While living in Las Vegas, and teaching at Art Starts Here, I was incredibly fortunate to teach a class of amazing teenagers…all girls, all motivated, all art-loving.  My Monday night teen class was truly one of the highlights of my week.  I could often relate to these young ladies.  They were dedicated to their art work and studio time.  Daily, they were living in awkward-new-teenager land, and trying to figure it out.  None of them knew eachother at the beginning of the school year, when classes began.  They were friends and confidants by the end.  I overheard hilarious conversations.  I listened to their concerns. I heard funny stories about their parents, which helped me justify my parenting of my own new teen. As they would work and talk, I quietly learned an abundance about present-day teen stuff, including social issues, music, social networking, fashion, schooling, unhappiness and surprises.  These were all kids who I would label as “good girls”, striving to be individuals in a world of diversity and pressure. By year’s end, I had respect and an enormous place in my heart for each and every one of them…all for different reasons.   They were an amazing blessing and I was sad to leave them behind when my family moved to Georgia (and selfishly, I didn’t want another art teacher to take my place in their classes…).

But then my life surprised me and gave me another set of blessings upon my arrival in Georgia. Two lovely, teenaged sisters patiently push their artistic limits one day a month under my guidance.   C and C are level-headed and motivated, another set of “good girls”.  They are dedicated and talented, and they are completely comfortable in their own skin, which is completely reflected in their art work!  I simply cannot describe how much I enjoy our morning of art instruction.  They inspire me. By simply observing their demeanor, I have learned to relax, take risks, be true to myself in my own art, and in my life, for that matter.  Who would think a grown woman would learn about life from the teens she teaches?   Quite frankly, I do.

Our society does not often think of the benefits teachers receive from their students.  Usually, it’s expected and/or demanded to be the other way around. I feel blessed to teach art, but even more blessed from the simple life lessons  and inspiration I receive from my students every time I teach.  The amazing artistic creations that my students always develop in my classes are incredible and awesome.  What I learn from my students, however, is sometimes far more rewarding.

Note: To enjoy more pictures of C and C’s artwork, please visit my Photos of Lessons and Workshops page