As a teacher, and one who teaches primarily on Zoom these days, it is very hard to get student reactions and a reading of their absorption of knowledge and skills. People’s cameras are off, microphones are on mute and the willingness to show and share does not happen dynamically like it does in an in-person classroom. I am lucky that 80% of my students are “Repeat Performers” – coming back time and gain to exlore their art, learn, play and discover new things on the paper and in their hearts.
So, when people make a public declaration of happiness at having spent their valuable time in my classroom, I am overjoyed! Feedback! And when people find a better or more interesting or easier path to their success… well this teacher’s heart pounds with joy in the knowledge that I helped one person for sure! And every time a student gets that affirmation of their time and money well spent, they and others are more inclined to stay with their art and on this learning pathway. Success for all. Win win.
Last Friday, in our Women in Watercolor class (where we are looking at two amazing women who changed the face of watercolor and the presentation of women in the field here in the USA), a student sent me a private chat that said:
Be still my beating heart! I do try and teach multiple threads now – it is good for us intellectually and for our thought processing to juggle some history, sociology, art, techniques, images, etc. it means that all my classes may cover tools and techniques taught in the Intro or Intermediate classes – but differently in this class. In this way, beginners and advanced students can participate side by side in my classes. It is how I put this learning together that matters and how they are absorbed more fully through Home Play and practice. We need our hearts and intellect and feelings and our views on the world to drive that collation of inputs to create a unique output that is personal. Together we weave these threads together to create a cloth of art.
Keep those brushes and pens wet!