The arts are a way of knowing that provides ways of perceiving, interpreting, organizing, and questioning various aspects of our world through exploration and experimentation.
- Ontario Arts Curriculum
Am I an artist?
I asked myself this question more than once when I signed up for a workshop with a local author and spoken word artist. The workshop focus was on the International Decade of People of African Descent here in Canada and, as consolidation of our thinking and learning, we were to create a visual representation. This would be used to create a collaborative quilt – so I was feeling the pressure.
Am I an artist?
What did an artist do? Words are my most comfortable form of artistic expression – but is that considered being an artist? I could include some words on my quilt square, that was allowed as part of our consolidation. It seemed so risky to push myself out of my comfort zone and into visual artistic interpretation that was going to go on display…
Am I an artist?
I decided that I was going to try my hand at sketching and drawing. After listening to the presentation and thinking about the history of the lands in Niagara, I was going to honour the generations of people of African Descent. It was important to me to do right by this assignment. I bought some pencil crayons and markers and took my papers ready to try my best. The whole time, I was questioning and wondering whether I was the right person for this job.
Am I an artist?
I started thinking about lines from the poem and from the learning that was shared with us. Brainstorming a visual or a person or a place that brought those words to life really helped me to develop a plan. Next came the sketching part – shape, size, colouring.
Using bright colours, deep colours, and shading to emphasize different ways to make my thinking come to life took time and patience. During this time creating, I was thinking intensely about what I learned and what the most important messaging was for me – I recognized that I was fully engaged in communicating my thoughts and ideas about the session.
Am I an artist?
My drawing weren’t perfect, but after the first quilt square, I enjoyed the process so much I completed a few more. Each time, I took a little more ‘risk’ and created more complicated drawings even attempting a portrait of Chloe Cooley for one.
The whole experience started out being uncomfortable, but as I few in confidence, thinking, and learning I began to really have fun. My drawings became more meaningful to me with each expression and I sought new and different ideas to try out.
I thought a lot about the moments when we ask students to engage in artistic expression. It’s about noticing, being creative, and thinking critically. And it’s challenging! Like all great learning experiences, it takes time and effort. There were some parts where I didn’t know how to fill those blank spaces and I had to look up suggestions for colours and shapes online. I reflected back in those moments teaching art classes and wondered how I helped students to move through this process from uncomfortable to confident. I hope I gave them time to enjoy the challenge of learning deeply enough to feel proud of their work.
Am I an artist?
I think the answer to this question just might be yes.
