Teaching Pt. 2

Earlier I had posted a blog about my experiences helping teach an art class to at-risk kids a few weeks back. When I was asked to come back and teach again I jumped at the opportunity and it was well worth it. We spent the class cartooning Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. I had tracked down some lessons online and used them as a template for the kids. (http://www.malanenewman.com/donald_duck_fullface.html)

The children seemed so happy and excited to be able to apply, immediately, what I was teaching them in class.

After the lesson I drew their caricatures. The ones who I didn't have time to draw, had their pictures taken on my camera and were drawn at home. I've worked with art around kids many times and I've been told that people can really see a reaction out of the children when the drawing starts. I'm glad that I still keep that enjoyment for art and can share it with youngsters too. This especially for kids who may be troubled and don't have much else.

Below was a letter I received this morning from the Director of Art With A Heart:

Dan ,
These (caricatures) are great and I could identify almost all of them with out the actual photographs which means they were very well done. Thank you so much for following through on this. It teaches the children again that people do care and they can count on us to do what we say we are going to do. That is so big for our children at risk. I have printed them out and will have them by the children’s art work at the art exhibit on April 22 from 1-4. If you could stop by we would love to have you as our guest. The children usually feel really good about seeing their art work on exhibit.

Artistically,
Carol Conrad
Executive Director of Art With a Heart, Inc.

The Value of Teaching Pt. 1

A few weeks back, the girlfriend and I volunteered to help with an art class for disenfranchised youth on the east side of Indianapolis. I've had very little experience with teaching but that was fine because we would not be by ourselves. we were two of about six volunteers, not including the instructor, that would work with the children that early Saturday morning.

I was very surprised to see the enthusiasm and vigor that these kids displayed using their pastels and paints, making works that even I, as an adult professional artist, was taken aback by. I've read that children have a wonderfully inherent sense of design and composition till around the age of eight or nine, then a stage of brain development kicks in and "POOF", its gone. Its up to that child to find it, reactivate it and nurture it later down the road. Now I was seeing this first hand.

I left feeling very fulfilled even though I hadn't much time to work with the Children. Seeing the potential and the excitement these kids had, I thought; what could I offer a youngster who had artistic inclination and a real enjoyment for it? Could I teach him/her the tools to choose art as a career? Could I teach them how to be better than me?

This weekend I have been offered another unique opportunity: Teaching the class how to draw cartoons and caricatures by myself. I will post pictures and continue this post in part 2.