Georgia O'Keeffe's Paintbox

I've been keeping a journal for 23 years now-since I was 8.

I read a post recently, someone who was commenting on a class that they took with me, and it really bothered me. First off, the posting was negative (not only about the class-but that doesn't bother me as everyone else seemed to love the class) but about the students, the attitude of the students and my attitude as an instructor.

First off, I've never considered what I do to be either "arts and crafts" or "scrapbooking". NOW, before y'all get defensive on me, let me explain. "Scrapbooking" (in my small opinion) is a wonderful way to document your life for yourself and those around you-leaving behind precious albums and memories. "Arts and crafts"-well there are a few different definitions of arts and crafts-there are artists and craftsmen (and women) who refine and perfect the glorious work that they do and devote their lives to it, then there are "arts and crafts" -fun things to do that keep us busy, and then there are "arts & crafts" -insert your own definition here. ALL of it has a place. ALL of it is "worth" something-something very "high and important".

*but* when it is spoken very derogatively and negatively, then I need to adress something here.

I do not consider myself a "scrapbooker" or a "crafter". This is not something that *I* do for anyone else BUT ME. I do not document my day to day life. I do not document anything for anyone but me (that being said, Tristan, when your Mom's gone, she wants you to take damn good care of these journals that she's devoted so much of her life to). I am not a "crafter". I do not do this on weekends or from time to time. I do this daily, simply, because I "have to". I get all twitchy and anxious if I can't do art. I get bitchy and grumpy if I can't work in my journals. My journals are for ME. My journals saved me.

They are my place to "throw paint around" and "smear paint". They are my place to collage. They are my place to pour out my soul. They are my place to bitch about my life, the world around me and oh, so much more. They are my place to love and treasure my life. They are MY place to be ME.

I have been teaching art journaling, mixed media, collage, bookbinding and oh so much more for 9 years now. There are some students who take my classes wanting the comeraderie of those around them, there are some students that want to learn something new, there are some students that want to make a gift for someone or for themselves, etc... etc... etc... I love ALL of my students. The simple fact that you are there means that you are interested in something about the class. What I love even more so about my students is that most of them take the class, take the ideas, and go home and do something with them. THIS is where they "perfect" what they learned in class-THIS is where they find themselves. They take their books and their glorious backgrounds (and in all honesty, I don't consider what I am teaching you guys to be "just backgrounds" these are techniques that you can use in ANY kind of art and they can be "foregrounds" to. They *can* be the work of art if you want them to be!)

I love it when a student has brought me back work that they have done in classes (like Judy S., Darcy, Mary Ellen, and so many of you) and you proudly say "LOOK WHAT I DID!" The fact that you TOOK THE CLASS, TOOK THE IDEAS, WENT HOME AND WORKED ON THE DAMN THING AND MADE IT YOUR OWN!!! THIS is what I want you to understand.
This is why I teach.

ALL of YOU are extremely talented. I figured I needed to address this post in the open. I am not a crafter. I am not a scrapbooker. I do not teaching "Scrapbooking". I do not teach something called "Please your eye and whatever goes". I teach art. I teach painting techniques. I teach mixed media techniques. I teach collage. I teach bookbinding. I teach art journaling. Most importantly, I am trying to teach YOU how to find your artist, she (he) that is buried deep down inside.

Go smear some paint and have fun with it. Damnit.