I am so convinced of the power of art. Throughout history art has served as a barometer, on the forefront of the changing tides of history. However, I am thinking about art's effect on the individual rather than the collective. In my experience as a teacher in places as desparate as the Alaskan bush, East Los Angeles, Honolulu to suburban Washington I have witnessed the magic of art. It can inspire a willingness to take a risk, to question and to reflect. The making of it can confound, but keep pulling you towards a solution. In children, I have seen their experience with art build their confidence and apply it to other subject areas. I have watched adults let go of an expected outcome and experience the pure satisfaction of watching something new emerge.
Whenever I get the chance I like to take art to the public. Most will say, I can't do art. Can I just watch. Of course, I say, knowing that within a few minutes they will be working on their own piece and loving the experience of creating. I have always said that everyone is an artist in some form or fashion and it is so fun to watch people discover something in themselves that they did not know was there.
On July fellow artist, Deanna Baldi and I brought our rollers, plates, papers and paints for printmaking at Cross Pollinate, part of the Georgetown Art and Garden Walk. Thanks to Double Nasty (Amanda and James) directors of Cross Pollinate, Jenny who hosted us in her beautiful garden and to the great folks of Georgetown.
