We would like to recognize   a great artist,

who is also interested in helping kids.  She is the art teacher at Fairview Elementary in Covington, Georgia.  She is our art teacher.  She has helped our school a lot by painting scenes in the library, painting beautiful backdrops for P.T.O. programs, and teaching us a lot about art and becoming an artist.  We wanted to share this wonderful teacher with you, so we interviewed her for this web page.

Question:  If a kid wants to be an artist, how do they start?
                 What should kids do if they are beginners?

    Beginning Artists should experiment with a variety of mediums such as pencil, color pencil, chalk, charcoal,
conte crayon, and oil pastels.  Most Young Artists are
already familiar with pencil and crayons, so these  are
great to start with.  Many great Artists have begun their
career by simply drawing in a sketch pad, creating works by observing the world around them.  They also enjoy using their imagination to create works of fantasy.  Working from photographs and pictures is good practice and can help the artist when they begin, but most artists eventually like to sketch by observing real life.  As an Artist begins to improve, they can add tempera, watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints to their supplies.  Beginning and Advanced Artists should read books about Artists, and visit galleries and museums.
 
 
 
 

Question: Why did you pick to be an art teacher?

    Most Artists need regular employment to support themselves and their families when they are young.  There are many options in graphic or commercial art, illustration, art therapy and teaching.  I thought teaching would be the most challenging and rewarding.

Question: What is your favorite kind of art?

    My favorite kind of art is painting and I most  enjoy the work of Impressionist and Expressionists Artists.

Question: How long have you been doing art?

    I have been doing art since I was three (I used to draw on shirt cardboards from the dry cleaners.)  I have been a professional artist for 16 years.  I keep a free lance business going on the side while I teach.
 
 
 
 
 

Question: What can you draw best?

    I am known as a landscape and wildlife Artist but I also enjoy painting abstracts and portraits.

Question: Is drawing fun to you?

    Yes!  Art is my life's work, but it is also my pleasure.  I tend to lose all track of time when I am painting because I become so engrossed in my work.

Question: Do you pretty much know how to draw everything?

    I am very confident in my ability to draw most subjects, but architectural drawings do take me longer.  But as with everything I practice!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Question: Any tips on art?

    Always try to be original.  Each Artist has a unique way of looking at the world.  Don't be afraid of making mistakes, this is how Artists learn.  Strive for success, not perfection.
 

Question: If you had to make a web site to teach kids about art, what would you put on it?

   I would teach children the Design Basics needed to create art such as line, shape, texture, color, unity, composition, etc. by showing examples of how these are used in art.  This would include simple illustrations of how to incorporate these into a drawing, painting, or sculpture.  I would also show examples of these basics in works by great artists and by showing examples of other children's artwork.  Also included would be many project ideas to help children learn to use design basics,
 
 
 
 

directions on how to use materials and supplies, safety
concerns, and presentation suggestions.  The web site
should have a children's gallery of art that could be
accessed by children around the world so that inspiration could come from their own peer group.
 

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