Comment

Comment by Diedrick Brackens on November 17, 2012 at 4:32am

Hey Jessica, I love this project! As a first year MFA'er I would be interested in having the conversation about making craft work and how that is being received by fellow classmates. I am at a school that espouses an interdisciplinary approach, and for craft folk it seems to often mean never directly touching clay, metal, fiber, wood, etc again.  I was wondering if you have come across any of this and if so how you have been able to navigate it?

Diedrick

Comment by The Justified Sinner on January 30, 2012 at 9:47am

Tom, couldn't agree more! One of the most important - and often overlooked - qualities in someone teaching art subjects is "self-reflection". There are rather too many people resting on their laurels.

I don't know Alan, but if you want to put me in touch with him, I'd be delighted to meet and show him round.

Comment by Tom Supensky on January 30, 2012 at 9:38am

By the way, Dauvit...say hello to my good friend Alan Phillips if you see him.  He's retired from teaching, but I think he will be in your territory soon.

Comment by Tom Supensky on January 30, 2012 at 9:35am

Hello Dauvit...well stated.  Yes, honesty is the best policy. Along with all the stress of being a student of the arts, it is important to clear the smoke from time to time and take a sincere look at yourself, where you are going, your abilities, and other idiosyncracies. The best you can be comes from within.

   It's better to inspire than influence.

Tom 

Comment by The Justified Sinner on January 30, 2012 at 2:30am

I have to say that I view one of my roles as a tutor as being that of preventing my students from emulating me! Not that many of them try; perhaps a couple over the years. Unfortunately, we can all name places where emulating - or at least flattering - the tutors gets you your degree. Perhaps this is not so bad in the US? It is a bit of a problem in some places in Europe.

Honesty is the main thing. I always go on at length - probably boring length! - about the importance of artistic integrity and honesty and being true to one's vision.

Comment by Tom Supensky on January 29, 2012 at 9:56pm

Jessica...you are fortunate to have such an open minded head of department.  Regardless of that, listen to everything and everybody and then take from it those aspects that work best for you but don't forget the rest as they may someday have some significance for your next stage of development as an artist and a person.  Good luck with your studies.

Comment by Jessica Todd on January 29, 2012 at 9:12pm

That is great advice, Tom, and a very good point to bring up for other readers. Part of the reason I chose to attend Kent State was because the head of the department, Kathleen Browne, was very open to my work moving in different directions. She encourages her students to pursue the kind of work they're passionate for, even if that means exploring other media (in my case, fibers). In my interview and still today I feel very free to follow my work where it leads me, rather than being pushed in one direction or another by faculty or classmates. This is an important thing to keep in mind when visiting programs during the application process.

Comment by Tom Supensky on January 29, 2012 at 7:22pm

What ever your specific area of study is, always keep in mind that the work you make and the direction you take should be based on who you are as an individual.  Just because you admire another person's work, your teacher, fellow student, or other artists, remember that they are all different from you.  Be yourself and don't let those responsible for your degree push you to something you are not.  I could say more on an individual basis once I know a little about you and see what you are doing at the moment.