Inspiration for Young Artists – Jan/Feb 2007

I had some visitors at my house recently and I’d like to tell you about them. I was working in the painting studio at home, when I heard some voices outside. It sounded like people walking by in the street. But the voices didn’t fade away – they continued. Curious, I looked out the front window to see who it was. I was quite surprised to see a group of about twenty teenage kids standing at the end of the driveway. Then, I noticed an adult was pointing to some of the sculptures in the yard while he was talking.

I went out to see what was going on. The man explained that he was the shop instructor from Ingram High School, which is just two blocks from my house. The instructor said that he enjoys going by the house to see the sculptures, which change now and then. He brought his welding class here to show them the various steel sculptures in our yard, and the welding techniques used to make them. One of the students asked if the sculptures had names. It was then that I decided to invite them into the yard to see the sculptures up close. They were especially interested in one of my fourteen foot tall steel “Miracle Grow” sculptures because of its bright painted colors, its size, and its somewhat recognizable plant form. I always get a kick hearing the laughter when I tell people the title. A student asked if I do all the sculpting here. I explained that I only paint and do small works here, but rent a nearby workshop for the big stuff.

The instructor asked me to explain how I got the inspiration or idea for each piece. With the “Miracle Grow” sculptures, I showed them the leaves of the Iris plants in the yard. I explained that while I was looking at them one day, I began to wonder how they would look if I could take them from a one inch scale to a one foot scale. Going into the studio to get the mat board maquettes that I had made, I explained that a model of a sculpture is called a maquette in the art and architecture world, and after sketching my ideas, a maquette would be the next step to see how it might look, and if I could possibly make them. Also, this is how one would work out the kinks and actually plan how it would be put together. I was tickled to see that the kids were really listening!

As we walked through the yard and got to some of the stone and combination of stone and steel sculptures (several from artist friends) it was exciting to explain the titles and to tell how each piece was created. Doing this reminded me of the wonderful art instructors that I had while growing up, and how their enthusiasm had set me afire with inspiration. I sometimes think that I should have gotten a teaching degree since I do enjoy teaching and sharing the knowledge. And, every youngster needs exposure to the arts.

We artists know the pleasure of coming up with ideas, of schooling our creative minds and hands to learn the dexterity and patience in putting something together. It seems to me that the kids today are BORED. They cannot think of anything to do, other than watch TV or play video games. My experience of trying to give kids (nephews and nieces) a project shows they have no imagination. They are clumsy with the simplest tools, and have no idea how to do anything with their hands.

Because music and art classes are the first to be cut from school budgets, many kids never get the chance or the inspiration to be creative. And people wonder why those same kids are out on the streets “just hangin,” perhaps getting prepped for their boring adult lives.

In addition to the shop class, the art class teachers bring their students over as well. I open the door to my home studio and invite them in to see a “real artist” in his working space.

I love to hear the oohs, aahs and wows, to see the delight on their faces when they begin to see that being an Artist can be a reality. After each tour, the individual thank you from each student, and the group applause is welcome and gratifying. I get a great feeling, knowing that they are leaving here with enthusiasm, a smile on their lips, and a sparkle in their eyes!