Teaching

In teaching, I want to share more than artistic skill as a prerequisite for painting. As in my own life, I want my students to find out what moves them, what they believe in, what they truly understand about life, who they are, and what a great experience it is to be alive.

“Connie made us stretch, created an environment where we took risks, gave feedback that helped us reflect, and empowered us to create something we weren’t sure we all could” – Christine Keller

“I really like having a completed work. It makes me look back and say, “I can do it, see!” Connie, thanks for honoring “me” and helping me define “me” - Nan

“Connie widened the creative process in me. She helped me succeed in producing a painting I can be proud of, not only by guiding me through the process, but by helping me reach my goal: to see in a new way and therefore to grow” – Pam Held

“Connie makes a student feel hopeful and excited about his potential as an artist” Laurie Sorkin

“You learn an organized approach to analyzing and creating art. Connie’s method of teaching fosters confidence” Laurie Sorkin

“If I just came and listened it would be worth my money” June Davis

Connie on teaching children:

As a kid, what I dreamed of painting and what I could actually execute were two different things. Art teachers were pleased with my work but didn’t motivate me on how I could improve. What I heard was “that’s nice dear” when I desperately wanted someone to show me how my dreams were achievable.

My kids will tell you they don’t hear “that’s nice dear.” I push them to see the shape of what they are drawing and to determine how light or dark it is with respect to everything else in their composition. They constantly have to evaluate the relative differences of things while holding on to the similarities. Art is complex. Art requires a great deal of intellectual thought, and art that is structurally good can become great when painted with love. I believe in young people and their capacity for creativity.