Some people say, "I'm NOT an artist"

For whatever reason, some people don't see themselves as artists.  (I don't hear this much in our art room but sometimes from adults).

*Maybe because they think their drawings don't look "real" enough.  

*Or maybe because they make mistakes.  

*Perhaps they like to work messy and think an artist should be exact and perfect.  

*Maybe their idea didn't turn out how they envisioned (how they saw it in their mind).  

*Possibly it's because they don't like drawing.  They only like sewing or clay.

Let's look at artistic behaviors, we call them, The Studio Habits of Mind.  There are 8! Being an artist is more than just drawing really well.  Most of you know you are an artist and if you don't believe that, maybe this lesson will change your mind.

Do you DEVELOP your CRAFT?

Artists improve skills through practice?  Artists organize and care for art materials and tools.  Artists have studio routines. When you work as an artist practicing and and creating in the studio you are Developing Craft.

Do you ENGAGE and PERSIST?

Artists focus on their work?  Do you stick with it even when your art gets difficult? Do you try again? 

What helps you stay focused and solve art problems?

When you focus on your art and stick with it, you Engage and Persist.

Do you ENVISION?

Artists imagine new artworks and how to to create their idea.  When you get out your artwork from last class and think about what to do next, you are thinking ahead and envisioning what you will do next.

When you ENVISION,  you are using your imagination to come up with an idea.  You picture something clearly in your mind.

When you see an idea in your imagination and think ahead about how to create it, you Envision.

Do you EXPRESS?

Artists show emotions and feelings in art.  If you are feeling happy or joyful, you might use yellow, red or orange.  If you are calm or sad you might use blue, purple or green.  

Colors can show the mood of artists.  So can lines.  Thick jagged lines or soft curling lines can give your work different feelings. When you show ideas, beliefs and feelings in your art, you Express.

Do you OBSERVE?

Artists see the world.  Artists take time to look closely and notice details.  Artists look at the world and create meaning and understanding with art materials.  

As an artist, you tell your own story.  We all view the world in our own unique way.  

Look at the variety of ways artists saw a rainbow.   

Do you REFLECT?

Artists look at their art and think about what they like, what they are proud of and what they might change?

Do you share your art and get feedback from others?  Artists reflect.

Do you Stretch and Explore?

when you STRETCH you are trying things that might be difficult.  When you EXPLORE you are discovering new ideas and ways of working. Artists experiment and test out new materials.  Artists discover the possibilities.  Artists look to see what will happen.  Artists take risks. 

Embracing mistakes: Turning an accidental paint blob, an ink smudge, or a ripped paper edge into a funny monster, a cloud, or a brand-new part of the design.  If you make a "beautiful oops" you are stretching yourself as an artist.

Do you SEE THE ART WORLD?

Artists learn about the history of art.  When and why artists made art. They learn about artists living NOW.  Artists understand they are part of the art community.

Do you go to the museum or gallery, if so, you are understanding the art world?  

When you talk and connect with an artist about their work and yours, you are understanding the art world.  

As we look at these Studio Habits of Mind, I see all of these behaviors happening in our Choice Art Studio.  I hope that you recognize these creative behaviors in yourself.

YOU ARE AN ARTIST!

Do you research?

When you research, you examine, investigate and study art materials, lines, shapes and forms...how a paint brush makes marks on your paper.  You might mix colors of paint together and see what color you get.  Exploring what happens when you put salt on watercolor or put watercolors on top of an oil pastel line drawing.  Learning more about an artist and how they make their art or take notice which blue is the best for coloring the sky in your artwork are ways artists research.