Underground Art School

What is Art School?

What art means changes as our knowledge of art, it's history, it's operation, and our own life perspectives change. So really the question is how do you feel about art right now? Side note: what should art do?

I'm pretty certain that art schools have no flipping clue what art is right now. Actually, many art schools have no flipping clue what art school in general is (meaning what it's meant to do). Teach a skill or prepare students for a career or both or neither? Finding an answer means work and work means change. Who wants do that?

I have a hunch that many presidents, professors, deans, and administrators haven't even considered these questions. Even some gallery owners, curators, critics, and dealers probably never thought twice.

 Go ask them (as a student, it is your job to ask questions). What is art? What is art school? What should they both do? How do you feel (right now) about both? 

Let us know what they say.

INSPIRATION: Milton Glaser: To Inform + Delight

Milton Glaser is...the ultimate graphic designer. Amazing. Genius. Icon. Whatever label he is (or isn't) this documentary about his work is incredibly inspirational, especially if you need a creative pick-me-up (regardless if you are a graphic designer or student). Glaser said something that stuck with me: professors are not only teaching a skill but a way of life. Truth.

We need more diversity in the university! Especially right now. We need professors that are creative, inspirational, fearless, and open-minded to teach us how to create and thrive in this fast paced, visual, GLOBAL community. 

TIPPING POINTS: Winter Break

I love winter break. It's too short to really accomplish anything huge (if we're being realistic) yet long enough to be excited for classes to begin again (what, your not excited for that?). Even though I haven't been a student in a few years, I still like to pretend I am. Below are a few ideas on how to spend your January winter break creatively.

Image: Jacqueline Pytyck

 TIP:  Yea, I get that you're on vacation from art and school but this is art on your time. If you're not spending your breaks making art for yourself now, what will you do when you have a diploma?

1. Read something you wouldn't normally read (perhaps an artists biography, maybe an art history book, or stack up on art magazines from your local bookstore chain).

2. Spend a day googling and blog hopping artists, art blogs, and portfolios. If you're a fine artist, focus on design + illustration. If you're an illustrator or designer focus on fine art. This is best accomplished in pajamas.

3. Learn how to scan your artwork as high resolution jpgs. Don't have a scanner? Use your schools!

4. Fill an ENTIRE sketchbook.

5. Consolidate your art supplies. Donate unused materials to local schools, churches, or after school programs, or swap 'n' share with friends.

6. Start an art blog. Learn how to personalize it with a banner, 'cause it's really all about the banner...oh, and content.

7. Submit your work to art + design blogs. Don't be shy, I'll like you.

8. What is it that you feel you really suck at when it comes to art or design? Devote the month to practicing that. I said practice, not perfection.

9. How many museums or galleries can one go to in one month? 

10. Throw a bangin' art party where each guest must bring a new piece of artwork.  

Tipping Points: Sketchbook Methods

 

 I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I'm terrible at keeping a sketchbook.  I've always made drawings and loosely planed out their structure but, I've never been good at keeping up with a sketchbook. I've tried, I have many partially filled sketchbooks and random sheets of paper with sketches on them but it takes a conscious effort to make that happen. 

The rule is that an artist always has their sketchbook, and should draw from observation as often as possible. But, there are many different ways to keep a sketchbook. Here are the ones that work best for me.

The Travel Journal: A combination of drawing, collage, writing, and a place to keep track of how much money I'm spending.

 

The Note Taker: For classes, I always learn better if I draw my notes. This works great for art history! Learn how you learn!

  

The Blog and the Daily Drawing: I like to switch between wet and dry mediums a lot and I can never stick to using one book. My blog is how I collect every thing together and I never have to worry about loosing it. It's also a place to keep my inspirations and easily link back to their source. I like daily drawings because they help me to build up good drawing habits. 

 Tip #1 
A prefabricated sketchbook can be great, but if you like to have better quality paper or a range of colors and textures, a home made sketchbook is the way to go.  You could always draw on your skin.

 Tip #2 
Use drawing to build up good habits in your art and own life. If you have trouble remembering to draw keep your sketchbook with to your TV remote or in the kitchen next to the tea kettle. 

Links: Accesart Sketchbook blog Peculiar Bliss Doodlers Anonymous
 Urban Sketchers

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Gina Furnari is a recent graduate of The Hartford Art School and creator of "non-traditional" paintings. She works as the Education Assistant/New Media Developer intern for The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut, and is also the New media consultant for The Clyde Otis Music Group in New Jersey.

Tipping Points: BLOCKED.

I've been feeling pretty creatively slump-ish lately. Not sure why but I've decided to take action. 

Step one: clear my brain and work space. Step two: turn off the TV while I draw or write (I am a tv addict this is very hard for me). What distracts you? Step three: Turn on Dinner Party Download (It's a  podcast. It's not really art related but supper funny and creative and makes me happy every time I listen to it). Art is all about focus-what techniques help you concentrate?

 Tip: 
If you are feeling kinda blah make a self portrait (this is what I do when I can't figure out who I am in regards to art any more or can't think of anything to draw). And check out some drawing blogs like: 

Michael Nobbs' 75 Ways to Draw More  

Dawn Sokol's  D'blogala 

 Creative Block, a site that offers new advice every time you hit the F5 key. 

Keri Smith's Artist's Survival Kit #1. 

[Image: Vaughn Fender]

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Gina Furnari is a recent graduate of The Hartford Art School and creator of "non-traditional" paintings. She works as the Education Assistant/New Media Developer intern for The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut, and is also the New media consultant for The Clyde Otis Music Group in New Jersey.

Tipping Points: Analyze This!

[Image: Michelle Cavigliano]

If you use the internet at all to promote your work then it's important to use analytics (I use Google but there is also Feedburner). Typepad even has a built in analytics! Not only does it show you how many people look at your pages but where those followers come from and how long they stay.

The instructions on how to install are all there, and don't be intimidated by the code it's a simple cut and past job so don't worry. This will help you know where to focus your efforts. Of coarse it also helps to keep track of if you simplify your Internet presence to just a few sites.

 Tip #1 
Monitor your Web site, blog, Twitter account, and Etsy with analytics.
 Tip #2 
Keep the number of sites to monitor simple.

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Gina Furnari is a recent graduate of The Hartford Art School and creator of "non-traditional" paintings. She works as the Education Assistant/New Media Developer intern for The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut, and is also the New media consultant for The Clyde Otis Music Group in New Jersey.

Tipping Points: Go For It!

[Image: Pancakes for Dinner]

I'm sure you hear this all the time from a million different people and now from me. But I don't care I'm saying it again AND you should make a poster of the following tip and hang it above your bed at night to remind yourself to try new things every once and a while. It especially helps if you are creatively stuck. In which case, if you are, I'll direct you to Keri Smith's Artist's Survival Kit.

 Tip: 
Work out side your comfort zone! Aka do the opposite of what you would normally do. OH YEA...and do it barefoot if you really want to create dangerously.

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Gina Furnari is a recent graduate of The Hartford Art School and creator of "non-traditional" paintings. She works as the Education Assistant/New Media Developer intern for The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut, and is also the New media consultant for The Clyde Otis Music Group in New Jersey.