Anime Arch . . .

When I read that the theme for Sunday's Gothic Arches was "using trash", it was almost like a completely open theme for me.  At least half of the things I do have something in them that have been recycled in purpose, if not actually used. 

It made me think, and once again appreciate, an art teacher I had in college.  At the time, I didn't like him at all!  He wasn't very pleasant, and he was very political - - which, in the early '70s USA meant that half the time, he came to class stoned!  But I'm finding that some of his lessons have been the ones that have carried me through life, so as an instructor, he was invaluable.  If you want the story, read on.  If not, here's how I made the arch, and you can skip the rest: 

The arch itself is made from the same acetate packaging that I used in making the ATC triptych.  It originally housed containers of paper flowers by Making Memories.  I mixed my colors and stippled thinned acrylic paint in multiple layers, letting each layer dry in between, to make the border.  I used the same salmon to color "Just Blooms" from Close to My Heart, and the sage to turn other flowers into leaves, then scattered them so that a good amount of the acetate would remain uncovered.  I drew in the lines and stamens with a Sharpie and adhered the flowers with Diamond Glaze.  The image is a resin-covered dimensional sticker of Nana, a character from the manga series, "Nana",  by Ai Yazawa.  Behind her are layered rub-ons from K&Co. and 7Gypsies. 

Have a great week!  If you want more of the story, continue reading. . .     

. . . One of the things he did that most of the class and I objected to was that he would take up a huge portion of the time when we could have been drawing, and spent it teaching us to make our own materials.  There were very few things that we were allowed to buy.  If it could be made by us, it had to be made by us, and no matter how great the final drawing might be, if a commercial material was used when we could have produced the same effect, or better, with a hand-made tool, the final grade suffered.  We protested that he was not teaching us to draw.  We snickered and joked that we'd all get "A"s if we were in Anthropology, because we were getting first-hand experience at being Neanderthals. 

He then taught us about good commercial tools- -the ones that last a lifetime- -and how to care for them.  I remember that he told us to love them like a new-born baby, which we thought was a little creepy at the time since we knew his wife had just had a baby.  But I did learn that lesson, because I still have not had to replace most of the tools I bought all those years ago, and the money I've saved on new and inferior ones has been the small fortune that my friends repeatedly spend on tools, while I buy materials.

One day he told us three things that no one felt anything about at the time, but if the rest of the class is anything like me, they remember his words and look back in appreciation of that day.  He told us that it takes beyond a lifetime to learn to draw, and that if you're good at 20, you'll be better at 30...by 40 you'll be a good student, by 50 you'll be consistent, by 70 you'll wish you had more time, because for the first time, you don't just think you're good, you are actually getting there.   But you have to draw every day.  That was lesson number one.  Number two, while you might be able to produce beautiful, artistic work without drawing skills, with drawing skills you'll be successful at everything artistic, because nothing teaches an artist to see like learning to draw.  Thirdly, he said that beyond drawing, the most valuable skill an artist can have is the knowledge of how to turn everything into either a tool for art or a work of art, and that every good tool is a work of art.      

There were audible groans.  Drawing, we thought, was not supposed to be a lecture class.  So, he finished by telling us that life's ups and downs are certain.  He said that regardless of our positions today, 90 percent of us would experience times in our lives where other dictates would take precedence over the purchase of art supplies, and that since he wasn't speaking about money alone, chances are, this would happen often.  If our answer to those times would be to stop making art because we are out of supplies, then we should immediately transfer and become CPAs.  But those of us who wanted to stay, could spend their class time learning to make tools of everything and everything with tools, and spend their time at home, drawing into the wee hours of the morning so he'd have something to grade us on.

His follow-up was to tell us to soak up every skill we can be taught like a sponge.    According to him, even roofing and plumbing skills could transfer to art.   And he told us to teach each other everything without worry or jealousy, but give credit where credit is due.  Even if someone copies you, their art isn't yours, and if you're not allowed to copy, you're not allowed to learn.

He left me hungry to learn about everything and taught me that in a world that values the specialist - - even an artistic one, which for business concerns must catagorize every artist into "type" or "style" - - it's beyond OK to be a generalist.  It's what living an artistic life is all about.

Comments

[femmy]

Wonderful arch!! love the vibrant colours of the flowers!!!

[Rosie]

I wish he'd been my art teacher! What a fabulous insight into your art classes.
I remember mine had a French surname and was very floaty and affected! She was all flowing black robes and silk scarves... but she smelled lovely. However, I do remember that we too were encouraged to draw every day. It was thanks to her that I got a decent grade in 'O' Level Art all those years ago!
Thanks for sharing Barbara. xxx

[~*~ Patty]

Super acetate arch Barbara! Excellent, love it!!!

[Barbara]

Now I wish I had had a teacher like that. I also wish I could draw, but that is why I use rubber stamps. Love the arch, fantastic.

[filetta]

Very beautiful arch trash ! lovely

[Sandy]

Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhh this is Awesoem. Stunning arch. So great work. Love Animee.

[Jacqueline]

This is fabulous - love the recycled ingrediants!

[Dymphie]

Thanks for your story, loved to read it so much I almost forgot to take a look at your arch :) It's lovely!

[Judy NZ]

Stunning arch, again, Barbara!
Judy NZ

[Nellie]

Gorgeous piece again!

[fFrieda Oxenham]

Thanks so much for that story, Barbara, I loved reading it all and the lessons you were taught are wonderful for us all to take on board!!
Needless to say I also love your arch, it's beyond gorgeous!

[Hermine]

Stunning colours.

[Silvia]

Such a beautiful arch.