Kevin Wasden

Supporting the Arts at DaVinci Academy

2012-02-02T23:27:00.001-07:00

Dear Artist Friends,

On March 3^rd, from 7 pm to 9 pm, DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts will host its annual Gala fundraiser. This event has always served a crucial role in DaVinci’s fundraising efforts; however, I hope this year will surpass all others.

This year, the Gala committee will devote all profits from the event toward completion of the school’s Black Box Theatre. I can think of nothing that will benefit DaVinci Academy and its students more. This theatre will provide space for plays, musical performances, lecture series, art exhibitions, and many other significant events. DaVinci’s students have waited many years for this opportunity, and it’s my aspiration to make it happen.

In order to pull this off, we need help from the community, and in particular, I would like to extend an invitation to my artist friends. As part of the event, we will be holding a Silent Auction, and we would like to feature quality artwork. If any of you have any drawings, paintings, ceramics, or sculptures for which you would be willing to donate all or part of the proceeds, please contact me via the comments below, Facebook, or e-mail. Those of you who know me, know I hate asking for donations, but this truly is a cause that is close to my heart.

Thank you.

Latest Illustration Work

2012-01-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

I've had the chance to do quite a bit of illustration work over the past month or two. Most recently I completed an illustration for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. It was a challenging, but fun, piece. It was a rush assignment and I only had a small paragraph to work from (the story itself was being translated from Portuguese into English). Prior to that, I completed the cover art and 24 interior illustrations for Hazzardous Universe 2. The book is scheduled for release in March, and we're currently holding a contest for young artists. You can check out the contest rules at www.hazzardousuniverse.com.

Christmas Ghosts

2011-12-31T15:13:00.002-07:00

One of my proudest moments as a teacher was working with my Design Team students to create and build the Christmas Ghosts for Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." They did an amazing job. The Ghost of Christmas Past (in white) was about 6' tall. The Ghost of Christmas Present (in Green) was about 7' tall. And the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come was just over 10' tall and had about a 12' arm span and cable-operated fingers. Here is a photo of the final costumes following the opening performance. The ghosts became instant celebrities and audience members gathered around following the shows for photos. It was a wonderful way to cap weeks of hard work.

Life Drawing

2011-12-29T23:16:00.003-07:00

As an art teacher, most of my curriculum is founded on life drawing. I believe it is the best way to teach perception for visual artists, and I have found that students from 7th to 12th grade respond well to the drawing sessions. Below are some student drawings from 2010-11. All these were drawn from observation of a live model. Drawing time ranges from about 15 minutes to 1.25 hours.

B.B., 11th Grade

C.N., 11th Grade

A.F., 11th Grade

B.F., 7th Grade

M.D., 11th Grade

DaVinci Academy's "A Christmas Carol"

2011-12-08T21:35:00.002-07:00

As I mentioned in my last post, we've been getting ready for DaVinci Academy's production of "A Christmas Carol." All of our hard work culminates this weekend, and I'm pretty sure the glue burns, late nights, and brain strains will be completely worth it. The Design Team and Theatre students had the opportunity to design and build costumes/puppets for the four ghosts (Marley, Past, Present, and Future), and they did a wonderful job. Here are some behind-the-scenes photos.

A Christmas Carol - Update

2011-11-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Only two weeks until DaVinci Academy's production of "A Christmas Carol." My students and I have been working hard creating "the Ghosts" and I'm looking forward to seeing them perform.

Mr. Slee (drama teacher) and I wanted Marley and the Christmas ghosts to be different than the rest of the performers, so we decided to explore puppetry and audio effects. I think we have come up with some very creative results. Here's some photos of a couple of the ghosts in progress.

A Christmas Carol

2011-11-06T21:15:00.002-07:00

So, while at the Shakespeare Competition in Cedar City, Utah, Adam Slee (DaVinci Academy's drama teacher) and I decided to try an interesting take on "A Christmas Carol." I will be working with my Design Team at DaVinci Academy to create four larger-than-life puppets/costumes for the ghosts in the production. Mr. Slee is taking a fun, non-traditional approach to the sound effects and staging. It should be a very enjoyable production. I'll post more information soon.

Struggles

2011-10-04T23:18:00.003-07:00

Today a student of mine was really struggling with school and life. He came to the art studio looking to get away from things and I asked him to draw a picture of the current still-life at the front of the room. He decided to give it a shot. About fifteen minutes later, he was frustrated, hated the drawing, and stood holding it over the garbage can. I told him he was giving up too soon and that he needed to keep on working. I could tell he didn't want to bother with it any more, but he consented and returned to his drawing board. At the end of class, he came up to me with a big smile, holding the drawing proudly. With a little more time and effort, he was able to create a wonderful drawing. I pointed out that it was a good thing he didn't quit earlier. He nodded agreement.

Too often, we get frustrated and want to quit when things don't go our way, but if there is one lesson I hope my students can get from the visual arts, it will be to not give up. In so many ways, drawing is the process of working through mistakes. It takes persistence to succeed at drawing, painting, and life.

And now . . .

2011-09-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy summer. I decided I was going to bite the bullet and complete my coursework for Utah's Alternative Routes to Licensure program. This is a great program that let's people like me, with a bachelors degree but not a teaching certificate, become qualified to teach. I entered the program in 2009. They gave me three years to complete the program, but I decided I wanted it done now. I took four classes through Salt Lake Community College and University of Phoenix this summer, and I completed the last class this past Monday. I keep telling myself it's nice to be done, that maybe next summer, I'll actually get to enjoy it . . . but the truth is, I kind of feel lost. At the time the classes seemed over-whelming, but now that they are over, I miss them. I like learning. I like sitting in a classroom filled with teachers because I'm guaranteed to learn something interesting about pretty much everything. And A.R.L. teachers are amazing. Almost all of us have worked professionally in our fields and so we bring with us some really in-depth knowledge about the subjects we teach. It makes for really fascinating discussions. Anyway, I've started looking at Masters programs, but I've promised my wife I will wait for a year or two. In the mean time, it will be nice to be able to draw and paint more, read more (something besides textbooks), and actually blog a bit more I suppose.

What is your opinion on Creativity?

2011-07-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a course this week on teaching literacy. As part of the class, we were asked to create an "Anticipation Guide", which is a series of statements about a text that students are about to read. I didn't have a particular text in mind at the time, but derived the following statements from several books and discussions on the topic. They are designed to foster thought and discussion. And I wouldn't mind sparking a little discussion right now, so here is my anticipation guide. I hope you'll take a few minutes to respond and leave a comment. Thanks.

Anticipation Guide

Directions:

· -Read the following statements about Creativity

· -Consider whether you agree or disagree with these statements.

· -Please share your response to some or all of these in the comments section.

1. Some people are not born with creative ability.

2. Creativity is a skill that can be learned through knowledge and practice.

3. Creativity is predominantly an attribute of the arts.

4. Creativity is the culmination of choice. Freedom and skill permit greater opportunities for choice and therefore foster greater creativity.

5. Creativity is the same thing as self-expression.

Pioneer Trek 2011

2011-06-26T16:20:00.001-07:00

This past week, I traveled to Martin's Cove in Wyoming with a group of about 60 youth for a Pioneer Trek. My job was to photograph the event and later create a DVD of highlights. My wife suggested that this was the perfect job for me, and I think she was right. It allowed me to stand back in the wings, so to speak, and to observe people, animals, and the environment. Here are a few photos from the event.

Almost Angel - Final(ly done).

2011-06-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

So, I just realized that I never posted the final image of this painting, even though I had shown it in various stages. That is now remedied.

Hazzardous Universe Video Interview

2011-06-14T13:31:00.003-07:00

Latest work for IGMS

2011-06-09T14:35:00.002-07:00

It's really nice to hear from an author that I did well on an illustration for his story. Today I received just such a message from Lon Prater, whose story "This Is My Corporation, Eat", was just published in Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. It's a well written and creative story that explores the over-commercialization of religion. Here is the illustration. And, of course, I recommend you check out Intergalactic Medicine Show for this story and others.

Laney

2011-05-18T19:04:00.003-07:00

I had a few minutes after class today, so I painted a quick sketch of Laney from Hazzardous Universe. I suppose this is what she would have looked like a few years before the events in the books, which is a year or two before she became the outlaw she is today.

Ramblings from a Train

2011-04-21T08:55:00.004-07:00

I'm sitting on the upper level of a Frontrunner Train this morning, heading to the Utah Museum of Fine art with 26 tenth graders. And as a testament of their good behavior, I'm actually able to take out my laptop and write.

I enjoy the Frontrunner. It's a relaxing ride, but more than anything, it lets me see my community from a different perspective. On the freeway, you can't see much of anything anymore. Much of it is bordered by 20 foot sound walls that block the view. Not to mention, when you're driving you really can't take time to gaze at people's back yards. On the Frontrunner, I feel a little voyeuristic. I get to peek directly into back yards and indirectly into lives. I suppose you can tell a lot about a family from their back yard. For instance, we just passed a home with a large patio covered with at least 20 eclectic chairs. I imagine the occupants of that home have a large extended family and enjoy visiting with friends. Some yards are filled with play sets and trampolines, obviously the homes of small children. Some still have their Christmas lights up. Some fences are well kept, while others are weathered and in disarray. Some back yards border small, inexpensive homes, but provide space for large "toys" such as boats and snow mobiles. Some lawns are mowed. Some are not. Some are just weeds. Some yards look more like parking lots, with five or six weathered vehicles missing wheels.

There are also plenty of fields near the tracks. Horses, cows, and sheep graze idly. And not far from the fields is a new booming shopping district, built within walking distance of the Farmington train station, fueled by the fact that many people now come and go where the fields used to be. I value progress, but I enjoy the fields more.

I have to admit, the view from Frontrunner is a bit skewed. The homes are predominantly low- to middle-class. The upper class doesn't live around here. They wouldn't build in these areas. There's a large number of trailer homes next to the tracks. Although, we just passed a fairly nice subdivision. One home even had a swimming pool, and I mean a fancy in-ground pool, not one of those plastic above-ground types. I'm sure this subdivision was built before the train. I bet they weren't happy when the tracks were laid for Frontrunner.

Some communities have built parks near the tracks, to act as a sort of buffer between homes and the train. Some homes have planted a line of trees to obscure the view, both into the yard and out. Some don't care that their back yards are exposed to public criticism. Others , I'm sure, are horrified.

For most of us, the idea of a stranger seeing into our yards and into our life might be a bit disturbing. I think we all need buffer zones at times. We need space and privacy. And here I am looking in, probably where I'm unwanted. I feel a bit guilty . . . but fascinated.

A Little Rant

2011-03-24T21:40:00.002-07:00

Dear People in Charge,

Might I make a suggestion? Or a few?

Can you please invest more in education? And in particular, will you direct that money toward teacher salaries? Feel free to hold us to higher standards. And don't let us get complacent. Better salaries will lead to better teaching, as long as that salary is tied to performance.

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of money, could you please hire more teachers? More teachers means smaller class sizes. As teachers, we need smaller class sizes. Students need more one-on-one time. It validates them. It improves learning. I'm tired of having little more than one minute to to spend with each of my students during class time. I think I'm a good teacher, but with just a little of your help I could be so much better.

Yes, I know you're saying you don't have enough money . . . but, we all know the money is there. It's just poorly managed by politicians who can't see the future beyond the next election. Seriously, was it necessary to pay $3.4 million to build a tunnel for turtles in Florida or $5 million to create a geothermal energy system for a dying shopping mall in Oak Ridge, Tennessee? How many billions were spent to create new jobs building roads when the best investment would have been education? Wouldn't a wave of highly educated, enthusiastic young minds stimulate greater growth in America than a "stimulus" plan? Please, make education a priority and then let the educated take care of our problems.

Sincerely,

Kevin Wasden

A few random thoughts on creativity before sleep

2011-03-13T21:48:00.007-07:00

While teaching the History of Art and Science at DaVinci Academy, I defined Creativity as "the ability to organize raw materials and undeveloped ideas into new and meaningful products." It was an adequate description that worked for both the arts and sciences. But lately I've been giving my students a different definition, one that I like better: "Creativity is choice." For example, a finished drawing is simply the result of the choices an artist makes, such as what to draw and how to draw it. An artist may begin with a blank white paper, then decides where to place the first pencil stroke. Then follows with another, and another. The process of decision making continues until the artwork is completed. The culmination of these choices results in something unique and creative, because no two artists will make the same decisions throughout the course of a drawing.

An artist's creativity, or in other words, his ability to make choices, is limited by his perceptive ability, knowledge, and mastery of techniques. Therefore, the more an artist learns and the wider his range of mastery, the greater his potential creativity.

The concept of creativity applies to life as well as art. Every day, we make choices about pretty much everything. And it is the consequences of these choices that make our lives unique and meaningful. In essence, our lives truly are a form of art and each choice plays an important part of the "artwork" we are creating. So, the question is, "what are the consequences of the choices you are making right now?"

Hazzardous Universe Book Launch

2011-03-12T22:57:00.005-07:00

So, you probably already know, but, the Hazzardous Universe book launch party was held Wednesday, March 9th, at Barnes & Noble in Murray, Utah. It was a fabulous and successful evening. There was an abundance of laughter, hugs, and book selling. I was amazed/humbled by the number of people came out to support Julie and me. And if you are one of them and you are reading this, thank you. I mean it. You're amazing. Don't argue.

I'm also grateful to Jeremy and his crew at Barnes & Noble for accommodating us and for putting up with my five kids running through his store all evening.

After the launch party, Julie and I headed out for sushi with Howard Tayler, Jessica Day George, and Dan Willis. It was a great way to cap off an already great day.

A Rapidly Expanding Universe

2011-03-06T22:58:00.002-07:00

Friday, March 4th was an amazing day for a couple of reasons.

First, Hazzardous Universe was released and the early buzz has been extremely positive (i.e.Jessica Day George, author of Dragon Slippers, gave it 5 out of 5 stars). And I have to admit, at risk of sounding a bit egotistical, the book is amazing. I can say that because Julie Wright is brilliant and did a wonderful job crafting the story of Hap Hazzard. It's a fun, imaginative book that kids and parents can definitely enjoy together. I'm very grateful to be working with Julie on this project.

Second, my art show opened at Gallery at the Station in Ogden, Utah. I've been looking forward to this for several months, but never dreamed it would receive such a great response. I don't think I've ever talked to so many people in such a short span of time. Thank you to all of you who stopped by. You made my day . . . heck, you made my week, month, and a good chunk of my year.

I'm hoping March 9th will be an equally good day. Julie and I will be at the Barnes and Noble in Murray (53rd South State), Utah, to celebrate the launch of Hazzardous Universe. If you are in the area, please come by and say hello between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Hope to see you there.

Book Release and Art Show on March 4th

2011-02-10T21:20:00.001-07:00

It's official, Hazzardous Universe is scheduled for release on March 4th. On March 9th, Julie and I will be hosting a Launch Party at the Barnes & Noble in Murray and we hope you'll come join us. We will be signing books and giving away goodies. I'll post more details as soon as possible.

Hazzardous Universe pre-orders (book or Audio CD) are available through Deseret Book.

Also through the month of March, my artwork will be on display at the Gallery at the Station (at Union Station) in Ogden. A reception will be held on March 4th, 6 - 8 PM, in conjunction with First Friday Art Stroll. I'm looking forward to this show. My illustration work, as well as much of my fine art, will be on display.

The Hazzardous Universe book series - Set for release in March

2011-01-09T22:11:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe the earliest sketches I drew for Hazzardous Universe are dated "1993". That seems so long ago. Two of the main characters, a pair of bumbling extra terrestrials, were conceived that year for a comic strip competition for my college's newspaper. While other responsibilities kept me from completing the strip in time for the competition, the ideas stayed with me and grew over the years. Now they will get their chance to shine. This March, Hazzardous Universe, will be released. It will be a four book series written by Julie Wright and inspired by the character art and short stories I created from 1993 to 1997. Julie has crafted a wonderful story filled with imagination, adventure, and humor. I have created 29 new illustrations for the book, as well as the cover art. Together, I think we have created something to be proud of and that we're sure you will enjoy.

We will be announcing the official release date and details for our launch party shortly.

The latest . . .

2010-12-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about teaching at DaVinci Academy is that I get two weeks off for Winter Break. Normally I would spend that time trying to relax a bit, but not this year. This year, I'm playing catch-up. In late October, my wife and I traveled to China for two weeks to complete the adoption a little girl. The adoption process has been a wonderful experience for us, but obviously, it requires great amounts of time and energy. So, this week, I'm taking advantage of any free time to work on Julie Wright's and my book, Hazzardous Universe. In fact, I've been drawing aliens and teenagers like a mad man with the hope and intention of completing the art by the end of the week. The book is entering the final editing stage and is planned for release in March 2011. It's exciting to see it take shape. The cover art is complete and I'm working on 29 black & white interior illustrations. I'll post a couple sneak peeks as soon as I can.

In the mean time, here's an illustration I did a little while back for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. It's for a story called "The Vicksburg Dead" by Jens Rushing.

Playing with Abstraction

2010-11-27T23:26:00.003-07:00

Here's a digital illustration I did a while back for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. As I drew it, I became very interested in vertical and horizontal lines and the shapes these created around the figures. It became a sort of game in which I tried to create a realistic painting based on a more abstract composition. Tonight I took it step further and quickly rendered the painting as a complete abstraction. What do you think?

Isolation, revised

2010-11-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is a digital painting I did several years ago for my friend, Darwin Garrison. It's based on one of his short stories, entitled Kyrie's Gauntlet. I happened to take a look at it the other day ended up tinkering with it in photoshop. I made just a few minor changes. In particular, I added a hint of green cloud forms behind Kyrie. I think the complementary colors of the cloud and the red jumpsuit help create greater emphasis and energy.

Troubled Angel, Oil, 15"x30"

2010-11-23T23:17:00.003-07:00

I snuck in a little painting time here and there between other projects and finally have this one close to a finish . . . or in other words, I better stop before I completely ruin it. I've enjoyed working with black and white and examining the power of values. I've also incorporated a lot of texture into this one, most of which isn't very evident in the photo.

A "Perceptual" Approach to Teaching the Visual Arts

2010-11-19T23:58:00.010-07:00

photo by Hipnos

In Utah, the state's Office of Education provides two "goals" to direct how and what visual art teachers present in their classrooms. These are "creating meaning in works of art" and "perceiving meaning in works of art." These goals are then broken down into four "standards," namely Making, Perceiving, Expressing, and Contextualizing. These standards are intended to "guide the student toward a deep and holistic comprehension of the Visual Arts." (See Utah Arts Core.)

Unfortunately, Utah's visual art standards are inadequate. While they may help students to express themselves and make cultural connections, they fail to demonstrate sufficient awareness of the skills required to create meaningful works of art and do not provide enough guidance for educators. It is this lack of structure that contributes to the devaluation of the arts in schools and is the primary reason that the arts are one of the first programs to be cut when funding is limited.

Something needs to change.

I've spent the past several months considering which standards I believe should guide the visual art classroom. This has resulted in the following four guiding principles: Perception, Knowledge, Mastery, and Creativity. I call it a "Perceptual" approach to teaching the visual arts, and it is based on precepts taught by Leonardo da Vinci, who stated that "all our knowledge has its origin in our perceptions." It emphasizes visual intelligence and technical skills at younger ages and provides opportunities for greater creativity as students mature.

Following is a brief summary of this Perceptual Approach:

Perception

Above all, an artist must develop the ability to “perceive” the world around him, which is to gain an awareness of nature through the senses, primarily the eyes. Perceiving is shaped by preconceptions and biases, so it becomes necessary for the art teacher to instruct the student how to perceive accurately. Perceptual ability can be simplified into palatable concepts (which I simply call Percepts) that should be emphasized in lesson plans. These Percepts include the "elements" of art, such as line, value, and color, as well as many more advanced concepts, especially the "behavior" of light and complex visual-spatial relationships . An extensive, but open-ended list of perceptions should be developed and provided to art educators.

(Note: "Perception" as used in Utah State's core standards refers to the ability to criticize and evaluate works of art and does not refer to the student's awareness of nature. This marks a sharp difference between the State's approach to the visual arts and a Perceptual Approach.)

Knowledge

As the artist becomes aware of nature, the door is opened for inquiry and learning. This Standard emphasizes that students should take time to contemplate that which has been perceived. Questions are asked and answers are discovered through inquiry, experience, and reason. In turn, as one gains greater knowledge of an object or concept, she becomes better able to perceive greater details and gain deeper knowledge. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the art teacher to pass knowledge (Menes) on to her students and to provide opportunity for contemplation and inquiry so that the student might interpret and adapt the knowledge to their own experiences.

Mastery

Mastery is the ability of the artist to render his perceptions successfully in his desired medium. Mastery is obtained through practice. It is the development of technique through imitation, rehearsal, and trial and error. Without mastery, the student lacks the ability to express that which he perceives.

Creativity

Creativity is often misunderstood by both students and teachers alike. Frequently, creativity is mistaken for "self-expression." Students often complain that a particular art lesson "stifles" their creativity because it requires them to draw or paint a way to which they are not accustomed and does not allow them to complete the work the way they want. But in truth, the student who limits his perceptions, knowledge, or techniques actually lacks the ability to be creative. For example, an artist who has entirely practiced abstract painting techniques may one day wish to paint a realistic human figure, but would lack the ability to do so. The artist must then seek knowledge and mastery of new techniques in order to accomplish this new goal.

Creativity is the culmination of choices that an artist makes in producing a work of art, therefore the artist who is capable of the most choices has the greatest creative advantage. An art teacher should structure lessons so that students first take a disciplined approach to developing Perceptions, Knowledge, and Mastery, and then provide opportunities for the student to use those abilities in unique and personal ways.

I propose this now, not because I think it is the best or only solution, but with the challenge of discussion and debate, and the possibility of advancing the arts in education.

Over-Confidence vs. Self-Deprecation

2010-11-15T00:00:00.002-07:00

Hasty Thoughts: Creativity requires confidence and courage. You have to believe in your ideas or you'll never invest the time and effort that is required to see them through. With that said, let me add that you must also be willing to accept criticism and perhaps even doubt ideas, just a bit. Often it's in those moments when someone questions your ideas and forces you to rethink your views that you discover a better solution. The challenge is to be open to new ideas.

Hazzardous Universe Art Update

2010-10-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

I submitted three concepts for the cover of The Hazzardous Universe today. I'm anxious to get feedback from Covenant and to start painting. Julie and I are still on track for release in early February 2011. The book is going through final edits while I'm working on the cover art, 39 full-page illustrations, and numerous spot illustrations. The next couple of months are going to be busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hazzardous Universe Update

2010-10-01T05:33:00.001-07:00

I've been looking forward to today for a couple of months . . . actually years. This afternoon, I'm heading to Covenant Communications to meet with the designers to discuss the cover art for Hazzardous Universe. After that, Julie and I are meeting with our editor, Kirk Shaw, to discuss the interior illustrations. Then it's draw, draw, draw in order to wrap up the book for a February 2011 publication.

Good, Better, Creative!

2010-09-25T12:10:00.006-07:00

I discovered Cuponk today while shopping. In its simplest form, it's a game where you try to land your ping-pong ball in a cup. The trickier the shot, the better. The basic game has been around for years, but it took some clever people at Hasbro to redesign, repackage, and market it as Cuponk. For about $13, you get a couple of ping-pong balls, some trick cards, and a fancy cup with lights and cool graphics. I have to admit, I considered buying it. But then I had a better thought. I walked over to the sports area and found a box of 36 ping-pong balls for $8.86. I bought that instead. I already had a plastic cup at home, and I figured my kids would have more fun designing and painting their own ping-pong balls. And guess what . . . I was right. We've spent the last hour sitting around painting ping-pong balls with magic markers and water color paints, which both worked fabulously. I then sprayed them with a clear acrylic coat to protect the paintings. And now . . . Let the games begin.

Here are some sample "designer" ping-pong balls, just to give you an idea of what you can do.

photo credits: dzingeek

One more thought: I'm considering using this game at school as a filler project. I think it would be fun to design balls and then trade them or try to win your opponents ball in a bit of friendly competition. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. :)

Okay, ONE more thought . . . my last, I promise: I just found a pack of 144 balls for $11.69 from Amazon. I'm ordering that right now.

The Problem With Education

2010-08-29T21:10:00.006-07:00

photo credit: foundphotosl

In order to graduate from high school in Utah, a student must have 24 credits, 18 of which are "core" class requirements. The course requirements are as follows: 4.0 credits of Language Arts, 3.0 credits of Math, 3.0 credits of science, 2.5 credits of Social Studies, 2.0 credits in Physical Education, and 3.5 credits in Directed Coursework (which includes 1.5 credits in the Arts). The additional six credits are "electives."

Utah gubernatorial candidate, Peter Corroon, would like to change that. He has proposed adding another year of math and reducing electives. Students would be required to have 22 credits in "core" subjects. He suggests that his plan will make graduates more employable. And I have to admit, he may be right . . . if you're looking to hire a mathematician. Unfortunately, Corroon fails to realize that what education needs today is greater diversity, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

I do agree with Corroon that there's room for improvement in our math and science programs. If you study the greatest periods of human advancement (i.e. Ancient Egypt, Classic Greece, Renaissance Italy, The Age of Enlightment, etc.) you'll see that math and science were highly valued by the cultures of the time. But you'll notice something else . . . art was also of great and perhaps equal value. If we take a lesson from history, we'll see it's important to diversify education.

Let's consider, for a moment, Renaissance Italy of the 1400s. Here we find an explosion of growth and creativity in the arts and sciences, as well as many other disciplines. There are many possible reasons for this, but one primary cause was the philosophy of Humanism, or the belief that humans have limitless potential for advancement. This idea sparked a thirst for learning and creativity in all areas of knowledge. As Leon Battista Alberti (1404 - 1472) put it, "a man can do all things if he will." The Renaissance became a time of polymaths, or people who were experts in many skill areas. The most famous polymath is Leonardo da Vinci. He exemplifies what I consider a "well-educated" person with a broad repertoire of profound skills. Truly, the Renaissance was a testament of the potential of humans to learn and advance.

Today, you could argue that things are different, that in our "tech-driven" society workers need to be more specialized and there's no need for polymaths. And there's some truth to that . . . on an individual basis. Statistics do show that the more education you have, the more specialized you become, and the more likely you are to be employed. However, from a sociological perspective, I believe it's dangerous to funnel all of our students into mathematics and science. I believe the idea of the polymath--ideal yet unrealistic for all individuals--is absolutely applicable and necessary for all societies and civilizations. It's akin to the theory of evolution, which suggests that the more diverse the gene pool, the more likely a species will adapt and survive. In a similar fashion, the more diverse the talent pool, the more likely we will see the development of meaningful ideas and products, and the more likely our economy will grow and our societies advance.

It seems to me that the best solution for fixing education is not to force students to take more math and science, but to provide greater opportunities for specialization in a wider range of areas while still in high school. We need to help our youth discover their talents sooner and to develop them to the fullest. They say it takes a good 10 years to master a talent. Let's give our youth a head start.

Hey, DaVinci Art Students!

2010-08-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

DaVinci Academy Art Department

2010-08-14T10:36:00.006-07:00

As you may know, I teach visual art at DaVinci Academy in Ogden, Utah. I love it. I get to teach some of the most talented youth . . . ever. Many of my students are leaps-and-bounds ahead of where I was when I was their age. Their potential is amazing. They are driven, they have something to say, and they are creative. These are kids who have faced more than their fair share of challenges, and yet, they are still moving forward and excelling. Art is how they learn, how they express, and how they live.

Unfortunately, art is one of the most difficult programs to adequately fund. The cost of art supplies quickly add up and the ability to produce meaningful projects is greatly limited. And, with the economy crunch, this year is already looking tight. That's why we are launching the DaVinci Academy Art Department Winter Fundraiser 2010. Donating is easy, and it's tax deductible. Small donations are welcome.

10th Grade Student Work

Here's a list of some of the projects that your donation will help fund: Anatomy for Artists (advanced drawing, college prep course), Sketchbooks for Kids (creativity initiative in which high school students will gather art supplies and provide them to children in under served areas), college portfolio development, student art shows, Shakespeare Competition (acting, music, and visual art), student concerts, two annual student plays, FUSION (an evening of collaborative arts), and more.

For your donation, you will receive a special thank you from DaVinci Academy's art students. You will also be recognized in all programs printed for this year's art events.

I probably sound like a salesman. I'm sorry. But I believe in this cause and the potential of my students. I hope you can too. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about DaVinci Academy or the Art Department Fundraiser.

Thank you!

DaVinci Academy Art Department Winter Fundraiser 2010

The Balancing Act Called Success

2010-08-10T23:43:00.009-07:00

Photo by Brent Moore.

In my last post, I wrote about failure. Now it seems only right that I take some time to address the concept of success. I was about to call success the opposite of failure, but I don't think it is. I would rather think of failure as nothing more than success in progress, a WIP for lack of a better term.

So, then, what is success? How do we define it, especially with regard to creative works? Is success always an accomplishment of great meaning and popularity, or is it simply the absence of failure? Or as author Samuel Beckett suggests, is it the process of "fail[ing] better"?

And who or what determines the success of a creative work? In sports it's easy. They have games and tournaments, and you win if you score the most points. In art, there are competitions, but the whole "win or lose" concept doesn't really work. In my own experience, I've had paintings that have been accepted in one art show, only to get rejected in another. In such cases, a creative work gets judged by a jury. It's a process that works well for thinning entries, but it is subjective, which means that one jury's decision will be different from anothers. And, honestly, that doesn't seem a good way to judge a person's success.

Pschychologist Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi argues that creativity results from the interaction of three elements, namely "a culture that contains symbollic rules, the person who brings novelty into the symbollic domain, and a field of experts who recognize and validate the innovation" (Creativity, p. 6). I would like to borrow those three components and rename them simply Culture, Creator, and Audience. Just as each element contributes to creativity, it also helps us determine the success of a creative work. The catch here is that each element, in its own way, wants to take all the credit. For example, an artist (creator) will think he has been particularly creative on his own, but culture will be quick to point out that the artist's work would never have been accepted had not the attitudes and values of the population changed so drastically over the past 50 years. And the audience (some proclaiming to be experts) will say, we found him first and he is only successful because we value his work. They will go on bickering in such a way.

I think the key to becoming successful in creative endeavors is to balance these three elements, to make them work together. It's when the artist becomes caught up in the "bickering" that his success becomes shaky and fragile. To illustrate, I'm going to present what I call my "Lucas Theory." Yes, it might be a bit corny, but it makes a point. It's basically this . . . the first three Star Wars movies (episodes 4 - 6 ) were good because George Lucas came up with some pretty cool ideas that fit within the culture and were received well by the audience of the time. He had things pretty well balanced. But sometime before making Episodes 1 - 3, he became "off-balance." He focused more on himself as creator and less on the culture and the audience. In fact, while defending Jar-Jar Binks in an interview, Lucas said, "I can't make a movie for fans." But of what value is a creative work if it is not made with an audience in mind?

So, I suggest that the success of a creative work can only be measured when we take into account the ability of its creator, its acceptance within a culture, and its appeal to an audience. When we give too much weight to any one of the elements we spin off course. We get a false measurement which results in a false perception of our work. Balance is vital to a true and enduring success.

Thanks for reading.

Fabulous Failure

2010-08-09T07:00:00.009-07:00

When is the last time you were grateful to fail? Seriously, have you ever totally messed things up and said to yourself, “wonderful!”? Well, if you’re like most of us, you probably prefer to think of yourself as a complete idiot in such situations. Odds are--if your mistake was big enough--you’ll avoid trying to do whatever it was you were doing, ever again. But not trying again is truly the greatest, and perhaps only, mistake you will ever make.

I just read a fabulous quote by Madeline L’Engle, one of my favorite authors. Keep in mind, Madeline’s book, A Wrinkle in Time, was rejected 29 times by pretty much every major publisher for over two-and-a-half years. She said:

Human beings are the only creatures who are allowed to fail. If an ant fails, it’s dead. But we are allowed to learn from our mistakes and from our failures. And that’s how I learn, by falling flat on my face and picking myself up and starting all over again. If I’m not free to fail, I will never start another book. I’ll never start a new thing.

Here are a few more quotes you should take to heart:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill

“I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work.” -Thomas Edison

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” –Henry Ford

“Failure is merely feedback that there is something blocking the path of the emergence and expansion of the greatest version of yourself.” –Mother Teresa

I believe one of the most important traits a creative person can acquire is the ability to take risks. You must be willing to risk failure in order to succeed.

Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to “say something.” As stated by Mother Teresa, you are in the process of discovering “the greatest version of yourself.” Allow yourself the ups and downs of that search. And allow the same for others.

The Spirit of Exploration

2010-08-07T08:49:00.008-07:00

(Note: Please forgive today’s fragmented post. If I were a writer, I would take more time to edit and refine my words. Obviously, I’m not a writer.)

When I was a kid, I loved to explore. That simple desire opened the floodgates of my imagination. As a child, I trekked across Antarctica in my dog sled. I journeyed to distant planets as an astronaut. I searched magical woods, surveyed the ocean floor, and reached the peaks of the highest mountains, all without leaving my own back yard. As I grew older, my desire to explore continued, but extended beyond my own home. I lived in a rural, farming town and had the opportunity to explore mountains and forests. I discovered wonderful things like tadpoles in shallow lakes that formed when the snows melted and lasted only a few short weeks. I walked the hills looking for arrow heads left behind by Native Americans. I drove along winding dirt roads, just to know where they went. Today, that sense of exploration continues, but it has evolved. I find myself exploring ideas, concepts, and thoughts. I ask “what if?” I draw, paint, write, and then try to share my explorations with others.

At the root of exploration is Curiosity. It’s a desire to know what is “out there.” Children are naturally very curious, but their ability to explore is restricted by parental impatience, age, ability, and fear. As children grow into adulthood, some stay curious, but many of lose their desire to explore. Exploration is risky. And when you have bills to pay, you shy away from risk. You stifle your curiosity. You settle into routine. You become concerned with comforts. You worry about entitlements. You work hard for your home, your cars, and your flat screen televisions and that is good enough.

That scares me.

And it’s an attitude that’s becoming more prominent in our culture. For example, when I was in elementary school, astronauts were honored and shuttle launches were broadcast, but today, we no longer value space exploration as we did in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Why? Because many think it is frivolous to spend money on exploration, on curiosity. Not to mention, space exploration is risky. People can die. But when did Americans become afraid to take risks? Risk-taking is vital to innovation and creativity. when we take risks, we’re bound to make some mistakes, but we’re also going to discover some revolutionary advancements along the way.

Have you noticed we now live in a world where “standard” is considered good? We require “standard” in our education systems. We are pushing “standard” in health care. We set “standards” for near everything. But if you look up “standard” in the dictionary you’ll find a lot of words like “average”, “common”, and “normal." And, with regard to the beef industry, “standard” is one step down from “good.” Now, I agree that there is some nobility in trying to make sure everyone reaches a certain “standard”, but it can only be done by pulling down or taking away from those above said standard. Standards restrict the spirit of exploration. They limit creativity, and should be used sparingly.

I believe that compulsory standards may help a few, but overall they have a detrimental effect on the advancement of civilizations and the human race. I don't believe that government intervention is needed to fix all (or even most) of our problems. What we need is innovation (builders building what dreamers dream). We need people willing to take risks in order to solve problems.

As an artist and educator, I worry that we are robbing future generations of the magic of exploration. We are teaching them it’s wrong to be curious. We are pulling down creativity and innovation. And we are left with nothing but “standard” answers where “exceptional” solutions are needed.

Quick, find me some wood to knock on.

2010-07-09T21:15:00.003-07:00

Dare I say it? The past year has been a pretty amazing year. I don't mean that it has been free of problems. It hasn't. In fact, if I wasn't so overwhelmed by the good things, I might complain that this has been one of the most difficult years of my life. Instead, I'm thrilled to be employed as a teacher at DaVinci Academy, I'm overjoyed that Julie Wright and I have found a supportive and visionary publisher for The Hazzardous Universe, and I'm very optimistic about several other projects currently in development. Not to mention, there have been a number of wonderful experiences in my personal and family life, most of them too personal to share here. I feel a sense of gratitude, but also a little fear. I worry that my "15 minutes" will expire soon. So, I'm knocking on wood, hoping for continued satisfaction and success. I'm hoping that it's true that a little talent and lot of perspiration will go a long way.

As I mentioned, The Hazzardous Universe now has a publisher. If you would like to know more about our experience of finding a publisher, I suggest you read Julie's blog. I was going to write about it, but I'm an artist and she's a writer . . . she has already said it all more eloquently than I ever could.

Thoughts on Measuring Creativity in a Historical Context

2010-06-25T23:14:00.006-07:00

Can the creativity of historical artists be measured? Obviously, that's been on my mind this past week. The "Michelangelo-vs-Van-Gogh" discussion gave me a few ideas. For instance, if we define creativity as "the ability to organize raw materials and undeveloped ideas into new and meaningful products", then perhaps we can find a way to measure a "product's" creative value in terms of how new (novel, original) and meaningful (enduring, influential) it is. Perhaps we could assign a qualitative number (from 1 to 10) to each of these categories, multiply them, and arrive at a quotient between 1 and 100 (the higher the number, the greater the creativity of the product). In that way we could assign a value to the creativity of a product. For example, let's consider Vincent Van Gogh's painting, "Starry Night." How does it rank with regard to newness? Well, Van Gogh was influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, and he associated with several notable artists of his time, yet his work was highly original. In fact, Van Gogh's art was never well received during his life time, which, arguably is a testament to it's uniqueness. It often takes time for the populace to accept new ideas. This was the case with Van Gogh, so let's give him a 9 for newness. And how about meaningfulness? Well, this Starry Night was created in 1889, so it has endured only a short period in the history of art, but since then it has become one of the most popular images of all time. It's young, but has connected with a lot of people, so let's give it an 8. So, 9 x 8 gives us a quotient of 72. What do you think? What works of art might receive a 100?

In addition to analyzing the creativity of a product, we would also want to consider the creativity of an individual. Is there such thing as a "creativity quotient"? What designates a person as creative? And what makes one person more creative than others? If we identify those traits, then perhaps they could be measured independently and help arrive at a quotient. We might consider the quantity of products that an individual creates during his/her lifetime, the average quality of those products, and the breadth of that person's creativity achievements (i.e. DaVinci's interest in art, science, engineering, etc.). What other measurable traits might be considered?

I should probably explain my current obsession with creativometry (did I just coin a new word and does it work?). As I mentioned in my last post, I teach a class called History of Art and Science, and at the root of that class is creativity. And as I have taught that class, it has become quite obvious that--although I believe we're all born with it--not every individual develops creativity in the same way or to the same extent. I don't necessarily believe that creativity can truly be measured, however I would like to give my students some sort of tool they can use to compare and contrast creative individuals, products, and periods throughout history. So, I hope you'll let me know what you think of these ideas. Thanks.

BUY IT: Starry Night, c. 1889 Art Styles Poster Print by Vincent van Gogh, 36x24

Who is more creative, Michelangelo or Vincent Van Gogh?

2010-06-20T22:28:00.004-07:00

Let me begin by way of confession: I used to hate studying history. In college, it was torture for me to sit through American History. Even my Art History classes pushed me to the edge of human endurance. Ironically, this past year I was asked to teach a unique class at DaVinci Academy called The History of Art and Science. I was intimidated. How could I teach the very subject I so greatly disliked? But, as I considered the class, I soon realized that, at it's core, it was nothing more than the history of creativity . . . and, as many of my family and friends know, I like to talk about creativity . . . a lot. I fully agree with Sir Ken Robinson when he writes, "The highest form of intelligence is thinking creatively." And now I had the chance to teach my students to be creative through analysis of history's greatest cultures and individuals. I found a reason to enjoy history, and my obsession for creativity gave it meaning. I think overall, my first year of teaching the class was successful, but I feel I only scratched the surface of the class's potential. I'm reading a lot, hoping to expand the class's concepts, but I would like to also get some input from others . . . yeah, by "others" I mean you. I want to know what you think. In particular, I would like to bounce around some ideas and questions and get your feedback. So let's start with these:

Who is more creative, an artist like Michelangelo, whose greatest works were commissioned by the Catholic church, or an artist like Van Gogh, whose art was inspired only by his own observations and imagination? How do we define and measure creativity in a way that lets us compare these artists? What system of metrics can we use?

There you go. Please, leave your comments below and help start a discussion. Thanks.

Book Recommendation: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Sir Ken Robinson

"Serenity" Prints Available

2010-06-19T23:14:00.002-07:00

Giclee Prints (signed and numbered, limited edition of 50) are available of my painting, "Serenity." These prints are 15" x 30" on canvas. They are amazing reproductions of the original painting. Price is $125 plus shipping & handling. Please contact me via the email link in my blog profile. Thanks.

For you Ogden locals, I have my prints made through Fine Arts Gallery on 25th Street.

Almost Angel

2010-06-18T21:02:00.007-07:00

One of the nice things about summer break is that I have more time to paint . . . just a little. I worked on this painting a bit more the past couple days and figured I should post an update. I've enjoyed working with straight black &white on this one. It has allowed me to focus on value without the added complexity of hue. I still have a lot of details to finish . . . which reminds Teacher Me to say to my students,"The difference between mediocre art and good art is in the finish work!" Let's see how well I finish off this one.

Book Recommendation:
Drawing with an Open Mind

Drawing in Spare Moments

2010-03-22T16:50:00.005-07:00

I've had little time to update my blog this year, and unfortunately, I haven't had much more time for my own drawing and painting. It's one of those challenges that presents itself for teachers: How do you find time to create your art when so much of your time is dedicated to helping others create theirs?

One option I've discovered is to work on a drawing or painting during school. I snag a few minutes here and there, usually in the form of demonstration. As a student, I always learned a great deal by observing other artists. Therefore, I hope my students will gain a little more by watching me.

Here is a charcoal drawing I started the other day for my illustration class.

I'll try to add updates as I continue to work on the drawing. It still has a long way to go.

Big Decisions

2009-07-14T15:17:00.001-07:00

Have you noticed that the toughest decisions in life aren’t choices between Right and Wrong? No, the toughest decisions are when we have to choose between Right and Right. Recently, I’ve had to make one of the biggest Right/Right decisions in my life. Since 1997, I’ve worked for Alinco Costumes, designing mascots for companies like Disney, ESPN, and the NBA. I’ve done well there and my employers, Terry and Lowla Allen, have become like second parents to me. So, yesterday it was very difficult for me to tell Terry that I would be leaving Alinco. I have accepted an offer to teach art at the DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts in Ogden, Utah. It was a difficult decision, but it was driven by my love for teaching art and working with youth. And the decision, having been made, feels like the thing I am meant to do. And while I’m sad to leave Alinco, I can’t help but feel a great deal of excitement to be involved with the DaVinci Academy and to help develop this young art program.

My last full day at Alinco will be August 7^th. After that, I will probably still be involved with Alinco, helping with designs and projects, as time will allow. I definitely want to thank Terry and Lowla for their friendship and support throughout the past 12 years.

The Isle of Doctor Necreaux

2009-06-23T19:59:00.002-07:00

A few months ago I had the chance to draw 65 spot illustrations for a new table-top game called The Isle of Doctor Necreaux, published by Alderac Entertainment Group. The website is now up and the game is scheduled for release on July 20, 2009. The cover art was done by Scott Purdy and I did the interior illustrations. There are a few sample illustrations on the Necreaux website, although it doesn't show my favorites. After the game is officially released I might post a few.

Creative People Recognize and Nurture Good Ideas

2009-06-07T22:21:00.003-07:00

Trait #2: Creative People Recognize and Nurture Good Ideas

For me, generating ideas is sheer joy. Seriously. I love to sketch new characters and concepts all the time. Quite often, those ideas go nowhere. But then, every once in a while, I look at an idea and think, "yeah, that's the one." I want to take it further and ultimately to share it with other people.

So what makes an idea stand out? What makes it good? And what makes it worth your time?

Honestly, those aren't easy questions to answer, but I hope the following points will help:

1. Let me start by saying that as you exercise your creativity, you WILL have bad ideas. You will think they are wonderful in the beginning, but in the end, they will turn out lousy. It happens, and it is a GOOD thing, because experiencing bad ideas is a vital part of learning to recognize the good ones. So, I don't want you to think having a bad idea is a bad thing.

2. The basic question to ask yourself about any idea is, "does it solve the problem or challenge?" For example, if you're building a bridge, does it span from one side to the other and can it hold the weight it's expected to carry? Or if you're creating an illustration, does it communicate the text clearly and in a way that appeals to the viewer. For every creative endeavor, there is a purpose. So recognizing a good idea is really the act of defining your purpose and then picking the idea that fulfills that purpose best.

3. Often the key to recognizing a good idea is simply to try it. Mock it up. Write it. Do a sketch. Experiment. That's how good art and good science come to be.

4. Share your idea with other people. As an artist, the purpose of my art is to communicate. So, if I show it to someone and it fails to do that, I need to rethink the idea. But remember this: some people will not like your idea, but your mother really will. So, don't just share it with one person. Get several opinions and consider if your idea is really working. If it's not, don't take it personally and be willing to go back to the drawing board. This is not rejection. It's a good idea under construction.

5. And, ultimately, a good idea is what feels right to you. While others may or may not like your idea, it is important that you do (remember Trait #10: Creative People Value their Ideas).

There are many other ways to recognize a good idea, but I hope these will help point you in the right direction.

Suggested Sketchbook Activities:

1. A Good Reworking

Look around and find three stories, characters, advertisements, etc., that you consider "bad" ideas, and rework them your way. Then share your sketches with a friend and see how he or she responds. For example, while I'm a big fan of Star Wars, I'm not a fan of Jar Jar Binks. So I've considered how he might have been improved and sketched him more to my own liking. I'm sure you've got your own dissapointments, so this is your chance to make things better.

2. Concepts #2

Basically this is the same as the Concepts activity from my last post, but with the addition of one step. Share your concept sketches with someone else and see how they respond to each one. Ask yourself, does each sketch communicate the concept clearly and which one is most visually appealing?

Creative People Generate Many Ideas

2009-06-07T22:17:00.001-07:00

Over the next few weeks, I plan to discuss how sketchbooks can be used to foster each of the "10 Traits of Creative People." In each segment I'll offer a few thoughts and activities for a particular trait. I hope you'll take a moment to try the activities or encourage someone else to do them. Then, please feel free to leave a comment regarding the experience.

Trait #1: Creative People Generate Many Ideas

Currently I am working with my good friend and talented author, Julie Wright, on a book project. This story is not the result of any one super idea. It is something that has evolved from numerous ideas over the past 16 years. It began in my early years of college. The school paper put out an open call for cartoonists to develop and publish their own strip. To me, this sounded like a lot of fun. I began by sketching numerous characters, ranging from an over-friendly St. Bernard to a set of bungling Aliens. The ideas were diverse and I tried not to make any decisions about which were best, at least not at first. Unfortunately, school and work precluded me from pursuing the project further. About that time, I had another, totally separate idea about a boy and his adventures in space. In my spare time, I would write notes about him and his friends and the predicaments they would get into. These notes and the comic strips found themselves filed away, waiting for the time when I could develop them into something more substantial. Over the years, I sketched more characters and noted their traits and added them to my file, never really knowing what would become of them. Years later, as I was thumbing through these old files, I had the thought, what if I combined the bungling aliens from my comic strip with the young boy from my notes? Suddenly, the possibilities for a really cool story began to unfold. I later had the opportunity to present this idea to Julie, who was willing to take these ideas and characters, add her own touch to them, and create a wonderful manuscript.

The future of this book remains to be seen, but the project demonstrates the importance of creating many ideas. As you face a problem or challenge in any facet of life, it can be valuable to take the time to look for multiple solutions. The seeds you plant will provide an orchard of ideas that will grow and cross-pollinate until something new and wonderful emerges.

Suggested Sketchbook Activities:

1. Create a file system for your sketches and ideas.

For some, this may simply be a shelf where you can file your sketchbooks. As for me, I rarely leave my sketchbooks intact and most often tear out pages and file them. I use manilla folders and label them with broad terms, such as Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Costume Design, Gallery Art, etc. The important thing is to find a way to save your ideas so that you can go back to them later for inspiration.

2. Concepts.

In college, I took a class called Basic Illustration: Concepts. It was one of my favorite classes ever. The instructor would present us with a weekly homework assignment that usually involved sketching 10 ideas for a specific concept. For example, he once asked us to draw 10 animals that Noah left behind. In one image we had to show the animal and explain why it didn't make it onto the ark. Another assignment was to draw something to represent each day of the week.

Taking a general concept and creating several sketches is a great way to practice generating many ideas. It can be treated as a game, with one person presenting a concept challenge to the other and vice versa. I would suggest that you draw no less than three ideas for any concept. Concepts can be as simple as "draw three things that are blue" or they can be more complex such as "draw three aliens that could live on the moons of Jupiter." Above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the challenge.

Enhancing Creativity Through Sketchbooks #2

2009-06-07T22:11:00.004-07:00

(Like the prior post, this information was originally posted on another blog of mine last year.)

During my presentation at the 2008 LTUE Symposium at BYU, I began by defining creativity. As part of that I listed what I consider the 10 Basic Traits of Creative People. I came up with these based on the research of numerous academic studies as well as pondering what has worked in my own creative pursuits. Feel free to comment.

Trait #1: Creative people generate many ideas.

A creative person examines a problem from many angles and considers several solutions. The first idea may be the best, but at this point in the creative process, he does not spend much, if any, time judging the effectiveness of the idea. He simply seeks as many solutions as possible. Truly, at this stage, there is no such thing as a bad idea, and arguably there are no good ideas either. There are just options and possibilities.

Trait #2: Creative people recognize and nurture good ideas.

Once a creative person has generated a number of ideas and possible solutions, she then must select the most effective option. She has a knack for selecting a good idea. A good idea solves the problem, or problems, effectively. Some ideas stand out, but require further development. She is able to take a loose concept and give it form, whether it is a painting, story, music, or any other creative endeavor.

Trait #3: Creative people are observant.

A creative person often tries to soak up the world around him. He sees the play of light on an object, notices the chirping of birds, and feels the texture of bricks. He observes with all of his senses, and especially with his intellect. He notices the ways that people, animals, nature, and environment interact. He recognizes relationships, such as the relative size of one object to another or the way a series of music notes working together stimulate a particular emotion. Observation fuels creativity.

Trait #4: Creative people are imaginative.

Albert Einstein said, “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

Or in other words, a creative person is able to look for ideas and solutions that exist beyond her current inventory of knowledge. She “plays” with her ideas by mixing her observations in new and inventive combinations. She asks, “what if?” and examines the possibilities that such a question inspires.

Trait #5: Creative people are interested in many things.

A creative person likes to try things he has never done before. He likes to learn something new everyday. The broader his inventory of knowledge, the greater his ability to generate ideas and to imagine.

Trait #6: Creative people dare to take risks.

Creativity takes courage. When a creative person exposes her endeavors to the world, she accepts that others will form some sort of judgment regarding her work. However, she recognizes that she cannot let fear suffocate her ideas. Creativity cannot develop when she is afraid to express her ideas.

Trait #7: Creative people are independent thinkers.

While I don’t want to say that a creative person’s ideas must always run counter to established concepts and practices, I do believe a creative person must learn to generate his own independent ideas and form conclusions for himself.

Trait #8: Creative people welcome challenges.

Creativity is fueled by challenges. A creative person loves to put her ideas to the test. The greatest problems require the most creative solutions.

Trait #9: Creative people persevere.

A creative person does not give up easily. He takes the time to nurture his ideas and to bring them to fruition. The best ideas often encounter disappointment and rejection before they achieve success. Think Dr. Suess. Think Thomas Edison. Think of any number of great inventors and artists and what might have happened if they had given up at the first bump in the road.

Trait #10: Creative people value their ideas.

A creative person believes her ideas are worthy of expression. It’s what gives her the impetus to create. She knows her work might not be accepted by everyone, but that it will be valuable to many.

Enhancing Creativity with Sketchbooks

2009-06-07T22:05:00.003-07:00

(I originally posted these notes last year on another blog, which I am shutting down, and so over the next few days I will be moving the information to this blog for the sake of simplicity. )

On February 14, 2008, I had the opportunity to speak at a symposium at Brigham Young University on the topic of Enhancing Creativity With Sketchbooks. While I don't have a transcript of the address, I would like to post a few points from my presentation.

In order to use sketchbooks effectively to foster creativity, it is first necessary to understand (A) the nature of creativity and (B) that creativity is a skill that can be learned by anyone.

Many artists, psychologists, and business gurus have attempted to define creativity long before I ever came along. The definitions are diverse. Some are complex and some are very simple. Some define it in one or two traits, while others outline 20, 30, or even more aspects of creativity. I spent some time reviewing many of these definitions, as well as examining my own creative pursuits, and came up with what I consider to be the "10 Basic Traits of Creative People." These are:

Trait #1: Creative people generate many ideas.

Trait #2: Creative people recognize and nurture good ideas.

Trait #3: Creative people are observant.

Trait #4: Creative people are imaginitive.

Trait #5: Creative people are interested in many things.

Trait #6: Creative people dare to take risks.

Trait #7: Creative people are independent thinkers.

Trait #8: Creative people welcome challenges.

Trait #9: Creative people persevere.

Trait #10: Creative people value their ideas.

Obviously, these are not all-inclusive, but I do believe they cover many of the KEY traits of a creative person. Over the next few posts I will expand on my ideas for each trait. I also welcome any comments and interaction.

Michael Malm Painting Workshop (continued)

2009-05-14T19:49:00.004-07:00

I completed day four of the workshop today. It has been well worth the time. Mike is an excellent teacher and has really helped me hone my observational abilities. I've especially gained some new insight into seeing and painting warm and cool colors, which has been something I've struggled with over the years.

I'm posting a head study I painted during today's class. What you see here took approximately two hours. Sorry for the quality. It's a cell phone photo, so the quality isn't the greatest and the colors are off.

I'm sad to say it, but until this week, it had been a couple of years since I had painted the figure from a live model. I've really struggled with it and really need to paint more regularly.

Michael Malm Painting Workshop, Day 1

2009-05-11T20:57:00.005-07:00

I'm attending a painting workshop this week taught by Mike Malm. Mike is one of my favorite artists. He's amazingly talented and as nice as they come. I'll try to post more details throughout the week, but for now, here is a photo of his demonstration painting from this morning. (Sorry for the image quality. I took it on my cell phone.)

Vanishing

2009-03-24T11:13:00.002-07:00

This is a recent illustration I did for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. It is for a story called "Vanishing" by Peter S. Beagle. It was an honor to illustrate a story by such a renowned author.

Sisters

2009-02-28T11:06:00.007-07:00

A few years ago I had the opportunity to illustrate a short story called "Sisters of Sarronnyn: Sisters of Westwind" by L. E. Modesitt. At the time, there were certain time and budget restraints and the artwork suffered because of that. That has always bothered me and I have wanted to rework the art, just for my own satisfaction. Yesterday, having a little free time, but not enough to work on an oil painting, I started reworking this illustration in Photoshop. Here is a copy of the current painting in progress, as well as the original art, for comparison.

Winter Stroll

2008-12-29T10:30:00.003-07:00

Okay, I actually painted this a few months ago, but it seems more appropriate to post now (with the 14" deep blanket of snow currently in my front yard). It's a small watercolor sketch (2.5 x 3.5 inches) on Strathmore trading card paper.

Contemplating Christmas

2008-12-12T10:58:00.004-07:00

Here's an illustration I finished a few months ago for a local author, but for some reason I had never posted it online. I call it "Christmas Eve", and it is meant to capture the moments before the birth of Jesus Christ. I wonder what emotions and thoughts Mary had as she prepared for the birth of the Christ child?

Posemaniacs.com

2008-12-10T11:16:00.006-07:00

A friend made mention of www.posemaniacs.com in his blog, so I checked it out. It's a really interesting site for figurative artists. It provides nearly 20,000 figure poses that artists can use for reference. The figures are not actual photos, but digital constructions showing basic musculature and anatomy. The figures can also be rotated for viewing from multiple angles. While I would much rather draw from life, Posemaniacs offers a very a nice alternative for when models and time are not readily available. I am interested in knowing what other artists think of it.

The Latest

2008-12-04T10:37:00.003-07:00

Yesterday, I spoke with John Erickson, an art professor at the University of Utah. I'm going to take a "Figure Structure" class from him in January. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been able to do as much life drawing as I would have liked over the past couple years, so I'm anxious to get going.

In the meantime, I'm illustrating a new card/board game for Alderac Entertainment Group. I had basically removed myself from the illustration scene for the last several months, but when I got the proposal on this project, I just couldn't pass. I'll provide more details when I can.

The Learning Curve

2008-11-21T18:29:00.002-07:00

Right now, as far as painting goes, I feel like I'm pretty inept. I've spent most of my "art time" these past 5 or 6 years doing digital commercial art, and now I feel like I've forgotten how to move oil paints around a canvas. But I'm hoping to change that this coming year. I'm planning to return to school to pursue a Masters degree at the University of Utah. If accepted into the program, I will begin classes Fall 2009. In the meantime, I have been accepted as a "non-matriculated" student and plan to begin a couple of graduate courses in January. It seems a bit nuts to go back to school at my age, but I can't seem to kick the idea that maybe I'll actually become a good painter.

Here's a recent painting. I'm not thrilled with it, but they say you learn to create good paintings by doing a whole bunch of bad ones.

Small Works (very)

2008-11-05T21:24:00.003-07:00

The other day I was given a trial set of Golden's new OPEN brand acrylics. The set included only three colors: red, blue, and white. I had not painted with acrylics for a long time, but thought it would be fun to test out this new product, and even funner to do it with such a limited palette. I painted this small portrait on a 2.5 x 3.5 inch piece of Strathmore Artist Trading Card acrylic paper. For info on OPEN acrylics: http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/color/open/index.php. For Strathmore ATC paper: http://www.strathmoreartist.com/atc.php.

Changes

2008-11-04T23:46:00.002-07:00

As you've probably noticed, kevinwasden.com is going through some changes. The new website will focus more on my efforts in "fine art" instead of illustration. My illustration work, comics, and other similar projects will be found at www.splintered-mind.com. I haven't worked out all the details yet and will probably be making a lot of changes to both websites. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.