Subscribesquam-a-roonie
Ok! I finally have five minutes between jobs to breathe. So I thought I’d sit down with my feet up (still rockin’ the lovely swollen ankles) and jot down some initial thoughts about Squam.
For me, the experience was all about letting go of expectations, doing what was right for me, and holding myself accountable for shaping my own experience. I went into the whole Squam thing feeling overwhelmed and a bit nervous. It was my first time teaching and I truly do not believe that I am an “expert” at anything… so what business did I have to try to teach anyone anything?
So to battle that, I decided that my classes should be laid back (much more my style) and carefree. I would guide them to a certain extent, and I prepared hand-outs and fun ideas, but beyond that, I was just gonna wing it and see what happened.
Well, only one of my classes worked out the way I’d expected. The other two took on different forms (one because of my own exhaustion, a downpour, and a misunderstanding; the other because of an oversight on my part). But I think that once I let go of the thought of “this is not what I planned” — it was ok. People seemed to enjoy them nonetheless and hey, I’m still standing, baby.
My Earth Art class was the one that went according to plan. I started by asking everyone to get comfortable and close their eyes, and I led them through a meditation (which I enjoyed leading!). I asked students to search for a word that they needed right now… something to keep in mind or work on or meditate on in their lives. And everyone managed to come up with really unique words, tailored just for them. I showed them examples of one of my favorite earth artists as inspiration, and people started sketching out ideas, forming their concepts, and wandering off into the woods for elements to work with.
When we were all finished late in the day, we went around to each person’s installation and let them explain their word and how their piece embodied their concept. Everyone was super creative, insightful and just brilliant. (A+’s all around!!) It was all so low key, relaxing and fun. My favorite class I think. I would definitely teach this one again.
The next day was the Travel Journal class and I woke up feeling exhausted. Being pregnant and traveling and trekking all through the woods really wore me out. So I showed up, gave my spiel about the class, handed out examples, ideas and helpful tools, and then asked people if they wouldn’t mind if I parked my bootie on a bench with the art supplies (and answers to any questions they had) while they embarked on journaling in the great wide open.
Thankfully everyone understood my tiredness and was totally happy to go with the flow. So that worked out great. After lunch though, it started raining, and where I thought there was going to be a van for us all to pile into to travel around to the little towns around Squam Lake, there was no van. So we all car-pooled, which didn’t work out so great, unfortunately. But people still did what they wanted (journaled, shopped, ate together, went back to their cabins early for some much needed down time) and that was ok too. I had to really let go of expectations on that day.
The final class was Editorial Illustration. I had prepared lots of fun hand outs and the plan was for each student to do an illustration from sketch to final (or as much as we could fit in), but I didn’t foresee that people needed reference material for tight sketches. (Duh!) So that idea was pretty much dead in the water.
Instead of doing an illustration, the class morphed into simple thumbnail concepting, and a whole lotta talking and Q&A. But really, I had a good time sharing what I know about illustration, and maybe people learned more by asking anything they wanted — no holds barred. I felt like people asked really good questions and were more open than they normally would have been had they been under the gun to create a piece of art.
Once again… not exactly what I’d planned. But it worked!
I think Squam being my first teaching experience and feeling so tired from pregnancy, I didn’t quite get all the good, mushy stuff out of it that other people got. But I’m not really an uber-mushy, sentimental person to begin with. I’m actually sort of a loner, and kind of keep to myself. It’s just my nature… And I struggled with that for years. I always felt lesser or dumb because of how I am… so different from the others…
So truly and honestly accepting my nature on this trip was HUGE for me. I am really proud of myself for knowing that even if I experience things differently: my way is just fine too. Both ways are equally valid. And my heart didn’t break this time. Hoo-rah.
(That all said, my own personal word for my Earth Art class was “Connect”… I’ll explain more about that later perhaps.)
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btw: anyone who was in my Earth Art class who wants to share what they created, I’d love to post it here on my blog. Please email me your name, link to your website, your word and concept — and hopefully some photos of what you created! Thanks!
Hi Penelope! I recently had the chance to teach a few classes in various types of art creation and let me tell you – I’m used to teaching children and feel comfortable in front of that sort of group, but to be in front of my peers… instructing and leading? It was truly intimidating and you definitely cannot build up in your mind what it should be – it needs to be an organic process, growing based on the needs and ideas of the class as well as your own needs and ideas. Deep breaths!
I really enjoyed reading about your experience and I hope people send you their work! I already saw some of the things that Amanda Woodward made and they were absolutely lovely.
Cheers and have a nice day!
hey penny.
you were fabulous. i’m loving seeing the photos of the work that came out of your classes..so inspiring.
and it’s all good – how we all come home with different expressions of the experience. it all matters :)
xo
Penelope, you speak to my heart. while I want to be a people person, and at times can be, I am loner too. Because I always have expectations that are unrealistic it is so easy to be disappointed. You did such a big thing to be okay with you just the way you are. You are so right, we expierence the world differently and there is no “right” way. I hope you keep teaching, and that some day I can meet you and pick your brain on illustration!
Thanks for sharing and for being so open and honest, it’s always so refreshing to read your blog!
Heck yeah!
I am so proud of you, for taking a step out of your comfort zone and sharing so generously with everyone. Mostly, though, I am so proud of you for just being you. I treasure your honesty, your laidbackness, your talent, your kindness and, of course, your ‘do rags. Every little bit and piece of you is a gift. To me and everyone around you.
So much love, C.
I would love to take one of your classes, Penelope. I sure your students were completely inspired by the lessons and experimenting and meditation and all-round creativity you offered. I am impressed with how open you are regarding illustration. You have a creative mind and generous spirit.
hi penny.
wish i could have joined you on that bench. ;) my schedule was crazy that weekend…i had hoped to drive up on saturday night but i had to work. hopefully, we will cross paths some day. xo
You did it! Teaching is all about plan a, plan b, plan c, ahhh what the heck, no plan!!! If you inspired one single person you were a success :)
xxoo C
I think it’s so important that you shared your experience. Being creative isn’t just about being warm and fuzzy. It’s also about being exhausted and pregnant and uninspired and stuck and disappointed and detouring and soldiering on anyway.
Your way is just as valid, and makes me feel a little less prickly and a little more, well, if not normal, then not so weird.
so happy to hear about your squam-venture. i can relate to classes having a life of their own–i think that is the best though, to have intention and not hold the reigns so tight. it needs to form to the ones within it. so sounds like it was perfect and a great ‘1st’. yay! oh i really love teaching (and believe me, i’m a bit of a loner as well) but i love the surprises and challenges and outcomes.
glad yer well, lope! xojs
your honesty about experiencing things in your own way is a wonderful thing. it seems silly that we need to give ourselves permission to accept and celebrate our own natures but we (at least some of us, me included) do. thank you!
i’m sure your students had a lovely time.
you are rad girl.
I so love that you went with the flow and accepting yourself and things as they are.
You are wonderful. I lovced connecting with you and taking photos of your classes. Will be posted in flickr group as soon as my head gets above water.
and since I am super mushy- I close with some mushy kisses and a horrified look on my face as I remember how touchy feely I was sitting next to you during Swirly’s book launch. LOL. Hope you didn’t mind too much.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Hi Penelope!
Thanks for sharing the experience. I´m going to read your post again, I think, and then again and again when I feel I need some support/inspiration/identification.
Have a good Sunday!
Interesting that the one word I used on my blog to reference my first meeting with you was “connection”. What an honor to meet you and how I admire your open honestly. You may not be a gusher but you do inspire gushing. (smile)
ditto what Judy said!
I had no idea you had never taught before– it would have been tough for ANYone, let alone pregnant and in the woods– and YOU kept it all together amazingly– SHEESH– woman
KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
now go put your feet up and get some rest!
I bet your classes were fantastic. I hope to go to one some day. As for the loner talk, I’m a loner myself and you inspired an illo :)
Get some much needed rest chica.
hi-
i am a high school teacher and i experience the same kinds of feelings every day! i can relate to the point you made about being kind of “a loner”. that does make teaching harder on some level since there is a pressure to interact. i’ve been teaching for nearly 10 years. i always thought one day things would magically go really smoothly, but… i’m still waiting for that day! i’m sure all of your students had an amazing time!
Penelope:
My roommate took some of your classes and referred me to this post. I too, am not a mushy-gushy person. On top of it, the art classes were really not my type of art – I’m more academically trained and yes, rigid in my art. However, I did enjoy Squam for what it became for me – a re-living of my childhood camp days in Minnesota. I made some wonderful friends, although I do not write about it in my blog in a mushy-gushy-girl-power way. And as I said there, Squam did change me in certain ways, but in my own unique ones. Good for you that it helped you realize your own unique personality and in your own unique way.
Sounds like you were really brave, and that it worked out just brilliantly. Congratulations! xxx
you were fantastic as a teacher! Your “come what may” attitude was perfect for Squam! I was in your Earth Art and Illustration classes, and I definitely learned a ton from you, including some perspective on going with the flow of things… so thanks for that! I loved meeting you and getting to connect — would do it all again in a heartbeat!
penelope, you were wonderful to not only meet and be roomies with, but as a teacher. we all learned a lot from what you shared so generously and naturally. i agree with judy – you inspire gushing!
Penelope, it was nice to meet you, and to be able to take your class. I liked that you were just going with the flow it made the class that much more interesting.
it was such an honor to spend the day with you, penny.
i can’t honestly imagine taking any other class on that first day.
you have a such a sweet and sincere presence and the concept worked so beautifully.
gorgeous setting, sun shining, surrounded by lovelies…
thank you for bringing us all together.
xoxoxo
Penny your class was the perfect way for me to start my experience at squam. You are a sweet wonderful person with an amazing light surrounding you. The way you guided us was brilliant.
I just loved being in nature, being inspired by you, and so grateful for the guidance you gave me on my art project. I felt like a little kid again. Free to explore in nature and free to create something so out of the ordinary for me. I would be honored if you shared my creation.
My word was wings. Being at squam I felt like I was just learning how to fly and it was a such a safe place to do that.
Here is my blog: http://www.sunflowers131.blogspot.com/
you can find some of my photos from my project here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggling131/
Thank you Penny!! Thank you!!
you were fantastic p-lope, I really enjoyed your class… it was a highlight of the entire weekend for me :) But you know that…
my pics from your class can be found here if you want to share or use: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandawoodward/sets/72157607296726372/