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Lesson Plans


Re: childhood art experiences

From: D. L. Sterner (dsterner)
Date: Mon Jun 12 2000 - 15:21:41 PDT

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    When I began my studies in art education, more than 20 years ago, I had only a vague notion for what teaching art was. Art always held my most valuable experiences. Teaching art would perpetuate those experiences and for that I would be proud.

    My experiences in art date back to a wistful moment of admonition for breaking my crayons. This came from one who knew little of the art making process. I recovered from that experience and learned to keep 2 crayon boxes: One was for the little girl who drew lovely pictures; the other was for the little girl who loved to experiment with line, texture, color and the effects of pressure on a crayon that would ultimately break. That experience marked my first step toward being an artist, followed much later by a 3rd grade classmate who called me an artist as I completed a picture of a motorcycle on his request. Both experiences serve as a touchstone, not just for where I have been, but for where I wanted to go and why. I was beginning to understand to concept of process.

    It is my belief that I am an art teacher today because of the training I received in my high school years. I was taught by an artist with an understanding of materials, the creative process and the value of the knowledge base art history offers. Getty hadn't published the DBAE papers at that time, but I think that's what I got. I had a rich knowledge base for my college years and for that I am grateful and probably a bit more successful as an art teacher today.

    I was offered an understanding of the elements and principles of design through projects that centered on those concepts. I understood color theory and knew the names of artists that concentrated on various techniques, themes and concepts. I had the opportunity to participate in a school wide mural project.

    I knew my materials. My 3B pencil was great some areas of my self-portrait, but my 8H was better for others. I have the value studies to prove it and the framed self-portrait too! My oil paintings could be reworked forever, but an acrylic painting had to be planned as mixing the exact shade might not ever happen again - just the nature of the materials. I knew how to clean my brushes or I would be given a mop for painting. I could stipple, hatch and cross hatch any value. I knew plaster set quickly!

    I loved to hate that man, Mr. Bill Little, as he tortured me in my formative years. Now, I would hug him and thank him. I had a wonderful High School art experience. I dispense his words of wisdom everyday and I hear my students mimic me in mockery. I am flattered as I know the meaning; they too are learning!

    Once in college, I knew what my concentration would be: I drew and painted, that's what I was good at! But, I remembered weaving hotpads for Mother's day and so I took a fibers course. My mom still has the ash tray I made so I took a ceramics course too.

    To date, I am just knowledgeable enough to be dangerous. I think big and the kids get the benefit of this mindset. Often I have a hunch it can be done - then I go about planning how to make it work.

    Thanks for the walk down memory lane! I owe a lot to my teachers. I hope I am serving their memory well!

    -=deb=- 

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