A Good Teacher is Always a Student
Sometimes I teach, but always I am learning.
One of my first school sculptures pinned to complete my first bulletin board of the school year - a lit match with a favorite quote.
I have never had an issue calling myself an artist. I have always claimed that title and never looked back. I just do not remember feeling any insecurities in calling myself an artist. But calling myself a teacher….that is a different story. I am beginning my 6th year teaching high school visual art classes to 9th through 12th graders and still feel like such a newbie in the classroom. I never feel like I am ever done learning. There is always something I feel like I need to improve, study more, grasp better or just a new way of teaching that I need to help my students and reaching their own creativity. Maybe that is why I struggled so long with the title “teacher”. I am not sure this makes sense, because as an artist, I am still learning and trying to improve and grasp more techniques. I really can’t say why I struggled with the teacher title more than the artist title, but for the past year or so, I have settled more in the “teaching artist” title and I really like it. Maybe it helps me feel more confident in my teaching? Titles can be heavy and I just want to loosely carry them anyway.
It’s been a full and busy creative month…let’s take a look:
Handmade Cards for the Month
Each month I create cards to mail to friends and family members for various occasions. I like to share them here to keep a record of my ideas.
Teacher Becomes the Student
I am so excited to share that I recently took an online class from Pocosin School of Fine Craft. Truth be told, this was my first experience taking a virtual class. I have taught them, but never quite been the student. The class really caught my attention because it was all about making metal baskets and you may recall my recent dive into basketry lately. So, I put some thought into it and decided that I really wanted to try it. And wow, am I ever so glad I did! It was like a treat just for me, a little gift to my creative self.
The teacher of the class is the very talented jewelry designer and metalsmith Erika Blair. What a fantastic class! Erika had ready made examples, detailed handouts and even book recommendations. The online class included live classes and then recordings so you can go back over the demonstrations as you work to create your metal basket. Erika was so patience with all our questions and had everything timed out perfectly. It was a wonderful experience with her class and also with Pocosin School of Fine Craft. I highly recommend checking out Erika’s website to see her beautiful creations; jewelry and baskets and also I highly recommend checking out Pocosin School of Fine Craft website to see what workshops you may be interested in.
Click for their websites:
Here are the photos from my first metal basket making experience:
Recycled Cart Creation
A project idea a long time coming! Using a reciprocating saw, dowel rods, screws, washers and old soda crates I was able to create a small 3 layer cart for my classroom. What a fun little project! Though it can get top heavy and tip, I have already gotten recommendations on how to adjust that. I look forward to strolling this down the hallway at school proud of the little cart that could! I plan to use this to move student clay work to the kiln room mostly.
Charm Swap
Recently, I was asked about joining a local-ish charm swap and I jumped right in. I was not really sure what I was going to do for the swap when I agreed, I felt something would come to mind when the time came.
The swap rules were simple and open ended. You must make 15 charms, any material is acceptable. How could I say no to that! LOL!!
I went through my whole process; starting with loads of ideas to none of them panning out or working. Then the next stage of giving up to then trying to get back to square one of my ideation to finally making these heart twirlies. That is what I am calling them. Heart Twirlies! They are so much fun to make out of one piece of wire and they twirl nicely in your fingertips for a reminder to be in the moment. I sent them off to the “magic charm exchanger” and she will send me back my charms made by 15 different artists! Can’t wait to see what everyone created.
What a fast and creatively explosive month! Being a teacher and a student can make for a rich creative life. I read recently that teaching something, even if you are not an expert, can help you significantly better understand it yourself. Makes sense to me! This has helped me embrace the teacher title even more.
Stay creative out there and always learning something~
Hannah