TEACHING IS LEARNING

HOW I LEARNED TO TEACH

When the opportunity for me to teach a workshop arose, I jumped at the chance. So quickly in fact, that I didn't really think about how I was going to do it. So, not unlike the bear that went over the mountain, I went to the internet - to see what I could see.

Lucky for me, there are many people out there who enjoy writing about what they do - what they're good at. One web page I found had pretty much all the answers I needed. Actually, this site has a ton of helpful information I use all the time. (Check out Rena Klingenberg's web site for great tips on running a successful jewelry making business.)

---

My teaching space – tool kits, materials, inspiration in samples and magazines.

---

DECIDE IF YOU’RE READY – ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1. Do I like to teach, instruct, or stand up in front of a bunch of strangers (or even friends) and talk?

Okay, this is really public speaking, which let's face it, is the number one phobia in the world. I'm not a big fan of it BUT it is super easy when I know what I'm talking about. It's that simple. If I'm the expert, then I can talk about it all day long.

Here's a clue for you to know if you can speak in front of strangers: When you sell your creations, do you speak to potential customers about your work and how you are inspired and what materials you use? If the answer is 'yes' then you can teach a class of strangers.

And by the way, your students are not strangers for long. People come to a class like this on their own free will because they want to have fun - nobody's going to give you a hard time.

2. Do I have the patience to teach?

This is easy. You know if you do or if you don’t. I have two kids – yes, I have patience for miles.

3. Do I have the expertise to teach my craft?

Well, one might find it difficult to call oneself an expert, but consider this: Do you sell your jewelry? Do you get complimented on your techniques? Do other artists enjoy your work? Similar to patience, you know if you are an expert in what you are currently doing or not. That doesn’t mean you’re not still learning – how else are you going to grow as an artist?

4. Can I facilitate effectively?

I’m a planner. If I have a plan laid out in front of me that I can follow, then I know I can get back on track if the class gets side-tracked. And again, if I know what I’m talking about, then I know I can get my points across.

DOUBLE DUTY

Here are some instructor pointers I picked up from my recent PMC class. I basically observed how my teacher was instructing and I was learning a new skill at the same time. Man, I should have paid her double!

Introduce yourself – explain how you got to where you are and what you enjoy about it.

Student intros – ask participants what level they’re at and why they decided to take your class.

Tool time – have a tool kit for each student and go over them all before you begin so they can handle them.

Inspiration – with so many design options, help students decide what to create by showing them examples and having magazines available for them to peruse.

Demo – show how step one is done and then let them do it, repeat with each step.

Room to move – give students a reason to get up and move around – artists need freedom!

MY ADVICE

After teaching a couple of classes, I picked up some of my own pointers. Teachers often say they learn from their students, and it’s true.

---

My two students, Mary Jane and Becky, proudly sporting their new creations!

---

Test all new materials – even if they look exactly like what you’ve used in the past.

Know what time it is – get a watch or a clock for your teaching space.

Be flexible – even though a plan is important, realize things may change in mid-stream.

Ask questions – find out your students’ expectations.

So that’s it. Through this article, I hope I’ve been able to assist another artist who wishes to teach a workshop!

LEARNING IS GOOD

Who doesn't love to take an art class?

A friend and I went to New Hampshire to stay with my sister, Deborah. "The friend" is actually one of my sister's high school buddies.

We took a PMC (precious metal clay) class at Exeter Fine Crafts, a beautiful gallery and teaching facility. The town of Exeter is very artsy and there were lots of fun shops and boutiques to visit.

We made pendants using PMC clay, texture plates, stamps, molds and hand tools. We even used an ancient Korean method called Keum Boo (kum-boo), which translated means "attached gold". Everyone made quite stunning pieces.

Here's my piece. I used all hand tools to create the design, cut it out with a cookie cutter type of tool, and used a mold to capture the bird.


My bail is a little crooked and my patina is not quite right, but I love this thing and can't wait to create more!

INSPIRATION ABOUNDS

Where do you find inspiration? This is an interesting query to me. I always ask this of other artists. Common responses seem to be: materials, nature, emotions and people.

Material Girl

Sometimes my materials are an inspiration. Like when I helped my son with a grade-school project. He had to make an unusual hat. We went “shopping” down in my craft room. We found tiny colorful rubber bands, and small wooden beads. Can’t remember how, but we made a musical hat. A string hung about ear level on each side of his head. When he pulled the string from side to side, the hat strummed like a guitar (if it were made out of rubber bands).

Nature's Bounty

Nature is so vast and is what lends itself to a ton of art I see: trees, oceans, leaves, birds, rocks, fruit, and so on. You see it in paintings, drawings, pottery, jewelry, everywhere.

And who could forget nature’s presence in poetry.

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

~ Joyce Kilmer

Emotion Commotion

When I was heavily into writing poetry, emotions were what guided my pen. When my emotions were in turmoil or at the very highest of highs, I wrote a ton. But when I was in a content place emotionally, I’d be at a loss when I'd sit down to write

Personally Speaking

In my current work at the newspaper, people are what inspire me. I enjoy having a meaningful conversation with my subject and uncovering what makes them unique and just like everyone else. Everyone has a story to tell. How someone became a small business owner is always related back to the person’s life story. I think articles are much more interesting to read (and to write) when you can learn about the person behind the scene.

My Inspirational Spot

(click photo to enlarge)

In jewelry design, I gain inspiration from all things: a beautiful painting, my kid’s art, a piece of glass, my sisters, a stone or my excitement for creating things I love. My studio space is full of visual inspiration – post cards that I pick up at art galleries, my jewelry sketches on scraps of paper, an animated butterfly an old boss gave me, a Waterford crystal seashell a friend gave me commemorating our trip to St. Thomas, and of course all of my sterling and gemstone components that I shopped oh so meticulously for.

So, where do you find inspiration? Add a comment to this article and let me know. Your inspiration doesn't have to be about art. Maybe you draw on inspiration for other things in your life. Sometimes I seek inspiration just to make dinner.

GO OUT FOR A WALK - AN ART WALK

I've been invited to join Art Walk Easthampton. It's something I've been considering for a while but couldn't fit in. Last year I did more than 15 venues, including Marketplace@Eastworks, one of the stops on this walk and where I'll be showing.

This year I'm cutting back to just the finest art shows. So that's why I am officially signed up to show at this incredible event. It's the second Saturday of each month and is from 5-8 p.m. - perfect substitute for the (somewhat lathargic) movie scene.

More than a dozen venues host visual, musical and performance art in an energetic sampling of local, regional and national talent. You can explore Easthampton's best galleries, shops, restaurants, pubs, and music and theater venues.

Located on Pleasant Street in Easthampton, this amazing old refurbished factory building has an open floor plan and is home to artisan studios, retailers and residents. The first floor (street level) is where you'll find cute little shops and boutiques and where resident artisans show their wares.

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR................... ARTIST DEBORAH SPRAGUE.........

ARTIST BACKGROUND

Deborah grew up watching over her two younger sisters. Her family moved quite a bit when she was young – from coast to coast and back again – until they settled into a small New England town. She spent her high school years in that small town and made many special friends.

Deborah has two handsome boys – one currently in Army Special Ops Training and one studying to be a fire fighter. She has spent the past several (almost ten) years with a wonderful man, with whom she recently exchanged wedding vows.

Anyone who knows her would say Deborah has a passionate and caring spirit. Always a good friend, she’s willing to lend an ear or a hand whenever needed. Her character has lended itself to her art. Deborah’s paintings reveal her emotions and point of view in a very pure way. Her art is not guided by technical strokes or channeling other artists. It’s guided by what’s inside.

I hope you enjoy the words and art of my beautiful sister, Deborah Sprague.

IN HER OWN WORDS

droux: When did you realize you were an artist?

dlsprague: My first love comes from appreciating nature and the beauty in it, and the feeling that it brings to me. I never thought of myself as being creative or talented, but envied those who are. When my children were older I had some time on my hands to spend in museums and galleries with the new love of my life. I found that the feeling I would get when looking at a beautiful piece of art was the same as when I was in nature. It was a real connection for me. I figured what the heck, I'll purchase some supplies and try it out. I just wanted the feeling of creating. I wasn’t expecting perfection or anything. It was really about the process - a journey. From there, my husband encouraged me to continue and gave me art lessons at the Boston MFA as a birthday gift. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by great works and then to be surrounded by other students who were also learning. I continued to take classes in oil and pastel. Some day, I hope to think of myself as an artist - but I love the journey.

droux: Where do you find inspiration?

dlsprague: I find my inspiration in nature; I love the colors of the natural world - the greens, golds, blues and the reds. I love to look at other artists' work; I love texture and thick brush strokes and vivid colors

droux: What was the first piece of art you ever created?

dlsprague: When I was about eight, I made a puppet out of paper and crayons for my little sister for Christmas. I loved giving it to her.

droux: What is your favorite medium?

dlsprague: That’s a hard question. I recently learned to paint with pastel so that is what I'm doing right now the most. I love the intense colors you get with pastel and the fact that I can leave it out and work on a piece when I can get to it. I love oils too; how you can put it on thick and be creative with mixing your colors. AND I really enjoy doing mixed media pieces with acrylic. This technique opens the door to doing pieces that are so different.

droux: How do you feel about parting with your art?

dlsprague: First I get nervous. I hope the person I give a piece to really likes it or at least appreciates it. When I'm doing a piece, if I know I'm giving it to someone in particular, I really think a lot about that person when I'm working on it. Since I don't live right next door to my family, it is a nice way to stay in touch - even if it is only in my mind. I love to give my art to my husband. He really loves my work and that I express myself in this way.

Deborah lives in New Hampshire with her husband Wayne, her two boys (when they're not at school, working or in training), and their black lab, Summer.

Coming Soon: Look for her art on display at my Etsy shop!

Invitation: Please leave a comment and tell me what you think about Deborah's art seen above (first two are pastels; last one is oil) - you can click on the photos to enlarge.

Mud Spun Arts Center Opens in Belchertown

What is this? Deanna Roux, instructor?

Yes, that's what I said, sista (or brotha - whatever the case may be).

Okay, slow down droux. You're getting a little ahead of yourself. Do you want the long version or the short version? ... Just what I figured. Fine, short version it is.

A woman, by the name of Becky Laliberte (a mom and a potter), decided to open an arts center in our sweet little town called Mud Spun Arts Center. She carved out a spot in a building she owns - really a strip mall. (P.S. It's the same strip mall where my kids take music lessons and I had put my business card up on the music shop's bulletin board.)

Becky lined up several artists to instruct 6-week workshops for adults. She was looking to fill a jewelry making slot when she came across my business card at the music shop.

See, I can do short version.

The arts center is currently conducting open registration for the following:

~Elements of Drawing
~Clay Tile Making
~Beaded Jewelry Design
~Woodcarving

Mud Spun also offers:

~"Clay with Us" Get Together
~Individual Potter's Wheel Instruction
~Art Camp for Kids
~Oil Painting Workshop

Check out the Mud Spun registration form for all the details, including dates, times, and very reasonable prices.

Oh, and did I tell you? I'm instructing a workshop!

It's been a while...

I really need to catch you up on things around here. I think I'll give you a short list now and then a few full-blown articles in the next week or two.

Bob and I at the DCU Center, Worcester, MA 12/09/07

HOLIDAY ARTS HAPPENING

I'll start with the HUGE art show by stART on the Street at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA on December 9. Their shows are so well-organized and this one was set right before the holidays in a very popular venue with the Boston Pops on hand. Wow! So what was so huge about it? My expectations. Great people, low turnout. But ma hubby was there to keep me smiling!

HARMONY OUTREACH DONATION

My husband, Bob, and I - along with about 30 people from around the country - were able to donate a nice bit to Harmony Outreach this holiday season. Our bracelet project is still going strong - but with a change. A portion of the proceeds will go to sponsor a child at Harmony Family House. I'll be sending out a summary to all who participated and of course write about it here as well.

ON TAP FOR 2008

A few things I'll be focusing on this year:

~taxes (ugh!) - I need a system
~show schedule - only the best of 2007
~collaboration - with my sister Deborah
~gallery/boutique presence - I have some new contacts
~skill enhancement - precious metal clay, silversmithing
~new products - fun ideas coming
~writing - my local newspaper and my blog

I'm looking forward to getting back out to shows and meeting new people. That's what keeps me going.

I wish you and your family a healthy and safe new year!!