My formal educational background is in Clinical Art Therapy. I was in private practice for several years, working with individuals and families. It was always amazing to witness the emotional transformation of clients through their use of art as a form of expression.
When I decided to paint full time, I also decided to seek out opportunities to teach watercolor. What better way to improve myself as an artist than by having to demonstrate and “think through” a composition to completion with students? What I found was more food for my soul – students who love to paint, who are life-long learners, and who have formed a very supportive community for one another.
I like to think that my real skill as a watercolor instructor is the ability to help my students develop their own style, and be comfortable with whatever it is. I don’t like what I refer to as “prescriptive painting”- having to use the instructor’s specific palette colors, paper type, etc. Sure, it’s good to try new pigments and techniques, but I have seen so many students express their frustration when they can’t make their art look like the workshop instructor’s painting. How could they, since each artist has a unique way of expressing themselves on paper??!! I suppose this is where my art therapy background blends with teaching, since I encourage every student to find what excites them and best expresses their “style” – in the colors in their palette, in the brushstrokes that they make, in the energy that gets floated on paper. What fun to watch someone really engaged in their painting and letting the process just happen!