High School Art Classes

By: Deb_Magelssen Mood: full of life Date: 10/09/2008 10:10:02 Music: Mozart!

I was given the opportunity to teach painting classes at my daughter's high school yesterday.  The art teacher invited me to demo and teach acrylic painting. I was so thrilled and thankful to be able to tell the students how I felt about so many things that are dear to my heart.  I wanted them to see how compassionate I am about bringing art up to a new level of respect. I talked to them about how important original art is compared to reproductions and prints. And how it is better to have art that is unique and made by the hands of an artist and not a printer, or computer, or heaven forbid-a factory.

I encouraged them to go to art school if their heart's desire is art, to not listen to those who are negative about an art career, I expressed how I felt about art in school and how important it is along with all their other subjects, I expressed how in my own life I let others influence me about my choice in a career in art and how I allowed 20 years of my life to slip by working in a job that did not fit me-and how unhappy it made me.  I encouraged them to make choices that will benefit them and their art, and will, in turn, better our society throughout the years.   

I helped them see how important art is in society and to notice their surroundings and how art affects our everyday lives-from looking at a beautiful painting while you are in a hospital bed and feeling peace, to viewing an awesome sculpture in a city or park and being in awe of the artist and his/her abilities, all of the visual arts, etc.  

I talked about being original in their own style, about copyrights and plagerism, emphazing the importance of putting their own fingerprint and heart into their works. I believe that the art teacher has expressed all that I told them, but I was able to confirm all what she has expressed to them as a professional artist that takes her career and art seriously.

All the while I spoke, I was doing demo's and teaching them about painting; shapes, values, color, etc. It was a blast! 

I haven't taught for about 10 years.  The older I get, the more I want to give back.  This is just one way that I enjoy sharing what I know.  The students were so enthusiastic and energized and it rubbed off on me.  I love teens!!  What a great generation they are!  I worked on two landscapes and I will be returning to the class when I finish these paintings.   They will have had some time to work on their own paintings over the next two-three weeks and I am eager to see what they will have accomplished. 

I was also blessed by them. I came away from the class energized to get back to my studio.  They gave back to me more that I could have asked for- new inspiration, renewed enthusiasm and energy to keep painting, keep working.  I guess it is true- "you get back what you give" Life is good!