tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post3322676325715099674..comments2024-03-08T00:12:34.350-08:00Comments on Art and Quilts, cogitations thereon: More on Teachers: Socratic or Sophist?Elizabeth Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928615247903165719noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-65503399806285218972012-02-05T21:28:50.117-08:002012-02-05T21:28:50.117-08:00So here is my thought on this insightful post. We ...So here is my thought on this insightful post. We usually first crawl, then walk, and then run. when I first started quilting, I needed to know how to use a sewing machine, what thread would be best, how to use a rotary cutter, etc. It was fun to attend workshops that showed you how to do something specific, provided you with tips for more efficient construction, and gave you the opportunity to see what and how other quilters were constructing their quilts. But eventually one can only make so many 9 patches, "on point" settings and so on. That's when I look for workshops that are going to show me a specific technique that I can add to my creative toolkit and draw on when attempting to do something entire of my own mind. Much like a carpenter that learns to handle a coping saw and then recognizes when and where to use it when creating a cabinet of his/her own design.<br /><br />In other words show me how to do a particular embroidery stitch but then let me decide when, and where to use it and/or how to add to it to create something new.Renatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15703909499714319583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-46000095428752213522012-02-04T18:12:16.072-08:002012-02-04T18:12:16.072-08:00thought provoking post... I like to think that I&#...thought provoking post... I like to think that I'm helping students to trust their instincts and to develop their own approach to fabric. AND, I talk a lot about ironing, cutting, design, stitches, thread, etc. There is a lot of sharing of resources, pictures, and websites in my little winter class, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-37700146339537327862012-02-03T16:45:11.208-08:002012-02-03T16:45:11.208-08:00For me it depends on where I am in the learning cu...For me it depends on where I am in the learning curve. When I'm a novice I prefer skills-oriented (Sophist) classes because I need to build basic skills. As a more advanced practitioner, I look for Socratic learning because it enables me to find and build my artistic voice.<br /><br />So I think it depends on the level and interests of the student. I wish there were more Socratic teachers out there, though! Sophist teachings seem much more popular, perhaps because it's easier for anyone to take advantage of them.<br /><br />I'm still sorry I had to drop out of your class on design, and hope to take it again soon!Tien Chiuhttp://www.tienchiu.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-10574297593843238312012-02-02T20:52:17.515-08:002012-02-02T20:52:17.515-08:00Why take a workshop? To experience a particular te...Why take a workshop? To experience a particular teacher whose work I admire -- perhaps a one day workshop to see how we fit. If one day its more for whatever new techniques I can learn; but if its five days, which I MUCH prefer, then its to be helped, encouraged, pushed, whatever to did deeper into myself. Long workshops are usually with a teacher whose work I admire, but not to do my version of her work. Its more a sense of if I admire her work we must have some connection . . . That's why I took your Tahoe workshop and, yes, I got some techniques but mostly I god to see a direction I hadn't seen before. So thank you.<br /><br />Iris in CaliforniaIris Lorenz-Fifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-32111840708018503132012-02-02T20:51:52.474-08:002012-02-02T20:51:52.474-08:00Why take a workshop? To experience a particular te...Why take a workshop? To experience a particular teacher whose work I admire -- perhaps a one day workshop to see how we fit. If one day its more for whatever new techniques I can learn; but if its five days, which I MUCH prefer, then its to be helped, encouraged, pushed, whatever to did deeper into myself. Long workshops are usually with a teacher whose work I admire, but not to do my version of her work. Its more a sense of if I admire her work we must have some connection . . . That's why I took your Tahoe workshop and, yes, I got some techniques but mostly I god to see a direction I hadn't seen before. So thank you.<br /><br />Iris in CaliforniaIris Lorenz-Fifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-43156984532499960672012-02-02T09:25:40.183-08:002012-02-02T09:25:40.183-08:00I teach my students the basics, but then encourage...I teach my students the basics, but then encourage them to fly. I like to have them play with small projects without worrying about the outcome. Some they will like others not, but they've learned something from each one and will use these observations in their future work. I encourage them to keep these small forays as a reference library on techniques and design as well as a growth chart.Jean S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-73344856902969774982012-02-01T15:15:34.025-08:002012-02-01T15:15:34.025-08:00thank you for your comment orkaloca...I think many...thank you for your comment orkaloca...I think many students here also want the step by step - do this and this and so on - approach. they're afraid to think...perhaps it will be too hard...they are not (for the most part) taught to think in school, rather to memorize and regurgitate. It's sad. thinking is SO good!Elizabeth Bartonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13928615247903165719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-72759152823748092302012-02-01T13:30:08.254-08:002012-02-01T13:30:08.254-08:00I'm definitively a socratic teacher... of cour...I'm definitively a socratic teacher... of course I teach skills but I want that my students learn how to apply those skills to express what they are. I work to teach them how to realize their own idea and visions.<br />But sadly I've seen that most of people, at least here, want a sophist teacher, they want to learn how to do that quilt, that pattern, and sometimes they are so "blind" that after taking 5 classes on hand applique they still want to spend money to attend a "baltimora" class, just because the pattern is different :(orkalocahttp://www.orkaloca.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-89047876700002290352012-01-31T11:19:49.218-08:002012-01-31T11:19:49.218-08:00Socrates rules OK!
I'm doing a good on-line c...Socrates rules OK!<br /><br />I'm doing a good on-line class at the moment which is expanding and improving my technical skills. But can I put those skills to good use to express what is within me, not yet (Or at least i hope it's not yet!) because I can't make a satisfactory link between the skills and the ideas.Linda B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05490436237080230938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-26373732391855558312012-01-31T11:00:10.875-08:002012-01-31T11:00:10.875-08:00I think it's about balance, but even more abou...I think it's about balance, but even more about where you are in your artistic journey. Many paths lead to nirvana, and for me, what I need at any given time is likely not to be what I needed two weeks before or two weeks later. So, techniques, of course, but only in the pursuit of whatever I'm pursuing. This can be frustrating, since one doesn't know what one doesn't know (to paraphrase an infamous statement about war). But as adults, engaged in the mysterious art of making art, frustration is just one more tool to be used. When I'm frustrated, I figure out what I need to overcome the frustration -- next time I'll think through presentation before I start making the work, for example -- and place it in my tool bag.<br /><br />I no longer have time to do the methodical study of things I mostly won't have to know, so I learn as I go, and make mental notes about what I didn't know. I have to jump into projects while they are fresh and fun, but I know I'm depending on a huge amount of learned skills to make my way through the intermediate tangles.<br /><br />So like some other commenters, I think it's clearly a kind of balance, but not one that is stable. It depends on who you are, what you already know, and where you are on your artistic highway.Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00325386238844997236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-19703612079006483522012-01-31T09:50:30.169-08:002012-01-31T09:50:30.169-08:00Great post. I myself prefer a Socratic approach. I...Great post. I myself prefer a Socratic approach. I teach the skills and techniques and then ask my students to bring their own spirit into the work. Use their voice. Many students just want the technique but those who are looking for permission to work from the heart find a freedom of expression that is so necessary to create art.Liz Kettlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360212531864372742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-41017658655440351262012-01-31T09:08:03.209-08:002012-01-31T09:08:03.209-08:00Does it have to be either/or? In Canmore, you enco...Does it have to be either/or? In Canmore, you encouraged each class member to develop their ideas, but also offered techniques and skills so our efforts were not frustrated by lack of knowing how to assembly them. I vote for both!Elsie Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739927333538419518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-83430044588318561322012-01-31T08:36:12.622-08:002012-01-31T08:36:12.622-08:00I suppose it depends upon whether you are Apolloni...I suppose it depends upon whether you are Apollonian or Dionysian!! I have been told I am the latter and so I think the Socratic teacher would be my choice.Gerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06292762162661584206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1210759514036256082.post-87377319155855674192012-01-31T08:12:16.423-08:002012-01-31T08:12:16.423-08:00It's all about balance, isn't it? Over and...It's all about balance, isn't it? Over and over. I need an inspiration, one that is uniquely mine, but I also need skills and tools. Just took Jane Dunnewold's class in November and am discovering how those tools fit into my world. I want a teacher to help me delve into myself to engage and develop my unique point of view as well as a teacher to teach me new tools to express that vision! I'm greedy, I want it all! Thank you for all the stimulation you give me through this blog.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04730298448632087144noreply@blogger.com