Passing the light

My father always said, “If you’re not teaching enough other people to replace you when you’re gone, you’re not doing your job.” :)

The first time someone asked me to teach I nearly fell over. What could I possibly know that would be helpful or that I would actually charge money for. Turned out, the person who was just beginning plain air painting…who didn’t know a filbert from a flat….was my audience. I had a natural knack to be patient, to be encouraging, and to help the artist ALLOW themselves to learn at whatever pace of desire to be “good” that they wanted. Turned out I was THAT person. There were, and always are, people in the communtity that can teach the artist the more advanced stuff. I found I was a conduit for many of the artist teachers in my area because I moved the ones that wanted to go further towards their classes and towards the workshops done by wonderful professionals. But I filled a gap. I was the one that would take them from “What exactly IS an easel?” comfortably, at their own pace, to “Wow, I like this stuff…..I want to paint MORE and MORE and MORE. And for those who did not, I was the one that let them be okay with painting once a week and not be competitive….but just paint for the morning outside feeling a little more knowledgeable and comfortable about themselves. I think your daddy was right. If you don’t pass it on, you aren’t doing all you can. I had no idea this was a “market area”. But it was and I can say that I get a lot of joy helping the beginner feel more confident and feel happy about where they are…and maybe where they are happy being. Thanks for this. I feel helpful.

see above. I don’t have more to say

Thank you for your thoughts, Terry. I’m also stunned that people ask me to teach. I’m not the brightest hue on the palette, but like you, I enjoy empowering ‘new’ artists with what I’ve learned from more experienced artists than myself. I have lots to learn, and willingly acknowledge my need for improvement by attending workshops and purchasing books and DVDs. I strive to improve my workmanship as much as possible without just ‘duplicating’ someone else. I want to find the balance of gleaning from others’ and staying true to what I want to express. Robert, your generosity of spirit spreads light for those of us who are following your lead and looking for direction, not only in art but in life.

It is during the process of teaching others that we realize the solutions to the problems we are having with our own paintings.

And, oddly enough, I am on the other end of the spectrum where I am obsessed and excited with learning and gaining information and feel I have so much to share. However, when I had the opportunity, twice, I fumbled as I found I was NOT the teacher I hoped to be and both times my students “quit due to personal obligations”! All is not lost though as I still have my artist friends who enjoy an afternoon of art talk. No money exchanges hands and we all get our “art fix” for the day! And as for me, I take home their comments to stew and consider and perhaps adapt in my next piece.

I have been asked to do demos which I find to be a lot of fun. The questions that come up are interesting and diverse. When I return home I find I have learned from the experience as much as my fellow artists have hopefully learned from me. A two way street?? I have a quote from Martha Graham that I always take with me to the demos. It also always hangs by my easel: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action; and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will never have it. You must keep that channel open. It is not for you to determine how good it is, nor how valuable. Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is for you to keep it yours, clearly and directly.” This may not pretain to teaching as such–but I hope it reminds the artists to take from the demo what they can use and encourage their own originality.

There is nothing new in the world, we all learned from someone and just put our own spin on it. Any one who thinks they are cutting down on the competition by keeping secretive their methods hasn’t realised those people will go elsewhere for information. Why not have them come to you , the Master? Having hundreds maybe thousands of students around talking about how they learned from you is a good thing and can only make your work more valuable. It hasn’t done you any harm and I’m thinking teaching has been a good thing for me. There is also the satisfaction of helping other artists on their journey toward a creative life. Whatever the level, beginner to advanced, I love it when a student does something well and is pleased with herself.

I also find that sharing your methods also finds you new clientele. Of course, that isn’t the reason to do it. But sometimes, your students or their friends and family become customers. I think it is rare that someone outright copies you for more than a few paintings, while they learn the method and before long they make it their own.

It has been my experience as a teacher for many years, that students are eager to learn new processes and techniques and most joyfully, take it and apply it to their own ideas for their paintings. I have had instructors who were very reluctant to go beyond a certain point for fear that someone would copy their ideas. To me, that is nonsense. Teaching is such a special experience and sharing of ideas.Thanks for all of your wonderful sharing.

When I get a comment that my painting reminds them of someone’s, I look forward to the challenge of figuring out why that was and how not to make the next painting ‘reminiscent’ in that way. It’s actually very inspiring because it makes me evolve by trying to find a new path. I can’t imagine settling for painting in someone else’s style. Although a painter in grave need of money who gets hold of a second-hand goose who lays golden eggs probably wouldn’t agree with me. I guess one has to do what one has to do.

In every walk of life people learn from those around them. The only choice we have is which mentors to learn from and emulate; those with talent, skill, commitment, life affirming values, or the others. Just look to North America’s inner city streets and see the results when we look to the wrong role models.

It is truly your spirit of love, generosity, forgiveness and kindness that flows from you onto the pages of your Letters. I think this is why people are so attracted to them, as well as for the outstanding topical information and reader comments you provide. Thank you for being a bright light to so many. You are an inspiration not just as an artist but as a person.

It is nice to have competition and exchange ideas. I think that is how new styles and techniques evolve. I think instructors of art are sharing their knowledge to others and we should be grateful that they do. They give of themselves that art will go on in future generations. Great masters were under the tutelage of other masters ;some departed from the styles of their teachers so the art world have evolved further into the modern world. But no matter how other artist try to copy other works they somehow still do approximate the original. I think artist who paint to simulate others and claims it is not good practice. The style will still reflect the original. I admire your attitude of forgiveness.

I am so proud of you for the wonderful attitude you have about sharing your knowledge. I have found that so many artist are so full of themselves that all they can think of is what exorbitant prices they can charge for their work or how much recognition they can receive from the public. It is so refreshing to learn of someone of your talent, knowledge and experience wants to share and help those still struggling. Thank you for being so humble. You are a great role model for all of us artist.

Although I often detect a bit of snide-ness towards those of a ‘religious’ nature (?), I completely agree with you about sharing whatever artistic knowledge each of us may possess! I tried for years to teach myself portraits in oil, but never got past a certain point until I met an up and coming young portrait artist, Neilson Carlin, who emptied himself in spite of his early struggle to develop his own career while supporting his young family. Today I have my own career that directly came from the generous spirit of this (religious) artist!

Life is quite an amazing adventure. The older I get, the less I know and that is really quite a blessing in disguise. It leaves endless opportunities for discovery and creative growth and I learn something new from every artist I encounter and every art work I view. In my years of taking and giving workshops I have found that it is the artists with generous spirits who share their hard-won techniques and insights who are not only the best teachers but their work glows with a certain light that is missing from the stingy know-it-alls’ work. There really is nothing new in mixing colors and creating art. My chosen medium is art quilting but whether I am choosing fabrics, designing jewelry or playing with my watercolors it is basically the same process that the caveman used–have an idea, choose a color, make a line. What makes it new is the personality and inner light that comes through in the finished work. I’ll bet your “disciple’s” work lacked the inner light and individuality that your work radiates. He is the one diminished, not you. As for me, I think playing by the Golden Rule is still the best plan along with a large serving of humble pie from time to time. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world through your insightful comments and beautiful art.

I am a mostly self-taught 76 year old artist who was given an opportunity 8 years ago to join a small group of wannabe painters with a woman who simply gave us a list of materials we would need and led us through making a simple colour chart and then showed us how to try to reproduce one of her own simple winter landscapes. We met weekly for an afternoon, where she would give us her critique of what we were painting, helping us by passing on what she knew. I then began buying books, subscribing to Artist magazines, and websites, devouring information and practicing what I was seeing. My work began to sell from the 3rd piece I did. My medium is oil, my style is realism — even tho I try to loosen up — and have become more ‘painterly’. My husband and I now spend our winters in Mexico. A year ago, during the winter, a new friend asked if I would show her how to paint — which I was delighted to do, and she would come to our casa one afternoon each week and I would pass on my knowledge. This year, 3 other young women with no painting experience but a desire to learn asked if they could join and our ‘paint day’ is now a full day with a pot luck lunch. They are having such a wonderful time and several of them are already displaying a talent they had no idea was in them. My payment is the ability to pass on what I have learned, and watch them become totally immersed in their work, and their delight as a creation of their own making takes shape.

I may have missed a few religious classes myself but I do know a few good manners and asking permission is one of them. I am a member of an amateur photography group who meet and discuss new problems and share ideas regularly in class. Many of my fellow classmates have refused to post their work on the class website for fear of plagiarism. Now many of the members are green photographers who could benefit from the experience of others who refuse to share their thoughts and ideas. What could possibly posses someone not to share a visual form of artwork ? Would they rather describe the scenes or the colours of the setting sunset? It boggles the imagination at times.

My idea of a great teacher is the one who helps you to become your truest self. Personally, I find it torture to work against the grain of my own inclinations, so I find it hard to fathom how someone could take pleasure in copying another artist without at least some kind of attribution, or wanting their own personality to emerge from the work.

It has always been important to have apprentices who can carry on traditions. Several years ago while traveling the high road from Santa Fe to Taos we stopped at a gallery in one of the mountain villages. The artist-owner said he represented other artists (painters, sculptors, and crafts persons) ONLY if they would promise to take on an apprentice. He was interested in having the Native American arts sustained and passed on to the next generations.

The comparison is apt. Root Canal drillers can take up to five years in specialized schools with professional surgeons who know what they’re doing. Why should we suppose we can do it in a few days or weeks without help?

I don’t even understand the problem. Don’t all artists look at artists hanging in museum to learn from them, consciously or subconsciously, even it if is to say “I never want to paint like that”. It is certainly not stealing if someone learns technique from you. Technique doesn’t make the art. It is what that artist says/does using the technique he learned from you that makes it art. I think it is sad that people today think that they cannot/are not allowed to learn from other painters, that if they do, they won’t be original. Didn’t “everyone” learn from Cezanne? Art does not live in a vacuum. It is impossible NOT to learn from a painting you like in a museum. It speaks to you and you are allowed to/supposed to listen. Orange, NJ

I read this letter with interest because I have recently downloaded a movie I saw on holiday in Australia in January. The movie was a very generous demonstration by the late Australian artist David Gregson of one of his styles of painting. The movie accompanied a traveling retrospective show of some of his works in oil and gouache. The show, A Desire to Relate, was prepared by the Mandaring Art Centre in Western Australia. I really enjoyed the show. I loved the work. And I appreciated the opportunity of seeing how he painted one of the paintings that was on show. Several of us determined to try his ideas when we went home. I could never hope to paint anything as good as David Gregson but he gave me some ideas and techniques to try. I think most artists are looking for ideas that illuminate their own way of making art, not for something to copy.

Absolutely beautiful Robert! and giving and spiritual! Besides it seems that we all have our own “signature” in painting if we are honest with our composition, drawing down the bones first… Mixing color is a life long struggle for me, so I try to keep it simple. Copying another artist can be helpful for a study and a stepping stone…but then climb on top of that knowledge and do your own thing. Even copying another artist will not have the original spirit, beauty and illumination and excitement. Thank you for this letter. Your letters are a testimony to helping those of us in need of being on the right path to make inspiring, sincere art. I will go to your workshop calendar! elizhyde.com

Robert, I thought of two things (well, more, but I’ll just stick with two) when I read this letter. The first is, “A rising tide raises all ships” which means that when we help others to be better artists, then that person and I will both be better. When I help someone else, I’m helped too. I’m a better man for helping another along in their journey. The other thing is that famous quote from the movie ‘Akeela and the Bee’. It was by Maryanne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are you to not be?! We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. As we let our own light shine, we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” I think we all want to be better than we are, and when we find someone who we perceive to be better/more talented/farther along in their journey, we want to learn from them. How blessed we are when they’re generous with their wisdom! A wise person is able to risk their own position in life to lift up another because he or she is secure enough to know that their own place in life is firm. After being approached my some moms, I recently began an art class for home-schooled kids. I put it off for a long time, but finally agreed to it, and it’s going well. I didn’t think that I had anything to offer, but they seem to really be enjoying it and learning a few things too. I’ve heard that the teacher often learns more than the student — and, well, I’m learning a lot! The humble person is amazed that anyone even thinks highly enough of them to ask to share their wisdom. Maybe the stingy one who refuses to help is really insecure.

Life’s greatest pleasures are the ones we share with others.

I believe the myth of scarcity is emotionally constipating and a complete lie. Even if I wanted to paint like Cezanne and Jackson Pollock the work would still be ME. And people who come and copy you (this could be a compliment to you) are denying their own talent and own unique vision. Keep sending those kind, realistic letters. Lafayette, California

When I teach painting on silk, I tell folks I am not teaching them to paint like me, but to use the techniques and develop their own style. Sadly, there are those who can only copy. Poor things!! So sad not to have original thought. www.pkldesigns.com “Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.” — The Dalai Lama

This is a pet peeve with me. I’ve taken many classes from some very knowledgeable and gifted artists but only when I started teaching did I realize that they kept certain things back. They never quite gave me the whole truth. I know this because when I’m asked to explain something by students, I realize I have to give them the whole enchalada for them to understand. The trick, if you will, is to explain that there is more to the story but it will follow in time and become more clear when “they are ready to hear it”. I’ve learned to say only what the person asking can absorb. “Too much information can cause more confusion to ears not ready to listen.”

I had a great opportunity when I left college. I started a small art foundry set up my studio and fumbled around with it for months. A close friend and artist introduced me to a foundry owner in Los Angeles. Over the next 20 years that individual mentored me on all levels of the process. Early on inviting me into his foundry to hang out, take notes, ask question’s. I did that for a year. One thing he taught me was that there were no secrets just hard work. I owned a very successful art foundry business in Burbank in part due to my mentor, Stan Smith, and part to a lot of hard work and attention to detail in all phases of the process. So for decades when asked for technical information about my work or the process I do, it’s free for the asking. What that other person brings to the world is their own interpretation of a process, if they are good it raises the bar for everyone.

I loved your article on “Passing the Light!” As a teacher I feel that seeing evidences of my work showing up in students work is indeed a form of flattery. It shows me that I did a good job in explaining the things I was presenting to them! If I don’t see that they have taken my instruction one step further I feel that I have failed them. I always stress that “my way” is only “one way” and students need to find “their way.”That is the “Passing the Light!”

I’m not sure Tatjana meant she does a complete style change when her art reminds a viewer of someone elses. It sounded to me like she works on doing those specific things that she assesses as being too reminiscent in a new way. We all contain a little bit of those artists who came before us and are influenced to some extent by our contemporaries but most of us have our own way of doing art that stems from our own unique experiences and gives our work it’s own particular look. Tatjana’s art reminds me of the Group of Seven, Robert’s work does too, and so do a number of other wonderful Canadian artists yet they each describe the Canadian wilderness in their own way, similarities exist alongside individuality. Tatjana’s own version has a crisp and graphic nature and it’s certainly got her own stamp on it.

I didn’t pay much attention to art until I came upon books on impressionism in my Jr High School library, circa 1961. Then I noticed the difference between the real paintings (abysmally amateurish, by friends) on my parents walls, and prints hanging elsewhere. I was fascinated. However, when my parents gave me a paint kit and an instruction manual, I dabbed until my grandfather accidentally destroyed all my paintings but one (which I retain, even today). Twenty years later, my wife purchased me a sketch pad. I think she saw something in the way I dragged her– increasingly willing to go– around regional museums. Twenty years after that I paint in oils and oil pastel at every opportunity. I’ve shown in groups and in a prestigious local gallery. But I’m now the amateur. While my work continues to improve, I retracted from the commercial aspects of the endeavor. That might change if none of my friends and relatives ever ask me for a painting again, and they begin to pile up. I have one of the most prestigious and certainly one of the most extensive showings in the country. I’m in so many homes I probably would fail to list them, and have sold nothing in twenty five years. What’s more, I’m happy with it. I’m having the time of my life, and old geek producing work that people I love want for their living rooms. Glad I got that off my chest.

There is a constant discourse on what art is and what art should be exhibited and what art is good what art is bad. I don’t believe we will ever come to a unanimous agreement on this issue but it makes for interesting if futile dialogue. What should be important is the principle that there are levels of expertise in creating art that have to be considered. Because of the explosion of instant media devices and the internet those who want to show their work now have the entire world to see it. This exposure has a tendency to blend all levels of art together. The darling painters in the local clubs are entitled to every accolade they get. But their work will suffer in comparison with work of a painter who has more experience, ability and technical facility when compared together. For those who deny this fact, they are deluding themselves. There is this notion that if you paint you deserve to be noticed on a world stage. This is happening with musicians i.e. American idol, athletes, i.e. Television now has little league games televised; skateboarding is an Olympic sport. Dancers, i.e. hip hop is considered a dance form. This is happening in every profession and sport mainly because of the internet. Unfortunately, we are unwilling to be objective when dealing with amateurism vs. professionalism. An artist, singer, musician or athlete isn’t someone who does something once or twice or on weekends or when the moment strikes them. A professional is someone whose entire life is taken up with what they do. And they do it every day and produce work worthy of being called professional. They spend their lives learning, practicing and creating work. Everyone else is an amateur. As for the curators and museum operators, they are thinking only in dollars and spectacle. Not necessarily about quality and professionalism. They are in this only for the money, fame and notoriety. Why do you think a plastic shark in a polyplastic tank sold for $14 million dollars? Don’t put too much stock in what is good enough to be in museums and galleries. This is the commercial side of art not the creative side. There is much ‘novelty’ out there masquerading as art. We have to see it for what it is and put it in its proper place. We have to stare into the mirror and see ourselves as we are in the clear light of day.

Thank you so much for reminding me about the “teacher” in me, and your wonderful thoughts on sharing what you know with others, without being threatened by the fear that they will out “shine” you….. If you give to others what you know, you already ARE a star !!!

As a drawing and painting instructor, I encourage my students to take the concepts and techniques I present and apply and interpret them as they choose to in their own work. I have no interest in churning out students who paint exactly as I do, it would be incredibly boring if everyone painted the same way.