Although this chapter makes mention of Zen and beat poet Allen Ginsburg and writer Jack Kerouac, I want you to continue to think about how life intersects with art. The challenges posed by these writers along with Gary Snyder and Alan Watts is very much alined with the new approaches to art/craft. To look at society with fresh eyes, to seek answers within one's self and to find peace from nature. It is not an accident that our culture as a whole began to questions the status quo. Small steps in civil rights. Added by advancements made within the military concerning equal treatment of men and women of color. As it would later be sung, 'the times they were a' changin"". I have always held that art is a record of time...maybe not the record some want but if you look at all art being created you might see a wider view of this culture.
Remember, art/crafts are in constant flux. Their importance depends upon the place where we are at the time, who we study with, who we wish we were and what we are working on at the time. No form is ever "over" it may hide but it does not go away.
Consider the thought that it almost viewed be cheating to teach while making art...I am always surprised at these sweeping statements that have such an impact on our education.Anyone who teaches knows there is very little time to make art and sometimes a "day job" totally unrelated to art is a better fit because you not conflicted. It is up you to figure how the balance in your life...do not allow anyone else to tell you hoe you work it out is wrong or not good enough.
On a final note, I was lucky enough to be at TTU, taking clay classes when both Perter Voulkos and Paul Soldner came for workshops. I was amazing. Voulkos was a force of nature. Think of a man, built like a New Jersey butcher, loud, flirting with all the women, and going 100 miles an hour. Wild. Soldner shared us his raku secrets while waring only a speedo...no kidding. He also demoed how to make a kick wheel for under $100. Clay was the only place you wanted to be or at least hang out.
As I said in one of my responses...find your own quote. What is it that you say that makes a difference.
Sigh...huge, HUGE sigh. I am constantly trying to explain where my time goes to other artists--who I assume they assume I must sit around a lot whilst little ones color with crayons. I know that's a lot of assuming. But yet again this last week, I met with studio artists that are absorbed in their making day in and day out and had to define "elementary art education" for them. I am glad that although most of my year is taken up with the management of classroom and curriculum I have made it a priority to make several important pieces each year and to show at least once in a "major" gallery space yearly.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, coming back into my classroom after a GLORIOUS week of working in the studio on my own pieces, shoulder to shoulder with my artistic peers, I found myself exhausted on top of my exhaustion at the usual classroom occurrences--children talking over me, questions about something I literally just said, cleaning up after students. I love what I do, but am blown away by how much energy goes into teaching. And how there is both a personal need and a corporate expectation for art production of our own.
And, although I never saw Soldner myself, I heard wonderful stories about his speedos and hot-tub experiences at clay fests. I can piece together in my mind how wonderful it must have been to experience his in workshop. I've seen some fun Texas artists like Matt Long, Randy Broadnax, and John Britt. As well as Shadow May and others. There is something wonderful about how unabashedly open artists are when we are working together in workshop form.
I am not a teacher, even though I do work in an educational environment, nor do I work in an artistic setting, so my answer might differ from everyone else’s. I never really thought of working in an art related field would be conflicting to your personal artwork since I have a job that isn’t an art related job. I can definitely see how that is possible though. I do a lot of graphic design and video editing along with software training at Region 16, so the design aspect is artistic but it doesn’t interfere with my inspirations of upholstering, painting or any other artwork I personally do. I am always doing some art projects at home and I find myself running home for lunch and doing some sanding or painting before I have to go back to work within an hour. Once I get home from the gym after work, I work on my artwork for the rest of the night other than school work. I don’t ever have a lot of time, but I try to make a little time here and there since it makes me happy. I wish I was fortunate enough to do it full time as a business. Hopefully someday, but right now it isn’t even an option.
ReplyDeleteI have never had a piece in a gallery before and definitely haven’t had my own art show. I think my main obstacle is having enough confidence in my work to be able to want to show it; which I struggle with immensely.
Trying to find a quote of mine that makes a difference is honestly difficult. I don’t think anything I have ever said has really made a difference to anyone. I always tell myself to be myself and show myself in my work and not to be afraid of what I find beautiful in my artwork and that helps with my confidence. Therefore I think it made a difference to me, but I don’t think it has to anyone else…or at least that I know of.
Future, that is really awesome that you had the opportunity to be in a workshop with Voulkos and Soldner. I could only imagine. It is really cool to think that they’re artwork and them as a person was so influential. It is also intriguing to think that Voulkos came from Bozeman, Montana. I don’t know if any of you have been there, but it is an artistic vibrant town. I fell in love with it when I went. Therefore, I wonder if the town itself inspired Voulkos as an artist growing up. Bozeman reminds me of a small Santa Fe too.
Maybe I need to put Bozeman on my travel list. I love artistic spaces--places where the people and environment aren't afraid to be quirky and unique.
DeleteBrea
DeleteYou are a solid writer. The entire class has listen to you and responded to your thoughts, so keep thinking about a quote that works for you/from you...your art heart.
My quote about art:
ReplyDeleteArt is an expression of your imagination with your view of the world.
Nice.
DeleteHow about "Art is an expression of imagination through your view of the world."
Just a slight change. But, as always keep it the way it fits for you.
Aww I love it! It gave me the chills when I read it!
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