Drawing from their personal experience is often a key to success. Their personal statement or expression is ultimately the most important thing and is the primary aim of all of my teaching efforts. Abstraction is just an alternate form of pictorial representation which in essence differs little from conventional perspectival representation. Good drawing and composition are essential to both. With this idea in mind, the basic underlying principles guiding both representation and abstraction are offered from the earliest stages of the course.
Students are sometimes surprised to find out what art is about and what abilities they possess.
Their general understanding is greatly furthered. I have developed a mentoring relationship with many of my students over the years, and I have found this extremely rewarding especially in the several honors projects and many independent study projects that I have advised. I have formed special relationships with these students. Perhaps because I work on my own pieces in the same studios as the students, they are able to witness first hand my own working processes, which helps them learn by observation and build their own confidence. It seems each year these relationships extend beyond the classroom.