs of each participant.”
Sometimes, there may be situations where things feel inflexible, but if I can find a way to make things easier and try something new, taking a risk is usually the better choice. It's similar to improvisation; every moment in the classroom or front of a canvas is like a performance. You must decide how to approach it, what kind of artist you want to be, and what approach best suits your style.