Wednesday, June 13, 2012

My Favorite Teacher- BFF 201



    With millions of children’s school year coming to an end, it is only natural to reflect on the teachers that molded and shaped each of us.   I rarely wander down memory lane.  In my life most things and people who were in the past remain in the past.  After much careful thought I found I couldn’t narrow it down to one favorite teacher.  Since I lived and breathed art all through school, it is little wonder that both of the teachers that tied for the title of favorite teacher in my heart taught art.






        As I progressed through high school, I spent more and more time in the art department.  By senior year I spent 4 of the 7 hours I was in the school studying and practicing my art in either Dr. Linda Kennedy’s or Mrs. Janet Hales’ classrooms.  Mrs. Hales smile could light up the world.  She was the kindest soul and was always quick with a hug and a word of praise and encouragement.  She taught me technique and encouraged me to try new things.  






       However, it was Dr. Kennedy who pushed my creative boundaries.  Being the department chair at the time, she opened doors for me to explore art even further through after school life drawing workshops.  By senior year my whole focus was on developing my advance placement portfolio to be submitted for college credit at the end of senior year.  Dr. Kennedy was instrumental in analyzing my strengths and interests to help me to develop a thesis that I could do my absolute best on.  I focused on the human form.  I did self portraits in pastels and portrayed myself in sculpture.  My work was exhibited down town at the Midwest Museum of American Art and chosen to be apart of a special exhibit that earned pride of place at the local hospital.  She opened doors in the art world and I waltzed through them.



       They both guided me creatively and helped me to have confidence and pride in my work.  They fanned the creative talent they saw in me and encouraged me to do work I would not have felt possible.  They encouraged me to have fun with it, and taught me how to be serious and nurture the perfectionist in me.  They taught me that art is ultimately all about personal expression and that a person’s artistic abilities could manifest in many ways.


       Even now, my creativity has found an outlet here.  Looking back on the art that I created back in those days I can see their guidance in each piece.  I remember how creative they both were and how they each pushed me to create what I saw and what I felt.  They taught me to see the world in terms of shape, color, and emotion.  Thanks to them, I learned how to process what I seen into whatever I created.  They taught me to pour my soul into my work.  I learned to think outside of the box and discover all the possibilities.  I am certain that without their influence, I wouldn’t be the creative person I am today and I am so happy that I was fortunate enough to have each of them as teachers until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.



24 comments:

  1. Excellent post--it is so nice to dig back and reflect upon those that have helped us through school. These two teachers sound like they were instrumental in helping you succeed!! Hopefully you will reach out and share this with them?

    Cheers, Jenn.

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    1. Jenn, they really were. Unfortunately Mrs. Hales died a while back and the last I knew Mrs. Kennedy received her doctorate is teaching in Texas although no quite sure about that one. Last I knew I had an address from Lubbock but that was back in 1986. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments! ♥

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  2. This has really made me think back as to who was my favourite teacher, and I realise that I was fortunate to have many...

    This is why I love working with children, if I can assist in making the world an interesting place and support them in realising that they are beautiful individuals, then I am honoured and fulfilled...

    A really interesting, thought provoking post! :-)

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    1. Schez, I hadn't really thought about my teachers or school in forever so I thought about this challenge for a while before I wrote it. Both of these teachers I featured in my senior memory book and when I thought about it I understood why. It only seem natural to spotlight them. I am so pleased you stopped by and that you enjoyed my post. Thank you for your kind comments!♥

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  3. I was fortunate enough to be in touch w/ some of my fave teachers before they passed away. I exchanged holiday cards w/ my 8th grade English teacher for years. My 6th grade teacher is in the nursing home in my hometown and we all made a fan page for her on Facebook. My high school Grafix Arts teacher was on FB too and all of his former students were his friends. He never told us he was sick and he died suddenly at the end of March. :(

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    1. JoJo, oh that is so sad!! I was so sad when Mrs. Hales died. It is nice that you were able to keep track of them. I am friends with one of my former teachers on face book. Kind of cool. He was a math teacher back in the day and I sat behind his son in another math class. Thank you for stopping by to read, comment, and for sharing your experiences! ♥

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  4. Love reading this Kathy...truly amazing what you have accomplished and how deeply some can affect our lives! Great blog! It is me, Demme, but I am posting anonymously cause it is easier :-)

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    1. Anonymous, thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! I am so pleased you enjoyed it.

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  5. Love the brain art the best. It's refreshing to see that you have found memories of teachers. I often wonder what the long term impact of my work will be. Do they have pleasant memories or did I ruin their little lives? Hopefully I didn't screw anyone up along the way.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. Joyce, I am sure your students have great memories of you. :D Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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  6. Such a beautiful and thoughtful post, Kathy. What would we be without these significant people who gave themselves to us. Your artwork is brilliant. I do hope you're keeping up with your art.

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    1. Corinne, this is just a couple of the pieces I created for the Advance Placement portfolio for college credit senior year. I really don't do much art anymore. Sometimes I will show my daughter and son techniques or draw something for them, but that is about it. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments! ♥

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  7. I love this, every word and the art! Incredible stuff and you were in high school? Wow.
    You have some special talent and one day I hope you take it up again. You still got it, I bet. ♥

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    1. Jo, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Yes, I did these two pieces with pastels for my advanced placement art portfolio for college credit. Dr. Kennedy assigned this particular task. She brought out this glass and mirror jewelry box and told me to look in it and draw what I seen. So that is what I did, and these two pieces were the result. Ah yes, occasionally it creeps out when I draw something for my kids. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥

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  8. It was so nice to read such a caring and thoughtful post two two teachers who helped guide you. You hear a lot of "negative" on tv about teachers but there is much more good than bad. I enjoyed seeing your art too! Such great pieces. I have been enjoying your photos here, are you still painting too? Your painting of the face really reminds me of a great way to start an art journal.

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    1. Winnie, I am so pleased you enjoyed my art and my post. I haven't painted or created anything like this in years. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥

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  9. Sounds like you had a lot of great guidance and I am impressed that you got to show your art in a museum. One of those things that is on my wish list but would require me to actually produce SOMETHING! (anything, haha)

    I'm assuming the artwork in the blog is yours. Are there any stories behind the artwork? Another blog perhaps?

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    1. Lee, yes the art is mine. I did both pieces senior year for Dr. Kennedy. She brought out one of those mirrored jewelry boxes and instructed me to draw what I saw when I looked into it. Both of these pieces came from that exercise and they were both included in my Advanced Placement Portfolio for college credit. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥

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  10. I am very impressed with your art. I hope you return to art some time in your future. I giggled a little at all those eyes and lips... You should title them "Portraits of a Mother"...

    I'm sorry your fav teacher died. My guess is she died young. That's sad. I wish everyone could live long...

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    1. Darlene, someday I just might. I always enjoyed pastels and watercolors, even color pencils. One of these days I just might. Both of my kids have inherited the artistic gene from me it seems and I take great delight in passing on techniques I learned to them. Both of them were honored this spring by having some of their work included in the all school corporation art show. They both received blue ribbons and certificates and I was very proud. I always loved working with markers too. I don't know Darlene. One of these days I may not be able to help myself. If I remember right the teacher that passed away was almost retirement age. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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  11. Beautiful! You are so talented--Having your art displayed in the museum is such an accomplishment, Kathy!

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    1. Journey of Life, thank you! Everyone's kind comments are starting to make me feel that perhaps I should do a little art again. I always like several different mediums. I could just start with one, and go from there. I could share my progress here and maybe blog about the process. It has possibilities and merit. Just might do it! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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