On Continuing Learning

If I had my fondest wish, I would be a student for the rest of my life. That’s not entirely practical, but even when I’m not in school, I’m inevitably studying or exploring some topic. It might involve international travel, or just sitting down with an episode of Mythbusters; it might be as academic as Japanese writing, or as practical as changing a bicycle tire. Yesterday, I was building a stove out of soda cans; today I am watching a YouTube video on the origins of life. Tomorrow I might be reading a book about Ancient Egypt or soap making or folk music.

Studying these subjects is not just fascinating in its own right. As a teacher, it reminds me of what it feels like to be bewildered, confused, and simply not grasping what has been explained. It reminds me that what’s obvious to the teacher may be far from clear to the student. And when I extend my understanding of the universe around me, I can bring that sense of wonder and curiosity back to my own students.

My Teaching Philosophy

Teaching is something I fell into without planning to; I had never given it much thought until I had the opportunity to try it. I would not say that teaching is something I have to do; that would suggest that it is a burden. Nor would I say that it’s something I like, which suggests a kind of superficial interest. It is simply something I do.

It is important to remember that teaching is a verb. We can discuss, analyze, or publish reams of articles on education, but the only real way to become a better teacher is to teach. Much like riding a bicycle, teaching is a skill that is not easily quantified. Like any social skill, it is more an art than a science, and every teacher develops an individual style. Methods that suit one teacher and class may be totally unsuited to another.

Carrying on from this, a teacher is not merely someone who works in a classroom or who has attended teachers’ college. A teacher is a teacher, wherever they are. On the other hand, one can be an expert in a subject without being able to teach or explain it effectively. Teaching is a different talent from any other skills that a person may have, and a skilled teacher can teach any other subject they know.

The role of an effective teacher is much like that of a tour guide. They should be able to present their subject in an engaging matter – especially if their students believe the subject is boring at first. They should connect the topic to the experiences of their audience and bring it to life with memorable anecdotes and humor. Also like a tour guide, half of their job is to keep the group on schedule and moving in the right direction, and making sure no one gets lost or left behind. In addition, neither teacher nor tour guide should impose a particular interpretation of the subject on their audience, but guide them into forming their own understanding and opinions.

My Artist’s Statement

Creating art is an integral part of my life. For as long as I can remember I’ve been drawing pictures and telling stories. Asking me why I create is like asking me why I breathe: I can’t imagine being without it.

I have tried my hand at all sorts of art forms, and I’ve never met a medium I didn’t like. From egg tempera to Photoshop to etching to embroidery, I work with anything and everything. But most of my projects start with a dream and a pencil, and that’s all I really need.

Sometimes I don’t bother with the pencil, just grab my materials and go. Then the piece forms in a stream of consciousness, like a piece of improv theater. I’ve made some of my best work this way.

I like to work in the small scale; grand, imposing art is all very well, but I like my art to be playful and intriguing. I’ve always been fascinated by the diminuitive, and I prefer to keep my materials portable. I make no distinction between fine art and craft, and I delight in using contrast in my work: old and new, classics and pop culture, mundane and fantastic, natural and artificial.

My inspiration comes from everywhere: places I’ve been, books I’ve read, things I’ve seen in my garden. (Or else I just draw dragons. Lots of dragons.) I don’t aim for any theme or message beyond, this is what I see in the world.  And that’s something worth saying, in itself.

Welcome and Introduction

Welcome to my portfolio blog! In this blog I intend to showcase some of my best work in writing, visual art, teaching and multimedia, as well as giving accounts of some of my work and life experiences.

Who am I?

I’m a young professional who, like so many young people, is having trouble starting a career in the current economic climate. Officially my background is in visual art and teaching, but I prefer to describe it as random acts of education. Purely out of my own curiosity, I’ve studied organic chemistry, medieval literature, ancient civilizations, and dozens of other subjects. I’ve lived and worked on three continents. I’ve always been a creative person and I’ve never met a medium I didn’t like.

What am I looking for?

As you might guess, I’m looking for a career with a bit more variety than a call center job. I’d like to find a place where I can exercise my creativity and my language skills. I’d love a job that involves teaching or travel, but really, I’m open to just about anything.