funny..I just finished typing some answers for an article to promote the show next month. what's funny is.. one of the questions was "Who are your influences?" (a standard question, which I ironically have a hard time answering because I'd say everyone and everything which is what I do say - but I do name a few). Now, I'm not sure anyone on my list ever thought of being my influence in the least, but don't you think if they did have the opportunity of actually knowing they can be an influence, that they'd want to be a positive one?
Can you bring a roll of tissue paper next class (no, not for crying) and suggest putting it over your drawing and using it to help with any corrections or any other kind of information. That way he can be reassured that he won't be 'influencing' you, and you both can feel comfortable knowing you're getting the kind of help you were asking for. Did you ask him.. do they actually teach art in the college of letters and science?
I digress.. next class, I suggest going in there positive with ideas on how to get the information you want - straight up. Let him know about what you're expecting to get from the class, and how you were hoping to work on your own style outside of your fundamental figure drawing class. Maybe there was a misunderstanding in how the dialog happened. ..?.. this is just the first week. who knows. but you have a semester left of it. Try new things. How can this benefit you? Make a list.
just fyi.. I looked online for drawing groups in your area. It's easier to find something like that if you start talking to other artists near you, and see if anyone knows of anything else to go to in SB. Maybe the city college offers something like an open workshop. I know the LA area has a lot, but I don't know what kind of distance you can go. Otherwise, just random.. I found this was going on in your neighborhood this weekend coming up.
more soon.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
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WOW Faith - I can't believe that "refusal to teach" philosophy is still going on! How old is this teacher? is he in his 50's or close to it? Have you seen his work and is it any "good?" - you know what I mean. This is exactly the same kind of crap that was going on in the late 60's - early 70's when I was in college. I paid a lot of money for absolutely NO education, because I stupidly thought the professors knew everything, or at least knew what they were doing. So having been there-done that, and also having the benefit of getting some years under my belt - let me toss my 2 cents in. I taught my kids that they can say anything to any body as long as they say it repectfully, they could tell me they hated me as long as it was repectfully said. Big key - respectful. So... I would determine if this guy had any actual skills and knowledge that I could benefit from. It is very possible that he does not. If not can you transfer to another class? If not use your time practicing everything Vanessa has taught you and look for other ways to learn drawing. Most of the learning is in the doing anyway, so just do it. If there are community colleges or senior centers there will be community classes - free or cheap and often have some really decent instructors - yeah, you will probably be hanging out with old people - but we're not so bad ;) and they will LOVE you! so check that out.
The next thing I would do is hold this prof's feet to the fire - repectfully. Remember that you are the customer. Explain nicely that you or your parents are paying quite a bit of money and you are investing a large chunk of your time and energy to BE influenced by him - that is what you are paying for, that is why you are at this school - because of teachers like him and this wonderful art program they have there.( a little flattery can't hurt as long as it is sincere) You admire his skill, concepts, whatever and would like to actually learn everything he can teach you while you are his student. Have a conversation with him - if he has an office and office hours - I would make an appointment and go there - not in the class where he will feel the "eyes" of the rest of the class, or even ask to speak with him after class if you have to. Also there should be a head of the department -or a dean - what ever they call it - a guidance counselor - make an appointment with them. Tell them the situation and ask their advice as to how you can deal with this guy and get some instruction. They will have known him for a while and will know his personality and quirks and should be able to advise you. Be the MOST communicative student on that campus - I cannot emphasize that enough - communicate comminicate communicate until you get what you want or need. This tactic worked extremly well for both of my girls in college (I wish I would have known this when I was in school)- but there are the exceptions. There really are a**h***s that you absolutely cannot deal with, or work with or anything else. In that case try to get out of the class or just do your best and know that you have done everything you could do...and don't waste time or energy on a totally lost cause. While you are there at school - evaluate if it really is the right school for you - can it give you what you are paying for - looking for - needing - wanting? If not- start looking to transfer. If so then determine to fight to get it. Most of the teachers - especially the primarily undergrad teachers - the ones that teach the 100 and 200 classes are use to dealing with immature kids that are away from home for the first time and either scared out of their minds or going wild and crazy. Then in the art department they also have to deal with the kids just filling thier humanities requirements or taking the "easiest" classes they can for their "easy A's" without much homework, giving them more party time. You aren't one of "them." You HAVE to set yourself apart from that crowd, and the way to do it is to COMMUNICATE - really. Once you get a reputation - and you will - among the department instructors as the kid who is really serious and really dedicated - things should start to go much smoother and the instructors will actually want to help you - even the ones who you don't have classes with. These guys usually talk about their classes and their students with each other quite a bit - and it is the really really awful and the really really hard working dedicated ones that get remembered... and helped. There were a couple of times when the girls had a borderline grade in a class and the teachers gave them the benefit of the doubt and went with the higher grade simply because they knew who they were and knew that they were serious and dedicated. They both always made it a point to sit in the front 1 or 2 rows - and the bigger the class the more times they visited the instructor. Rica always made it a point to go and introduce herself to the teacher the first week and ask for any tips or hints that might be helpful - not that she needed them - but it was an excuse to "know get known" in a good way. OK - there is my "rant" for the day - Vanessa's suggestion to take tracing paper is excellent. Appeal to this guy's ego - which shouldn't be too hard as most of them have HUGE ones - and you will do great. I am looking forward to seeing posts of your work soon too - OK - I know this is really long but too bad...and I know it sounds like I am telling you to be a suck-up, and other students may well think you are being one - but you have to put your "blinders" on and go after what it is YOU want while YOU maintian control over YOUR life and the hell with the rest of 'em. You won't be a suck-up as long as you remain sincere and be yourself - you are just another customer trying to get the service and stuff you are paying for.
Darn - That long winded comment is from me - Nathalie - I forgot to change the identity thingy.
Heya Faith!
Really take what V and Nathalie said to heart. Great advice there. I guess here's my two cents from going to a few art schools that were mainly only worth the degree on paper. I learned 10% from teachers and 90% from my friends. Heck, I still learn from Adrian now, and he's up in LA working. So we all went to class, learned next to nothing, then came home and cranked out some art. Being 4 guys per apartment with 4 computers all crammed into one living room we really learned a lot fast! Take advantage of that situation if you have it. Creative minds all crammed together, teaming up really pushed me to produce a lot of art. We were always critiquing each other, going on forums, learning new things, and teaching each other new things. That's all we really had, and it paid off more than learning from the teachers, because now I have a crew of awesome friends that are still there for me helping me grow as an artist.
Anyways... what I'm getting at is if all else fails and you really aren't getting a lot out of your teachers then know there are more students like you that want to learn just as badly as you. So you'll find each other and start whoopin some ass soon enough!
You are also in a beautiful area as well. Take that tablet PC outside and paint some pretty pictures to post up on here!
Oh, and take a boat out to the Channel Islands! Seeing hundreds of dolphins swimming around the boat on the way to the islands is an experience not to miss! Plus I think the whale migration season starts in October.
Miss you Faith, and Brennan does too.
Good luck!!!
Hey Faith! Sounds like you got all the advice ya need...all great advice as well. You have some nice friends. All I can really say is to keep your chin up and stay positive. You are a very smart girl and a talented artist. Here's a cool quote I say to myself..... " Don't hope, make things happen; you can only hope to win the lottery."
Hey faith,
It's Tony. I do not know what is your ideal situation at the school. And I do not know what your goals are for now. If these are not matching and you cannot get the resources to help you up there, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
I do not know if you are looking for a degree or just looking for skills. There are plenty of people who we know that do not have degress with plenty of skills.
This does not mean that you should not get one. Maybe somewhere else where there are more RELEVANT resources and your mileage radius has other schools and workshops in the vicinity.
Fullerton is a decent school and you are close to SD or LA if you wish to take other classes and get a degree at the same time.--as an example.
Basically, IMO, if you are goign for a degree in art then you will need to go take other classes from other instructors outside those degree school systems.
And lots of work.
Hope everything else is well.
start looking online and researching who you like and what you want and see if you can get it there, before the years go by.
I unfortunately wish I was more proactive in my youth =D
peace
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