Comments on: What Did You Learn From Your Art Teachers?

By: Roopa Dudley

Mon, 13 May 2013 06:04:13 +0000

You are simply amazing! Wow…ever thought of taking up a job as an Investigator? I never knew that someone would actually take the time to read what I wrote let go research this stuff. Thank you for keeping the faith in me and backing me up. I totally appreciate this kind and most wonderful gesture. As the saying goes “Evil prevails when Good Men do Nothing”. My best regards to you with deep gratitude. RD.

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By: Roopa Dudley

Mon, 13 May 2013 05:57:15 +0000

In reply to louise.

Ms. Louise You are most welcome and with pleasure to compare my earlier works with Ms.Kretz…especially the Ballerina and the Sitar Player. My work now revolves mainly around Chess and I work with Acrylics not Oils. Here is a link to my blog post. Enjoy and with Best regards, RD.
http://roopadudley-artblog.blogspot.com/

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By: Sari Grove

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:40:29 +0000

In reply to louise.

A simple web search of “kate kretz fiu art” turns up the first link, http://www.katekretz.com
which led me to the last paragraph which includes this “After working as an Associate Professor and BFA Director at Florida International University for ten years”…Which says to me that Roopa Dudley was telling the truth…Not that I disbelieved, however, “louise”, you did in your comment…A take on the fact that an art teacher may be derivative of an art student is not at all surprising…I hardly think a side by side comparison is necessary, since this is not a court of law, & the art student in question is not asking for monies…The length of the post, as well as the in person conversation with the art teacher many years later, with somewhat of a confession, sounds true…Why, I might ask, would someone make up these facts?

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By: louise

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:17:20 +0000

@Roopa, Kate Kretz was never head of the art department at FIU, so she therefore had nothing to do with your not getting into the MFA program, and I would love to see a side by side comparison of the work you are referring to on your part and hers.

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By: Peggy

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 01:32:34 +0000

Mr. Rustia! Even is name was cool. His art room was in the basement in our elementary school. He was handsome with thick dark hair combed back and he had a large purple toned birth mark on his face. What I liked most was his soft-spoken manner and he wasn’t all hyped-up like the other teachers. I only remmeber a clay project but mostly just like the vibe in his room. I am an art teacher and wish I could possess his cool.

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By: Maureen

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:16:16 +0000

My art teacher in high school, Mrs. Twenkle, did something extrodinarily nice for me. It was a ceramics class and I complained to her about the supply of paint we had, was lacking in brilliant red–an absolute must for my apple cookie jar. She said that that color was very expensive, that’s why we didn’t have it. After a few days, she brought in the bright red paint; I assume she paid for it out of her own pocket–and we all know teachers don’t make the big bucks. Or the meager school budget was used. I finished the firing of my giant apple–it looked great!–and it sat in my Mother’s kitchen for decades. My story is one of many about the kindness and deep, sincere consideration of my teachers.

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By: Olusegun Adeniyi

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:46:57 +0000

I love the comments I have read so far about the art teachers influence on us. This is in tune with my commitment as an art enthutiast to see to the advancement of art in my native country, Nigeria despite all odds.

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By: Rachael

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:47:36 +0000

My parents taught me so much. When I was learning to color Mom saw that I would keep switching the crayons to my left hand so she taught me left handed, she showed me that stick figures have a body, she showed me how I could use two crayons to create a new color and effect. My best art teacher through elementary school was my religion. My family didn’t celebrate any of the traditional holidays – besides Thanksgiving – so I would come to school with a note saying I wouldn’t be making a Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Ghosts, etc. and the teachers, not knowing what to do with me, would give me the supplies for the intended project and tell me to “make something”. I loved it. No one ever told me I was doing it wrong and I see, after reading these posts, how truly valuable that was. Mr. Turnes from 5th grade was the first teacher that had other than holiday related art projects and he was an encouraging teacher that loved art. We did linoleum block prints! We learned calligraphy with real dipping pens, Picasso portraits, there was no wrong way. Mrs. Rassmussen in high school seemed to genuinely marvel at my work. She is my life saver as she is the one that told me of an Arts High School nearly 100 miles away. It was the answer to high school, it changed my world. She helped me round out my portfolio by letting me use the kiln for a sculpture. She saw my pencil drawings and described pen and ink drawing to me and suggested I try applying it to my illustrations. It brought color to my world and introduced me to watercolor, my passion. I will always LOVE Bill Jeter and Karen Monson. They gave me a taste for every technique and told me I could do anything – they told the whole class that. They really believed in pushing the boundaries and be who you are but try everything, explore, and decide who you are on the way. “You have a special opportunity by being here. You owe it to the rest of the world to go out there and pursue your dreams/be great (I don’t remember).” Another favorite quote from Karen “If you don’t hate your piece at some point during the process, your aren’t challenging yourself enough.” That has stayed with me and I’m devoted to sticking to my dreams to be an artist. I still need to show them that I’ve been a good student and have followed my dreams.

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By: Rachael

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:19:49 +0000

In reply to Michelle Casey.

ditto! I love nostalgia and then with art. . .I’ll be here for hours.

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By: Rachael

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:11:05 +0000

In reply to Anne Blankson-Hemans.

I did a double-take when I saw your story of becoming an artist. I was 4 when I saw my dad draw a picture of my brother and I knew right then I wanted to do that for the rest of my life. I would be a “draw-er”. It was years before I understood that the word “artist” meant the same thing. It’s amazing how a little moment like that can affect the rest of your life.

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