I taught Middle School and entered 7th and 8th graders
into Scholastics. Most of the feelings shown were about
joyful and fun things. It's at the high school level that I
see the stronger emotions in students work. It is easier
for a beginning artist to show negative emotions in faces
than calmer emotions like joy. If that is what you are
striving for, I'd suggest students look to Mary Cassette.
Her Mother and Child might be a strong subject to explore,
Or, perhaps Father and Child. My own resent paintings of
my grandchildren worked so well due to my emotional
connection to the subject. But I've had many, too many
years to get in touch with my feelings. A 16 year old's
ideas of subjects are, girl or boy friends, cars, music, etc.
Good Luck, Woody Retired in KC
Betty Bowen wrote:
>
> Excellent advice Woody, thanks.
>
> >>Portraits do well especially if they show emotion or feeling, but that is
> what an artist strives for"
>
> Exactly, and as you show in your own work, that emotion and feeling is just
> as valid if it is about joy. I don't teach high school, so I am wondering if
> art about happy things get as much positive feedback on the classroom or
> competitive level as the angst-ridden. Do I make sense? Do we tend to teach
> high school artists to get in touch with their negative emotions more than
> we teach them to recognize their positive emotions?
>
> ---
