That sounds like the perfect art class, watching an artist perform their process right in front of them. How many of these kids deliberately broke the rules just so they could watch you work? I think I would have.
HA! I wouldn't be so sure. Watching an artist do their work brings the whole thing into sharp focus. This is what it takes to make this. This is what all those weird lessons were all about.
It connects the classroom lessons to the professional use of the information. How many times did we hear somebody in class ask, "when are we going to need this stuff in real life? It's just busy work." Ouch! Meanwhile, Harry Stooshinoff is showing his delinquents how to do art as a professional. Bravo!
Terrific portraits and what a fascinating narrative of how they ( and your small format work ) came to be. Thanks for this window into the background of your creative process. Lucky students!
What a great story and beautiful portraits, your lucky students! My art journey was inspired very much by who my art teacher was as a person as well as an artist and I'll bet this is true of some of those students too. And yes, I've always loved those art prompts that have very tight boundaries, so exciting!
I'm new to your Substack (and Substack in general) and love this post of yours. I am thinking how your use of the quarters is like a durational performance whereby these students are invited to watch your process and observe decision making in real time. It's wonderful.
Great bacon saving! :-) Deborah Hay (performance artist) would say, "Invite being seen", which is not very easy to do given that in doing so, we make visible our vulnerabilities, mistakes and perhaps some suffering. I love that you offered this invitation, for both yourself, your students and your models for the day. I'm going to be thinking about this for a while. Thank you!
Karin, yes, it truth, it was pretty stressful doing all that...it was a bit like a performance, and I had to get my energy up for it. And not only did I have to make the paintings, I had to watch the whole room carefully, without giving them much of an idea that I was paying attention to them at all. The person who sat for me, would I'm sure, also feel the electricity of the intense attention focused on him.
Since discovering Substack and considering it as a possible place for me, I have been exploring artists who post here. I am delighted to find you, an artist who can inspire my creativity with both words and drawing. Thank you and I am sharing this post with a friend who I think will subscribe.
Wonderful portraits Harry! I was a student of yours back in the 90's and your classes and mentorship helped shape who I am today. I am so glad I stumbled upon your site!
This was wonderful! The paintings have so much energy and character, along with the inspiration and glimpses into life as a prep-school art teacher. Thanks so much for sharing.
Love your work. I regret I wasn't interested in art when I was younger. No natural talent for it so I never pursued it. I plan to sign up for an art class when I retire because I will have the time to devote to it. Do you teach any classes anywhere? Being creative is a wonderful gift to have.
Sorry to hear you're not teaching anymore. Would have loved to take your class. I'm tired and cranky too lol, but target date for retirement is 2 more years.
Brilliant method for you and the students! The portraits are amazing, full of movement and emotion. The paper choice was perfect!! So interesting to read your stories Harry!
That sounds like the perfect art class, watching an artist perform their process right in front of them. How many of these kids deliberately broke the rules just so they could watch you work? I think I would have.
Thanks, Sue....I think you'd be the only one.... :)
HA! I wouldn't be so sure. Watching an artist do their work brings the whole thing into sharp focus. This is what it takes to make this. This is what all those weird lessons were all about.
It WAS fun watching their reactions to what I was doing sometimes.....
It connects the classroom lessons to the professional use of the information. How many times did we hear somebody in class ask, "when are we going to need this stuff in real life? It's just busy work." Ouch! Meanwhile, Harry Stooshinoff is showing his delinquents how to do art as a professional. Bravo!
I love it.
Terrific portraits and what a fascinating narrative of how they ( and your small format work ) came to be. Thanks for this window into the background of your creative process. Lucky students!
Thanks Gwen...I'm glad you enjoyed it!
you should revisit the portraits! they are wonderful. thanks for sharing them.
Thank you, Susan! Yes, I may do more portraits in this manner.
What a great story and beautiful portraits, your lucky students! My art journey was inspired very much by who my art teacher was as a person as well as an artist and I'll bet this is true of some of those students too. And yes, I've always loved those art prompts that have very tight boundaries, so exciting!
Thanks, Frankie. Yes, we had some great students over the years, and a good number that went on in art.
great portraits and explanation/description. love your work.
Thank you, Jim!
great story, thanks for sharing it and the portraits
Thank you, Lynne!
Brilliant portraits Harry!
Thank you, Shelley
I'm new to your Substack (and Substack in general) and love this post of yours. I am thinking how your use of the quarters is like a durational performance whereby these students are invited to watch your process and observe decision making in real time. It's wonderful.
Thanks, Karin. I was just trying to 'save my bacon' at the time... :)
Great bacon saving! :-) Deborah Hay (performance artist) would say, "Invite being seen", which is not very easy to do given that in doing so, we make visible our vulnerabilities, mistakes and perhaps some suffering. I love that you offered this invitation, for both yourself, your students and your models for the day. I'm going to be thinking about this for a while. Thank you!
Karin, yes, it truth, it was pretty stressful doing all that...it was a bit like a performance, and I had to get my energy up for it. And not only did I have to make the paintings, I had to watch the whole room carefully, without giving them much of an idea that I was paying attention to them at all. The person who sat for me, would I'm sure, also feel the electricity of the intense attention focused on him.
Since discovering Substack and considering it as a possible place for me, I have been exploring artists who post here. I am delighted to find you, an artist who can inspire my creativity with both words and drawing. Thank you and I am sharing this post with a friend who I think will subscribe.
Thank you, Christine! I'm so happy you find the posts useful!
Wonderful portraits Harry! I was a student of yours back in the 90's and your classes and mentorship helped shape who I am today. I am so glad I stumbled upon your site!
Thank you,
Alexis Ellis
ohhhh...so nice to see you on here, Alexis! And of course I remember you, fondly. You were a wonderful student!
This was wonderful! The paintings have so much energy and character, along with the inspiration and glimpses into life as a prep-school art teacher. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Elo!
Love your work. I regret I wasn't interested in art when I was younger. No natural talent for it so I never pursued it. I plan to sign up for an art class when I retire because I will have the time to devote to it. Do you teach any classes anywhere? Being creative is a wonderful gift to have.
Thank you, Deborah! Have a great retirement. No, I don't teach anymore....I may be getting too tired and cranky :)
Sorry to hear you're not teaching anymore. Would have loved to take your class. I'm tired and cranky too lol, but target date for retirement is 2 more years.
2 years will go by quickly. Retirement is great!
Brilliant method for you and the students! The portraits are amazing, full of movement and emotion. The paper choice was perfect!! So interesting to read your stories Harry!
Thank you, Jeannine!
So inspiring to read and see. I wish my school art teacher was as generous!
Thanks, Lucy. ohhhh....I wasn't trying to be generous.... :)
Thank you for sharing your story and process of these beautiful portraits. How wonderful for the students.
Thanks, Colleen!
Your portraits are wonderful!
Thanks, Anita!