art teacher

2008-02-24T09:48:00.001-08:00

2007-11-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

It's realy nice to see where my readers live, it has motivated me to add some very nice content, will start by the end of nov. 2007. Thanks again for putting your pin in the map.

2007-11-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

We have added a "map" on the right side, the idea is to create a space where art teachers can share ideas. after you sign up you can upload a short video about you school or town. "see ya" soon Marvin

2007-03-17T14:04:00.001-07:00

2007-02-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

Thinking is stinking, I've often wondered what the parents of my young students said when they were told
that Dr. Grossman told them that "thinking is
stinking". By the time children reach the third or
fourth grade and sometimes way before, their art
changes from spontaneous expressions to what they
think they should be drawing or painting. What and how
replaces inner expression, in other words, they start
thinking. This not to say that there is no place for
instruction, Historical techniques and "tricks" artist
have figured out over the centuries can assist the
creative mind. But confusing techniques and "tricks"
for art is the downfall of art education. I remember
in elementary school a classmate that was the best
horse drawer in the class. I tried to draw horses from
memory like I thought she was doing to no avail. Years
later I realized if I wanted to draw horses my mother
could have bought me the same how to draw horses book
told me to practice, and I might have been able to
learn to see and draw horses creatively. What she had
learned was a shortcut technique to see and remember
what horses looked like. There is a famous quot in
Texas I am sure its in other places too by Picasso:
where he speaks of learning to draw as a child. He is
speaking of the ability to let go of pre-conceived
ideas of what art is or should be. It is the act of
looking inward to see the real world. Plato posited
that all knowledge exists independent of humans, in
special creative moments we discover it.
It is sort of like going to bed with a question and
waking up with the answer. Sometimes I can't recall a
persons name or think of a new idea , I stop thinking,
take a walk or go to the bathroom and the name or idea
pops in my head. The power of fooling around, Of
seeing images in the clouds,is demonstrated by this
5th grader who discovered the faces in his computer
screen.

"Originally, I was just experimenting with the
different tools in "painter", but then I saw a face
developing. Faces and how diverse they are have always
fascinated me." Jacob 5th Grade

2007-02-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

A few years ago i started to paint dream images thought I would share one with you.
light and love, Marvin

2006-09-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

what to be when you grow up.
I spent almost half my life pondering what i was going to be when i grew up. I finally realized that i could not predict what was to happen in the future, that if i was to achieve "heaven" in this life I would have to start doing and enjoying the moment the now. Start by doing the best in school right now. don't worry about what you will be, concentrate on what you can be now. finish high school take basic courses first two years of collage and the events that transpire will inspire your path. take a deep breath and trust.

Effected by teachers criticism. This is a great life lesson, many budding artist take criticism to heart, and become wilted buds. Great art is your unique expression from the depths of your soul. artistic skills and what others think are important and helpful but they are only tools you use on your path of life. you can not judge your ultimate life expression by what someone else says or doesn't say.

2006-07-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Art as connection is a very important act for young children.
Art is a means of expression and also a way in which we connect to humanity. The pure act of creating a work of art is process of communication. It is a way to connect with others, reaching outside of ourselves, this 9 year old called her cat the PEACE CAT>

2006-06-25T14:09:00.000-07:00

Grade: 5
Subject: Color
Teacher: Dr. Marvin Grossman
School: Bay Haven Basic Plus
Location: Sarasota, Florida

"Faces of Color"
[Comments on receiving the Grand Prize]
What a surprise! At first I did not think it could be true. Me, win a grand prize? I am so appreciative to Tory for their recognition of my "Faces of Color" digital artwork. I am also very appreciative to my Art Teacher, Dr. Marvin Grossman, for introducing me to your digital art contest. As I have been developing my art skills he has been my guiding light.

Originally, I was just experimenting with the different tools in "painter", but then I saw a face developing. Faces and how diverse they are have always fascinated me. I wanted to illustrate how could look so different and still look the same. I choose red, white and blue as the colors of the features on the faces because I was in a very patriotic mood. I think it is wonderful that Toray is using the upcoming forms of digital art in their contests to show the world the talents of digital artists. I am honored to be recognized as one of these new digital artists.

2006-04-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

goals of art education
Confidence,
Expectations,
Intensity;
Artists are willing to try new things,
Artists expect to be able to express themselves,
Artists for the most part are confident that they will succeed.
The real difference between the casual art viewer and the artist
Is the intensity of the experience.
The depth of the student’s encounter with artistic actions and events will determine the
Ultimate intensity of the students’ artistic development.

2006-04-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

Technology and Art

Marvin Grossman

Anticipating the future: Artists with computer artistic skills will be better prepared for changes in our complex society, whether they design web pages for their company or create paintings or prints for their house.

We are at the beginning of one of the important artistic movements in art history. The computer is an artistic tool - like the paint brush, hammer, chisel and camera. The computer also is a connection to people; it can create and exhibit the work to the world.

Still, there is confusion as to the importance of computer art. We have to remember that the camera was not considered an art form until the late 60's. Acrylic paint was accepted even later.

Art, classroom and technology teachers can work together in a cooperative teaching adventure
We don't know what impact the computer will ultimately have in the history of art but we do know that it will play a momentous role. The beginning of any new art movement is inspiring and being part of the digital art movement promises significant excitement. Most of our students, at any age, are familiar with computers. It only takes a little instruction to help children artistically express themselves using computers.

We as teachers live in a unique time, a time where we can learn as we help our students. Learning together can be an exciting process, one of the most ideal teaching experiences. I have been working on an easy-to-teach elementary computer art curriculum so that art, classroom and technology teachers can work together in a cooperative teaching adventure.

Check out my website, http://www.kidzart.org, to see some of my students' digital work that resulted from these lessons. Then try a few of the beginning lessons. Any questions?

2006-03-20T14:10:00.000-08:00

Minutes of Magic
Our job as art teachers is to provide the minutes of magic that point our
students on the road to artistic creative expression.

Many years ago as a teenager I spent a few hours at the Phila. Art Museum,
baby siting a four-year-old cousin. I remember us walking through the
various galleries finding things in paintings, each new work of art became
an adventure. Years later she told me how much our visit to the museum
meant to her and her present day passion for the arts. It wasn‚t just the
visit to the museum; it was the intensity of the experience that made the
difference. To be meaningful, an art experience must engage passion,
depth, and commitment.
Once experienced, The Creative Experience becomes a connection to something
greater than ourselves. Ask any artist why they make art and most often
they describe an experience that sounds mystical: "words seemed to pour
from my consciousness; time stands still; I looked up from my work and the
sun was coming up; I felt part of my painting, my minds eye became
electrified with images" No matter what happens in life, the artist
always comes back to the act of creating art, the need to make art is an
adiction.
.
Passion, depth, and commitment: In depth arts experiences can give birth
to a defining moment that brings into being the need to create and to
engage in creative adventures.
We as arts teachers can become a cosmic traffic cop that shift students'
lives in the direction of creativity and expression.
Marvin

2006-02-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

be sure to visit http://www.kidzart.org and come on back and add a comment.