BRIAN SMITH
BLAINE HIGH SCHOOL
Creativity is not exclusive to a small gifted
segment of society. The ability to see as an artist sees can be
developed in any student. Everyone has their own unique artistic
signature, which is of value. Largely, it remains undiscovered.
People believe they lack creativity or talent. But, with education,
one can discover and develop creative skills.
Beginning Art students often have the preconceived notion that the
success of their artwork is determined solely by their ability to
draw realistically. But I teach students about the creative process
and encourage them to explore further possibilities, rather than
focusing on their deficiencies. Students learn basic drawing
principles by studying line, value, composition and negative space.
The skills and patience that the students develop provide them with
the tools and confidence to perform in the art room.
If a student feels that they have made a mistake on a project, rather
than start over, I encourage them to continue on and creatively solve
the problem. The results have often been surprisingly delightful. I
tell my students that they will never make a mistake unless they stop
before finishing.
LOSING CONTROL; GAINING INSIGHT
Creativity does not rely upon technique or skill. Rather, it
is characterized by originality, expressiveness, and imagination. The
artist must be able to deny the known in order to discover the unique
expression of the creative process. As a working artist I have found
that it is critical for me to maintain an investigative attitude.
This encourages intuition in the art making process. When intuition
is uninhibited, the work inevitably becomes more interesting.
The high school art room is a place for exploration and
experimentation. Students have the opportunity to work with a variety
of media and techniques. They discover first hand how different
materials create unique effects. Art is a unique means of
communication. I ask students to think about why they choose to
create an image.
