Teaching Philosophy

Teaching as a creative cycle: your teaching inspires the students and they in return inspire you to teach the creativity you love.
I teach art because I love it, and wish to inspire others! It is an honour to share the technical skills I have acquired throughout my career. If a creative spark can be ignited in a young child, their life will forever be enriched. If an adult can be convinced to give themselves permission to create, to loosen up and have fun, their focus in life will also be altered in a most positive way.

Art is a language, unique to the individual. My goal as an instructor is to give my students the tools with which to express themselves, and encourage their confidence and artistic self expression. Children are born filled with creative intuition and talent, and require a safe and positive atmosphere in which to expand and develop their natural abilities. Adults must tap into their childlike nature, remember the freedom of youth, and allow themselves to create with beautiful spontaneity and joy!

My young students are instructed that it is not necessary to be able to draw objects that look “real” in order to make fantastic art! Should they wish to develop their drawing skills, it takes practice, just like learning to play a musical instrument or excel at a sport. Learning to draw is learning to (‘see’ what you are looking at) look closely at what you are observing.
 
Numerous interesting printmaking techniques enables the building of many fabulous workshops for both adults and children. Styrofoam relief prints, collographs, screen prints and monoprints are my favorites and I have witnessed all ages of students literally jump with joy and amazement at what they have created! The techniques are always fun, often using large nails and gadgets as the tools. The print is always a delightful surprise, not revealed until the last moment. This is very exciting for children and adults, like opening a present every time you pull a print. For adults, it removes the focus from the finished print, forces them to loosen up on their control and enjoy the experience of creating!

As a very young child, I was a day dreamer and doodler, not a perfect fit for the required patterns of the school system, I have a very strong opinion about Art in schools. My early art education proved to me, beyond a doubt, that if students are encouraged and nurtured to use their natural strengths, all aspects of their life will be enhanced. This includes benefits to self-confidence, an appreciation of the work and thoughts of others and a boost to their overall academics.

I am very blessed to have been an art facilitator for Arts for Children of Toronto, an organization that sends artists into underfunded schools around Toronto, for the past three years. My work with students of all ages and skill levels, including special needs children, could not possibly be more rewarding. To contribute to a job where you arrive with wonderful art supplies, to greet a class of welcoming students, eager with the anticipation of a day of creation... this is a truly fulfilling calling.