Saturday, May 1, 2010

Inspired

It took me years to discover that I was an artist. In elementary school we had one traveling art teacher that did one project with one grade level at a time and we saw her once a year if we were lucky. That didn't exactly set the stage for taking art in high school. I didn't think I could draw and who would take on the art kid stereotype if they couldn't draw, right? (I could be a way cooler Goth girl now than back then, plus being in yearbook was so much cooler. LOL!) Once I went to college I couldn't resist owning a drawing board even after my advisor told me not to get an art endorsement because I'd never get a job as an art teacher. To say I was off to a slow start is an understatement.

Now, I am lucky to work in a place that supports the arts. I went to the district art show again yesterday with some of my co-workers. It was a cool group of people who all consider themselves artists and really wanted to LOOK at the kid's artwork. I was amazed because I have walked through the show several times but I was still seeing things I had never noticed before. It always amazes me how different things look when you see them through someone else's eyes.

I woke up this morning full of creative energy, you know the kind of energy when you NEED to make your own art. It is funny how contagious art can be. Granted I had adult conversation about children's artwork but these kids really inspired me!

It is easy to forget how inspiring it can be to see artwork both in and outside of your style. It was a nice reminder to get out, see art, be inspired, and to create.


*These photos are all from my journal I created with Kelly Kilmer last weekend. I will give you close-ups when I have journaled on them.

5 comments:

donna!ee said...

very cool pages...great balance between vivid visual art and opportunities to journal...
thanks for sharing ;)

Kelly Kilmer said...

Jeane, that simply is the best story ever told from the BEST ART TEACHER EVER!
:) I wish I had you as an art teacher as a kid. Those kids are so lucky to have you!!!!!!!!!!

Sandy said...

I'm so glad you're an art teacher. We need more great art teachers. I love your pages you created with Kelly. They are so great.

Sharyn said...

Happy that you followed your heart to become an art teacher and blossom into the artist that you are.

Trine said...

wow, your pages are really cool! i love that little monster!

xo trine