Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012

S is for SKILLS

The Rogue Speaks:

NO MARGARITAS UNTIL AFTER CLASS!!!
 
 
Shortly after I moved to the Southwest in 1998, I began teaching painting classes. I had a great group of students who soon became my friends as well. We had so much fun! They were eager to learn, and after several months in a teaching center, they decided they could learn more and have more fun in the comfort of my home. They told me it would be better for everyone because I wouldn't have to pack up my supplies and drive to the center. Plus, they said, we could have Margaritas in the afternoon after class was over. Well, that certainly piqued my interest!






It was great fun for a lot of years. Then sad things began to happen. One student's wife developed dementia and they moved back east so he would have family to help him out. Another student had been fighting cancer for years and was finally overcome by it. Still another student, whose husband had been seriously ill for many years decided that she could no longer make the trip with him to the southwest for the winter. This sort of thing makes you very sad and takes away your creativity, so for a while I stopped teaching.

I felt very creative for all those years that I was teaching, and I have come to realize that teaching other people the skills you have learned makes you a better artist. It makes you think beyond what you learned years ago and makes you want to experiment and improve. This is what my students have given me--more knowledge, and more creativity, and a desire to be a better painter.

If you want to do something better, teach what you do know to someone else. It will make you think about what you don't know, and make you want to learn. Share you knowledge with others and you will get a delightful return on your investment. Plus, if you are really lucky, you can drink Margaritas in the afternoon with people you really like.

27 comments:

Tammy said...

Wonderful pictures and great advice as usual, Judie!

JJ said...

Judie: You are still quite creative. Now write that book!

Theresa Plas said...

I'd love to have a class with you...definitely gotta have the margaritas!

Jo said...

What a fabulous post! What a wonderful way to share your creative soul with others and allow yourself to grow as a person and artist all at the same time!

nothingprofound said...

Judie, you're so right. The teacher who's not a student in their own classroom is wasting their students' time as well as their own. Sorry for the wrong hiatus. I was a very inactive blogger this summer, the weather here was just too beautiful. Hope you're loving your new home and surroundings.

nothingprofound said...

Judie, sorry, that should be "long" hiatus.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

A beautiful post, and a wise advice, Judie..

The sad part of life is truly, sometimes, too sad to understand.

VBR said...

that must have been a fun class - both to teach and to take!

EG CameraGirl said...

Excellent advice, Judie. I don't have the confidence to teach anything but I do believe in being a life-long learner.

carol l mckenna said...

Such a true post ~ I always found I learned as much as I taught when I taught psychology ~ You love Ga now, though, you near a beach and get inspiration from there and your doggies are happy ~ (A Creative Harbor)

thanks for coming by and sharing ^_^

My name is Riet said...

Yes it must e sad to let it all go because other things happened in their lives. But you had fun I can see that on the photo's. have a nice week

Gattina said...

That's very true. Sometimes in my painting group, when somebody needs help I try to help her out and it also makes me discover new things.

Jim said...

Good post, Judie. I wouldn't have picked Skills for my "S" word when I wanted to write about my art teaching. But you did a good job of it!!! Thank you.

I took one adult art class but it did'nt work out very good. My ex also took it but hers didn't either. I am at the 'stick man' stage with my art.
..

Unknown said...

Hi Judie,
Been too long since I dropped by, but I'm mighty glad I did. My Friday tennis group has seen some both short and longer term illnesses so I know the feeling. Great post as always.
Cheers, Neil

Naperville Now said...

I would love to take a class from you! And such wonderful advice on teaching. So true. (and margaritas are the frosting on that cake!)

Magyar said...

Art... for the art of art; the profit... is in its doing.

__I'm glad you've settled... chasing the seagulls, spanish moss in the back yard... and the cat wants crab!
_m

storybeader said...

what a lovely way to spend an afternoon - with friends, sharing and teaching each other art. Sorry to hear about some of your student's misfortune. Hope things are working well for you. {:-Deb

ImagesByCW | OceanDreamIllustration said...

A great post! That must have been a great time teaching your students at home. Maybe I should see if I can teach somebody something :)

Saying 'hello' via Alphabe- Thursday - mine for letter 'S' @ ImagesByCW is about Sandy Hook & Seaside Park

Splendid Little Stars said...

such an insightful tip!
I can only imagine the sadness at loosing students/friends.
Thanks for your comments on my Canada posts! I am so eager to learn what your favorite spots are. We feel like we only scratched the surface. There are definitely some places to which we'd go back.--like Emerald Lake which was magical.

Ames said...

Wish I lived closer.

Annesphamily said...

JUdie your post is full of such wisdom! I always enjoy my reads at your blog! Thank you s=for sharing! Your story was lovely.

Lmkazmierczak said...

The satisfaction of teaching! You've summed it up very well...♫♪

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Wonderful post! How fun it would have been to take painting classes by you! And what wonderful memories made and friendships too...

Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are settled in! How neat that you are just "down the road"!! Are all your children in this part of the country too?

Self Sagacity said...

You are right. It is true. If you teach what you know, you will find out a lot that you might not know. It is also very rewarding to teach.

BECKY said...

It IS sad how some circumstances change our way of life, but you will always have your amazing talents! I definitely believe in writing and sharing what you know! (I gotta get down to Georgia more often!) :D

anitamombanita said...

I really do think that teaching what you know makes you better...it takes your art from reflexive to thoughtful. Great post, Judie!

Jenny said...

You are amazing Judie!

I love your joy in the arts.

And how willing you are to share your talents and skills with others!

You are a splendid person, my dear!

Hugs and A+