Teaching and Learning--Thank you students

As an artist and a teacher, I take my responsibilities very seriously. Even though I have a sarcastic sense of humor and laugh and joke, it is very important to me that I deliver to others, the information which has been so freely shared with me.

Many hours go into preparing to teach a workshop. During that preparation time, I benefit from re-writing my notes, editing previous handouts, and reading books and materials that would otherwise gather dust in the studio. Once the workshop begins, I suddenly feel very humbled by it all. It can sometimes difficult to always get the idea across the way I really want to. This keeps me awake at night trying to figure out a different way to express the idea.

There are usually a handful of students in each workshop who are just right on the cusp of truly leaping forward. I can see it in their work or hear it in their questions, and sense their sincere desire to really grow. These thoughtful folks are why I do this exhausting work. They, in a sense, teach me as well. They are not afraid to ask. They try whatever I suggest they try. In the end they understand that a perfectly painted work of art is not what my workshops are about.

Thanks to all of you who keep me on my toes. It is because of YOU, that I will continue to grow.

This image is of a quick, 45-minute demonstration for the class.