Positive Though Process while painting....

In working with students my classes, I am constantly dealing with students who are thinking with their left brain, making verbal, negative judgements about their work and themselves. "This looks bad, my trees look like lollipop, I can't paint this, This isn't working, I can't get this to look like..., the clouds look like marshmellows, It doesn't look like an apple, or a chair or a nose" what ever..seeing "things" and describing how they are feeling defeated, rather than, looking objectively at their work as an artist. In keeping a dialog of negative judgement of personal performance rather than thinking in artist terms, they grow increasingly frusterated and progress is hindered.
I suggest then that the students get up out of their chair, don't turn around, grab a cup of coffee, and step far away from their work. Before turning around I suggest a deep breath and then only think in terms of Value, Color, Shape and Line when they are describing what they see, offering no negative input, or their feelings. It takes some effort to break their habit of beating themselves up for not performing the way they want to. Each expect the painting "feel finished" early on, expecting to finish each part of the painting before moving on to the next. Most have a difficult time letting the painting be what it is, a work in progress, focusing on the process, allowing themselves to solve the problems rather than to focus on the negative thoughts and feelings.
I find it helpful to me as an instructor to be the student now and then to remind myself of the struggle of learning something unfamiliar. I am happy to have this next few weeks to do just that.
I have two more classes after Thanksgiving and then the classroom will be closed for the remainder of 2010. Classes will resume on January 24th 2011. A new schedule of classes is posted on the classes link. on my webpage, http://www.gabrielebaberart.com/
I hope to spend this winter break working on my own projects, and doing plenty of study and work from life. I hope to post here regularly to share with all of you. Please join me in my journey and invite others to come along. I will try to share my thought processes and progress along the way...
registration form
Jan 2010 class offerings pdf

Blessings ..
Gabriele