WHY I DON'T TEACH

Many times I have thought about teaching art. A major drawback is that when one teaches at a school, or does workshops there is usually not much time or energy left to develop your own style or approach to painting. In the beginning I did go the route of art exhibits and entering juried exhibitions (where a jury determines the prizes), but I had to travel too much, and since I received all the art prizes I wanted in my teens, it did not appeal to me to invest my time in these venues.
Others do art related jobs, like working in a gallery. This week I talked with an artist who does that and showed me her last painting of a vase with sunflowers -done very well and in an attractive style. The last time she had painted was  a year ago!

 See how close the people sit? It was packed at this conference!

Since it took me twenty years to get back to art, I value my time immensely and want to redeem it as much as possible. I know I have the luxury to think this way, because I don't have to earn my living with art. Although now hubby is getting retiring age, things become a little different :). 
Above, I'm talking to an artist in a similar position, only she finally in her late forties took the jump to go to art classes. She does abstract art.
It seems a common phenomena that people who were in their beginning of life interested in art, come back in their fifties or later, when life if not so focused anymore on success, climbing the corporate ladder, or earning a living.

 taken before the speaker starts.

This conference was last week, and medium size, about 800 attendants, and the speaker  known for the subjects of Dreams and visions.

My (wise in art) son said to me once, "You need a platform. You have valuable things to say people need to hear (and see)." 
In my graduate training I got used to going to workshops for various subjects and conferences. I began to think, why not painting at a conference that I feel comfortable with and paint, and get the CD's of the speakers later? All I had to do is ask!

  "You have a little Red Cadmium, Jeannette? I forgot mine. Just a little will do."

Most organizers when they see or know your work, do not have any objection. They see my painting as an extra perk, like having coffee and tea, or a jewelry or art  display. That one is comfortable with audiences and likes to talk with people you understand is a given! In addition, an artist must  be able to block out everything else to be able to paint. I also love the friendships I develop with other artists, which develop much quicker because we are not competitors.

Also, I am careful to not major on selling my work. but there are always people who come and look, ask for my card, ask me what I'm painting, how long, etc. They're interested in how I live. So it's a nice addition to my presence on the internet, without major stress and having no time left to paint. When teens and college age people come by, that is when I add a little teaching, because they are often the ones who are interested in doing art themselves. 
Makes sense?




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