Steps in Art: Teaching and Learning

When my husband and I moved to Colorado, I became involved with the local art center, The Western Colorado Center for the Arts. I taught a few drawing and acrylic painting classes there, but what people really wanted was a watercolor class.

My father, Charles F. Keck, was a magician with watercolor. When I started painting, I avoided that medium completely. I drew with pencils, charcoal, and pastels. I painted with oil and acrylic, but I did no watercolors.

Here in Colorado, it seemed silly not to try. I had always dreamed of sitting by the roadside, painting as my dad and his friend Marge had when I was a kid. So, I stocked up on Winsor Newtons, invested in a couple of decent brushes, purchased a block of Imperial, and signed up for Jerry Fritzler's marathon. This special event included several days of watercolor from 8 AM through 4 PM. I cannot resist a marathon with models.

I picked up some great tricks from Jerry. He suggested that we cut sheets of acid free Strathmore watercolor board in half and use it to make small studies.

These small pictures are fast to do, easy to frame, easy to store, and convenient to transport when working in the field. The wind does not carry them away when you are working in a meadow. In theory, they can be developed into larger works in the studio.

Creating small watercolor studies is a VERY old technique, dating back before the Impressionists. My dad painted them too, though not on Strathmore board.

I did finish the session, and went on to teach a watercolor class. Everyone seemed happy with it, but I think I learned more than the students did.

Come to think of it, perhaps that is always the case.

Teaching

Open your mind
like a door,
no, like a window.
Let me climb in
like a friend,
no, like a thief.
Let me take,
no, borrow,
your unknowing
for an hour.
Do not worry,
I will give it back;
no, I will not.