Venturing Out, with a Nice Send-Off...

In the paper for the fifth time in six months.

The Voice, a student newspaper at WCC anyway.  And like all projects at this college, it is a pretty good production.  Too many people discount Community Colleges, but this one is special.  I can say that I have found some of my most promising and dedicated students here.

Between two authors who carried a keen interest in what The WCC Academic Drawing Club has been up to, Maria Rigou, and David Fitch, they have really helped promote the hard work we have been doing in our little art program.  From starting our Drawing Club, to jurying and hosting the Annual Student Exhibition, to our live Drawing on Jazz collaboration, and our visits to draw and study in the college's Cadaver Labs.  It's always fun to get any recognition for what you work on, and their articles have helped create additional excitement around our activities at the college.

So when Maria found out I had started this series of 100 portraits she contacted me right away to find out more.  She stopped in to the studio at this early stage of the project and I, in my usual fashion, talked her ear off.  As with all articles I've been included and quoted in, it feels to me much too concise and simplified, but that is part of a reporter's job, anyway.  This blog can attempt to fill the gaps in between.

She also put a lot of emphasis on my use of some of my students as portrait models, but it makes sense given the paper's audience.  Besides, she's right on two counts: I have easy access to work with them, and this is where most of the diversity I encounter in the average day will be found. That and my students seem to love working with me, and being a part of this project has been exciting for many of them.  Word of what I am doing seems to have gone viral around the college...  But to get this project done I will have to branch out beyond the studios here.  And as for the title, well, I guess I can't control everything in life.......

She did get one thing right on; my love and passion for teaching art.  I feel so lucky to be able to do what I do, and I know there is so much more I have yet to achieve as an artist/teacher.  (Shameless plug for my Workshop at Cincinnati's Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center in late June)  But this has been a great place to start, in more than one way.

So it was nice to have the paper stop in at this early stage of a huge project, and though Maria will not be around by the time it is done (have fun out in Seattle!) she has told those that may remain to document the eventual exhibition.  That will be a nice set of bookends...

http://www.washtenawvoice.com/2014/04/artist-beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/