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Created by an art teacher with 35 years of experience in her field, this art instruction book was written by a person well-practiced in coaxing students to reach deep within and courageously exert themselves in artistic activity. The focus is on the exertion, not on theorizing or judgmental expectations. After a short review of "ingredients," where concepts like color wheels, tints, shade, perspective, bodies, and faces are covered, the author immediately jumps into a series of 32 activities that are heavy on participation. Her pedagogical method is one of immersion and praxis, leaving theory to only short notes regarding the ingredients needed. There are short vignettes describing famous movements like Cubism and artists like Wyeth in detailed sidebars. However, these are always followed, as in all activities, with the student trying his hand at that new technique or mimicking the famous artist discussed.
This book is a wonderfully refreshing take on art instruction. Its approach seems to be more "holistic" by featuring mandalas, left and right brain modalities, and even a discussion of C.G. Jung at one point. But the author's experience in teaching leads to a strong engagement with her readers—challenging, suggesting, and breaking down resistances within them to become participants. Continual practice is how one learns to create good art, and this is the goal the author is highly successful in mirroring. It may seem to be like hubris to start off trying to mimic Van Gogh or Picasso. Still, readers will find that simply using their own spatiotemporal motor complex in this task can produce some amazing results. The whole purpose of this unique book is to make one loosen up and give it a try.
A 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Award Art Category First Runner-Up
RECOMMENDED by the US Review