In the Presence of Genius: Reflections on NAEA

I just returned from the National Art Educator's Conference in Minneapolis!It was an incredibly worthwhile trip as an educator but even more so as an artist!
Some INVALUABLE highlights were my visit to the Walker Art Center and the adjacent sculpture gardens. Rauschenberg, Rothko,Giacometti and more...Creative inspiration was unavoidable!

Hearing Mark Bradford speak and seeing his wall sized paintings and installations,offered ideas and wisdom that I will consider while creating work this summer at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.Their monumentality and innovative use of materials gathered from the L.A. urban landscape, were edgy,beautiful and thought provoking.

Of course conversing with artists,art educators,colleagues and friends from around the country was rejuvenating as well.

But the encounter and experience that left me most inspired was meeting and talking
with George Pratt,John English and Brent Watkinson. These guys and their colleagues,including the master illustrator, Mark English,have launched a hands on instructional program aimed toward "training the brains" of other talented artists who aspire to achieve a greater level of excellence in their work. That I was able to hang with artists who exemplify inventiveness, talent, skill and discipline, is beyond cool!

Check out their website at:
http://www.illustrationacademy.com/new/index.html
They will be launching a program on June 22nd that will allow individual artists access to their expertise,art,podcats,instruction and more for a reasonable fee.
Think Norman Rockwell,Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth and imagine a new breed of like talent...They are who wowed me most this week!
Thanks guys and best of luck in your new endeavor!