One of my favourite ways to work is taking my work and art practice into schools to demonstrate to students the “workings” of an artist.

Recently, I conducted a workshop for Year 11 students. Having just returned from exams they were eager to participate in the practical  workshop and to get in and get their hands dirty…so to speak.

The conceptual focus of opposites gave the students a context in which they could explore various materials and techniques. In the initial demonstration I wanted to emphasize the importance of energy and freshness…to try and work quickly and intuitively.

The above artworks were completed during the workshop and I explained that sometimes it is necessary to keep working and persisting with a work, even is areas don’t seem to be successful. Students learnt to keep working and not jump to the “it’s no good, I’m going to bin it” phase. Rather the worked with what they had and worked over or used collage to try to achieve a better outcome, which is a better way to work.

A very messy but satisfying introduction into the world of the abstract and the conceptual. Mixed media and the self.
 
 
This post is in: Artful Teacher Blog, painting
 
 
« Back to blog home