21 Ideas Learned from Teaching Art

@Toni Ruppert  "Danielle" - future Picasso

Who was your favorite teacher? A big part of what I do is teach others what I do. I achieve that through art classes. I currently teach at two locations  - the Art House through the Oak Forest Park District and the Vogt Visual Art Center in Tinley Park, IL.

At first, I got into teaching for the money. Seriously. I wanted to make an additional income part-time. I knew I could teach others what I know about art.

Of course, over the eight years I’ve earned way more than money teaching.  I’ve stayed involved with students because I stay fresh and current in my own work by teaching them. Lately, I’ve been wanting to take my teaching skills to a brand new level. The First Days of School by Harry and Rosemary Wong has become by "Bible." 

With a little help from The First Days of School, here are the 21 things I'm learning from teaching:

1. Preparation = success.  When I’m unprepared, it shows.
2. Each student will exceed my expectations.
3. Each student has the potential to be a great artist.
4. Some “slow learners” actually learn art differently. 
5. The brightest and most promising artist in class might just be my autistic student.
6. Repeating and practicing a technique leads to mastery.
7. A stubborn artist who refuses to learn is soon given her wish.
8. Training the artists of tomorrow is an honor.
9. Learning art and teaching new techniques keeps my own art fresh.
10. There is more than one way to paint and more than one way to teach it.
11. When I’m on par, my students misbehave less.
12. All positive: I try and use all positive words in my art room.
13. Teachers are managers.
14.  A computer can not replace an effective teacher.
15.  I say Please and Thank you to my class.
16.  I must consistently install routines and procedures.
17.  Learning art is better than watching mindless reality TV.
18.  In terms of materials, being unprepared does not work.
19.  Being READY for my class leads to success.
20.  I believe in collaboration, so I have lots of helpers/assistants in my art class.
21.  I welcome each student with a smile.

From my days of playing teacher with my brothers and sisters, I knew one day I’d inspire others.  I’m grateful I get the chance to do that with art.

Who was YOUR favorite teacher? How do you motivate, teach and inspire the ones you lead? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

First Painting of the Year

"Chasm of Unbelief"
©Antonia Lucas-Ruppert
Acrylic, Ink & Pastel on Canvas
8x10

Okay.  So my daughter received a card for her birthday.  The card said she was strong, ambitious and capable.  I was like “Wow” that is what I think about her too. 

This image on the card was so striking that I decided to play around with my own strong imagery.

I am following an amazing book - Flavor for Mixed Media by Mary Beth Shaw.  I found myself playing around with acrylic, oil pastels, soft pastels, mediums and ink. 

I was like “Oh Snap! I get to paint like this?”

After painting this piece, I lovingly handed it to my friends on Facebook who came up with some awesome titles.

• Thinking Way Too Hard
• Looking Inward
• The Dream... Surreal
• Sustenance
• Window of the Soul
• The Chasm of Unbelief

I really appreciate it when I can collaborate with others on things like “titles.”  The title I’m choosing is “Chasm of Unbelief.”  I got chills when my good friend Leanna posted that. 

I chose this title because in reality the red and black mid section of the piece represents all of the obstacles we must go through sometimes in order to come to belief or peace.

(Thanks Leanna.)

Painting vs. Pain: Getting beyond the less than ideal

Portrait #60
©2011 Toni Ruppert
20 x 24″
Oil Painting (on Canvas)

Today and in the next post, I show you the “secrets” to how my painting can help get beyond a less than ideal situation.  My painting also goes through a less than pretty stage and I will share this too.  

Knowing the story behind each piece and having rituals (things I do all of the time) are just a few “secrets” to getting beyond this. 

What's this painting’s story?
My friend Diana’s Mom was having major surgery this summer.  To encourage her Mom, I thought I’d go visit.  I've always admired her funny and caring way.  In the back of my mind, I thought maybe one day I would get the opportunity to paint her.   

Yes.  I see people and think “Wow wouldn’t it be nice to paint that spirit or that personality or that hair.  

Anyway, at some point, I do visit again, taking my camera this time.  I took pictures on the spot.

These photograph I took told a different story than the one I wanted to paint.  The one we eventually used was a photograph from over 10 years ago.  It told a different story of a more happier time - before illness.  I knew I had to capture that happier time for Diana’s Mom and Dad. 

With any client, I try and and stay cognizant of their story.  Diana's Mom had always wanted a portrait she said.  Now seemed like the perfect time.

When Diana eventually saw the painting --about halfway through, she said, “He is so absolutely perfect. I cried...”  I was so elated to hear this because this portrait did not start off "pretty."  In fact, this is where it started: 

Portrait #60 -in progress
©2011 Toni Ruppert
20 x 24″
Oil Painting (on Canvas)

What should you do next? 
Think about someone you care about today.  Is there some difficulty or painful situation where a portrait would help?  Is there some stressful situation where my art could help?  

Feel free to comment or e-mail me at toni [at] toniruppert.com.

New Painting is Accepted: “Genesis of Survival”

"Genesis of Survival" ©2011 Toni Ruppert, 30x40, Oil and Charcoal

Do you know a more inspired, more encouraged, more joyful artist from the "west side" than me?  Today I'm even more pumped!

Acceptance!
 
Yesterday, I got an acceptance letter for my painting “Genesis of Survival” to the show "Testimony to Being" at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  

I’m really excited about this acceptance as it is the first time I’ve entered something this personal into a show and it was accepted.  “Genesis of Survival” is one of my favorite paintings because I love the detail work done with a palette knife.  It's like painting with a flexible butter knife.


Detail:

"Genesis of Survival-detail" © 2011 Toni Ruppert, Oil and Charcoal

 

The exhibit will be on view from October 15, 2011 through November 5, 2011 at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  

Lil Wayne: 7 Success Tips for Artists

"Musical Notes"  12x12  Mixed Media  ©Toni Ruppert

Last night, I watched something I thought I’d never watch; over an hour of biographical video footage about grammy award winning American rapper Lil Wayne.  I watched the VH1 Behind the Music video,  his interview with American journalist Katie Couric and some other footage with my teen daughter, Kayla.   

Kayla told me she had already watched his VH1 interview with her father.  Since they had a bonding moment over it, I figured I’d watch it with her as well.  Reason aside - let’s just say I was fascinated by the footage.  My daughter got a real kick out of seeing my reaction.


Lil Wayne in one word: industrious. He is hardworking. On one of the videos, he is shown performing a full show and then getting on his tour bus to record new material.  It’s like he was driven to succeed.

I was fascinated by the interviews. Couric asked about the rumors of his alleged addiction to cough syrup and use of marijuana.  He was real about that. That was interesting to me--since I often allow food to get in my way.  I mean I can eat.  Food addiction means I’d rather eat pecan sandies cookies for breakfast than cook a real meal.  Intimate knowledge of my own struggles enabled me to understand this portion of the video. 

After watching this, I now better understand why Kayla was “super gaga” over the Lil Wayne phenomena.  From watching these videos with her, I gleaned 7 success tips for ANY artist:

7 Success Tips for Artists

1. Work hard: one needs the will to work hard; Lil Wayne tells Katie Couric he has this
2. Find mentors: one of the videos stated that Lil’ Wayne was mentored since age 9
3. Get involved:Lil Wayne did odd jobs at his old record label before he ever recorded
4. Be real and know one’s identity: it was obvious to me that he knows where he is from AND an even stronger sense of where he is going
5. Practice ones skill: In the Bible, one of my favorite sayings from King Solomon says “skill will bring success.” Lil Wayne embodied this as a youngster and with the old rap group, “Hot Boyz.” After the group disbanded, he was ready to do his thing.
6. Work with a team: It might have been my perspective, but it seemed as if real commercial success came after Li Wayne’s second album was a commercial thud.  He then chose a fresh team of producers and music folks to create with.
7. Be prepared to reinvent: Also after the second album, Lil Wayne said he reinvented his method of recording. In previous recordings, he had pre-written his lyrics.  After a reinvention, he says he began recording his music without using a pad of paper.  Whether this was totally “freestyle,” is debatable.  But his new way was different from the way he recorded before.
   

After watching these video tidbits about Lil Wayne, and gleaning these tips, I realize there is hard work to be done.  Watching Lil Wayne with my daughter has caused me to want to live to my creative potential.

Making the Best of It...

"Behind Her Smile"  12x12  Mixed Media  ©Toni Ruppert

The only thing missing from my meeting with Jackie Taylor...was Jackie Taylor.

I had high hopes to meet the theatrical history maker from Chicago.  My friend Kuki had suggested I seek to speak with her several weeks ago. Kuki thought Ms. Taylor would be excited about my creative work and that I could learn from her. 

To prepare for my meeting with Ms. Taylor, I researched to find out her background.  I utilized the HistoryMakers.com  -   a biographical information and audio and video clips about African Americans who have influenced history.  I literally cried as I  found out that Ms. Taylor  and I have these things in common:

• We both attended Loyola University
• We both juggled marriage and motherhood as a Loyola student
• We both have had great mentors and teachers along the way

So after confirming our appointment the day before we were to meet, I was so excited.  The Black Ensemble Theatre headquarters is on the north side of Chicago.  I knew I had to take my six year old to her sitter who would watch her as I  drove across town to reach Ms. Taylor.
 
I walked in with my bag and my portfolio.  Upon my arrival, I was told that Ms. Taylor was unavailable.  Her previous meeting had run over.  Oooh!  Crushed. Surprised. Disappointed. 

I would instead meet with Gwyn Sea, her assistant of 9 years.

As John Wooden, the famed college basketball coach said: "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

So with Ms. Sea so graciously standing in, I asked my questions--some of which I got from my Facebook friends and fans:

How did Ms. Taylor juggle her craft, motherhood and marriage?
How has Ms. Taylor dealt with failure?
What did her parents and mentors do to instill leadership qualities in her when she was a child - how does one make a history maker?

I learned that:

• Ms. Taylor did whatever she could to put her craft first.  She does not use the word “failure.”  It’s all feedback for the next growth opportunity. 
• As for children--Ms. Sea says that as a teacher herself, Ms. Taylor would seek out the child’s strong points and build them up.  One must emphasize the strength and offer encouragement with the weakness.  Offer plenty of lessons and opportunities to grow that strength. 
• Ms. Sea said that Ms. Taylor’s philosophy is there are “no bad children.”

After meeting Gwen Sea, I was greatly impressed by Ms. Taylor and the Black Ensemble Theatre.  I hope to one day meet Ms. Taylor in person.  For today, I am blessed to know of her.  She is a history maker and someone to admire.

Who do you admire? Who is your history maker? How do you make the best of disappointing circumstances?  I can't wait to read your comments below.

My Crazy Whoa! Summer

Let me say that it's been a minute since my last post...so I'm super glad to have you here reading this.  Thank you for joining me here.

From the beginning of the summer until about three weeks ago, I was on a magical ride.  I partnered with the Oak Forest Park District to start an art program called the “Art House” in Oak Forest, IL for young artists.  Our focus was learning art techniques while doing work in the community.  You can see a video and read an article about the Art House via the Oak Forest Patch.

Art House student, ©Toni Ruppert

 Half-way through the summer, I took on another program in Tinley Park, IL--teaching young people via the Tinley Park Park District Summer Art Camp.  We taught 4 weeks of non-stop action packed classes.  And we had an art show at the end of each week for parents and students.

Proud parent, ©Toni Ruppert

Student Show, ©Toni Ruppert

Well, the summer was Crazy Whoa! - borrowing a term from my teenage daughter.  We face painted at the Relay for Life(American Cancer Society).  We participated in the community kite fly in Oak Forest as well as the Oak Fest--a fun fair for families. 

Looking back, I'm like Wow! - I learned 3 things from my experience at the Art House and the Tinley Park Summer Art Camp: 

• Young people have a lot to offer the world with their artistry and are genuinely interested in the world.
• Many of my students needed a tiny bit of encouragement and once they got it--they were off running and creating. 
• Flexibility was a must.  I learned to be absolutely adaptable in my plans.  One of my students, Maddie made sure I never got too stiff. Thanks Maddie!

With our last art show, my students decided to raise money to supply a huge dog bone for Orry, the Oak Forest K-9.  By selling their art, they raised not only that amount, but also enough for one month supply of food.  I was blown away by their generosity. 
 

Art House students with K-9 Orry

After teaching this summer, the magical ride concluded.  Last week, I realized that I had not painted in a month. NO PAINTINGS=NO EXPRESSION + NO EXPOSURE.  I'd been teaching young people art for several months.  Though I loved that part of my life too, much of my creativity went to the kids as I teach.  I knew it was time to get back in the studio. 

So last week, I started painting little landscapes near where I live.  Then we went for a little getaway this weekend.  And I painted three more little landscape paintings near the Fox River in Ottawa and Norway, IL.  It was like me and God time.  After not painting for a while, it’s like He whispered to me--”Just Do It.”

Painting on the Fox River, ©Toni Ruppert

Painting in Norway, IL, ©Toni Ruppert

So what’s next?  More teaching in the fall via the Art House in Oak Forest.  And more painting.  Definitely more painting.