The image above is the first slide from my PowerPoint presentation for the class. Those are the four projects we're making in just two hours. It's going to be a crazy whirlwind of activity! I can't wait.
In the meantime, I thought I'd talk a little today about my experiences with teaching art classes.
I don't think that you can be a good teacher unless you love what you do. The whole impetus to teach has to be because you want to share with the world! I think that I get the same kind of joy from teaching that I do from blogging. But teaching is even better because I get to see the lightbulbs go off. And whenever I feel burned out, teaching reignites that flame!
You know the old joke?
Q: How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
A: Practice, practice, practice!
It's true. But for me, I've always felt that "prepare, prepare, prepare" was a better way of putting it. It is the act of putting together the class samples, preparing instructions, preparing my presentation, time planning, etc. that really gets me ready for the class.
Furthermore, preparing gets me to understand every part of it a little bit deeper. Which means that I'm able to answer questions easily and offer more detail during class. It also means that I can anticipate mistakes and stop students from making them. (Unless they're awesomely cool breakthrough type mistakes. Love those!)
I Prefer PowerPoint
One of the reasons that I like teaching at Portrait Bug (classroom pic below, that's me up front) is because it's a wired classroom. I bring my laptop, hook it up to the big TV, and start through my presentation.
I find that even with a small class, a PowerPoint presentation makes it so much easier for everyone to follow along, see the details, and really understand the techniques. For instance, in my presentation for the Scrappy Jewelry class, I embedded a video I made about how to create a wrapped loop. It's small detailed work and this way students can see it clearly. And then I can show them how to do it individually. Much more efficient use of time!
I also like using PowerPoint because it keeps me on track, and it's so flexible. I can make adjustments and tweaks so easily!
Seriously, I have the best students in the world. They are so crazy creative and talented and brave.
Every time I step into a classroom to teach, I learn something. Sometimes it's something small, like how a product works or doesn't work. Sometimes it's big, like major inspiration.
When the space isn't quite right. Or the store doesn't have the supplies. Or people keep coming in late. Or something breaks. Or everything is cut to the wrong size. Or your demo just won't work. You know what? You find another way to do it! Being flexible and creative and rolling with the punches is part of the deal.
One of my major mantras when I teach is, "Perfection is boring." Seriously. It takes so much effort and sucks all the joy out of creating when you're trying to be perfect. Aim for terrible. Aim for stinky. And you'll either reach your goal or be pleasantly surprised! And so I take a spoonful of my own medicine. Being a perfect teacher is boring. I want to be a lopsided, uneven, handmade, true-to-myself teacher!
Having to explain to someone else why I put the photo right there. Or exactly how I stitched that tree. Or why I prefer Sakura Pigma Microns to Zig Writers. Or whatever else. Having to explain all of that really makes me create consciously. Or at least analyze things a bit more.
One of the best things I ever did for myself was teach my "7 Days • 7 Principles" class. Previous to teaching the class, I was designing a lot of things on instinct. I didn't know why it worked, it just did. Creating the class forced me to analyze exactly why something worked. And it forced me to be able to verbalize it. I think my work really took a huge leap forward at that point.
That's all off the top of my head. I'm looking forward to class tonight! So many good things to come.
Thanks for stopping by!
Okay….so that creating by instinct thing…that’s totally me. And I’ve been asked to teach but have declined because I don’t know how to do what I do…I just do it. It helps me to know I’m not the only one…and maybe I’ll take some of your advice and try to figure it out. 🙂
Okay….so that creating by instinct thing…that’s totally me. And I’ve been asked to teach but have declined because I don’t know how to do what I do…I just do it. It helps me to know I’m not the only one…and maybe I’ll take some of your advice and try to figure it out. 🙂
Okay….so that creating by instinct thing…that’s totally me. And I’ve been asked to teach but have declined because I don’t know how to do what I do…I just do it. It helps me to know I’m not the only one…and maybe I’ll take some of your advice and try to figure it out. 🙂
Okay….so that creating by instinct thing…that’s totally me. And I’ve been asked to teach but have declined because I don’t know how to do what I do…I just do it. It helps me to know I’m not the only one…and maybe I’ll take some of your advice and try to figure it out. 🙂
so true!!! 🙂
so true!!! 🙂
so true!!! 🙂
so true!!! 🙂
Your passion for sharing your creativity is inspiring Julie. That classroom looks awesome. Have fun tonight and learn something;-)
Your passion for sharing your creativity is inspiring Julie. That classroom looks awesome. Have fun tonight and learn something;-)
Your passion for sharing your creativity is inspiring Julie. That classroom looks awesome. Have fun tonight and learn something;-)
Your passion for sharing your creativity is inspiring Julie. That classroom looks awesome. Have fun tonight and learn something;-)
It’s been so cool to take classes with you Julie. I can say the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to not be afraid of making “mistakes”. Just like you said: “I’d rather make 10 layouts and end up with one I absolutely love, than have 10 layouts that are just “fine”. Thanks for this and all your design tips and techniques. Looking forward to more creative wisdom!
It’s been so cool to take classes with you Julie. I can say the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to not be afraid of making “mistakes”. Just like you said: “I’d rather make 10 layouts and end up with one I absolutely love, than have 10 layouts that are just “fine”. Thanks for this and all your design tips and techniques. Looking forward to more creative wisdom!
It’s been so cool to take classes with you Julie. I can say the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to not be afraid of making “mistakes”. Just like you said: “I’d rather make 10 layouts and end up with one I absolutely love, than have 10 layouts that are just “fine”. Thanks for this and all your design tips and techniques. Looking forward to more creative wisdom!
It’s been so cool to take classes with you Julie. I can say the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to not be afraid of making “mistakes”. Just like you said: “I’d rather make 10 layouts and end up with one I absolutely love, than have 10 layouts that are just “fine”. Thanks for this and all your design tips and techniques. Looking forward to more creative wisdom!
errr i wish i still lived in ny!
errr i wish i still lived in ny!
errr i wish i still lived in ny!
errr i wish i still lived in ny!
I REALLY love the input on teaching. I always love coming and seeing what “creative” thing you have been up to — and always leave wanting to try something new. Today, you have inspired me to be a better, creative teacher! Thanks…and I hope your class is brilliantly imperfect and FANTABULOUS!
I REALLY love the input on teaching. I always love coming and seeing what “creative” thing you have been up to — and always leave wanting to try something new. Today, you have inspired me to be a better, creative teacher! Thanks…and I hope your class is brilliantly imperfect and FANTABULOUS!
I REALLY love the input on teaching. I always love coming and seeing what “creative” thing you have been up to — and always leave wanting to try something new. Today, you have inspired me to be a better, creative teacher! Thanks…and I hope your class is brilliantly imperfect and FANTABULOUS!
I REALLY love the input on teaching. I always love coming and seeing what “creative” thing you have been up to — and always leave wanting to try something new. Today, you have inspired me to be a better, creative teacher! Thanks…and I hope your class is brilliantly imperfect and FANTABULOUS!
If I ever come to New York I am definitely taking one of your classes – they look so fun!
If I ever come to New York I am definitely taking one of your classes – they look so fun!
If I ever come to New York I am definitely taking one of your classes – they look so fun!
If I ever come to New York I am definitely taking one of your classes – they look so fun!
be sure to post how your scrappy jewelry class turned out….it looks like fun….too bad i am 3000 miles away!
be sure to post how your scrappy jewelry class turned out….it looks like fun….too bad i am 3000 miles away!
be sure to post how your scrappy jewelry class turned out….it looks like fun….too bad i am 3000 miles away!
be sure to post how your scrappy jewelry class turned out….it looks like fun….too bad i am 3000 miles away!
I just found your lovely blog! what a treat. thank you so much for sharing your creativity! it was a joy looking over your art and peeking into your soul a little.
I just found your lovely blog! what a treat. thank you so much for sharing your creativity! it was a joy looking over your art and peeking into your soul a little.
I just found your lovely blog! what a treat. thank you so much for sharing your creativity! it was a joy looking over your art and peeking into your soul a little.
I just found your lovely blog! what a treat. thank you so much for sharing your creativity! it was a joy looking over your art and peeking into your soul a little.