Remember last week I mentioned that I was going to start teaching art classes again? Some wise person (of Asian decent I believe) once said, "The hardest part of any journey is the first step." Still so true. It was one thing when a former student emailed me about a month or so ago and inquired if I would teach again. It was one thing when the activity director of the organization agreed on a time frame as well as a price for teaching. It was one thing gathering together all my supplies, my easel, and a materials list. It was an entirely different thing walking into the large recreation area on that lovely, sunny afternoon last Monday about 15 minutes before the class started.
To my credit, my energy was running high all day along with anticipation. Nervousness really wasn't part of the equation. Even after I met the director face-to-face, I still felt confident. The room contained a very large table with four easels for my students to use. In case there was a student or two that showed up at the last minute, the director was prepared with two more floor easels at each end of the table. I was impressed! I set up my large easel as well as my palette tray with burnt umber (brown) and titanium white at opposite ends. One of my main goals that day was to make sure my students could grasp the concept of mixing colors and finding the right values. This step is called the under-painting.
After my students meandered in, we had introductions, as well as a brief conversation of everyone's skill level. My former student was fairly modest in her expression of her skill level. It was apparent that she kept on painting and creating over the 10 years since the last time we painted together. Her initial sketch of the seaside landscape she wanted to paint was nothing short of amazing! Two other students admitted they had painted before, but felt they needed some "refresher" pointers. The fourth student confessed she had zero experience at all. Even though I told my students before hand to bring in a picture they would like to paint - which they did - my newbie did not. So, while the other three artists went off pretty much on their own, I hung with beginner named Mary Lou, and we began painting the basic work I had brought to the class; a still life with apples.
However, before we began, Mary Lou had to switch glasses so she could see her canvas better. While she did that, I briefly went around the room to check on my other three students. Good thing I did, because one of ladies who needed "refresher" points was painting her work on the palette paper, not the canvas that was off to her right. I gently corrected her, she retrieved the canvas, and her partner-in-crime ribbed her a little about it. She coolly responded, "Thank you Jill. Getting old sucks. You're doing a great job. Now go find something wrong with her painting!" as she pointed to her friend. Wow!
Back to my newbie Mary Lou. We managed to mix colors well, get the sketch part of the painting finished, dabble into perspective a bit, and get an under-painting done. Not bad for 90 minutes! As we began cleaning up, a rather large woman who was also extremely buxom burst into the room and flamboyantly flung her arms into the air and proclaimed, "I'm here to be your nude model!" It's been a while since I've been totally speechless. After about five seconds, I managed to compose myself, went over to our visitor and we shook hands. She just laughed and mentioned she was there to see her friend Mary Lou. I was grateful my first class did not have a display of exhibitionism.
The activity director came in before everyone was finished and the paintings were still out to be seen. She snapped a few pictures for the organization. She seemed very pleased, as were my students, with this first go around. Thank God she didn't witness the almost naked model audition. After we all finished cleaning up, I collected my fees for my time - business is business after all - but at least we kept a huge element of fun in it... and that's the most important aspect of all.
Until next time,
Jill
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