It is mid July and I am in Maine relaxing with friends.  However, I check my email regularly, so do write if you are interested in the classes, listed after the wonderful work from the end of year student exhibit.  Doing some kayaking and loving it.  Wish for all some down-time with friends and family.  Joan

  

STUDENT EXHIBIT 2012

Great success!  The work was extraordinary, as usual.  The show was hung in the Community Room at Westbeth- the first time.  I used to hang it in my apartment and studio, but the school has gotten too large.  We ate strawberry shortcake ( yes that is what that was- not pita bread) looked at the art, adults mingled, grandparents oggled, we all listened to Noah on the piano, and students ran around the courtyard.  I wasn't sure it would get done ( 9 to 1 is NOT enough time to hang a show) but it did and all was down by 5. 

Keep scrolling down for information about Fall classes, the school in general, and my art educational philosophies: the posts run from most recent to least.  I will be posting photos of the show here, adding a few at a time.  Thanks for looking, and any comments on the show, (you now can), and thank you wonderful students for your remarkable work.  Joan

                                                                       Coming In!

                                                            Ava and her Wall (6 yrs)

Nicco's Wall ( 7)

                                                Noah and his Value (ink wash) and Line Drawing (8)

   

                        Continuous Line and Value Drawings from Observation- Noah and Buster (8)
                                                          (some close ups coming)

                                   Julian and shows his grandmother his Wall and sculptures

                                                                       Proud dad 

                                                          One of Izzy's collages (6 yrs)

                                                                  Violet's Wall (5yrs)

Noahs (8 yrs) Continuous Line drawing of my friend Ruth's sculpture.  Taking the photo to show her this weekend.  Actually taking all three of the wonderful drawings the students did of her "Ondine". 

                                                                Alexander's (8yrs) "Ondine"

                                                                 Buster's (8 yrs) "Ondine
                                                  (These are going to make Ruth smile! )

                                                    "Black Dry Paintings"- 7 year olds                                                  

                                  (top, Julian.  Bottom left, Tessa.  Bottom Right, Cayla)
At this age children in my classes seem to split a bit between those who want to work representationally, and those who think more abstractly. I encourage both.  In an attempt to have the more abstract thinkers feel comfortable with drawing- that is primarily seen as a representational, linear art form- I gave an assignment to do "Black Dry Paintings".  The children were given dry media, in sticks, and told to not leave any white, and to fill the page. Usually I shy away from formal constraints but I was trying to make them see drawing in a more painterly fashion.  The results, you can see, were astounding.

(Julian, top; Cayla, bottom)

                                     Caylas "Wall", Nicco (left) and Tessas (right) Black Dry Paintings

                                                                    Izzyy's (6) spot

                                                                  Giselles Wall (3 yrs)

                                                     Giselles Portrait of her Sister Tessa

Violet's (5) Wall

 Buster's Continuous Line Portraits of 1. Himself  and 2.  Noah  (8 yrs)

Buster's continuous line drawing of my dog Cookie- sleeping. (8)

                                            Buster's continuous line drawing of Alexander

                                              Julian's Mixed Media Paintings, Collages (7)

                                                                    Tessa's (7) Shell

Tessa's Area (7)

                                              Maeves (6) Mural Painting behind Stroller

                                   Noah's(8) Continuous Line Drawing of a miniature Eiffel tower

Alexander's (8) Charcoal Value Drawings

Alexander's Continuous Line Drawings: Flower, and Self-Portrait in Studio

                                            Nicco's (7) Observation Painting of Flowers

                                                                 Our Entertainment

                                                             Maeve's and Noah's Parents

                                                   Maeve(6)' and Charlotte(7)'s Walls

                                                                       Maeves Column

                                                                        Charlottes Wall

                                      Proud Artists and Good Friends  Maeve (6) and Charlotte (7)

LAST WEEK OF CLASSES!  NEW CLASSES FORMING FOR THE FALL!!!

Well, it is time to put up the paints, get rid of the clay, have our year end exhibit- June 16, Saturday, 1 to 3 in the Community Room at Westbeth-55 Bethune St between Washington and the Westside Highway. All are welcome to see the great work!!!!!

In Fall 2012, the classes will run from Tuesday through Thursday.  I am available to set up classes throughout the day, into early evening for adolescents and adults.

Fall Semester:  Sept 11- Jan. 31
Spring Semester: Feb. 4- June 21 ( last class actually june 13, but semester includes student exhibit)

Keep scrolling through to see wonderful work from the children, and thoughts from the teacher on her art education methods.

I want to add something to my last post.  ( Please go to "older post" after this one- if you do not see it.  If you are new, keep doing that and you will get more information about the classes.  Sorry- not perfect layout-yet).
 Sometimes I will suggest your child, or you, look at the work of an adult artist.  Sometimes I will show that work to the students.  This is not the same thing as teaching a style, and asking the children to utilize that style.
Why do I do it?
1.To give the child confidence.  That I have read his or her work- on a formal level.  And show them that it is shared.
2. To introduce a formal concept further.  Such as Alexander Calders use of line drawing, and the way that was taken further in wire.  This is a concrete example of how line is used 2 and then 3 dimensionally.
3. Like all of us, children respond to sensitive well executed work- they can read it.  Exposure is good.  Mimicry is not.
4. When I ask you, not your child,  to look at adult work, it is to show where your child may be formally.
There is a tendency to look at adult work more objectively, with more distance, than the work of children.  If similarities are found, a childs decisions can be seen- like the adults-  to be formal; philosophical (yes), and artistic.  expressions of who they are and how they think.

Now the year is winding down- new classes are forming for the fall, new students are coming, and good friends are going to try new things- leaving my Studio School after years.  I wish them all the best, and know they will continue to thrive and grow.  An inevitability with an After School for young children- is that you know they will move on.  My goal has been to empower them - to give them the tools to keep expressing themselves.  They must however eventually utilize these tools, no matter where they are.

NYC is crammed full of opportunities for children- who wouldn't want to try them?  A word of caution, however- (which my time with your child hopefully affirms I have the experience to make- if in doubt check my resume on my website, www.joanrobertsart.com)-against jumping into  a seductive art curriculum that boasts of being based on the work of adult visual artists.  If there has been one consistent comment made about your children's work in my classes- it is that everyones work is so different- so unique.  Most of the new parents are astounded when they see that. Usually, in school classrooms, and even in professional classes, this is not the case.

My question:Why shouldn't the work all be different, when each child has his or her way to see the world?

The kind of learning your children have been involved in is not flashy.  It is self growth. It has its ups and downs- as new ways of expression are tried and mastered. As children combat their own fears, and move through them. This is the kind of growth famous artists have been allowed to go through as children, and then as adults.  Matisse, I know, did not paint in a mature style as a child.  He grew.  Same is true with all of them.
Abstract Expressionism gave education and art understanding a big boost- as abstraction was given respect, and connections were recognized between young children's work and that of masters. But children don't need to copy adult art and ideas in order to show their abilities and artistic worth- they are doing the equivalent, in their own voices.
Discipline Based Art Education (described above) looks impressive, because the children themselves are impressive- they can and do paint in the style of famous adult artists- something many adults could not do.  They see the looks, hear the praise, and accomplish the work to get them that praise.  Meantime, they get further away from finding their own voice and trusting it. Many will stop doing work completely. They will be second guessing what is expected, desired.

My question:

Is this moral?

There are many classes out there that allow children to experience different materials in their own personal way- adding to their skills but not taking away from their self-confidence.  Please choose wisely, now that you have seen the work they did here.  They are off to a great self- confirming start.

I know this is a serious note.  I have never pretended to be anything but.  I believe for significant learning to take place, not only the student, but the teacher too needs to take risks, based upon his or her convictions and experiences.

Joan

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