“You’ve got at least 500 bad drawings in you. Get them out as soon as possible.”
I’ve leaned on this quote often as I’ve taught AP art to high school seniors for the past year and a half. The students who have embraced this idea of inevitable failure are the ones who have learned the most in the long run.
Recently I was in a conference with student and parent when a sports analogy seemed to help. When learning to play basketball, it surely takes many, many shots to improve free-throw shots. The player realizes this and isn’t fazed by it. The missed shots aren’t failures. They’re expected in order to improve.
But when it comes to artwork, “talented” students expect to make beautiful drawings at every attempt. Repeated bad drawing can paralyze some students. Perfectionism or a strong desire for the approval of others can further cause discouragement and some students even give up. (Something I can relate to. Mine comes in the form of avoiding certain media.)
If the artist is a Christian, the fact that this is rooted in sin isn’t entirely bad news. Sin can be repented of. Our savior has died for sins. We can receive his forgiveness and ask him for help to avoid sinning in the future. And we can live in the promise that we are not in bondage to sin.
So there is freedom to make awkward drawings and paintings! Since we’re just humans and students, we shouldn’t be surprised at our own weaknesses. Let’s embrace our humble abilities and make those 500 drawings with abandon!
2 comments:
Don't you think that part of the reason students are unwilling to "put up with" failed drawings and repeated exercises in drawing is because of the prevailing attitude of the education community that we must make sure our students never feel bad about themselves, as well as making sure they have the opportunity to 'express themselves' through their art? That attitude seems to have seeped into the minds of the students as well as educators, and as Christians we surely don't want to go against an idea that sounds so noble.
But I believe that as Christian educators we need to help students see their intrinsic value not in what they produce, but in who they are as a creature of the Great Creator, and if they are Christian believers, then also help them see who they are in Christ -- a child of the King of kings.
This seems like a really hard battle to me. But without this viewpoint of themselves they cannot help but become discouraged over repeated failures, and live in the fear of what others think of them.
Another not-so-lofty-thought is that our culture does not promote the kind of patience necessary for the discipline of art. It's an "instant" society -- we want good results first time, right away.
All for now.
I agree with your thoughts, Rosanne.
I can relate to the students. It "feels good" when my artwork turns out well. And then it can be discouraging when it doesn't live up to my standards. Unless I'm being humble and don't have an overinflated view of myself.
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