Meredith – On Teaching Art

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I teach because I believe...

that the best relationships begin and develop through inquisitive interaction. This type of interaction enriches the life experience and gives us reason to participate with intention and meaning in what is going on around us.

Roundabout installation
New! Scroll down for course offerings...

Teaching drawing skills provides the tools to really look and see where we are and can even show us who we are. Teaching gives structure to my experience as a visual artist in a way that no art-work ever could.

My interest is in the visually complex natural world. I am especially attracted to botanical forms, evidence of animal and human presence and general detritus which build up in areas of physical transition in the environment; coastal, urban, skyline, tree-line, etc.

My approach is to work from observation, utilizing systems of translating from 3-d to 2-d, including proportional measuring, perspective and value study to capture the essence of the subject/object.

My strength is my sensitivity to the unique characteristics, qualities and effects of gravity and growth on observed phenomena. Successful pieces are the result of openness to new imagery emerging from the juxtaposition of forms on the paper. With this attitude of approach the appearance of the work ranges from realist to pure abstraction.

Current work is large format executed in graphite, charcoal and pastel on paper covered board. Techniques include the use of precise drawing tools to record fine detail, wet medium to quickly capture light effects or block out non essential passages and vigorous mark making and blending to depict energy and convey the directional movement of light falling across forms.

I am ever vigilant for better ways to enable students to do the things they dream of doing. Their enthusiasm for what they are learning is naturally rewarding and encourages me to continue teaching. The questions, solutions, new ideas and new perceptions emerging from them open new realms of possibility for all of us individually and together.

Patagonia Creative Arts Center

Workshops and classes
available on request

Fayum mural class
Art of Summer 2007. Pastel mural collaboration after an Egyptian Fayum coffin cover. Done in Egypt A.D. 150 in the Greek Portrait style,
these early encaustic oil paintings adorned the mummies of affluent members of Egyptian society.
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Meredith's Fall/Win '11–'12
Current Course Offerings
at The Drawing Studio
in Tucson

For course descriptions and schedule details visit The Drawing Studio link on this page, below.

Tucson Main Studio

Adult Beginning Drawing

Drawing Fundamantals, Level 1
(8) Tuesdays 6-9 pm
Feb. 14 – Apr. 3

Drawing Fundamentals, Level 2
(8) Tuesdays, 6-9 pm
Nov. 1 – Dec. 20

Drawing Fundamentals, Level 3
Color level 1 – (first half only)
(4) Thursdays, 6-9 pm
Nov. 10 – Dec. 8 (no Nov. 24)
(2nd half in Jan/Feb with Deb Steinberg)

Color Level 1 – full course
(8) Tuesdays, 1-4 pm
Feb. 28 – Apr. 17

Composition in Drawing
(6) Thursdays, 1-4pm
Feb. 2 - Mar. 8

(6) Thursdays, 6-9pm
Feb. 2 - Mar. 8