Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Some might say that art does not have a place in the ordinary, daily grind of life. They also might say that art is an idle waste of time and doodles don’t count. I say it all counts. It is expansive thinking, a bit of unwinding and preliminary problem solving.
Here is an article that explains it best: http://news.yahoo.com/save-science-inspire-generation-scientists-130000528.html
Confessions of an overachiever: When I sit in my studio this is the dialogue in my head “Am I wasting time? What am I doing, really doing? Weeds are in the garden.” Why does this happen? Well it started young when my dad used to ask me constantly “what are you doing.” Somewhere in life I was taught that art is not valuable and integral, it is a hobby. On the flip side of that philosophy, as soon as someone needed something drawn then art was important again. Go figure. What is a hobby but a distraction from earnest achievement? Hobby, Business, Art. Who knows and who cares? It’s a process. Perhaps. Or not. I spend a good bit of energy re engineering my thinking. I truly wish I was more comfortable with failure because it is a huge part of life and process. Again, read the article.
How do we help those around us observe life as an artist? By example. I can only share how I make an impression on the kiddos I work with every day, and that’s from 30 to 60 for about 5 minutes a piece. They see me for bumps, bruises and other issues and complaints. Some get an ice pack wrapped in a paper-towel. Today I am drawing, with a sharpie marker, whatever they want on the paper-towel that covers the ice: dogs, cats, happy faces. If they have to wait, there is paper with pencils and markers for any creative process they want to embrace. It is time well spent.
I have an ETA Cuisenaire Beginner’s microscope on my desk. It is a magnet for curious minds. What does it teach? It teaches one to look closely at detail and observe what you are seeing…really observe…in detail. Hear me? That is art. It starts with understanding your subject, not just seeing it but really observing it, in all its detail. Keen observation is a skill. I have had children ask me if I have wolf hair to look at and I have to say no…but I have a fly’s wing on a slide.