Will You Won't You Go to Art School

Art World's article by Ben Davis researches the relationship between 500 successful* fine artist's and their art education.  (click here, because I'm the link)

*Success - You may or may not agree with the author's criteria.

Alex Katz Interview

Check out the link below.  I think this is worthwhile reading

(I'm the Alex Katz Interview Link!)

Remembering the Future

Some 25-plus years ago, Frau Hoess (former German language teacher) and I took students on a field trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  We saw a show featuring Anselm Kiefer's work.  Kiefer was then 43, a young budding artist (by standards of landing a major museum show), but his moving post-WW II Germany and holocaust inspired images warranted such promotion.  His multi-media works including paintings and sculptures with ashes, broken glass, straw, and plant material were the beginning of a lifetime of experimental  development.  By my own standards, his work places him among the best artists, exceeding all bestness, where artistic bigness and bestness live ... right up there with Sigmar Polke, Jasper Johns, and Gerhard Richter.  Although he is not as ground breaking an artist as Cezanne, Picasso, or Warhol during their generation , Kiefer will be one of the artists who mark a generation.  How fortunate we were to see that show early in Kiefer's career.  For more on Kiefer see the 5 part youtube series entitled: Remembering the Future, online.  (click me. I'm the link)

Fiber Connections

                               Maggie Carlson, Self Portrait, Watercolor, 22x30"

I recently recieved a note from a sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design, who entered as a fashion major, but switched to fibers.  She sent some photos and a short note which follows:
 

"I am in a dye class that is very exciting my favorite class so far. We learned recipes and techniques for dying. I am also in a structure and materials course where I have been working with felting, spinning my own yarn, and crocheting."

It is clear she's excited about the experimentation and discovery stages of her work.  Finding a connection to a medium and a work process is a very motivational phenomenon.  Many Springfield students left high school as 2-D artists, yet they found interests elsewhere in 3-d mediums including glass, wood/furniture, costumes, puppets, and industrial design to name a few.  It is a wonderful thing.  I always say, "if you're not having fun [making art], you're not doing it right.

Jerry Saltz Lecture

                                    Kerra Westray, 2013, Graphite Drawing, 18x24" 

Jerry Saltz is the Senior Art Critic for The New Yorker magazine.  Before that he was art critic for the Village Voice.  In 2014 he was invited to be a guest lecturer for the Clarice Smith Distinguished Lecture Series at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  If you have an hour and 10 minutes to watch the lecture on Youtube you will be treated to his humorous pontifications regarding how one looks at and thinks about art. [Follow me, I'm the Link]   ...If you've only got a minute or two, follow the next link for Saltz's brief street crit on Banksy. [Banksy Link]  The quality and humor of the short isn't nearly as good. In fact, it makes him look like a rogue art guide for NYC department of tourism.  Have fun.

An Artist Returns

When I was hired at Springfield I was fortunate to have mentors who developed an outstanding philosophy of teamwork, respect, and initiating a comfortable yet professional classroom climate.  Many of you fondly remember the welcoming, comfortable, and sometimes playful atmosphere the art room presented.  These teachers also modeled excellence, in developing relevant, challenging curriculum,  and created a cohesive program that built upon knowledge and skills from previous courses.  Above all, these teachers were also active working artists, which continues to be a departmental goal.

One of these mentor/teachers, Arla Patch, who most know as "Arla"  and other youngerlings remember as Mrs. Sandstrom, moved back into the area from Maine.  She has a show you can see in Doylestown, Pa.  Hopefully you'll be able to welcome her back.  See show information below.

UPDATED INFO:

If you are reading this post after Dec. 20, 2015 you missed Arla's show, but you can still view her website:

www.arlapatch.com

James Gary Miller

                                    James Miller, 2012, Mixed Media Collage, 7"x11,"


James Miller, and he preferred to be called "James," graduated from Springfield in 2013.  Within the past year he fell from a window and was in a coma until he passed away on September 19th.  He was a promising artist, a bright student, and quite a philosophical person.  It was a pleasure to have him as a student.  I always looked forward to his homework presentations.  He wouldn't give hints or clues to what he was doing, and was full of surprises.  He won the award for graphic art at the PSEA Touch the Future student competition for the illustrated book seen below.  The book is on permanent display in the high school library entrance.  For more information on James' life go to:  http://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/2015/09/30/james-gary-ellis-miller/

                            James Miller, Life, Cartoon Illustration on 8x10" Moleskine.