The Only Way to Get to Brilliance is through Mediocrity

It's an age old fight between teacher and student... 

To push through mediocrity to get to brilliance.

The Berggruen Klee Collection, 1987

As a fine arts teacher, I am probably more aware of this constant struggle than the typical teacher of core content. To be honest, while teaching Economics, I was not concerned with pushing my students to forge their own path and to become the next great economist.  My interest was getting the students to pass the mandated tests, get their credit and to graduate. While not a noble goal, it was a necessary one.

However, the fine arts require teachers to strive for the noble goals. 

Being a mediocre artist, musician, singer, dancer or performer isn't enough. Being mediocre won't get you a college scholarship, a first place or even a job in the chosen field. The world is full of mediocre artists that failed to fulfill their potential who are now using their skills and talents in other career paths. And thank goodness for that, cause without creative, collaborative, out-of-the-box thinkers in all careers, we would be IN TROUBLE!! But that's a post for a different day...

by Zhang Xiaogang

Anyway, over the last week or so, I have had a number of conversations with students about the type of art they love creating.  If you know any emerging artists 22 years of age and younger, you can guess what is said.. 

I have to force myself to not roll my eyes. 

And since it's a new school year I have a whole new crop of art students. In fact, I have double the number of art 2 students than I have ever had. My classes are maxed out and twice during the day I run concurrent advanced classes while also teaching art 2.

With over 50 students that have chosen art to be their path to graduation via the state "endorsement" track, I am daily fighting with my Art 2-4 students to push past mediocrity and find their own brilliance.

And that's not an easy task.

But I use myself as an example. I don't hide my mediocrity from my students. Here is what I have learned about myself. These lessons were not easy and I don't list them now flippantly!

1. I am a mediocre actress.

I was cast as Juliet in college.  It wasn't due to talent or passion.. I fit the dress. This was probably one of the hardest lessons to learn. I LOVE theatre. I have two degrees in theatre... but this has not made me a brilliant actress. 

What I am brilliant at in theatre is Managing. I am hands-down one of the best stage or house managers around.  I learned that my gifts could be used and honed in this part of the theatre.


2.  I am a mediocre artist.

I love the visual arts. The enduring memories of my childhood revolve around the world of commercial art. I love to dabble in all art forms. 

I can mimic the best painters. 
I can copy to coolest contemporary artists. 

But that does not make me a brilliant painter or artist.

I love printmaking. I'll even say that I am good at printmaking.. but not brilliant.

But I am brilliant at motivating people to work hard
 and to manage their fear.

Everyday I work with students and push them beyond their comfort zone to do bigger and better work than they thought possible.

It's a fight. Every. Single. Day.

Mediocrity doesn't want to be replaced with the unknown.

Mediocrity likes being in charge. 

Mediocrity strives for the status quo.

But the only way to get to Brilliance is through Mediocrity.

Mediocrity isn't a bad thing. In fact, I believe it is a good and healthy thing.. as long as that is not the destination. For when Mediocrity is achieved, Brilliance is possible.

So welcome to that place that comes after mediocrity... it's gonna be an interesting journey.

Perler Bead Gift

One of the best parts of being a teacher is living life in community with your students.

This week, I had the opportunity to be at the christening of a couple of my former students baby.  I had both mom and dad in art class a few years ago, I attended their wedding two years ago and now I had the joy of seeing their baby boy welcomed into the church.

How cool is that.

Well, I couldn't go empty handed and I didn't want a traditional gift. This couple is fun and quirky and likes odd things.

So perler beads it was!

I messaged the grandmother and asked for a picture and then got to work.

I didn't realize when I made the template that I made it quite so large...

Each square is 29 beads across by 29 beads down. That's a lot of beads times 9+ squares.

Here are the first 3 squares ironed together.

And here is the completed piece. Well, this is 6 squares. I left off the bottom row as I ran out of time. (I wanted to complete the rest, but I realized that 6 rows took 14 minutes.. so in order to complete another row I needed another 3+ hours easily.. and this was if my daughters allowed me to think!)

So instead of continuing, I took it to our local frame store and they helped me. Truly, in 2 hours they framed this thing. (That's why you shop local people.)

Isn't it awesome framed!

And here is the gift delivered. I love the fact that the dad took it out of the wrapping and immediately said "perler beads" and grinned!

And there you have it. A non-traditional baby gift for a couple that I dearly love.

My article is in Arts and Activities Magazine!!

I submitted an article/lesson plan/activity to an art teacher magazine called Arts and Activities a couple of years ago.

It was selected and put into the publishing queue.

I got an email last night that it is in the November 2015 publication!!

I am pumped!

You can read the article by clicking on the above link or by clicking HERE. :)

What's even more exciting for me is that they asked for additional articles!! Woohoo!

I hate Extra Credit!

As I begin my 18th year teaching, I am more determined than ever to take some of the "extra stuff" that I do on a daily basis OFF my load.  These "extras" are time killers, energy wasters and just down right frustrating!!

One of these things that bugs me the most is Extra Credit! 

I really, really want to say, JUST DO THE ASSIGNMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE!! But I don't. I don't because sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. Sometimes the students are just lazy and forgetful. 

But sometimes, so am I.

So, I offer extra credit. Which means more grading for me.

But NOT THIS YEAR!!!

This year, I am taking a page out of the Love and Logic mindset and saying that "fixing your problem should not cause more work for me!" Therefore, extra credit is going to benefit us both.

If a student wants to earn extra credit, GREAT!! 

All the student has to do is go to my "Extra Credit Job Board" and pick a job that goes with the number of points the student wants to earn.

Then the student will have to come in before or after school and take care of the job. Some of the jobs are quick easy jobs. Some are not. Some might even take the student a few visits...

That's the point. Extra credit should be extra WORK for the STUDENT! Not the teacher or the parent!

So why did I choose the jobs that included this time? Cause these are jobs that I end up doing day after day! That's why. I know that students (and parents too) will complain that I'm not giving traditional assignments as extra credit, but I'm tried of making more work for myself when there are jobs that desperately need doing.

And should my room be too clean and too organized? Well, that would be a change! :) And I can always change out the jobs as they are completed should for some reason my sinks are clean!

So I have to say, I'm excited about "giving" extra credit this year!! I wonder how many students will take advantage of my kind offer?

The end of the year.

It has been a fantastic school year. But I am exhausted. 

 

Stolen from facebook. No clue who to credit! :(

So many wonderful and exciting things happened this year, and everyone of them where my choice to participate in.. so when I say am exhausted, it is completely my own fault.

But here is my school year recap.  (For the record, we have one week left, but I'm finally in cleanup mode!)

June: Worked on the "Big Show" and put on a week-long art camp for kids.

July: Big Show and took a graduate level art course

August: Big Show and start of school

September: Big Show performances and art show

November: Taught teacher workshops at art convention

December: Scholastic Art Contest

January: Youth Art Month, other art contests and another
graduate level art course

February: VASE Art Contest and Theatrical Design Contest

March: Youth Art Month reception and UIL OAP judge

April: State VASE contest, district art show, Congressional Art Contest

May: State Theatrical Design contest and prep for this summer's art camp!

And let's not forget that I trained and ran a marathon during this time and still somehow spent time with my husband and children!

My plans for this summer are to chill. Which means lots of art projects and painting and afternoons at splashville with the girls.

Life is insanely busy and at this point every year I am totally exhausted, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm already working on next school year and thankful that I have a great job that provides me with all of the professional accolades that I need, but weeks to recover and renew myself. 

So come on summer!!

My world

It's not often that I get to use my theatrical lighting knowledge in my role as an art teacher. There are days when I miss the stage and the world of theatre and I wonder if I made the right choice.

And then I get to play in the theatre, work on sets and lights and help out with a show and leave with the certainty that OH YES, I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!

I love helping, but man I love getting to leave. :)

So what brings this up?

Well, our auditorium at the high school is getting new lights. YIPPEE! We desperately needed an upgrade and I've been helping out with the programming of the light board.

We are moving from an analog system and old instruments that would throw the breakers if used at full capacity to cutting edge technology. We have had a huge learning curve. And not just us, the electricians weren't sure what to do either.

I have spent a lot of time this week figuring out how to program the board to use the instruments and working out the logistics of the light plot. It's been a ton of fun.

But hard. and because I'm the art teacher and not the theatre teacher, a lot of hours after school and on the weekend as I was expected to be able to do my real job!

But that's okay, because the theatre teacher is one of my best friends and if I needed help in my world and she had the expertise, she'd do it for me.

But also, because it reinforces in my heart and mind that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Moving from the known theatre world to the art world was hard for me. And some days I really feel like the biggest impostor around. But then I get back in my classroom and I know that I am where I am supposed to be. 

Especially when it is 9pm on Saturday night!

Teaching theatre was fun and super hard. When I came in tonight, Doug and I reminisced about the days I taught theatre (and debate) and was gone 3 or 4 nights a week and many Saturdays. Those were really tough times. As he said, no way we could do that now.

And it's not just the schedule, I've found my true calling in art.

I love me some theatre and the technical design aspects of it are a blast, but thankfully, and happily I'll live in my art world and go over and play in my friend's backyard and then go home at the end of the day tired and happy.

Sticking around for Success

In all my years teaching, it seems like all I have done was to get the ball rolling, lay a strong foundation and just when things take off, we move.

Let's take a walk down memory lane...

Theatre Teacher in Texas 2 years
Theatre/Speech/Debate in NC 1 1/2 years
Back in Texas...
3rd grade inclusion math and TYC reading teacher 1 semester (plus a miserable summer...)
Theatre/Debate/8th grade reading 1 year
Theatre/Career Investigations/Speech/7th grade writing 1 1/2 years
Theatre Teacher 1 semester
Economics/Debate 2 years

Wow. What a journey. I am absolutely certain that I am a better art teacher because I worked in so many other teaching jobs, in so many different communities. I've taught in big cities and tiny communities; I've taught to the affluent and teenagers in a jail.

Then I finally found my way to Art.

And now, I'm in my 6th year of teaching art. AT THE SAME PLACE! Crazy stuff. And even better, I am here for the successes. I got the ball rolling and laid a great foundation for a program that was to be distinctly MINE and I'm here to see the successes.

It is an amazing feeling!

Yesterday I had six students receive big honors in the art world. One student won 3 Gold Key's at the 2014 Region-At-Large Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and has three pieces in the NATIONAL competition. And he is a Sophomore! Such exciting times.

I have to say, this stability stuff is pretty cool. I've never gotten to see the reward first hand and now I am. It's a heady feeling!

Here are a couple of pictures of some of students and their award winning works!

This first picture was taken back in the fall, but how cool is this, both girls received awards this week. Emma, a 3rd grader had her self portrait (upper left hand corner of the display) chosen  to be included in the Youth Art Month Exhibit at our state capitol. Heather, a senior, had one of her photographs awarded an Honorable Mention at the Scholastic contest.

And her are a few more pictures of my students and their award winning pieces!

I don't have a picture of my student who advanced to the National competition. I'll have to do that tomorrow!!

Work in Progress

One of the things that I am really trying to focus on this year in my classroom is for my students to see me creating artwork.

This is what I am working on currently.

It's a mixed media, colored pencil, marker and watercolor piece.

I'm having a lot of fun. Working 10 seconds at a time will do that for you.  It keeps it fresh.

My students love to see that I am drawing and painting too. And they never quite know what to do when I ask them for feedback and critiques! They try to just say they like it... but nope, I force them to pick apart my work and offer suggestions.

I'm hoping to finish it next week.

Art Convention Wrap Up

Another art convention has come and gone. 

I truly enjoy attending as I always learn something new, make new connections with people in the art world, and get refreshed.

This year I taught two hands on workshops and one technology workshop.

I even remembered to take a picture at my final workshop.

I have to say, I love teaching teachers!  

They are a hard crowd at times because they already know the content and unless you can catch their interest quickly, they will leave your workshop in a flash. I say this, because I've been this person!

My workshops went great. I had wonderful feedback and was able to share new ideas and methods for teaching traditional concepts.

In my technology workshop I taught about making snapguides. It was so much fun watching everyone get so excited about making online tutorials. I'm hoping that some of these teachers will start making tutorials that I can use in my classroom.

And in a departure from the hands-on workshops that I usually stick with, I went to a seminar called Current Research in Higher Education. It was really informative and opened my eyes to the fact that some of the processes and teaching methods that I use in my classroom I could use for research publications.

Like I need anything else to work on!! :)

Remembering Lindsey: in Linoleum Print

Some people make a permanent mark on your heart.

Lindsey was one of those.

Recently I was looking at some photos of her and I just felt the need to 

create a linoleum print of her hands creating art.

Here is one of the prints from the first series.

I like the dark ink on the light paper. I also like that it's a little heavy in places.  It's not a "perfect" piece and Lindsey would have never been able to create a "perfect" piece by traditional art standards.

But I wasn't in love with it.

So I went back to work and after a few hundred (at least it felt like it..)

Here is one that I absolutely love!!

In person, it's much lighter and softer, but it doesn't show up on the screen well so I had to darken it. The paper is really white and the colors are soft.

I am so happy with the final product. In the end, this was a piece that I created for myself with only my memories and emotions as a guide. Artistically there are changes I would make, but since I'm not selling it and not grading it, I consider it to be finished!

And as a side note, if any of you out there miss Lindsey and would like an artist proof of the above print, I have a dozen or so that I don't have any need for, but I don't want to throw them away! 

An artist proof means that it's a print from the working linoleum block. No two are alike as I would print one and then cut a little more away and so forth.

Myth vs Fact. and does it matter?

This morning I ran fast. Well, I ran fast for me. Faster than I thought I could. You see, our running group has some fast ladies and then the ones I run with, we run about 30 seconds or slower on our average pace. This morning, I was the only slower one there, so I had to run faster!! And I did. We ran 10.4 miles at an average pace of 10:04 minutes. That is truckin in my world!

And this got me thinking about why I don't think I can run fast and all of the other things that I believe about myself. This last week I've really been aware of my student's and the myths of their world that become their facts.

Like, when do kids decide that they are not creative? When do kids decide that they aren't athletic? When do kids decide that they are not good at math or good readers? It's scary. I am soo determined that my girls will not make destructive myths the facts of their lives!

What myth shaped your education? What myth became your fact? And why can't the myth be that I can run fast? Why couldn't the myth be that I was athletic? Why couldn't my myth be that I was good at math? Because you know what? I might have be athletic, I don't know. And while I struggled mightily in math in k-12, I made an A in a graduate level Managerial Accounting class that was all math!

As a teacher, I know that the words I say have great impact on my students. I am determined that I will inspire kids to be creative. Because really, does it matter if the shading was perfect if the love of creating was lost? No! My job is to inspire and share my passion for art and education. My prayer simply is that even for the students who struggle the most and are the "least talented" that when they leave my room, they would say about themselves that they are creative and that they were "good" at art. Even if this is a myth.

A rant from your child's art teacher....

Okay, so I have a little rant..  it's about kids, creativity and the parent's role in this process.

You see, I have learned over the years that I grew up in an unusual house. Actually I've ALWAYS known that, but when living IN the house you don't get all of the strangeness... (digression..)

Anyway, in our house, there was always paint around and a craft project nearby. My parents are both super creative and fostered our creativity by showing us how to do artistic things, allowed us to make messes and taught us how to use materials appropriately.  I have learned that this is NOT the case in a lot of homes. When I went to college I was absolutely amazed that people didn't know how to paint without getting it all over themselves, the floor or the brush. I thought people just knew this!

Below is a picture of me at age 5 painting our "Rainbow Clubhouse." We had a carriage house type thing in the back yard and my parents let my older sister Libby (age 6 or 7) and me paint it. I'm sure my parents helped and supervised us, but what is awesome is that I don't remember their "interference" I remember it being a project that Libby and I did!

Now, jump ahead 30 years...  to me the art teacher. I am learning that the majority of my students do not have any foundation at all in art or artistic/creative ways. Ask a kid to measure, cut and paint something and you would think I had asked a kid to do surgery on something!

Yes, I know that students get the "basics" in elementary school, but really, I truly believe that kids should be cutting and painting and LEARNING to be CREATIVE at home!!  Kylie at age 3 has scissors. I am well aware that she will cut things that should not be cut. It's a calculated risk, and one I'm willing to take. Both Maddie and Lexi had scissors at this age and yes, we had issues, and millions of teeny tiny pieces of paper all over the house. But it was worth it, and is worth it. Otherwise she  might end up like the elementary kids that I see/know that cut themselves with safety scissors every time they use them because they aren't allowed to cut things at home.

So what got me all riled up? Pinterest!! Lately I have seen all of these "kid-friendly" not real art projects with not real art supplies. Yes, at least parents are getting ideas on how to be creative. But c'mon! Don't expect your child to know how to use a paint brush and paint if you make cornstarch (or shaving cream or pudding...) "paint" and have them use a squeeze bottle to make their crafts. For one, the squeeze bottle teaches nothing about hand-eye coordination, nor about moderation, nor about how to only use a little paint or brush strokes....  Another thing, what if you child makes and awesome painting?? I hope you take a good picture, cause the "paint" is NOT paint and won't last. You have taught your child that artistry doesn't matter cause you are just going to wipe it off, wash it off and throw it away! I'm not saying you can't play and finger paint, but there is a time and place for everything.

Student grade or craft grade art supplies are not expensive. Please, purchase some basic watercolor/tempera/acrylic paints and allow your child to create with paint and a paintbrush! Teach your child to only dip the tip of the paint brush in the paint and SHOW your child how to keep the paint on the paper or the brush and then how to wash the brush! If you don't know how to do these thing, I'm sure there is a you tube video. Then, put the "painting" up to dry and then have your child sign the piece. While it may not be a "work of art" you will be thankful for the picture one day.

While there are lots of things I am really, really NOT good at as a mom. I can thankfully say that my kids get to be creative and they make art projects. Here is a nice reminder of  how quickly kids grow up!! The picture on the left looks like Kylie, but it's Lexi!! 



Lexi in 2009



Lexi in 2013

   

So, here is my challenge to you. Go paint! Create something. And virtual painting via a Wii game or computer software  DOES NOT COUNT! While computer generated art is fun and a growing field, you don't learn how to control the amount of paint on a paint brush with a virtual paintbrush. You will never learn moderation if all you have to do is hit undo. You will never experience the thrill of creating if you don't get personally invested in the creating. Please note, I did not say you have to paint something wonderful. In fact, don't try to paint something "classical" like a portrait or a still life. Just paint.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2013... they even send teachers awards!

As a teacher I am always on the look out for contests for my students. I want them to get the most exposure and experience possible while in high school art class. This year, we participated in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards contest.

 

More than 230 THOUSAND pieces were submitted nationally. WOW!!

 

We competed in the Southwest Region-at-large. This means that my students competed with students from public, private and magnet schools across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. 

 

Only about 15% of the artwork from the Southwest Region received awards. Two of my students did!! One student received a silver key award and the other an honorable mention award.

 

This was really cool.

 

Today I received this pin in the mail. It's was for ME!

 

What? A teacher award?

 

That never happens!!

 

I can not tell you how much I needed this. There are times when being a teacher is really tough. The last few weeks have been especially so. Being recognized by a large organization because my students did something good gives me that boost that I desperately needed.

 

So, if you see me on the street... don't be surprised if you see me wearing my pin!

Art Show 2013

I've been hanging artwork nonstop for the last 2 days!

 

I don't have a count yet, but I'm taking guesses!  In fact, I am going to do a "closest to the exact number" drawing during the art show!! I don't know for a fact, but I think we will have more pieces on display at the show than we have students enrolled in the ENTIRE district!!

 

Wow and super wow!!

 

Here are a few pictures of the set up.

 

First is a close up of my art 1 student's flock birds perching on the display panels. The birds are a pretty basic, but exactly what I wanted!



Here is one view from the side of the auditorium. This shows the vast number of pieces!!

 

 We have work from pre-k through 12th grade.

Aren't the hands made by the 6th graders fun!

 

If you live in the 76401 zipcode or close by, the show is totally worth your time to see! We have drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, photography and graphic design.  It's truly an all encompassing art show!

The show officially opens March 18th and runs to April 2nd. (yes, I posted this early as we had to prep the show prior to spring break!)

Why I love Art Teacher Conference....

I just got back from art teacher conference.

 

I love it!!

 

Here are some reasons why.

 

1. When you check in and get your registration bag this is what you start with... a nice little welcome to conference bag.
   
 
2. When you leave conference, this is what your bag looks like...
   You are overloaded with stuff. GOOD STUFF!!! Stuff to use in your classroom, samples and lesson plans.
 
3. What do you gain? Knowledge. Energy. Excitement. This is the one time during the year when I feel like my time is considered valuable and that what I teach is important. At conference, we meet other art teachers, go to workshops and LEARN new things!!
 
4. Some of the workshops highlights for me....
       carving in drywall
       etching in plexiglass
       painting with india ink
       playing with melted beeswax.
   Yeah, just a typical work conference. :)

 

 

And one of the most important parts of this conference for me is the validation that I get that I'm on track, that I'm not shortchanging my students, and that things are in fact going well. Coming from a non-traditional art background, I often second guess how I am teaching things and worry that my students aren't getting what they need.

But going to workshops and seeing other teachers in action, good teachers, I see that I'm doing okay. In fact, I need to chill. One of the workshops I went to had us using techniques that I've used in scrapbooking and crafting, but I hadn't done it with my art students cause I didn't want people to think I was being to "crafty"... the vast majority of the teachers there didn't know what to do and I ended up helping out the presenters... the traditional art teachers... so yeah me!

I'm so doing this lesson with my students and I am going to work hard to allow myself to just be me. Teach what I want, craft what I want and let it go!!

 

And there you have it. Why I love Art Teacher Conference. Oh. even better, this year we had an APP to use with our smart phones! It was super cool.

 

oh yeah, one more thing. I presented too. I didn't just take, I gave too.