"Studied Under..."

Elizabeth Schott · 10-08-2002, 01:25 PM

I have noticed many people in the bios, publications or opinions of work have referenced the fact that they studied under "___________".

What do you mean by this? I am looking at this as someone who has been out of school for a while, so am thinking you are not referring to teachers in college, but perhaps workshops or one-on-one mentoring, etc.. I would love to have the opportunity to work with certain artists, but I don't believe my area has that other than "adult" classes which honestly I have avoided because I am not sure of the level and quality.

Mike McCarty · 10-12-2002, 11:00 AM

Beth,

Check out this link:

http://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/

Elizabeth Schott · 10-12-2002, 11:09 PM

Thanks Mike!

Have you taken a class there? The web site is a little vague about particulars, like hotels and explaining what a "Juried" class is.

It gave the advise to contact the Chamber, so I am guessing that the lodging is off campus. I'll guess too that "juried" means you have to submit work to be accepted into the class. (There is a Daniel Green workshop in Feb. - that would be wonderful, I believe Chris Saper told me about him).

I didn't see a mention of close walking distance golf courses either.

Mike McCarty · 10-12-2002, 11:24 PM

No, I have not taken any classes there. I would imagine that it would be a great experience. I did view one of Daniel Greene's videos recently, "Erica" I think it was called, a great study in pastels. He must have a thousand pastel sticks at his finger tips.

I also viewed a tape of Richard Schmid painting "The Sea Captain" in oil. Both well worth the time spent.

Karin Wells · 10-13-2002, 09:24 AM

I studied under Numael Pulido. That is, Numael has had a profound positive influence on my work. Like many other artists, I have "studied" under other teachers, but none have made much of a difference.

Shortly after I moved to Peterborough, New Hampshire, I fell in love with Numael's work that I saw in a local show. I called him (thank heavens he lives nearby) and asked if he taught. Fortunately he did and I took his classes for two years. Numael Pulido is not famous. And not all of his students started out to be serious painters.

Numael will not (under any circumstances!) do a workshop. And he requires a student to attend class once a week for at least a year. He also severely limits the number of students that he will take on. I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. Now Numael and his extremely talented wife, Shirley are dear friends.

When an artist's resume says that they "studied under" a teacher I presume that they mean that they took a workshop or lessons from that person. I also assume that they sincerely credit these teachers with an important influence on their work. Just listing a big name in the hopes that a little glory will rub off is kind of silly but I suppose that happens too.

I suggest that when anyone is shopping around for a good teacher, that they look at the teacher's work. There are a lot of "famous" names out there, but if you aren't crazy about their work....don't bother to sign up for a class. Also when shopping for a teacher look at the work of the other students...before and after if possible. If you don't see any improvement in their work, I would have second thoughts about the teacher's ability to teach.

Any artist can only teach you what they know and sometimes that isn't enough. A good teacher ought to be able to do something better than you can.

Also, sadly, some teachers are not willing to share their knowledge at any deep level. Even sadder is that so many students don't realize that they are entitled to leave a class with improved skills - instead of the all-to-common feeling that they are lacking the necessary talent to do good artwork.

Before you reject "adult classes" check out the teacher....someday you might be proud to say that you studied with them.

Elizabeth Schott · 10-13-2002, 07:06 PM

Karin and Mike, thanks for your input here, it is helpful, I didn't think about checking out actual classes in my area, but it might be worth the try!

For the "Adult" ones Karin, I was a little concerned about the "nursing home" locations

but will look into others now too!

Steven Sweeney · 10-13-2002, 08:08 PM

Elizabeth,

Just a quick reference you might check out, for the Art Academy of Cincinnati. It's difficult to tell from the website whether you'll find the sort of instruction you're looking for, but there appear to be at least some student works in fine figure drawing. (There's a bit of whacko student stuff, too, so be advised.)

There are apparently non-degree, community education classes.

Elizabeth Schott · 10-13-2002, 08:54 PM

Thanks for the link, Stephen.

I am very familiar with the Art Academy. I took all of my sculpture requirements there, since I couldn't get them in Virginia.

I haven't seen their community/continuous education offerings advertised, but haven't really checked into it either. I do know that one really fine perk with the tutition is free, anytime entrance to The Cincinnati Art Museum.

Mike McCarty · 10-13-2002, 10:31 PM

Quote:

I took all of my sculpture requirements there,

Richard Schmid told this joke on his video: What is sculpture? Sculpture is what you bump into while you're backing up to look at a painting. Sorry, I thought that was pretty funny.

Steven Sweeney · 10-14-2002, 01:05 AM

Beth,

Gulp. I'm sure none of your work fell into the "whacko" category.

Anyway . . . I'd tapped out another reference and it isn't here, so I must have logged off without ever hitting "Submit Reply". It was to a page from the Cincinnati Art Club web site, listing a number of members and their website addresses. You might peruse some of those sites and see if there's work that you like and, if so, whether those artists are doing any teaching.