Speaking at UMASS, Erik Levine

This afternoon I spoke at Erik Levine’s Sculpture class (with some students from another teacher’s digital media class, too) as a visiting artist.  It was definitely a learning experience for me.  All the notes I’d made for myself suddenly seemed to make no sense when faced with a room of expectant faces, and I did my best to talk about my work in a coherent and clear way, but I realized how much I still have to learn about what I’m doing.  Instead of being frustrated or embarrassed, I actually am happy to know that there is still more discover and a reason to keep on shooting.

I hope it doesn’t seem like I bombed because it actually went really well.  I found myself making connections out loud that I hadn’t made before and I got some great questions and feedback.  One student said something I hadn’t thought of in this particular way (and I’m paraphrasing)— that even as much as my work is about finding these people I imagine a place to exist, a place where they fit, the work is also about the experience of not fitting in, of me not fitting into the clothes or fitting into the scene, of me sticking out as something that doesn’t belong— that the project might be in part about me looking for a place where I do fit.  That gave me a lot to think about.

As Erik walked me back to my car we had a great discussion about teaching and speaking about art.  I really respect him as an artist and as a teacher, and he gives me hope that maybe one day I could be a good teacher and one day I will be able to speak more confidently about my work.  He reminded me that it’s a learned skill, one that you have to work at.

Now a few quick shots from the campus.

As I was waiting for Erik to help me find a place to park, I noticed this coyote decoy with the ubiquitous “NOT ART” stencil on it.  That’s like, the most perfect spot for it.

The studio I spoke in after all the blinds were drawn to prepare for my presentation:

Look! A flyer with my name and picture on it!