Monsters

[gmc]

I have a monster in my life and it has me guessing. I have wanted to do portraits all my life. I finally sign up for a class. It went badly from day one. I have gone to 5 classes. Up against 3 students who have gone for 7 and 8 years. Upon signing I explained that I am renewing my art after a 18 year layoff. I explained I am having difficulty with proportion and measuring. (by the way I am an oil painter, winning local awards for my paintings) I made light of my ability by saying I think I am into adstract portraiture. She laughed, but understood that I did need help and direction. From the first class she alluded to the fact that I don't have ability in art. I thought maybe my artistic temperment was arising. Each class got worse with negative criticism, not a positive critique. She tore every stroke apart until I was shaking. She did this loudly and sarcasticly so the other pupils would hear her. Actually she would ask the other pupils to confirm her sarcasism. The last class I was there for 15 to 20 minutes before others came. She spoke to the model and advised me to set up. When the other pupils came, she pointed her finger at me and said You, I want to see you in my office. In her office she told me I have no art ability, that I am wasting my time and my money and besides I have no feelings inside that can relate to a portrait model. When we came out of her office, the first thing that she saw was a portrait standing on the floor not yet put on an easel. She said, Oh wow whoes is that, thats wonderful. I looked at her and said thats mine. She said that can't be because she never saw it before. I said i did it last week in class. She said impossible that she didn't see it. Later in class she tore it apart stroke by stroke. Is she a monster or am I being too sensitive?

[Phyllis Franklin]

She is a monster! Get out of that class and find a mentor. Post some of your work here and let the WetCanvas! artists help you. A constructive critique is the best thing for your art development, but never listen to those that say you can't paint! Always consider the source when you receive any critique, especially one that just says it is not good and does not give you direction to make it better.

Put this one in its proper place (your list of "Crazy Makers") and walk away.

------------------
Please check out my note cards! Blackberry Ridge <----my shameless plug.

[Phyllis Franklin]

Originally posted by gloria777a:
Up against 3 students who have gone for 7 and 8 years.

P.S. Gloria, don't put yourself "up against" other students. They have their own stuggles. Everyone starts somewhere and everyone is always learning no matter what level they may be.

I admire your first step to take a portrait class. Move on and find another portrait class/teacher and celebrate your success.


------------------
Please check out my note cards! Blackberry Ridge <----my shameless plug.

[arlene]

Is this a class given by an individual or in a school of some sort? If it's the former, nothing you can do, but ask for your money back and let her know that she shouldn't be teaching.

If it's the second case, then go to whomever is in charge of the department or the school, let them know what she did to you, and that you will find another school that treats their PAYING students with a little more respect. Then follow up with an email or snail mail about how you were treated.

I taught for many years at one of the better schools in the country...Parson's School of Design in NYC. In my wildest dreams, I would
never consider treating a student to such ridicule and disrespect.

All students come to a class with different abilities and aptitude...the job of the teacher is to nurture and help the artist become the best they are capable of.

Follow Llis's advice and post here. You will get the constructive critisism you need.

------------------
http://www.artdebut.com/arlene0.htm

[Roan]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

That "instructor" is an insensitive clod -- I have other, far more descriptive words I'd really like to write but can't -- who sounds to me that she just "had it in for you", talent or no. These types of people thrive on belittling others in order to make themselves feel superior.

I can't image *anyone* treating someone that shoddily! I also can't imagine those other students standing for it as well. What do they think about this?

Bah, she's lucky I wasn't in your class with you. I'd be verbally ripping her a new as-- body part -- right back in front of everyone. I'd have her so brow-beaten she'd crawl out of there on her palette and tubes, begging you to give her one more chance.

*BREATH*

Hope the visual helped a bit :P

I agree with Arlene. But even if it's an individual, you can still make people aware of her treatment of you. If she belongs to a society, group or club, write and complain to them. They may not do anything but at least you'll feel better.

If it's a school or community sponsered thing ... <evil grin>... ScReAm to them about it :P

------------------
A' bhò as miosa th' anns a' bhuaile, 's i's cruaidhe geum. --
<FONT size="1">The worst cow in the field lows the loudest.
-- Scots Gaelic proverb.</FONT s>

RoanStudio.com

[tahlequah]

i agree. you have to get out of that class before she ruins your self esteem and any chance of producing good art. a good teacher is patient and builds you up, not tearing you down. I have seen some of the most beautiful work coming from students who never believed they had any artistic ability at all. and it was only due to the fact that they had a really good teacher. they were able to pick up on the special tricks of the trade from a teacher that really cares about her students.

sometimes a good teacher can make all the difference in the world in how a student progresses.

i was lucky enough to find an excellent teacher. Good luck in your search!!!!!

[paintfool]

Gloria, Yes that woman is a monster! All of the advice given here so far is good advice. Llis is right about considering the source of critique. Please don't let that clod fill your head with the nonsense of not having artistic ability! The mere fact that you even returned to that class after her initial behavior tells me that you are no quitter! Welcome to WC & i'm sure you will get as much information & support here as i have! We're glad you're here
Cheryl

[kaz]

See if you can get her to step out for a moment have everyone else in class switch easel`s (play musical chair`s) and when she comes back in ask her to review the work with out her "Knowing" who`s work is who`s. Seem`s to me she is doing a diservice to all the artist in the class.Sorry to hear about your bad experience`s hope your next class is better "Do not give up"!!!!!!

------------------
Proverbs 12:14 From the lips a man is filled with good thing`s as surely as the work of his hand`s rewards him

[gmc]

Hi Guys, Thanks for all your "positive" support. I needed some. And in some cases needed the chuckle. Actually, i am stubborn enough not to give up. When all this happened i cried the first night, wept the next morning, got angry that afternoon, and by the next day was so angry, i purchased enough pastels to last a lifetime. Well, a week anyway. One of the best comments from the teacher was "Ya got somethin wrong with ya arm?" Question: I thought you were to have your work eye level as well as a model eye level. She had my easel and work so high that i had to stand on my tip toes and reached so far above my head that i was totally uncomfortable. So i lowered the easel and tried to draw the model from a different perspective. Then came the arm comment. I thought perhaps she might be correct, so i rose the easel level again. If the model is higher than you are tall, are you to reach and strain to keep your work level with the model. Correct me here if you would, please. again thanks for your support. i think i will enjoy it here. gloria

[Phyllis Franklin]

I had a similar problem when I was taking a class. It seemed that everything I tried to do looked out of perspective to my teacher until he sat down beside me. Then he saw that his view point standing was totally different from mine.

I think you have to be comfortable with your easel height. If you are standing on your tiptoes, then that's not comfort for sure. Ask her to explain why she is asking you to raise the easel and what she means about using your arms. (Take some courage pills and know that we all are behind you. )

------------------
Please check out my note cards! Blackberry Ridge &lt;----my shameless plug.

[kaz]

In my local art association classes, the teacher`s have alway`s taught me that if your right handed then your left shoulder should be towards the subject, and your right arm almost fully extended with a slight bend in your elbow. Your pencil or chalk should hit about the middle of the page.Reverse this if your left handed. By no way is this the only way to draw at an easel but this is the one that has worked for me in drawing classes.Hope this help`s. Also they said it did`nt matter if i was drawing eye level with the model.Hope this help`s.

------------------
Proverbs 12:14 From the lips a man is filled with good thing`s as surely as the work of his hand`s rewards him

[Sandi]

egads! What a monster is right!! Honey, do yourself a big favor and go find a REAL instructor!!!! Any artist who can not SEE the good in any piece of work, couldn't be a very good artist!! Any instructor who can not bring a student's strengths to light is not a good instructor! This is a very toxic destructive person. I hope you follow all the great advice given.
(I bet next class session, if you set your easel up on tiptoe, she'll laugh at you and make you put it at eye level. Been there with teachers like that...) Trust me, there are GREAT teachers out there! Don't WASTE your time with this one.

[arourapope]

Here's a thought....a timid one, granted. Could it be that she is jealous of your work?
Definately find another teacher. Or maybe just find a friend that will model for you and teach yourself. Sounds like this woman's got too many personal hangups to even teach a lima bean!
Light,
Aurora

[gmc]

Aurora, Thanks for the giggle!! Lima Bean, yes, i think she can teach a lima bean. As for jealously, no i don't think so. This lady knew that i needed help right from the beginning. I didn't hide that. I am new to pastel (a little more familiar with oils) and doing portraits was only a dream. I have tried to teach myself. It is coming, slowly, but i need to be fine tuned. Like anyone trying to do better. I welcomed even her negative criticism with a smile and a yes or a nod of the head. It was all received with with "My God you are yesing me to death" Actually i thought i was handling the negativity with grace and acceptance. Guess not. There was another gal in class who had been going to 8 years. Her last statement to me before i left the last class was "I wish i had the flair for drawing like you have. That freedom. It looks free." The teacher over heard and responded, you can draw like that if you wanted." The gal student just said, "I think i can and before i come to class i tell myself that i will be more flamboyant. Then i get here and i don't know, maybe I am afraid." Poor thing of course she is. Maybe for 8 years she too has been experienceing negative criticism and is too afraid to leave or just thought thats the way it is suppose to be. But i have been in enough classes to know the difference. But i have to admit, this teacher had me doubting myself for a while. But, instead i ordered the book Expressive Portraits in Pastel. it should be here in a few days. Then the Pastel world look out, here I come. Thanks Aurora, you made my day. gloria

[Rod]

She is a monster,should not be teaching at all, get out and find another. This one will set you back, no point trying to rectify,
Good luck with your search,
Rod