Hello All,
I only have 3 days of school left but Cathy has 5 days left. Please don't worry though. I promised her that for the 2 days that she is in school and I am at home I will sit up in bed and wave good bye. I'm all heart! Anyhow, it has really been a great school year. I have truly felt a connection to my students and I will forever be grateful that they have taken this musical journey with me. We have shared so many wonderful musical and personal experiences and all of them have made me quite proud.
I am going to take a moment and stand on my soap box. My father was a public school teacher and a powerful and charismatic man. He told me some truths before he died. My dad said that teachers will never have the respect they deserve because the public view teaching as an easy job. I assure you that if it is done well it is not easy in the least. He also told me that teachers always make a difference. I can see how my work makes permanent changes in the lives of others. That is so important to me. Teaching is an over-criticized and under-valued profession. It is also one of the most important jobs in the world. If you have the chance thank a teacher for the difference they have made in your life or the life of one of your children. Those small gestures of thanks motivate teachers to "get through the day".
My painting life has been a bit sporadic lately. By sporadic I mean that I have not had the schedule that allowed me to dedicate time every day to paint. My concert schedule was pretty grueling but now that is over. I still found many hours every week to paint but it wasn't as much time as I was used to. During the past weekend I started to clock a lot of time in the studio again. I am working on my Rogaland Rosemaling lesson for the new education system and have had such a great time. I am going to do this lesson a little different than the other lessons that I have put together. I am going to do three different Rogaland designs on three completely different surfaces. However, all of these pieces will use the same color palette. So, if the student chooses they can paint all of the Rogaland pieces and have a collection of them. If they just would like to paint one piece...so be it. I have decided that our students are going to spend much more time on Rosemaling and stokework next year. What I find is that our students are very artistic and have a wonderful sense of color and form but that they lack some technical expertise that can only come through strokework. Strokework is beautiful in and of itself but it is also a gateway to improved brush control and technique. Spending time with strokework is important in the evolution of a decorative painter so students beware - 2010-2011 is going to be the year of strokework. You will be better off for it!
This past weekend was a long one because we celebrated Memorial Day here in the states. This is the day that we dedicate to saying thanks to the people that have served in our armed forces. It is an important and meaningful holiday. One of the highlights of the past weekend was that I got to see my sister Paula and her husband Ed. Paula and Ed live in Arizona and lead a very busy life so we don't get to see them often enough. So, when we do get to hang out with them it is always a party. Paula is my oldest sibling and has always been so special. I could write a book about how generous, successful, classy and funny she is but let's just put it this way....she is a wonderful and unique person and I value every second I get to spend with her. Her husband Ed is exactly the same. He has such a sense of family and is truly my brother. Ed had some surgery this past week and I am hopeful that all continues to go well.
Anyhow, school is ending, summer is beginning and life will change. More time to paint, more time with family and less stress. Life is good!
Paul
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Paul,
ReplyDeleteI had a wake-up call this past year when one of my daughter's favorite teachers from 3rd grade passed. (Mind you she is now 19). I made sure the day of the funeral we went to all of her elementary teachers that were there and told them how special they were to us. I was not going to let those words go unspoken again. We wrote a letter to her telling her how much she meant to us, but it was to arrive to late. All teachers hold a very dear and special place in my heart. Thank you to all of you. BTW, this teacher is one of the reasons my daughter is in Fine Art in college. Remind me to tell you that story in Peoria.
Bobbie
Paul,
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is the high school teacher for the Chester County Intermediate Unit alternative education program. Her job is not easy. I don't think I could do it. I think she was very fortunate to have had a good solid education from teachers that did made a differnece in her life. I think appreciation doesn't come to fruition until the school bell's ring has faded to nothing. But if you ask, most folks always can tell you about that one teacher that affected them positively. Too bad it isn't verbalized sooner. I can't see any students NOT appreciating you Paul...your enthusiasum for life just shows in all you do.
Linda