Sparkly Spectacles (and What That Has to Do with My Teaching Philosophy)

You have untapped artistic talent. The person sitting across from you does as well. The person serving you your white mocha frappuccino at Starbucks does too. We ALL have artistic potential. The question is not IF you have the ability to paint and draw -- the question is rather how far do you want to take it?

I really don't think that studying painting and drawing has to be about becoming an artist (although that's great too). I think the real gift that arises from studying painting and drawing is the gift of forever SEEING as an artist. Artists experience the world around them in a heightened state of perception. We see the way the light cascades across a form and how it magnifies or sublimates color in ways that will truly astound you. We see the beauty that is there that other people just pass by.

Since ancient times, man has linked beauty with the divine. To see as an artist does is to journey through your life, forever changed, wearing what I call "Sparkly Spectacles" (like Elton John pictured above) that allow you to see the beauty -- and thus the divinity that is in us and all around us, and in each other. 

That is the REAL reward of studying art. Even if you don't ever progress to becoming an artist, does that even really matter when you have the gift of Sparkly Spectacles? I don't think it does.

Faith Chapel. Lucketts VA

I teach all levels of artists (even those who don’t yet think of themselves as artists) at Faith Chapel in Lucketts, VA . I offer both 5 Week Evening Classes and Weekend Workshops for adults. To be among the first to hear about new classes, please sign up for my monthly Newsletter by clicking here.

A demo from my most recent Rose and Peony Workshop at Faith Chapel.