Who is more creative, Michelangelo or Vincent Van Gogh?

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

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

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

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

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.