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WHAT DO YOU WANT WHEN TAKING A WORKSHOP?
Posted on | March 15, 2010 | 6 Comments
I teach workshops in Taos, New Mexico each summer and I LOVE IT!!! I love my students, I love teaching but most of all I love watching artists grow. When doing a five day workshop students live, eat, breathe and talk art for five fabulous days. They arrive from different environments, different countries, different thought processes yet they all come to learn, be uncomfortable, be inspired, while discovering their unique creative voice. To some it is a getaway to “just create”, to others it is a way to learn more so they can paint professionally. To each it is their dream.
Workshops require a commitment. Travel, money, time, and effort…..all part of the growth process. With this commitment comes the knowledge you are doing something for yourself. You are fulfilling a desire that has perhaps been dormant for years. In doing this you are honoring who you are. You are no longer going to wish…you are going to DO. This workshop may be in writing, quilting, meditation, painting, drawing or yoga. The key is what is screaming inside of YOU.
Here is my philosophy as a teacher:
My most important job is to provide a safe environment for the students to learn while failing….yes failing. As we all know, we must fail our way to success. The key is being able to create in a space where judgment and expectations are put aside. Workshops are for growing, being uncomfortable, trying new ideas, techniques and ways of applying the paint…… not repeating what we have always found successful. We seldom learn from our successes…..we learn from our glorious failures. They are to be cherished as they get us to the other side.
I always say at the beginning of each workshop….If I see fabulous paintings I will be disappointed. My reason for saying this is two fold. One: the students immediately relax..the pressure is off…they can now play. Two: to give my students permission to “get out of their box”. We can’t do this if we feel we must produce wonderful pieces of art. If great pieces come from “getting out of the box ” that is wonderful. Creating incredible pieces of art is not the goal….growing beyond where you were when you arrived is the goal.
Here is what I try, as a teacher, to offer during a workshop:
- Discover a new confidence in yourself
- Provide inspiration
- Present usable knowledge
- Artistic fear is normal and good
- A safe environment
- Create curiosity
- Freedom to explore new ideas, techniques and thought patterns
- Instill belief that your artistic journey is of utmost importance
- Give permission to go within and find that quiet place where courage lives.
My question to you is…….What do you look for when selecting a workshop?
What do you want it to give you?
Comments
6 Responses to “WHAT DO YOU WANT WHEN TAKING A WORKSHOP?”
Leave a Reply
March 15th, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
Hi Gwen
I found your blog through a shared linked-in group.
I love your question- I am both a workshop-taker and workshop teacher! As a student, my expectations are pretty simple- to make something cool that I could not have figured out how to make myself!
My best workshop teachers gave me a balanced combination of background information, demonstrations and hands-on experience.
As a teacher, I know there are many learning styles; so I try to give practical info (detailed notes, tech info, step-by-step instructions) but I also try to include open-ended experiments for the risk-takers in the class.
As a student, I really like a structured list of projects (ESPECIALLY as a beginner) but with more options as the classes go on and I find my own way…. I hope this helps!
[Reply]
gwen Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Gayle….interesting you replied to my question when you did as I was on your blog this morning as well. Nothing like being on the same wave-length. Your comments helped a lot…..other viewpoints always broaden our world. It is easy to tell you are a teacher . Thanks so much.
[Reply]
March 16th, 2010 @ 11:09 am
Gwen, the things that I look for in a workshop are varied. I really need guidance vs encouragement. I truly love the latter, but am so all over the map in my genres that I need to narrow my focus and help me find my voice. That I know involves a fearlessness, a letting go of that evil inner critic. I value the instructor doing demos since I’m highly visual as opposed to auditory. I get lost in a lot of ethereal talk of art, and thrive on the experiences and risks other students in my class are taking. Can’t wait for this fall. Signing up tomorrow!
[Reply]
gwen Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Pat….thanks for the comments. What you just said is so true for the majority of artists. I too get lost on ethereal talk of art. Can’t wait to see you in September. We are going to have sooooooo much fun!!!!!
[Reply]
March 16th, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
Gwen, I was thinking more about your question and it hit me that I can really attempt – and with fair success – to copy most anything. I hunger to be unique. That’s what I think I meant by “finding my voice.” Drumming up several co-hearts in crime for the fall. So excited!
[Reply]
March 28th, 2010 @ 10:47 am
I have always said to my students “There is no such thing as failed paintings or drawings, etc. There are only learning experiences. We all learn from whatever works we make.”
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