Zerish Watson

EAR 850-001 Master Seminar in Art Education: Inquiry in

Teaching and Learning

Dr. Courtney Weida

By

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INTRODUCTION

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which one

to keep.” Scott Adams.

“Creativity, as defined by the Heritage Illustrated Dictionary involves the

translation of our unique gifts, talents, and vision into an external reality that is

new and useful, seeing the same thing as everybody else, but thinking of

something different whether personal, social and cultural boundaries.”

One such social and cultural boundary and one which has been in existence since

the beginning of time is art and all the elements that can be found in it. These are

elements of vast quantities and proportion that have been traditionally illustrated

in different genre of beauty in the hemisphere, land and water, humankind,

animals, architectural structures, movement, storytelling and painting. The

different elements are the true vines that have spurted and spread their graceful

limbs all over the globe and into the minds of artists and designers. It is a

magnificent proportion of thoughts perceptively conceived in the true nature of

who is what, what is what, becoming totally involved in the intriguing, artistic,

alluring world of art.

In the alluring world of art there are colors. Colors of delights, colors of beauty,

colors of light, joy, peace, and associatively sadness. Color has always played an

integral part in my life ever since childhood. I can recall as a child how

fascinated I was with the colors of the rainbow and the warm and welcoming

sensation I felt from staring at such a great masterpiece of creation. I remember

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thinking, ‘where the colors do starts and where do they end.” I will admit, even

today the rainbow is placed on my highest category as the most intrigue of

tremendous beauty. Art and its elements have been the stepping stone for my past

and future professional choices. My over- zealous appetite to create is what

drives me to contribute selflessly to the needs of children and their capacity to

learn, socialized, and help with the morphing of future great teachers and artists.

What I am anticipating is the opportunity to be placed into the category of future

great teachers and artists.

Design is my passion, art is my life. Each day I breathe the intoxicating essence

of colors, lines, forms, shapes and creativity. My philosophy to life as a designer

and art teacher is adhering to the words of Elliot Eisner “The arts are guided

by "feel"...painting or composing is what artists do."

I have lived a very colorful working experience background consisting of

teaching, banking, sales and design. Of the various fields I have been fortunate to

venture in and what holds the most emotional factors for me is my teaching

experience.

My teaching experience has become an essential key-hole for me to unravel the

true sentiments that lies within the over-imaginative minds of my students,

realizing that it is imperative for an art teacher to understand children perspective

on life and more significantly to unravel the true sentiments that lies within the

over-imaginative mind of a child, secondly, the importance of deciphering the

mystery of how a student mind develop a” Therefore, my policy is to teach art, to

learn art, to create art, to blend together a body of experience and utter joy that

will far outreach the everyday teaching standards and policy teachers have to

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adhere to. Not only will I be offering my skills in the class rooms, I also see

myself extending beyond the class rooms to individual students, parents/homes,

art industries, the “man on the street,” and overall to the nation.

Art is an essence to the fruit of life, we crave it , we create it, we display different

emotional aspect to it, we enjoy viewing it, we trade on it, we spend millions on

it, and of course there are the ever so daring art thieves who will do just about

anything to own it. The question ask then, is, why is art such an intriguing and

alluring phenomenon? This is indeed a tedious questions and one that can take

many different segment and angles. However, I will admit a portion to the

unraveling of this mystery is the emotional, physical, and mental aspect

connection to the myths versus reality to the qualities of beauty. Therefore, to

better translate my psychological connection to this enigma is choosing a specific

and well-loved area of art and that is Pastel Painting.

“The direct, colorful nature of pastel is ideal for capturing the qualities of immediacy, spontaneity

and sparkle.” Patricia Greenwell

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PASTEL PAINTING

Pastel sticks in pastel colors

Pastels or pastel colors are the family of colors which, when described in the

HSV color space, have high value and low to intermediate saturation. The name

comes from pastels, art media characteristic of this color family. The colors of

this family are usually described as "soothing, “soft", "near neutral", "milky",

"washed out", "desaturated", lacking strong chromatic content... Pink, mauve and

baby blue are typical pastel colors.

Pastels are a unique painting medium in that the colors are mixed on the paper by

overlaying or blending, rather than on a palette. Painting with pastels is not the

same as painting with acrylics, watercolors or oils. Instead, you use pastel pencils

or oil pastels. Oil pastels are pastel pencils with wax and inert oil as added

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ingredients. To learn how to paint with pastels, you should learn about the

different qualities of the materials. Pastel paper is rougher than the paper used for

acrylic or water color painting. Pastels are not chalks--they are pencils with pure

powdered pigment. http://youtu.be/K7kKu0V5m-A

Different Types of Pastel (Emma Ralph)

“Soft pastels are by far the most popular and commonly used, and indeed they're

what people usually mean when they refer simply to 'pastels'. However, the pastel

family is larger than just soft and includes other different types of pastels. Read on to

find out more about the mom, dad, and kids of this art medium family!

First of all, what's a soft pastel? This is a pastel that is generally made from just two

ingredients: pigment and a binder. Some even discard the binder and are simply

100% pigment. This makes them powdery, but also vibrantly colorful and easy to

blend with each other to create different colors on the surface.

Hard pastels are just like soft pastels except they are made with a higher proportion

of binder to pigment. This means that they hold an edge or a point better; allowing

the artist to draw fine details and lines and do sketching work.

Pastel pencils are hard pastels in a pencil format. Their characteristics are identical to

hard pastels except for their 'packaging', so as for hard pastels, they're best used for

sketching and for adding fine details to an artwork. The pencil format makes them

easy to control, which suits their main uses well. They're also clean to work with as

you aren't touching the pigment directly like you are with soft and hard pastels.

Most (if not all) artists who use soft pastels will also use either hard pastels or pastel

pencils. This gives them the ability to switch to something better suited to the task

when they want to add fine lines and details to their artwork, or when they're

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sketching out their design prior to laying in the big areas of color. It's not an 'either-

or' thing. But the next two types of pastels offer something unique, and so are

actually alternative mediums to soft pastels rather than something that complements

them.

Oil pastels are essentially soft pastels with a different type of binder. While soft

pastels are made with a gum binder, oil pastels use an oil-and-wax binder, and this

changes their characteristics, making them soft and greasy rather than soft and

powdery. They don't blend as easily as soft pastels, but they can be built up on the

surface in a kind of impasto style and moved around with a razor blade or craft knife.

They reward a loose, passionate style without too much regard for precision. They're

very messy to work with and require turpentine to remove.

Water-soluble pastels are a relatively recent addition to the pastel family, and they

provide a very interesting alternative. When dry they're identical to ordinary soft

pastels, but after laying them down on your surface as you would with soft pastels,

you can then use a wet paint brush to finish the artwork using watercolor techniques.

Particularly if you have experience with watercolors, this is a great way to blend the

best things about two different mediums and create some really beautiful effects.

Emma Ralph is an experienced pastel artist. To learn more about the different types

of pastels visit http://www.paintingwithpastels.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Ralph

Pastel history as a fine art medium starts at the end of the 15th century. One of the

rarest examples of its usage that came to us is Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of

Isabella d’Este (1495) where he had used yellow pastel next to black and red

chalks on paper. www.joyfulart.com

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Leonardo da Vinci Pastel Painting of Isabella d’Este

Another famous pastel painter was Rosalba Carriera (1675-

1757). She was the reason of great pastel popularization in

Europe in the 18th century.

Self-portrait holding a portrait of her sister. 1715. Pastel. www.artist network.com

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Welcome to My Pastel My introduction to pastel colors begun during my days in elementary

school, however; I had the opportunity to fully utilize the concepts of

pastel colors and painting while pursuing a degree in graphic design at

Briarcliffe College. Working with the colors and the unique method of

blending has created a world of intrigue deeply embedded with endless

bliss within my ever so colorful mind. I love and enjoy working with

pastel colors and it is a pleasure and a privilege to showcase some of my

art pieces.

Fruits of Delights

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My Little Robin Red Breast

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Man and Bird

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Cleo Eyes

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Green Dress

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My Rooster

“Our thoughts are a perfect reflection of our state

of mind and how we feel about it, ourselves, on the

inside.” Dave Ursillo, multiple-published author and creative

entrepreneur

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Portraiture Interview Inquiry in Teaching and Learning

Thomas Ruggio Artist /and Instructor

I have had the privilege of meeting and associating with Professor Ruggio while

pursuing a bachelor’s degree in graphic design at Briarcliffe College. Professor

was one of my art teacher and one who has successfully helped morphing my

artistic skills into levels and heights that I had once “fear to tread.” He has been

an inspiration in my life; therefore, I consider it an honor to get the opportunity

to talk with him

Thomas Ruggio is an award winning artist and educator whose art work has

been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States, Italy,

Germany and Mexico. His work experience includes Adjunct Faculty at

Farmingdale State College, Assistant Art Professor at Briarcliffe College,

Instructor and Founder at Studio Borgo located in the historic region of Tuscany

Italy.

Thomas is a “master with the brush” who incorporates all the elements of

painting with a unique flare, skills and class that can only be describe as

incredibly outstanding. Below is one of his painting and one of my favorite:

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Organ Music- 2009 Oil on Canvas

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Portraiture Interview

EAR 0803-850-001Master Seminar in Art Education:

Inquiry in Teaching and Learning

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Professor, you have been recognized as a prolific artist and teacher. As an award

winning artist and educator, tell me, why did you choose to venture in this field, were

you inspired? If so by whom or what?

Ans.___I have always been drawing…ever since I was a little boy. I only truly learned

that I was very good at it once I went to school. My older brother and even my mother

could draw pretty well, so I assumed it was something that everyone could do. I

realized that I could do something special after all of the attention my work was

getting from my teachers and the other children Kindergarten.

_____________________________________________________________________

What made you want to teach instead of using your skills in other areas namely

career?

Ans.__I was inspired to teach initially because one of my art instructors was standing

there with a cup of coffee in his hand looking over a student’s painting, I thought to

myself, “I want to do that! “Once I began teaching, I absolutely loved it.

_____________________________________________________________________

How about Accomplishment? What are you most proud of in your academic career?

What are your most memorable and favorite accomplishment extending through your

years as a teacher?

Ans.__Academically, I am proud to be a Fine Art and Art History professor on the

college level. I am most proud however, of developing my own art program in Italy,

called Studio Borgo. It was the biggest challenge of my life and as someone who now

lives in both New York and Italy, it still challenges me, but it also brings a great

degree of satisfaction.

_____________________________________________________________________

Technology plays a vital role in the usage of the arts. Could you give a brief summary

on your experience with a computer, the different design programs and exactly how

you rate your skills in the usage of technology?

Ans.__Although I am not as tech savvy as I would like to be, I am extremely reliant on

technology as is allows me to sometimes be in two places at once, so to speak. This is

particularly important because my program is in Italy and I live most of the year in

New York. As for my college courses, I use all available basic technology and

programs, including Adobe Connect, for online Art History classes.

_____________________________________________________________________

As a Teacher, what courses have you developed or proposed in recent years and what

will be the next pedagogical changes in your field?

Ans.____The most recent courses that I developed was the “splitting” of an Art

History survey course into two separate, more concentrated Art History courses for

Briarcliffe College.

As for pedagogical changes, I tend to naturally impose my own assessment of courses

and am always ready to change things when I see it may be best. It is an assessment

that can take multiple semesters and a couple of years because each group of students

is unique and they respond differently to different projects.

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_____________________________________________________________________

What is your teaching philosophy?

Ans._______Without giving you my written statement, I would say that my teaching

philosophy is to create an inspiring and inclusive environment with the highest of

standards, while being honest, respectful and understanding of my students’ needs.

_____________________________________________________________________

With all your accomplishment combing of your unique artistic ability, your various

awards as an artist and educator what would you say motivates you, what ignites the

fire in you to keep going?

Ans.___Awards and recognition do not light my fire. What does is the fact that my

students are relying on me. Because I am a college professor, whatever course I am

teaching just may be the last time my students study that particular subject. They

deserve my best and this keeps me going on a high level.

_________________________________________________________________

“We want to give people the tools to understand art and interact with art, not just to

say, ‘Here’s the art,’” says Scott Noppe-Brandon, the Lincoln Center Institute

Executive Director. Do I say Mr. Brandon’s philosophy regarding the intricate of art is

similar to your overall desire for art and your selfless contribution in the art industry?

Ans.____Yes, I would have to say that his perspective is probably similar to mine. Art

can be unnecessarily intimidating for some, initially. The key is to help encourage an

open mind that allows boundless possibilities. This is about nurturing the creativity

and imagination in others. It’s too important not to bring that kind of understanding

and interest in art.

____________________________________________________________________

“Art is definition, extremely emotional and put you into his/her life and spit its

emotion into division.” How would you clarify this statement and what are your values

on the arts?

Ans.___As stated in the previous answer, the arts are tremendously important. They go

beyond the performance one sees or the painting that hangs in a museum. The arts

represent perhaps the most uniquely human things we are capable of. The arts also

represent the best of culture and they communicate in ways that words simply can’t.

_____________________________________________________________________

You definition of 18 Century Venetian Master Tiepolo “Olympus” at the Museo del

Pardo says, “great painting inspire you to look, but others can also inspire you to pick

up your brush and paint.” With that in mind, how would you describe your “Organ

Music” 2009 Oil on Canvas, what colorful terminologies do you apply to it?

Ans._______Thank you for citing my statement! As for my painting “Organ Music”,

it is a juxtaposition of realistically painted images that hopefully generate thought and

the want to ask more questions. I am commenting on human desire, with some

historical reference…there is also more than a pinch of humor in there. As for exact

meanings, I like to leave some of that to the viewer and his/her interpretations. Once

my work is finished, it doesn’t just belong to me anymore.

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Thank you Professor, you are an inspiration.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.susanshermanart.com/blog-category/thoughts on a pastel painting.com

Painting with pastel.com / articles-about-pastels.php

www.painting.about.com

www.artistist network.com

joyfulart.com

Heritage Illustrated Dictionary,” An Original Product of Human Invention or

Imagination”

Creevy, Bill, The Pastel Book. “Material and Technique for Today’s Artist.”

light colors happiness