Making the Visual Arts exciting, accessible, and useful to students.

Basic Skills:
I believe the basic skills of drawing and observation serve as the foundation to any artistic endeavor. Knowledge of the elements of design such as line, value, color, and texture are the tools that help the student make the translation from what they see to what they draw.

Imaginative Learning:
Many of the projects that I employ target the student's imagination. I hold the philosophy that students can learn to be more imaginative, and that creativity is not just a stroke of genius. Progressive development through investigation, analysis, and conceptualization identify ways for students to generate innovative thinking. Ultimately they will learn to apply the creative process to real world situations.

Historical Context:
Learning Art History provides students with a visual guide and context to the development of ideas. As art is a reflection of life, it can also be seen as a chronological map of events and beliefs. By understanding art history, viewing master works of art becomes more accessible and less intimidating. It also gives students the perspective to view themselves within a larger historical context.

Interdisciplinary Approach:
An interdisciplinary mode of teaching enables me to incorporate concepts being taught in other subjects and consider them from a different angle. This approach builds on the knowledge that students have already comprehended and broadens their perspective on viewing the world.

Building the Whole Student:
An environment where open communication is available and thought provoking, allows students to learn from each other. Ideas are most compelling after being researched and challenged by others. It also sets an example for students to be tolerant of a range of viewpoints and to feel confident enough to form and express their own ideas. A collaborative working environment builds strong interpersonal and cooperative skills. This will emphasize the importance of dialogue and partnership and show students how to discover and gain knowledge from the information that is around them.