Art Camp II - Mary K
Two weeks till I transition back into life as Mr. Bates.
Just spent the most wonderful week in a Basic Drawing class with Mary Kierkseik. Going in I was a hack at best. Coming out I'm a hack with skills. There were a few of us giving our hands a real go for the first time this week, so it was a perfect test for her teaching methods and the sequences of techniques she ran us through. In the end our creations were quite remarkable. Mary will be sending out a CD of photos from the class and when she does I'll post pics.

My Masterpiece Value Project is a study of Theo in his fedora and a bow tie. The reference photo was way washed out, which created problems, but despite that I'm thrilled with what it became. Did I nail it? No, but in it's own right, it's respectable. Had I chosen a reference with more detail, I'm certain I could have done better, but hey, in the end I got skills and it shows. Without the class, I can't even imagine where I would have ended up trying to teach my Foundations of Art classes.

Casey Jones, the digital art teacher from Sky View, wandered around the class not wanting to leave after he had finished his project (a fly rod, reel, and boots still life), because he couldn't believe that he had actually created the image he held in his hands. Everyone that progressed through the class turned out a technically complex, remarkably crafted works of art. The line-up of drawings on the last day was brilliant.

As for Mary Kierkseik, if ever there is a chance to spend a moment of life with her, take it. Bright, delightful, talented, funny and full of life. She exudes enthusiasm for everything she does. Not to mention the girl can teach art.

As for my impending debut as an art teacher, this was the perfect week. Thanks to Lee Burningham for putting his arm around me the day we met and making sure I got into these classes. And thanks to Zan Burningham for inviting me into her wacky world and infusing me with her passion for teaching real skills not fluff. I'm feeling so good about my place in art department. So good.

One final chant for Mary, "Art is great! Art is great! Art is great! Art is great!...!!!"