I had mentioned that I needed to get Ed a new screen-shot of my blog if I was going to be able to get up early enough on Sundays to continue to be part of his MyBlogLog Sunday feature so Ed not only showed the new artwork on my blog but had some very nice things to say about Amanda's art. Her art teacher this year hasn't been very complimentary about her choice of artwork calling it "silly cartoons" and such so to have someone else pay some unexpected compliments out of the blue was a very nice thing for her.
Having not posted anything new from the "Artmunkey" lately, I wanted to show off a couple of drawings that Amanda finished recently based on the book Alice in Wonderland. Personally, I think they're great and also think her art teacher needs to be less biased but I guess coming from a biased mother, that might not hold much water, would it?
So - you guys aren't biased, what do you think? Don't be afraid to be honest, even temperamental artists need constructive criticism!


Hmm that must mean I'm a biased mum too! Oh, I forgot I'm not her mother, never mind, just simple bias then.
ReplyDeletecheers
This is my calling card or link"Whittereronautism"until blogger comments get themselves sorted out.
As a mom of a very young budding artist myself, I look at this art and see amazing things....it kind of freaks me out in a good way, just like Alice In Wonderland did, actually. The art is very representative of the story, and I can tell that she has good insight. She seems pretty darned talented, if you ask me!
ReplyDeletePinky
I love the rabbit hole one the best. They're both excellent but there's something about the expression of Alice's face that is disturbing, enigmatic and intriguing all at once. OH! And absolutely adorable.
ReplyDeleteTell her I think she is pretty darn amazing. (said the teacher)
Her teacher is an ass. Most teachers are asses (save for the handful of good ones). Sorry to be so blunt, but I have major issues with the whole public school system. I have two artist kids (don;t know where they get it from because I can barely draw stick people) and they are teens and they said Amanda's work is impressive. Keep it up artmunkey!
ReplyDeleteArtmunkey rocks! Art doesn't have to fit a preconceived mold (ahem to her teacher!). It's a form of expression.
ReplyDeleteMany great artists were "cartoonists" -- Francisco Goya, for example. His etchings were political cartoon and morality cartoons, depicting hot topics of the times. If her teach was worth his/her salt in art history and appreciation she would remember that!
Keep going, Amanda...Experiment with styles colors and media...I think you have the foundation of a lifetime love of art! :-D)
Someone who doesn't at least appreciate the fact that art is subjective should not be an artist, let alone a teacher. This angers me so much. Silly cartoons my ass. These are phenomonal.
ReplyDeleteTruly. Amanda has a rare talent. The swirling tunnel looks like it would be "easy" but I know it's not and her ability to draw perspectives is amazing.
Does Amanda have any plans to, oh, I don't know...sell these? I'm very much liking the Mad Hatter.
I love them too. I'm a member of a tattoo group on MySpace that has many artists as members, and one of the things some of them have said is that it's harder for them to conceive and maintain a "style" with cartoons and drawings than it is to work with realism in art. So all I have is tons of kudos!! And some money burning a hole in my pocket for an Amy Lee plushie! ;)
ReplyDeleteI think that teacher needs to take a step back and understand that criticism of the choice an artist makes is out of bounds. An art teacher's job is to encourage the talent, not label it. If an artist understands form and the use of color and technique, then a teacher should assume a mentor role and get the hell out of the way!
ReplyDeleteAs for Amanda's art, I think she has a unique eye. Her interpretations are interesting. Her work isn't silly at all.
And if she enjoys what she does, then I say let her do it. I saw so many of my talented friends lose interest because teachers tried to channel their talents into "acceptible" formats. Let the artist express his/her own vision I say!
Amanda's art 'teacher' isn't very good if she/he can't see a very individual style in Amanda's work - that's what makes it special. Presumably the art 'teacher' would like everyone's work to be the same! Stupid!
ReplyDeleteHow derogatory to call them 'silly cartoons'. Clearly, this teacher knows nothing about art, and does nothing to encourage someone who is clearly a thriving individual. Excellent pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat Travis said!
ReplyDeleteAmanda has a great style that would be wonderful for illustrating children's stories, for a start. At her young age there's a lot of room for development and who know where it will lead her?
If I were you, me, the teacher and the principle would be having a conversation about proper criticism techniques. That type of comment is as out of place as any type of abuse in a learning environment.
Tar Heel Ramblings
Linda - Go and ask that teacher if she has ever heard of Charles Schultz or Al Capp (go through the comics and pick out any number of other names - and if she would belittle those people by not regarding their work as "art" or does this teacher think art only consists of Renoirs and Monets - what about Dali and Picasso? ALL of those above mentioned are ARTISTS and all well-renowned each in their own particular genre. She should be ashamed to call herself a teacher of art!
ReplyDeleteWow. Lots of support for Amanda. As it should be!
ReplyDeleteI think they are awesome--I love Alice in Wonderland too--she is so talented!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Amanda has a great potential. :)
ReplyDeleteShe's blessed with a good hand and a keen eye. Loved the rabbit. She'll improve more in the years to come and you'll be surprised. But at the rate she's going now, I am giving Amanda's art a thumbs up!
That Alice so kicks butt!
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas to Artmunkey and artmunkey mom. That teacher knows nothing
ReplyDeletecheers
Ed