teaching statement

In January of 2000 I was offered several teaching opportunities and I have discovered this is the only work I have ever had to do that is as rewarding as making art myself. My main goal while teaching is to grow and learn together with my students. My teaching involves an equal mixture of preparation, research and improvisation. I teach combining my intuition of group dynamics and available technology. I stress fundamental technical and conceptual skills, survival techniques and expect all students to break the rules of what I expect out of an assignment. The "anarchists" are always my best students and I like arguing with them to ensure creativity.

My experience teaching at community college, art school and at the undergraduate state university level has forced me to break all my rules about what I thought teaching should be. The wonderful thing about all this is that there is no "recipe". If the students ask for one (as they often do), they realize that they have to find it themselves. My mission is to show them how to use the tools, where to find them and how to appreciate and understand what is “good” and “bad”. Encouraging creativity and critical thinking is more important to me than any technical skill I can teach them. My expectations of student work change throughout the semester so I am always prepared to make changes to the syllabi, keeping the semester goals in mind yet ready for the unexpected.

I am a fan student “comraderie” but all critiques are formal, the work is expected to be ready and in "show quality" and people are expected to be able to talk about their work and the work of others. Of course, there is always that unexpected something, the “unfinished” and the “broken” and I await it, -patiently; it is my favorite opportunity to teach problem-solving skills and crisis management. I dedicate development time to each and every student separately at least once every two weeks as it helps me keep track of their growth and it doesn't allow for anyone to fall behind as long as they show up.

It has been very rewarding to devote time into teaching. I started almost by chance in my otherwise over-planned life and I have found great comfort in doing what I do. And most important to my restless spirit is that somehow there is always something to teach, and always something to learn.