Working on my art feels amazing

Happy with this so far
Happy.

More progress - so excited about this piece !

Another update on current fiber painting

Still trying to figure out how and where to place the red knit piece...

Work in progress fiber painting

> Time lapse video of creating artwork would be cool - a few pics will have to do for now.
>

The future of art education

Portrait of mom wearing her knit shirt and socks
with her painting behind her
by Vincenzo (6yr old)

I've been thinking a lot about art education lately and I feel that not all art education is equal. Some theories posit that kids need to be told step-by-step how to complete a project. But this only teaches them, or expects them, to follow rules or steps in a process designed by someone else, which is also teaching them that there is one correct outcome for their art. This view is limiting and detrimental to the creative growth of the child.

Children (most people, really) need a safe and supportive environment that allows them to experiment and play in order to feel creative. If children are taught some very basic techniques about how an art material works --> pencils makes different marks on paper depending on how you use them... then they are given the freedom to experiment, without judgement, and they can soar in creativity.

Let children use their own life experience as a catalyst for their art. Encourage scribbling and playing with materials (within reason, no one wants paint thrown around the room). Lines, shapes, and colors without a recognizable subject matter is great! Kids just need the supplies and freedom to create.

Some kids may need a little more structure. As parents and/or teachers we can make suggestions, or work on a project together asking the child to decide on elements of the project. I have seen a lot of well-meaning adults or older siblings tell a young child how to draw, "no, do it like this", which basically means there is a right and wrong way to make art. There is no right or wrong way to make art! (professional artists is a different story altogether). The child may just need a little direction in terms of a theme. I remember times when working with students who wanted to create a picture but couldn't think of a subject - I would ask them, "what do you like to do at home? with friends? at recess? what toys do you like to play with?" and so on. Eventually a question would resonate with the student and their face lit up with "oh! I know what to do!" The excitement is amazing and they are much more engaged in their work because it has meaning for them. Kids are so often told what to do all day, every day - they should have some freedom and feel ownership when being creative.

rolling shutter technique with iphone by Grace (9yr old)

sparkler light trail photo

experimenting with some jewelry...

I am making this series of jewelry by recycling materials in my studio: pieces of sterling silver left over from other projects, yarn, buttons, beads, a rubber band... it's all combing to make interesting compositions.

necklace with crocheted sterling silver and beads

ring made from recycled things in my studio: sterling silver, button, glass beads, rubber band

work in progress

Creativity blog tag

Do you think visual art needs to be explained?

Yes/No ... There are times where a viewer can have a greater appreciation for visual arts when they are given a particular context, which can be the artist's own thoughts on the piece or a critic's review of the work as compared to prior art. A piece of visual art should be able to stand on its own, but because a individual art viewer may have their own expertise that has not allowed them to experience a wide variety of art, it helps to have an expert in fine arts open that individual's eyes so that that the individual can have a truthful experience with the piece that is not hampered by their own prejudices about art.

Who is your favorite artist that we may not know about?

Topher Crowder

Do you think art education should be a part of elementary core curriculum?

Yes-- art education is often a crucial introduction to self-discovery, which leads to empathy, which leads to better citizens.

What are your favorite online sources for art / creative news and information?

TheDetroiter.com

Hyperallergic

The Huffington Post


Art Fag City


Have you ever worked on a collaborative art piece?

Yes -- I think collaborative pieces allow you to create pieces that are separate from your usual aesthetic choices, so that you can genuinely critique yourself


Do you show your work anywhere? Tell me about it.

Yes, The River's Edge Gallery, Art Effect Gallery, and The Boll Family YMCA


Do you think there are specific roadblocks for women artists?

I wouldn't know -- I know a lot of powerful women artists doing great work who show regularly in this area. I think that there are several prejudices against women, namely regarding roles, which probably make it more difficult to be a professional artist.

Do you work full time on your art?

I work on my art everyday ... for various reasons, it is not my day job


What is your best advice for working artists?

You are a small business, so you need to be organized


What do you want to be when you grow up?

A good husband/father/brother/son/artist/lawyer/writer/


What is on your desk right now?

My computer

Creativity blog tag!

Gretchen Miller at Creativity in Motion has tagged me in a game of creative blog tag - here goes:
Here are the rules I’ve received to play:

• You must post the rules
• Answer 11 questions the tagger posted for you
• Create 11 questions to ask the people you tag
• Tag 11 people
• Let them know you’ve tagged them

And here are my answers to the  “Creativity in Motion-esque” questions:

1. What is your most favorite art material or media to use in your personal art-making?
• Currently my favorite material is fiber - thread, yarn, string, fabric - combined with paint.
2. Favorite source for creative inspiration?
•  The Detroit Institute of Art and talking and working with my brother Colin Darke
3. Any tips for making the time to focus on your creative practice?
• Spending less time online would probably help... also, I sketch out projects I want to finish and put deadlines on my calendar - I don't get a whole lot of time each day to spend in my studio so I really need to know what I'm doing when I do get the time. Sometimes it's only a few minutes, so I might just spend that time sketching.
4. What artsy project are you working on right now?
• A large 50" x 60" fiber and painting piece, knitting socks, a business idea, writing about art, curating a fiber art show, beginning a collaborative art piece (still seeking participants!)...
5. Is there a particular art material, technique, or process you would like to learn more about or spend more time with?
• Encaustic is a medium that seems fascinating to me and I would love to try it. 
6. Biggest creative challenge you’ve experienced?
•  honestly, I think trying to work on large pieces in a small studio space and meeting a deadline for a show
7. What does creativity mean to you?
• Creativity is a part of everything we do - a lot of people seem to equate creativity with producing art (visual art or music or writing...) - but everyone uses creativity to solve everyday problems. A parent can be creative when cooking dinner; a teacher uses creativity when teaching new lessons and keeping students engaged; a businesses leader can be creative in boosting morale and productivity.
8. Favorite art related book you’ve read or would like to read?
• Wow, there are so many books out there... 
•  Art and Fear, Philosophy of Art textbook from undergrad art class, Writing Down the Bones, The Happiness Project - I'm currently reading Flow, Art Practice as Research, and On Writing Well.
9. Do you prefer to create alone or with others?
• Alone!
10. What role has social media and networking played in your creative practice?
•  It has been very inspiring to connect with other artists going through a lot of the same struggles and joys of creating art and making meaning.
11. Finish this sentence:  ”To create is to _____________________.’

• To create is to think visually. 

I am tagging these artists:
Colin Darke - The Detroiter
Abigail Doan
Joetta Maue
Emily Barletta
Lisa Call - Make Big Art
Pieter Wisse - 500 Photographers
Wendy Bernard - Knit and Tonic
Jolie B Studios
David Sandum
David Gerhard
Connie Hozvicka - Dirty Footprints Studio

Here are my questions for you:

1. Do you think visual art needs to be explained?
2. Who is your favorite artist that we may not know about?
3. Do you think art education should be a part of elementary core curriculum? 
4. What are your favorite online sources for art / creative news and information?
5. Have you ever worked on a collaborative art piece?
6. Do you show your work anywhere? Tell me about it.
7. Do you think there are specific roadblocks for women artists?
8. Do you work full time on your art?
9. What is your best advice for working artists?
10. What do you want to be when you grow up?
11. What is on your desk right now?

I’ll use the same disclaimer: There is no obligation to play along, so please don’t feel pressured because I tagged you!   I just love your blogs so I wanted other to see them too!  :)

work in progress - some stitching to start

Eventually, this piece will be 60" wide and 50" high - painting, fiber, whatever makes it work...