Welcome to Joans Studio School Blog!

New at blogging, but excited to get the news out about the wonderful classes that are taking place at my West Village NYC studio.  Please bear with me as I build this site. 

Classes are held Monday through Wednesday. ( I use the studio for my own art the rest of the week!)

At the end of every class, hard working students unwind with a little self directed dance!

Enrollment for the fall is now open!  Class size is extremely 

Please join us for our end of year exhibit. June 16 1-3

Community Room, Westbeth, 55 Bethune St. Check out the great work done this year! Get more information about classes! 

Who am I? I am a working artist, and have taught all ages, from pre-K through college and beyond.  I have degrees in both Fine Art and Art Education.  However, my passion is to share with students what I have learned through making art; to empower them. I see the art studio as a laboratory for life.

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An Intro

Now we get to the blog part.  Please feel free to post any comments, or questions.

I want to say this:  while I may teach your child after school I am not an after school art teacher.  What I mean is, that all my years of doing art, loving art and artists, considering art education, teaching to all ages, have been distilled into the simplest format.  I structure the class so that it fits with my philosophy, and allows the child to  interact freely with his or her work.  To build confidence- a defense to those who would control the students artistic voice in the future. This is very serious work, for me, and has nothing to do with arts and crafts- except that we make things, and have fun.
The rules of the class are somewhat laughable, they are so simple and few.  If the child thinks of "respect", an abstract concept, and applies it to all in the class, including the work, the assignment, each other; and if the child tries the assignment, and listens to his or her intuition, he or she will be learning skills that are not only necessary to art making, but will serve him or her through the challenges they will face.  I see the art studio as a laboratory for life.  If it works there- chances are very high that it will work elsewhere. At least, that has been my experience.

After years of higher art education, in which the differences between abstract artists and children's art were pounded at us- I have come to reject current art educational theory.  I know that my students processes are identical to that of adult artists, because as an artist, I know how we make decisions- I recognize these decisions in the children's work.  I totally respect radical work, and unorthodox compositions if they are made by an adult artist-I see these forms as conveying meaning- why not when children make the same types of decisions? Is it because it seems so easy?  Or is it because the ease discredits what adults do?  What adults have to teach?
Abstract expressionists work(ed) hard at freeing themselves so they could react spontaneously in their art-like children- in a way that has(d) meaning for them- like children. They (we) have to almost get into a trance to regain that sense of freedom. Unfortunately, creativity seems to be unlearned- others who do not understand, make us afraid, unsure.   My goal, is to help fortify the childs convictions about his or her work, so that doesn't happen.
 What I have noticed, and what we do not hear as much about as their creativity- is how analytical children are.  Very discerning.  Sensitive. Precise.  And the most analytical, are the youngest- unless as they grow they have the confidence to hold onto that aspect.
Who are we to tell them that they should "fill the page" or paint like so and so?

I look forward- always- to mounting and hanging the children's work- like I will be doing on June 16th.   So it can be seen as what it is: extraordinary.  My goal- and I hope it is not naive- is to fortify these students- help them see the worth of their work, so they never forget it- and can just keep on growing.  Never grow out of being an artist but take it with them, and let it enrich their lives, and that of others.  This takes courage and conviction.

So- we dance at the end.  The children have worked hard, but they have bodies, and the art they put on paper, also wants out through movement.  We don't do great dancing, (I am not a dancer or dance teacher) but we have fun. And every child gets a turn at being the choreographer.

It is always a surprise to me, after class, to see the children go downstairs with you the parents or nannys, put on their shoes and get into their strollers!  I do not see them as the very young children that they are, when they are in class.  I see them as huge thinkers and doers.  They know this.

Joan