Teaching Art

This week's blog is brought to you by Veronica Guzman of Maya Ceramics and Paintings. If you'd like to see Veronica in action, be sure to stop by Artistic Portland February 9th between 11:30AM and 1:30PM as Veronica will be demonstrating her work as part of Artistic Portland's "Countdown to Valentine's Day" event. 

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I have always said that when I’m teaching art, I am not giving art lessons, but rather giving students a chance to experiment and discover that they have the ability to create art by themselves.

Teaching children always amazes me; you give them the tools and techniques, but in the end, if you do the process with an open mind, you will find that they teach you more than you teach them since the process is reciprocal.

The way most of the kids paint is through playing and making up a story using their Imagination. Allowing this story-making and playing with forms and colors is very important for the creative process. 

Painting and playing

That is why working with mixed media is important. It gives them a variety of materials and helps them explore more and use their creativity.

I guide the students to use a subject in order to help them stay motivated and inspired. I use stories, telling them more about life as an artist.  We talk about the subject we will work on, or a specific artist that we will learn about; but after that the road of creativity should be clear for them to explore, and this way you will see the most amazing creatures and forms on canvases and papers.

Kids working together as a team.

I want to help students find their unique way to do things and also learn to work as a team with kids of different ages.

While living abroad I had the opportunity to work with kids of all nationalities and ages. Being a mother of two very different boys also gives me the perspective of working with different kinds of kids.  I created a special workshop where all the kids from different ages worked together on the same project. The results were wonderful! Learning how your work is valuable, but also respecting others’ work, is an invaluable lesson.

Kids from different ages created a project together.

Stop by Artistic Portland any day of the week 10am-6pm (noon-5pm on Sundays) to see and purchase Veronica's work in person! Check out some of Veronica's amazing work below!