Art Instruction

Mine was the abstract expressionist artist Gerd Koch, Still an awesome painter at the age of 86.

@Ronald a personal thank you for creating the discussion forums you preset here at FAA. Your discussions generate member participation.of their personal opinions liked or disliked.

Sister Mary Baptist, I have spoken of this amazing journey since I was discovered by my 6th grade grammar school teacher. And every Saturday I would go from 8 am til 12 noon and develop my natural artist talent from 6th grade to 8th grade. My unique story is included in the photographer notes. A discovered natural gift by my 6th grade teacher. The painting below is the only remaining oils I painted which is in my private collection all others were sold over the years. I made the transition from oils to water colors and pleased with my knowledge over the years and developing a brand in my style of work. The catholic nun who instructor on all the education I could possibly receive painted somewhat like Michael Angelo, she taught the European method of artist style of painting.

What is important everyone should be aware of is has gift or talent what you do with it is your preference throughout life. You can create a contour line drawing and be a famous artist does not matter what or how you create it, its yours and its the interpretation of what the viewer perceives the painting or photograph to represent its your own individual brand or identification of your surroundings or inner thoughts. I would like to lay to rest the infamous question asked over and over and over again "What Makes An Artist Great!" it is simply society past and present and no question future generations. Its the opinion or critique from each and everyone and the signature of that particular artist in question. To many disbeliefs a simple doodle can make the person who created it famous. No education nor formal training is needed perfecting the brand or signature is all that is required. A good example would be the cave man are those drawing or painting from raw pigments famous, yes they are, they are considered not only historic but famous because they were created in that period of time just as present and future creations will be famous. The only difference is they were created by an unknown individual expressing his or hers observation of the surroundings. . A personal quote "You are the finder of the view and in return, its what the viewer perceives your photo or art to represent as in a smile to their face, a tear to their eye, an opinion, enjoyment, and or global notoriety" hence you become famous!!!!!

This original still life oil is the only remaining of original oil paintings in my personal collection of art over the years. This still life of poinsettia flowers and vase was painted when I was in the 6th grade.

My 6th grade teacher in elementary school saw the crayon drawings I would do in class. I was instructed my a Catholic Nun instructed me every Saturday, I would go to an all girls school and paint. She would set up various still life and give me pointers, the still life arrangements would remain and I would go back and pick up. I possessed a natural gift.

From 6th grade til 8th it was never disclosed who was paying for all the supplies and materials. My family raising 6 children could not afford the materials, since it was a Catholic School and my parents new who was paying. It was in the 8th grade it was announced to me my 6th grade teacher paid for everything.
On Saturday morning at 8:00 til 12:00 I was taught to develop my natural gift.
Upon graduating from 8th grade out of my appreciation of my 6th grade teacher I was advised by my parents and Sister Mary Baptist to attempt a large scale painting locally at City Park and the oak trees. It was one of the largest canvases I had attempted and was overwhelmed by her emotions when it was presented to her. I was forever humbled by her contributions to pursue my talent.
Over the years I continued to paint but enrolled in an Vocational High School and took Commercial Art for 4 years and landed a Advertising Job within months of graduating from high school.
From formal oils I developed my water color skills and over the years and painted in that medium.
This original oil painted in the late 60's was taken with a Nikon 820 auto settings and slightly darkened to conceal the material which this painting was done.
My father had cut a piece of wall paneling and I primed the backside which is textured, and used it as my canvas. The original painting now hangs in my living room wall.
This original still life would be ideal as a canvas purchase to hang in a formal dining room, or living room

My preferred medium today is watercolor. I prefer the rapid time to complete a new painting.

I am so self taught and still learning. Nobody teaches what I do and probably never will. You have to be a very good woodworker and know how to put it together. Ron I checked out your work and I like the colors and freedom. I lived in Orangevale for about 2 years around 1968. Born in Sacramento 1950. Small world

There were two people who were influential for me. My art teacher at school was a flamboyant character, loads of bracelets, bells on her skirt, espadrilles, bright red hair, tinted glasses and lots of make up - this was a very posh school where all the other teachers were very straight laced. She showed me how to look at things in a completely different way and create form by feeling what I was painting instead of just looking with my eyes, I adored her classes, particularly art history. Then when I had left school I went to a 'develop your art' one day class - I had a panic attack right at the start because I was given a massive piece of blank white paper and a load of crayons and told to draw how I felt inside. The white paper seemed endless and I didn't have a clue where to start and I just stood there - the teacher grabbed the piece of paper shouting 'don't ever be afraid of it', threw my paper on the floor and stamped on it, told me to do the same, told me to p*&& on it (I didn't), rub it in the gravel in the driveway and then look at it again - and it wasn't so scary and suddenly it was fun. I get that wonderful feeling of freedom every time I paint.

My college painting professor who was very inspirational and supportive of my work. He went on years later to write me a letter of recommendation for Grad School.

As I had stated in my biography, this interest of mine to arts was triggered when I saw a documentary about a "town fiesta" here in the Philippines, about the art of creating mask's. That was the start of being bitten by the "art bug', and being a self taught, I had to rely on my creative side to create pieces born mostly on what I feel, thought and makes me inspired at that very moment. And being self taught doesnt mean you just rely on your natural creative instinct. One has also to learn,and make research, make friends with other artist to learn from them and be inspired. This is where I saw the creation's of "Gustav Klimnt". Some of my works has a touch and influence of his works, specially my "Lady Series". I just love his works! Most of my works deals mostly about nature, mother and child, superstitious beliefs, and my humble beginnings about mask's. Oh BTW I'm a "Papier Mache" artist. And Im good at it!!!

There were, over the years, several art teachers who moved me forward with good advice.There is absolutely no doubt however that my high school art teacher had the most impact on my future as an artist. Why? Easy, I was from a poor farming home and my people went to work with our hands but when I was set to graduate my art teacher (Mr. Hinton) sat and talked with me in the park one spring morning before I graduated. Mr. Hinton encouraged me to continue study art in college and become a professional. Perhaps it is difficult to understand but such a possibility never entered my mind. After four years in two colleges, which involved painting houses, road construction, cleaning office buildings, and a stint in Officers Candidate school with the U.S. Navy, I have done nothing but graphic design, painting, and photography.

All those works of art and books on art - that's where I learned to do my watercolors - the only 'art workshop" I ever attended and paid for - I got kicked out and my fee retured. LOL

Later in life - I did go to the School of Fine Art at the University of Florida - earned a BFA (useless degree) but I learned the most from the professor of sculpture, Don Murray.

I am self taught... :)

Ronald,

Alfred Martinez a professor at UCONN. He is now retired. He was a native of Texas.
His professional life was in NYC. He came up to central CT every week from Tuesday
to late Thursday and some Friday nights for shows. He was a very creative teacher. He
taught us to think in terms are making our own constructs. He taught smaller classes
both on the lower levels and the upper levels. He opened each class with some time to
think over topics as you do here.

He was just a great great teacher. We never clashed. I had more fun. I was mostly an
A student in the classes I took with him. Perhaps I had one B. I took six classes with him.

Next, more recently, my technical mentor is a retired engineer that has been curious and very
interest in how I am doing with this venture. He gave me early advice on computers and equipment.
He was a driving force in how knowledgeable I am on different technical matters. His help
has sped up my coming to market in the fall of last year.

When the learning curve was steepest he was a good friend. Tevis Morrow. We had lunch today.

Dave

I was walking past an art shop when a beautiful watercolour of flowers caught my eye. Underneath was an advert for classes, and I promptly signed up. Ten years later I am still attending the weekly class/ group because it is so enjoyable and inspirational. The tutor is Julie King who has in print two books on flower watercolour technique. I always return home with an urge to paint more. Bizarrely though, the subject of the classes is landscape, and my private art and the art I offer for sale is always of animals. Luckily the watercolour techniques are transferable! And I am so grateful to Julie for opening my eyes and inspiring me to pick up a paintbrush.

My 8th grade teacher. He was authentic and emotional. He challenged me constantly. I went back and did part of my Art Ed internship with him which was a totally different perspective. I have enormous respect for that man. Our personalities resonate and clash and it was an experience I'll never forget.
Thanks for triggering the memory. :)

I was incredibly lucky and will forever be grateful to:
Tom Lehnert and Vincent Ferrera, fine artists who taught High School art to pay the bills. I watched each man paint for 2 hours every Friday ofor three years.
My college professors who believed in me, guided me and gave me the courage to make painting my life's work:
Phil Foster, painting. Patricia Renick, design.
Please treat yourself to this article with images:
http://www.sculpture.org/documents/scmag03/oct03/renick/renick.shtml

And not to be forgotten...Mr. Cyndrich, who we all hated.....cuz he made us match color samples from the Munsell color system for 6 hours every week for a year.
Thanks to him, I don't waste a lick of paint producing the color I need in the amount I need it. I buy no premade colors that can just as easily be mixed by me.

Marko Lolo Marchi ~ He built a fife in me in 1964 and it's still burning today.

My earliest art instruction came in High School. My art teacher, Marko Lolo Marchi, had a zeal for art that was absolutely contagious. He lived, and breathed art and was a master at most aspects of it.

Always experimenting, Marko encouraged his students to do the same and I was introduced to many different painting mediums and techniques. Watercolor, gouache, clay, collage, printmaking, pastel painting and even mural work were among the things that I was introduced to. High School was a place to try new things, to be exposed. I was astounded at Marko’s knowledge and I viewed him as walking and talking encyclopedia of art and artists. I skipped out of many of my other classes to learn more about art from him.

Marko encouraged me to enter one of my pastel paintings of a bowl of onions in the nationwide Scholastic Art Competition for High School students and I was shocked when I won a gold key medal and first place blue ribbon for that entry out of all the high school students in the five State New England area. The “Best of New England” was the name of the student exhibition in Boston. Now that expression is the slogan of Gallery On The Green that has represented my work since 1989. I was elected “Class Artist" in High School and started to win many competitions that I entered.

I had to good fortune to continue my association and studies with Marko while a full time student at the Art Institute of Boston. Marko and his business partner, Steve Yankopolis, owned an art gallery in the Greater Boston area and hired me on weekends and during the summer breaks to work as a custom framer and sales associate. Steve was also an artist, sculptor and writer and I have to admit that I learned more about art from those two men than I did as a full time student at the Art Institute of Boston. Steve was very good at sculpting in marble which he got from the quarries in Vermont, and I learned that skill from watching him. It was fascinating to see him remove stone from a block of marble with hammer and chisels until there was a beautiful figure left.

Steve and Marko did everything at their gallery, from selling art to custom framing, restoring period antiques and the cleaning and restoration of antique paintings. They also did custom designing and making of gold and silver jewelry and firing ceramic wares. They did it all and I learned it all from them. They were both excellent teachers in the tradition of the old masters and I am indebted to them both for what they both shared with me. Steve has passed away but I keep in touch with Marko to this day

At Cooper Union,NYC Nicolas Carone, also an Abstract Expressionist, had us Draw Big, so we had the right, afterwards, to Draw Small

But the teacher that really influence me most was Mrs. Kunitz, my teacher for Studio 1,the first year at the High School of Music&Art,NYC....She made us all, the first day to sign this pledge: "I will never Copy".


Come to think of it, the teacher that really,really influence me was my 8th grade elementary teacher,Mrs McCabe, that insisted that I apply for acceptance to that great high school

Self taught, just happened to have a scrap piece of copper around and starting to beat it up with a hammer.