Redefining Artistic Direction and Career

     I had everything going for me artistically, but not financially. I had created a website, a blog, given myself a name, had the support of friends, developed a line of work that was selling successfully- functional work and sculptural work and I had even begun to setup a studio with a plan and realized I just bit off more than I could chew. Financially I had no plan and lets face it without the financial means even the greatest of ideas will come to a halt, so I began working more elsewhere. I was enjoying my teaching experience and craved more. So what does this all mean? Have I given up on my dream or just realized that what I thought was my dream was not the most stable of endeavors in this economy. I learned that commissioned work takes the fun out of creating. I learned I'm not the greatest business woman. I learned that I simply don't have the space to store all it takes to be a constant creative being. So it was time for a bit of redefining my artistic direction.

     I am certified to teach K-12 arts education and I have a wealth of lesson plans and ideas for developing a great classroom. I loved every minute of the arts education curriculum at UL and excelled when given the chance to develop my own unit plan. I student taught at Lafayette High and took on the challenge of classroom management and I progressed. So why haven't I gotten a job yet as an art teacher when all of the stars seem to be aligned? There just haven't been jobs available. I'm stubborn. I've found a city that I just can't live without. It has everything: a good portion of my family, some great friends, great festivals, tremendous artistic potential, a fun music scene and some wonderful down to earth people and lots and lots of CULTURE! Lafayette parish has been two years on a hiring freeze and Art teachers stay at their jobs until retirement because the job is just that rewarding. So I've rolled with the punches...working jobs here and there. Substituting and teaching at Pottery Alley have kept me on my feet with classroom management skills, developing my teacher voice and lesson ideas. All of my other jobs have been working with a spectrum of community members and this is always great because I continually strengthen my people skills and my confidence.

     So this being said, yes my artistic direction has taken a bit of a turn. My art-making experience will return to me...in my free time when I have the financial means to explore the things I want to explore. Will I someday sell my artwork again at festivals...sure. Will I take commission work...likely not. Will I open my own art business....likely not. Will I be a fantastic art teacher with a wealth of knowledge about art processes, art career advice and direct knowledge about the Lafayette Art Scene....yes, yes, yes! This feels like a win! So Lafayette please prepare - I am ready to share my teaching philosophy with our youth.

Here is a glimpse into my Parent/ Student Letter:

Hello Parents and Students!

I would like to welcome you to an exciting exploration of the arts with Me, Ms. Lafleur, thanks to Think Inc! I’m a UL Fine Art Grad since 08 and now certified to teach K-12 Art. I am a practicing artist who sells ceramic work at local festivals and galleries and I teach part time at Pottery Alley- a ceramics education studio! 

A little about my teaching philosophy: I like to think of the art classroom experience as an exploration of our potential for creativity. I encourage exploration of media, individual responsibility and ownership, tolerance, cross-curricular and real world connections and ultimately art making with a purpose.

Parent’s did you ask yourself why does my child need Art?

Let me explain the benefits:

Art challenges the mind to think in connected ways. Some of us think more analytically- excelling in math, language and structures and are considered left brained thinkers. Others of us think intuitively, less organized and more spontaneously- excelling in the arts, music and working with our hands. Your child doesn’t have to be a right-brained thinker to excel in the art classroom. Creativity is about making connections across the hemispheres of the brain to encourage whole brain thinking. As long as your child puts forth the effort, given the proper motivation, your child can excel in the art classroom.

How, Do you ask?

In my teaching I try my absolute best to focus on areas your child does well in. If your child excels in math then I know that he/she would enjoy tessellations, measurement and proportion. If your child excels in science then I know that he/she would enjoy color exploration and photography processing. If your child excels in English then I know that he/she would enjoy critiques, visual poems and talking about his/her work. I will give prompts for projects that encourage student choice.

What does involvement in the Arts yield?

A student that is more well-rounded and open to interconnected thinking patterns and an opportunity to express themselves in a way they haven’t maybe had the chance to before. Employers these days look for more than the analytical and factual interpretation. They look for designers and innovators who can back up their ideas with factual and analytical information. Encouragement of creative thought helps us make these connections. Art has the capacity to open our minds and create ingenuity and become more expressive.

What will my Child learn?

We will learn the basic elements and principals of composition, some art history and explore various art media through your child’s choice of a 2D or 3D curriculum (read below for descriptions and supply costs). We will learn to make connections to our visual culture in a way that maybe we haven’t thought about before. We will have guest speakers and take the occasional field trip! We will explore the avenue of community arts- a catalyst for meaningful art.

How as the Parent can I be Involved?

I ask you as the parents of these young minds to participate in whatever capacity you can so that we can make this program a great one! Whether it be simply encouraging your student to try their best- display their work proudly, to donating time, to chaperoning an outing, to signing up as a community guest speaker, to donating supplies or treats for the class…we want you to be involved in your child’s extracurriculars. 

The Creative Curriculum

Your child has the choice of two Units of Study:

Our Visual World in 2 Dimensions (held Mon, Wed- 45 mins/occasionally one 90 min session* will let you know in advance of the dates)

-    Your child will explore 2 Dimensional media such as Drawing, Design, Color, Painting and Printmaking. We will explore readings, artists and movements from the visual arts and have one scheduled outing, a guest speaker from the community, and one community based project. Supply Pack is available for purchase or you can opt to purchase your own materials but they are mandatory to participate.

                Or

Our Visual World in 3 Dimensions (held Tues, Thurs- 45 mins/occasionally one 90 min session* will let you know in advance of the dates)

-    Your child will explore 3 Dimensional media such as Clay, Plaster, Paper Making, Origami, Wire Works, and Paper Mache. We will explore readings, artists and movements from the visual arts and have one scheduled outing, a guest speaker from the community, and one community based project during our curriculum. Supply Pack is available for purchase or you can opt to purchase your own materials but they are mandatory to participate.

Lessons

3D Sculpture:

Wire Environments

Abstract Sculpture: Plaster and Vermiculite àHenri Matisse

Found Object Assemblage: a Look at Artist Louis Nevelson

Paper Mache Cultural Instruments – Percussive Pods

Origami Paper Lanterns àDiwali

Dia De Los Muertos: Remembrance Nichos

Altered Books

Pop Art: Soft Sculpture

Rhythm in Layers - Wood

2D:

Quality of Line and Music: A look at Vassily Kandinsky

Artist Trading Cards

Altered Images – Drawing and Collage

Free Form Stencil Drawing

Lino Cut Prints – A Printmaking Process

Torn Paper Portraits

Drawing with Thread

Simple Shuminagi – Ink Paintings

Fresco Paintings – Plaster Painting

Journal Covers

Acrylic Shingle Paintings

Items to Donate

Newspapers                                Vinyl or Rubber Gloves

Milk Cartons                                Old Forks, spoons or knives

Small plastic Lidded Containers           Shoe Boxes

Garden Gloves                     Buttons, Army Men, wood scraps (small junk)

Styrofoam Meat Trays (sanitized)   Garden Vermiculite

Coffee Tins (with Lid)