Hey there! My philosophy of art education is here.
(in case you were wondering)
Art is the self-satisfying action of visually expressing impressions, knowledge and emotions about your inner self or your outer environment. As a creator, one must think and decide for oneself. This is why we include art in a child's education, to stimulate thinking. Self-expression cannot be taught in the conventional sense of teaching. Self-expression can only be encouraged. It can be drawn-out... developed... stimulated.
Art education, therefore, seeks to help clarify thought to such a degree that it can be expressed in a visually satisfying way.
The art classroom must be an environment that maximizes each student's ability to create and communicate. This environment must stimulate free and clear thinking. Additionally, art principles, processes, and materials are used as tools in the hands of the artist to express oneself visually.
More About Me
I was educated at Miami University, Oxford Ohio in K-12 Art. I was taught Victor Lowenfeld's theory of Developmental Stages in Art. After lots of research and studies it is understood that all children, no matter where in the world they live, produce art in predictable stages. The scribbling stage, the pre-schematic stage, the age of dawning realism, to name a few. Art materials thus can be chosen based on the appropriateness to the developmental stage of the child. For example, black crayons in the scribbling stage, paperless crayons in the pre-schematic stage, colored pencils in the age of dawning realism.
My degree also included an emphasis in drawing. Ironically, I never took a college level painting class. They didn't paint the way I wanted to paint at the time. I wanted to continue to paint in watercolor. When I moved to North Carolina the kind of painting I wanted to do was much more accepted.
My faith is a valid part of my personal art expression. As such, it is my ambition to glorify our creative God, in my own small way, in the works I create. I never cease to be amazed at the colors I see in this amazing world we live in!
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