Although my dream is to paint full time, currently having a day job is something that I need in my life. I am an educator, trying to teach Jr. high students how to draw and paint. This is a rewarding but challenging job. This past month we have been working on perspective and drawing from life. Have you ever tried to get a 12–13-year-old teenager to understand the fundamentals of perspective? It’s difficult but not impossible which is why I do it. I feel that it is something they need to strengthen and build on their drawing skills. Giving them the experience of drawing from life is something else that I feel is important.
Every time I do specific projects or assignments in my classes, I cannot help but think of the art teachers I had in school. What they taught me, the assignments that influenced me or helped me become better. Now that I am in their shoes, I have gained a greater understanding, greater respect, and a greater appreciation for what they were trying to do for me. I have high expectations in my classroom. The students work hard if they want to succeed but I stand by that. The work ethic that I learned young in my own classes is something that I try to teach to my students. With this thought process, I just wanted to thank the teachers that I had. Mrs. Sabin, wherever you may be, thank you for helping me fall in love with watercolors and with drawing. Thank you for giving me the best foundation of skills that I could have to continue to improve in high school. To Mr. Doug Allen, thank you for allowing me the freedom to work on projects that I wanted to do. Thank you for showing me new ideas and processes. Most of all, thank you for having the classroom that I felt comfortable in, safe enough to put myself out there with my artwork. I hope that one day my students will look back with positive feelings and thoughts about their time in my classroom.
Happy New Year everyone,
Marsha Dennis
