My Thoughts on Teaching

My November samples are on their way to Frenzy Stamper in Scottsdale, AZ. Hopefully Debbie will have them by Friday or Saturday. I'm VERY excited about these new classes (heck, you guys already know how much I love to teach!) You can find out more information on my upcoming workshops here: http://kellykilmerworkshops.blogspot.com/ I'm often asked how I decide what I want to teach. First off, I only pick classes that I am most passionate about teaching and that interest me. I learned a long time ago that in order for me to be a passionate teacher, I had to stick with subjects that push and interest me. I have to teach what I know and LOVE. There's a ton of source material when it comes to art journaling. There's always a new way of looking and experimenting with ideas and approaches. Opening an art journal is like giving someone permission to say, "It's okay. You can do it. You don't know what happens until you do it. It's okay to make mistakes and experiment. That's what a journal is for." (How come Yoda's voice is going through my head: "Do or do not. There is no try." See? Even Yoda wants you to go for it in your journal. Yeah, it's well known that I am a geek.) My other big thing when it comes to teaching is making damn sure I know what I'm doing. I want to be able to answer a student's question or offer them a different approach to solving a problem. I want to share with them the many ways of looking at a blank page. I want to show them that it's all about exploring opportunity and your choice (no matter what it is) is always a good one. To journal means to be an explorer of new ideas, new directions and new possibilities. I also really want to make sure that I know my materials inside and out. Anytime you are teaching something (be it art to cooking to computers and beyond), you should respect your students by making sure that you know as much as possible about the materials used and the subject matter. It's something that should be expected. I also like to make sure that in my classes students get as much information as possible. I don't want to overload them but I do want to make them aware of the many possibilities. When I teach how to make and fill an art journal, I want the students to realize that they can take that material and apply it to other areas of art. It's not only making a book and working in it but it's a way of opening one's eyes to composition, design, color and other visual delights that can be applied to ANY art form. It's also an exploration of the self. We are cartographers of our own lives upon the pages of our books. Finally, my main reason for teaching is to expand and encourage the minds and creative hearts of my students. I really want them to learn how to open their eyes and to see that inspiration really is everywhere. You just have to learn to see, be willing to make mistakes and just go for it.