Answering The Call

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USSEA ConfThis past weekend I participated in the United States Society for Education Through the Arts (USSEA) and the International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA) conference which turned out to be a fantastic experience. Tim Rollins said during his key note, “You answered the call”. My mind began celebrating the choices I made when it comes to art and education and how the academic preparation along with the experiences in the last 20 years are shaping together a calling I can’t refuse.  What if by answering the call to use the tools, skills, and gifts God had given me I make a difference in someone’s life?

Too many people are concerned about what they can do for the world and just a few pay attention to the impact we can have in individuals. Reaching as many people as we can reach is important and the effort should not be dismissed. However, there is something I learned from the life of Jesus: multitudes will chant your name and at the first chance they have they will turn against you. Multitudes will scatter at the first chance they have but those individuals who had been impacted by your life and teaching will always come back and carry on the vision. That impact is the result of answering the call and do what you do best and do it with love and passion. It is the result of paying attention to the specific needs of the individual and to serve that person as if no one else exists, even if it is for just a few minutes.

As a matter of fact, some individuals are just longing for someone who can acknowledge them at least for a minute. Near us is someone who lacked validation and affirmation from the people closer to them. When we serve them with what we do and what we know they recognize their own value as a person and that finding can unlock a great amount of great things in life. This is why I teach. This is why I have so much passion to share the little I know with everyone I can. It is fantastic to know there are other people all over the world with the same passion. Kudos to all of you who spend time and resources to make a difference through art and education. Thank you for answering the call.

 Join us at one of our sculpting and painting parties!

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Public Speaking

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I had the opportunity to speak to the New Haven Rotary Club during a lunch meeting at The Gallery at Elemar in New Haven, CT. It was a very cold day. Only a few came to the lunch because many people is out of state or inside their houses. Truly it is very cold out there. Nevertheless, it was a good group of people. It is the second group this week where there are more men than women. The previous night I had a painting party with equal number of men and women. Believe me, that is very rare for me. Generally, there are more women or no men at all. What does it have to do with public speaking? Honestly, I have no idea.

The important thing here is the satisfaction of sharing about the healing and learning benefits of art with this fine group of individuals. Public speaking is one of my passions. Speaking about art and cognitive psychology is a great combination for me. Public speaking reminds me of my stand up comedy days. The difference now is that the approach is a little more serious. Being able to speak to people about the things I am passionate about is exhilarating and so much fun. The interaction with people is great too; the questions, the comments, the interest and the considerations. It is all great.

March 13th I go back to the gallery to speak about online media tips for artists. This is going to be fun. In the meantime I keep busy with revising the book, the art, and the sculpting and painting parties, along with a lot of personal stuff. At the same time I remain available to speak at groups and organizations. I hope to continue providing a fresh look at art not only as a profession, but also as a connection to our existence. There is so much to learn about people and so many things that can be done with art and through art.

Speaking About It

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Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. According to many studies public speaking is the only thing people fear more than death. I love public speaking. You might suspect I love the spotlight. My mother has pictures of me as young as maybe three years old performing in front of people my best lip-sinking with all the drama that comes with it. My first public speaking opportunity came in my kindergarten graduation when I read the commencement speech. I did it again in sixth grade, and then at the high school graduation. In ninth grade I was the master of ceremonies. In between I participated in everything I could that would put me on stage. I began working on radio as I began in college, was master of ceremonies in countless events, performed stand-up comedy for many years, and I’ve been teaching for about a decade. Needless to say, I don’t know what glossophobia feels like.

presentationI began writing this blog back in November 2014. For me it is more challenging writing than speaking about it. My brain works faster than the four fingers I use for typing. I am glad I’m coming back to public speaking after a while. Outside of teaching I’ve been away from formal public speaking presentations for a while. Tonight at the closing event of my current show “Torsos” at The Gallery at Elemar. I’m presenting on the healing and learning benefits and we will have an art discussion surrounding the subject. It would be an honor to see you there. It is going to be the warm up for my presentation to the New Haven Rotary club on Tuesday, again at the gallery. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 13. That night I’ll be presenting on Online Media Tips for Artists (details to come soon). Sign up for the email updates for this and other events.

I enjoy online interactions and I believe in the multiple benefits of online media for learning. After all, it is my specialty. However, there’s nothing like being face to face with the audience and experience their reactions, see the faces, identify the ones with rubber necks, and interact directly with people in this capacity. I am very passionate about teaching and sharing my experiences and the few things I know. It fuels my passion when people is willing to listen, learn, and share their knowledge with me as well. Time to take this show on the road and have fun. Hope to see you tonight.

Passion for Teaching

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“I can tell you love teaching.” … I’ve heard that a few times. I do. Teaching is for me a way to give back. If I keep what I know to myself it will die with me. If I share what I know it will live longer in the lives of those who learned. Not only so, what I know will expand beyond me instead of being encapsulated within me. When I teach I can feel this fire burning inside of me. I’m so passionate about it. I don’t pretend to know it all. In fact, I don’t know much, but what I know I share. I also pay attention. I like to learn as much as I like to teach.

“Knowledge not only resides in the head or in the collective mind of a social group, but also exists in discourse and communication among individuals and their relationships.”

Learning and teaching is conscious, intentional, willful, and a balance between old and new knowledge. Learning is also a vicarious experience. Sometimes people don’t know they are learning something until it clicks. This kind of interaction rarely happens in isolation but socially. When people are having fun with others is sometimes when they learn the most. I enjoy when people is satisfied with the results of their time spent. Their testimonials are not to fill my heart or head with pride and arrogance. These are a reminder of the great responsibility placed in my hands. I keep myself in check and seek to humble myself. After all, teaching makes you the servant, not the master.