Christine as Frida Kahlo
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My mission in lifeMy great personal mission is to problem solve and uncover the lost secrets of "How to draw and paint". To extract the essence of the best practices from history and create something new by organizing and teaching them in a way that they are enjoyable and attainable for anyone that has an interest in becoming an artist. To help re-establish skill based art making and beautiful art back into the hands of today's artists in the making.
My mission for my own art To more deeply appreciate and experience the beauty and wonder of life and to translate that experience to my viewer. To use visible metaphors for the unseen, spiritual relationship we have with our creator. My BioI attended an alternative "open classroom" private school for 13 years. There, I was able to spend as much time as I wanted in the art center. When I wasn't playing outside, that is where I could typically be found. There were no assignments, I got to create whatever I wanted.
I enriched my art exposure by taking community college classes all thru Jr. High and High School. I spent the summer of 1991 in the Dordogne region of the south of France and Paris with Parsons/Otis School of design for a pre-college summer "Art Bootcamp", probably the most intense art experience of my life. Art history, drawing and painting 14 hours a day, 6 days a week. Plus homework. I wouldn't trade it for anything. In 1997 I graduated cum laude from the Maryland Institute, College of Art with a BFA in Painting, and graduate classes in Art Teaching. |
I taught art to pre-k through 12 at the same private grade school I had attended (Kino School) for 6 years. There I developed advanced art classes for interested students and helped kids of all ages with multiple art projects at the same time.
I was a "Full time artist" for a few years, until I was asked to teach some painting classes in an active adult community art guild. I have to confess, I got a lot done in the studio as a full time artist, but I did go a little stir crazy at times. I had forgotten how much I loved teaching. I find that both teaching and painting make each other better.
I have taught small group and private art lessons ever since. I have also added art workshops and art retreats. I am currently working towards adding online classes.
I was a "Full time artist" for a few years, until I was asked to teach some painting classes in an active adult community art guild. I have to confess, I got a lot done in the studio as a full time artist, but I did go a little stir crazy at times. I had forgotten how much I loved teaching. I find that both teaching and painting make each other better.
I have taught small group and private art lessons ever since. I have also added art workshops and art retreats. I am currently working towards adding online classes.
Me with one of my many fur babies |
Demoing at an art festival |
with my hubby |
I mentioned on my home page, frustrations as a student. A deep foundation for my mission in life and as a teacher is rooted in my past frustrations, I NEVER WANT MY STUDENTS TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH. I knew there had to be a better way. If you have taken any art classes you may relate, or at least get a chuckle as I share a couple of "for instances".
What did I encounter? My teachers would simply say “Simplify”. O.k.….I’d love to, what exactly, and how? Or “Draw the shape”. Hum, I thought that was what I was doing. If I’m doing it wrong, how do I do it right? When I asked these questions, they would just repeat what they said before, louder. It took me years of investigating to understand what they must have meant.
My personal favorite took place in my freshman painting class at Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA). We students were given a lengthy supply list, including several painting mediums like linseed oil, stand oil, Dammar varnish, Japan drier etc. but not how to use any of them. So, in my ignorance, I poured each of the mediums onto each of my piles of paint and mixed it with my palette knife. What a sticky, runner disaster! Just then, the TA walks by and comments, “That’s an interesting way to use the mediums”, and WALKS WAY! Had she taken the trouble to show me at least one way I could use the medium properly, I would have avoided ruining several paintings from cracking, flaking, “Elephant skin”, and unsightly drips. Because I wasn't stopped, I painted like that for a few years...Please don't try it at home, or in the studio!
What did I encounter? My teachers would simply say “Simplify”. O.k.….I’d love to, what exactly, and how? Or “Draw the shape”. Hum, I thought that was what I was doing. If I’m doing it wrong, how do I do it right? When I asked these questions, they would just repeat what they said before, louder. It took me years of investigating to understand what they must have meant.
My personal favorite took place in my freshman painting class at Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA). We students were given a lengthy supply list, including several painting mediums like linseed oil, stand oil, Dammar varnish, Japan drier etc. but not how to use any of them. So, in my ignorance, I poured each of the mediums onto each of my piles of paint and mixed it with my palette knife. What a sticky, runner disaster! Just then, the TA walks by and comments, “That’s an interesting way to use the mediums”, and WALKS WAY! Had she taken the trouble to show me at least one way I could use the medium properly, I would have avoided ruining several paintings from cracking, flaking, “Elephant skin”, and unsightly drips. Because I wasn't stopped, I painted like that for a few years...Please don't try it at home, or in the studio!