The AIR program was only half way, or may be less. All participants in the life drawing sessions were no longer clouded by their self-consciousness. They loosened up. They set new goals in every single drawing ... everyone surprised him/herself. What did I do? I facilitated the sessions, gave specifications to the model to pose, and instructions to students to draw. I taught, shared a few tips here and there. I walked to individual students to discuss their work with them. My observations were appreciated, I felt. At one point, I recalled my internship at SCAD - as if Prof Joy was watching me - the moment was sweet. And I initiated peer critique sessions! Offering some lead questions, I made them talk about their own art and processes. I invited feedback from the floor. Each critique session ended with a round of applause - a culture I so learned from Prof Sam which I successfully implemented here - artists learn to respect, receive and appreciate themselves and others - this I think is best.
Beep beep beep ... the timer went off at the last 15-min pose which everyone said was the hardest. Time was long enough for a lot of information to go into the picture planes. While everyone was diligently drawing, studying, exploring with different medium, marks and gestures, I suddenly saw a bigger picture of the future of these young, fearless, uncompromising, artists emerging. Seeing all complete pieces of artwork on the easels, we all felt a strong sense of achievement. The art room was instantly filled with joy, I mean real joy!
I dwelt on the thought of what the successful and well respected portrait painter/master at AAU, Dr Sherrie McGraw, talked in her video about how her teaching has been such a vital feeder to her own art, to which she has devoted her life. A voice within told me I was on the right track. Nice.
I smiled all the way home, enjoying the night scene of HK along the Eastern Corridor.
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