Is it Finished?

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low,

and achieving our mark."

Michelangelo Buonarroti

1475-1564

Definition source- Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

of the English Language

     Recently, I received this email-

Mr. Carter,

I have enjoyed your art blog all year. Can you tell me how you determine the pieces to post? For example, do the students volunteer to have their art work posted or do you choose? Are the postings from specific classes?

These are good questions. Thank you for asking. Before answering, I feel that I should begin by answering 'Why an art blog?'  The answer is twofold:

1. To encourage students by showcasing their work online

2. To inform parents by providing 'week-at-a-glance' chapters

     That being said, how are the pieces selected? By asking the same question that I ask when grading student artwork,

"Is the assignment finished?" 

     The best work, regardless of the field or discipline, is work that is finished. Encouraging a teenager to finish something (whether it is a drawing assignment or eating their vegetables) is one of the greatest challenges a High School teacher faces. Everyday.

     Definitions are important. A wise teacher once told me, "You don't really know the meaning of a word until you can explain the word to someone else." Having taught art in seven schools, ranging from Kindergarten to University level, I use the following definition-

     finished- complete to the best of the student's technical and imaginative ability, after the student has considered the assignment, the materials and the suggestions offered by the teacher.

The Art Room
Can you find the three Megans?

     This week in Art History we discussed the period known as Modern Art, a time of re-defining the word finished. Type 1913 Armory Show into your search engine for an overview of this week's lecture. In the studio classes we continued paper casting from plaster molds and bookmaking.

     Here are a few recently finished pieces from Trinity students:

Alli's Hand

Cast Paper

Alli Meyer

Vase

Eric Smith

Plaster Molds

Etching

Paul Venturo

Etching

Megan Bennett

     The Art Room has a brand new cork board, roughly measuring 4' X 8', thanks to Mr. Emmett Higdon (Jack's Dad). Mr. Higdon delivered and mounted the board! Thank you, Mr. Higdon.