elizabeth priddy on thu 9 dec 99
In order to help my students develop their own
ideas, I have four books that I have to show
them...
the first, a plain notebook with cut out pictures
from catalogs of functional pottery, things to
use daily. This book is labeled "Functional"
the second, a plain notebook with cut out
pictures from catalogs of non-functional
pottery, things to use on odd occassions and
oddball creations that are fun. This book is
labeled "Fun Stuff"
the third, a plain notebook with cut out
pictures from catalogs of things that I think are
beautiful, all media, any topic, things to inspire
you with their beauty. This book is labeled
"Art Ideas"
the Fourth, a book with pictures of historical
artifacts from every nation and all cultures that
is full of all aspects of humanity and personal
expression. This book is labeled "The Last
Million Years". It is divided by continent, then
country, then culture. It is well made and
fascinating. One student asked me what
"Judica" was, she wanted to make a piece for
her boyfriend but did not know what it should
look like. Down comes the book and off she
goes. As a visual reference of culture, I
haven't found a better one and books are my
hobby.
The first three books give them a place to
jump off from, I encourage them to make ones
for themselves. No-one to this day has made
the thing they started from, it has always been
a jump to something of their own. The books
can get them in motion and they will do the
rest. I include in the fun and functional books,
things that I would never in a million years
make or want. This keeps me from somehow
predjudicing them with my own ideas of what
is a good thing to make. The key to the
books is variety and letting them add to them
and choose what they want to make. You as
the instructor have the challenge that
whatever they decide to make, you have to
help them figure it out if you don't already
know how. I have gleaned more personal
growth as an artist from this kind of challenge
than many other activities that were
supposedly much more important. And I also
have never made any of the things in the
books. They are just to get it all flowing.
It makes the teacher work and stretch their
muscles in ways they wouldn't normally. It is
hard to be non-subjective and supportive of
someone else's creativity without allowing
your own thoufghts and feelings to intrude,
very hard. Very worth the effort.
---
Elizabeth Priddy
email: epriddy@usa.net
http://www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop
Clay: 12,000 yrs and still fresh!
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